This webpage is intended to provide the opportunity to review information on the proposed projects and provide comments or questions.

Your responses will assist the project team with decisions during the various phases of project development.

For Additional information on the project, please visit the NCDOT webpages :  

U-6103: https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/us-74-express-lanes-i-277/Pages/default.aspx

U-2509: https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/us-74-express-lanes/Pages/default.aspx

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The tabs above Project Overview / Ultimate Build-Out / Environmental Documents) each provide separate information about the projects.

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Project Overview 

Planning and development are underway to improve U.S. 74 (Independence Boulevard) by widening the roadway to include additional express lanes and general-purpose lanes, and replace at-grade intersections with grade separated interchanges and overpasses. The proposed project also includes improvements on routes parallel to U.S. 74 to help minimize congestion during and after construction. The express lanes will be part of a network of express lanes in southeastern Charlotte and Matthews in Mecklenburg County. 

The purpose of the proposed project is to improve traffic congestion and provide reliable travel times along the Independence Boulevard corridor. The planned improvements to U.S. 74 (Independence Boulevard) will give drivers the choice of paying a fee for a more reliable trip time between I-277 in Charlotte and I-485 in Matthews.

The proposed improvements are broken into two main projects:
STIP Project U-6103 and U-2509.

STIP Project U-6103 includes U.S. 74 (Independence Boulevard) from I-277 to just west of Idlewild Road and includes the conversion of the existing bus lanes to two-way express lanes.

STIP Project U-2509 continues from the end of U-6103 to I-485 in Matthews and includes two-way express lanes, additional general purpose lanes, intersection to interchange upgrades, and the extension of parallel connector roads

Project Overview Map

Clicking on the map below will open a larger vision of this map. 

Clicking on the numbers on that map will open individual pages with information on proposed improvements at the selected location and allow opportunity to submit questions or comments.

The links below will access the same pages of information as clicking on the numbers shown on the map above.

Project Segments currently in Final Design 

Final Design takes into consideration feasible engineering, safety, economics, public well-being, and convenience to the public.    

The segments below are the currently funded improvements.

U-6103 Public Meeting Maps (July 2024)

The maps below show the currently funded improvements.

Map 1 - Beginning of Project to East of Pecan Avenue

Map 2 - East of Pecan Avenue to East of N. Wendover Road

Map 3 -  East of N. Wendover Road to East of N. Sharon Amity Road

Map 4 -  East of N. Sharon Amity Road to West of Idlewild Road

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U-2509 Public Meeting Maps (July 2024)

U-2509AA  

• Reconstruct Sharon Forest Drive to grade separated design (bridge)

• Reconstruct Harris Boulevard, Village Lake Drive

•  Reconstruct Margaret Wallace Road 

U-2509AB

• Reconstruct Sardis Road North, and Sam Newell Road to grade separated design (bridge)

• Extend Arequipa Drive from Sardis Road North to Sam Newell Road

U-2509AC

• Independence Pointe Parkway 

  • Extend from Windsor Square Drive to N.C. 51/ Matthews Township Parkway on new location

U-2509AD

• Reconstruct Matthews-Mint Hill Road to grade separated design (bridge)

• Extend Northeast Parkway from Overcash Drive to Waiting Street

U-2509B

• U.S. 74 between Sardis Road North and Idlewild Road

U-2509EA

• Margaret Wallace Road and Arequipa Drive intersection improvements

U-2509EB

• Independence Pointe Parkway extension from Sardis Road to Sam Newell Road on new location

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Unfunded Project Segments

The segments below are not funded in the current 2026-2035 STIP (July 2026)

U-2509C

• U.S. 74 between Sardis Road and Wallace Lane

U-2509D

• Sardis Road between Sardis Road  and I-485

U-2509E

• U.S. 74 Parallel Routes - Krefeld Drive, Arequipa Drive and Independence Pointe Parkway

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Project Comments

NCDOT accepts comments throughout all phases of project development.  

All comments  received will be taken into consideration, and carry equal weight, regardless of submittal method.

The public is encouraged to leave comments using this webpage, email, or phone number:

Email:  US74-Improvements@publicinput.com

Phone Number:  984-205-6615    enter project code 1306 to leave a message.

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Project Manager

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Title VI Feedback

To ensure we’re hearing from a broad set of voices, would you be willing to share (completely anonymously) some information about yourself?

If so, please click here https://publicinput.com/NCDOT-Title-VI

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Page Last Updated- September 1, 2026

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