R-5930: North Chatham Park Way in Pittsboro
R-5930: North Chatham Park Way in Pittsboro
The N.C. Department of Transportation, in partnership with the Town of Pittsboro and Chatham Park investors, proposes to construct a new north-south roadway east of Pittsboro called North Chatham Park Way (STIP Project No. R-5930).
The proposed project begins at the U.S. 64 Bypass, just north of Suttles Road, and ends at the intersection of U.S. 15-501 near Russell Chapel Church Road, covering about 2.7 miles. It connects to the existing segment of Chatham Park Way (from U.S. 64 Business to U.S. 64 Bypass) that was recently built and is now open to traffic.
Currently, U.S. 15-501 is the only major north-south route through Pittsboro, funneling all traffic through the historic downtown area. NCDOT and the Town have identified an opportunity to partner with Chatham Park to accomplish the goal of providing an alternate route for traffic traveling through downtown Pittsboro while continuing to support the economic development of the region. It will increase mobility options for drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
Vicinity Map
Virtual Presentation
As part of NCDOT’s design process, the project team reached out to adjacent property owners and the larger community to provide an opportunity to share comments and ask questions. In addition to a newsletter, a virtual presentation for R-5930 was held January 2021 prior to the beginning of the N.C. Division of Water Quality public hearing. The presentation materials can be found at this website or you can contact the project team for a hard copy of the meeting materials. The live presentation can be viewed below.
*Due to Covid-19 restrictions, NCDOT is not holding in-person meetings for projects. Virtual meetings are being held until further notice.
Public Comment Summary
A total of 650 comments were received between distribution of the December 2020 newsletter and closing of the comment period for the January 2021 Virtual Presentation. These comments have been summarized and are available for download here.
Project Design
From the U.S. 64 Bypass to the proposed Grant Drive extension:
- Four-lane median-divided roadway with curb and gutter
- 10-foot wide multiuse paths on both sides. Bicycles would also be permitted to share the travel lanes.
The multiuse paths are preliminary and subject to agreement with the Town of Pittsboro.
From the proposed Grant Drive Extension to U.S. 15-501:
- Typical section is proposed to transition to a two-lane median divided roadway
- 7-foot wide shoulders (4-foot paved plus 3-foot grassed)
- 10-foot wide multiuse paths on both sides. Bicycles would also be permitted to ride on the paved shoulders and share the travel lanes.
The multiuse paths are preliminary and subject to municipal agreement with the Town of Pittsboro.
Intersection and Driveway Access
Access is proposed to be limited along North Chatham Park Way. Driveways and side streets are generally right-in-right-out, except at signalized intersections. Proposed intersections are based on known developments in the project area and are adequately spaced based on NCDOT standards. North Chatham Park Way proposes to construct median breaks and intersection stubs for these proposed connections. The intersections would then be signalized when warranted as road connections are made. The proposed corridor would ultimately provide five full-movement intersections and four right-in right-out intersections.
The intersection with U.S. 15-501 would be converted to a reduced-conflict intersection, a design used to improve safety and traffic flow on a highway. At this intersection left-turns from North Chatham Park Way and Russell Chapel Church Road onto U.S. 15-501 would be prohibited. Drivers wishing to turn left onto U.S. 15- 501 would make a right turn and then utilize U-turn bulbs north and south of the intersection to travel southbound or northbound, respectively. Reduced conflict intersections simplify the way traffic flows, removing potential conflict points when compared to traditional four-way intersections. The benefits of reduced conflict intersections include a reduction in number of crashes, improved safety for motorists and pedestrians, and the ability to accommodate more traffic without increased delays.
Alternatives Development
A range of alignments have been previously studied for North Chatham Park Way, referred to as Alternatives 1 through 6. NCDOT determined that Alternative 6 was the least environmentally damaging, preferred alternative. Alternative 6 was shown at the virtual public hearing in January 2021. A new alignment, Alternative 7, was added to the Alternatives Analysis after the public hearing based on comments from the North Woods property owners and residents. In addition, several North Woods residents and property owners requested consideration of an alignment east of the North Woods/North Village property line. The presentation linked below summarizes the Alternatives Analysis through May 2021.
After a detailed review of public comments and careful consideration of the benefits and impacts of the options (Alternative 6, Alternative 7, and an alignment east of the North Woods/North Village property line), NCDOT has completed the alternative evaluation process and has selected Alternative 6 as the preferred alternative.
*North Chatham Park Way is not proposed to have an intersection with Country Routt Brown Road, as shown in the image below.*
Traffic Noise Analysis
During planning and design for highway projects, NCDOT must
Identify traffic noise impacts
Examine potential noise abatement
Incorporate feasible and reasonable noise abatement measures
Coordinate with local officials to provide helpful information on compatible land use planning and control.
The procedures for doing this are stipulated by Federal regulation (23 CFR 772) and the NCDOT Traffic Noise Policy.
A noise analysis for this project is currently underway. Based on the rural nature of the project area (i.e., low density of residences), noise barriers are not anticipated for this project; the cost would likely be high, which would not be reasonable per the 2016 NCDOT Traffic Noise Policy. If any recommended noise barrier locations are identified during final design, all property owners and tenants who are benefitted by a barrier will be asked to vote on the barrier. At that time, NCDOT will contact property owners and tenants who are eligible to vote and explain the balloting process and what they are being asked to vote on. Only recommended noise barriers that pass this voting process will be constructed.
An important concept in Federal regulation and in the 2016 NCDOT Traffic Noise Policy is the Date of Public Knowledge, which stipulates when NCDOT is and is not responsible for providing noise abatement. The Date of Public Knowledge for this project will be the approval date of the environmental document, which is anticipated to be in early 2021. NCDOT is not responsible for evaluating or implementing any noise barriers to protect developed lands that did not have building permits issued before the Date of Public Knowledge. NCDOT advocates use of local government authority to regulate land development, planning, design, and construction in such a way that noise impacts are minimized. For more information about traffic noise view this brochure NCDOT Answering Your Questions About Highway Traffic Noise.
Project Funding
| Estimated Amount* |
|---|---|
Right-of-Way | $2,071,000 |
Utilities Relocation | $100,000 |
Construction Costs | $28,200,000 |
Total Costs | $30,371,000 |
* Estimated costs are subject to change. Based on currently adopted NCDOT State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).
Project Timeline
Milestone | Date* |
|---|---|
Virtual Presentation and Comment Period | January 2021 |
| Final Environmental Document | Summer 2021 |
| Final Designs | Summer 2021 - Spring 2022 |
Right-of-Way | Spring 2022 |
Construction | March 2025 |
* Future dates are preliminary and subject to change
South Chatham Park Way
South Chatham Park Way is on the STIP as Project R-5963. It is scheduled to begin several years after North Chatham Park Way, with right-of-way currently scheduled to begin in Fall 2023 and construction to begin in Spring 2027.
Project R-5963 will extend from U.S. 15-501 on the south to connect with North Chatham Park Way just north of the U.S. 64 Bypass. This project will consider if improvements are needed to the segment of Chatham Park Way recently opened (from U.S. 64 Business to north of U.S. 64 Bypass) based on the long-term design horizon.
More information will be provided to the community about South Chatham Park Way in the future when planning and design for that segment begins.
Next Steps
NCDOT will prepare the environmental document, anticipated to be a State Environmental Assessment, this summer. Final designs for Project R-5930 will begin this summer and are anticipated to be completed next spring. Right-of-way acquisition is scheduled to begin in Spring 2022.
Project Contacts:
Jeffrey Stroder, PE
NCDOT Project Manager
121 DOT Drive
Carthage, NC 28327
Vance Blanton, PE
Consultant Project Manager - Kimley-Horn
421 Fayetteville Street, Suite 600
Raleigh, NC 27601
Project Email Address: North-Chatham-Park-Way@publicinput.com
RESOURCES FOR PROPERTY OWNERS
Although the N.C. Department of Transportation works to minimize the number of homes and businesses displaced by a road project, it is inevitable, in many cases, that a certain amount of private property is needed. The following information explains right of way acquisition and answers questions about the process.
Right-of-Way Brochure Single Page Layout Folleto del Proceso de Adquisición de Bienes Raíces
Right-of-Way Frequently Asked Questions
Right of way Acquisition Process Videos