Project History:

The High Point Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (HPMPO) identified the N.C. 68 (Eastchester Drive) corridor between Penny Road and Gallimore Dairy Road as a Boulevard needing improvement in its 2010 Comprehensive Transportation Plan.   HPMPO is currently developing the 2020 Comprehensive Transportation Plan.  The draft Plan (dated March 17, 2020) recommends congestion/mobility improvements along the N.C. 68 (Eastchester Drive) corridor between I-74/U.S. 311 and Gallimore Dairy Road.

North Carolina General Statute 136-6.2 requires each municipality or Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), with the cooperation of NCDOT, to develop a Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) serving present and anticipated travel demand in and around the municipality or MPO.  The CTP includes community consensus on future transportation needs required to support anticipated growth and development.  It is a multi-modal plan that identifies the future transportation system needs and includes highways, public transportation, rail, and bicycle facilities needed to serve the anticipated travel demand.  It strengthens the connections between the area’s transportation plan, adopted local land development plan, and community vision.

The U-5974 project is included in the HPMPO Draft 2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) as a 2035 Horizon Year project.  The MTP is the official multi-modal transportation plan that addresses a 25-year planning horizon that is developed, adopted, and updated by the MPO through the metropolitan transportation planning process. 

Proposed Highlights 

Proposed improvements to N.C. 68 (Eastchester Drive) include adding one additional travel lane in each direction as well as intersection improvements.  Two build alternatives were originally studied which included traditional intersection, Continuous Flow Intersection (CFI), and Reduced Conflict Intersection (RCI) designs. 

 

Alternative 1 (6-Lane Widening with Reduced Conflict Intersection (RCI) Design):

Previously presented traffic simulation video of Alternative 1 

  • An additional lane in each direction of N.C. 68
  • A Continuous Flow Intersection (CFI) at N.C. 68 and W. Wendover Avenue/Skeet Club Road
  • Conversion of N.C. 68 intersections to Reduced Conflict Intersection (RCI) designs at the following locations: Penny Road (S.R. 1536), Samet Drive, Premier Drive, Willard Dairy Road (S.R. 1836)/Mendenhall Oaks Parkway, Clinard Farms Road (S.R. 1837)/Piedmont Parkway, Regency Drive, and Gallimore Dairy Road.
  • The intersection of N.C. 68 and Hickswood Road/Meadowlark Road would remain a conventional intersection.

 

Alternative 2 (6-Lane Widening with Conventional Intersection Design):

Previously presented traffic simulation video of alternative 2

  • An additional lane in each direction of N.C. 68
  • A Continuous Flow Intersection (CFI) at N.C. 68 and W. Wendover Avenue/Skeet Club Road
  • All other N.C. 68 intersections would remain conventional signals and turn lanes, with additional lane storage added where needed

NEW - Alternative 3 (Hybrid design containing a combination of Reduced Conflict and Conventional Intersections)

  • An additional lane in each direction of N.C. 68
  • A Continuous Flow Intersection (CFI) at N.C. 68 and W. Wendover Avenue/Skeet Club Road
  • Traditional intersections at Premier Drive, Piedmont Parkway / Clinard Farms Road, and Gallimore Dairy Road
  • Reduced Conflict Intersections at Penny Road, Samet Drive, Mendenhall Oaks Parkway / Willard Dairy Road, Meeting Way, and Regency Drive.

Alternative 3 - Overview Video

 

Several informational videos were presented previously.  They can be accessed by clicking on the links below.

Project Introduction and Overview Video (Alternatives 1 and 2) 

How to read public meeting & hearing maps

Traffic Simulation Video (Alternative 1)  | What is a Reduced Conflict Intersection?

Traffic Simulation Video (Alternative 2)  | What is a Continuous Flow Intersection?


Reduced Conflict Intersections (NCDOT)

Safe Access is Good for Business (NCDOT)

Safe Access is Good for Business (FHWA) 

Economic Effect of Restricted Crossing U-Turn Intersections (Louisiana)

Developing, Using, and Improving Tables Showing the Safest Feasible Intersection Design (NCDOT)​


 

Pedestrian Crossing Movements

Reduced Conflict Intersections
     

Pedestrian Crossing Movements

Reduced Conflict Intersections  

 
     

Project Introduction and Overview Video

 

Project Traffic Analysis and Safety Video

Project Funding:                              This project is listed as Project No. U-5974 in the STIP and is funded for $69.1 million.  

   Activity

 Estimated Amount*

 Project Development & Design**

$   1,675,000

  Right-of-Way 

$ 19,333,000

  Construction Costs

$ 48,100,000

  Total Cost

$ 69,108,000

* Estimated costs are subject to change.    **Prior year cost.

Project Timeline:

The project timeline as shown in the STIP follow:

   Milestone

    Date*

   Public Meeting

 Fall 2020

   Environmental Document 

 2024

   Right-of-Way

2026

  Construction

 2028

* Future dates are preliminary and subject to change

Project Comments and Questions

NCDOT accepts comments at all times thoughout the planning, design and construction of projects. 

You may contact the project team via email or phone if you have questions on the project. 

 

Email the comment or question to NC68-HighPoint@PublicInput.com

Or

Phone Number:   (855) 925-2801    Code: 4871

 

The comment period on the Hybrid Alternative (Alternative 3) closed on April 22, 2022.

 

Question title

Would you like to be added to the project mailing list for updates or other information?

Project Contact Information

Brandon Green, PE

NCDOT Structures Management Unit

Project Engineer

1581 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, NC 27699-1581

Paige Hunter, PE

HNTB

Project Consultant

101 South Tryon Street, Suite 3610

Charlotte, NC 28202

 

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

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