P-5744: Wesley Chapel Stouts Road Rail Crossing
P-5744: Wesley Chapel Stouts Road Rail Crossing
The N.C. Department of Transportation is proposing to construct a grade separation (bridge) at the Wesley Chapel Stouts Road railroad crossing to replace the existing at-grade railroad crossing. The railroad corridor associated with this crossing is an important intermodal rail corridor link between the Port of Wilmington to a freight terminal in Charlotte.
The proposed improvements will enhance the use of the roadway by improving safety and providing an “always open” crossing of the railroad for local traffic, emergency vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists on a corridor that has a substantial amount of traffic (currently estimated at 20,500 vehicles per day). The project will also enhance railroad operations by improving safety and allowing for better utilization of the second railroad track efficiency, which is a passing track to allow for trains in opposite directions to pass each other at this location.
The location of the proposed bridge will also accommodate the planned widening of Wesley Chapel Stouts Road to a four lane median divided roadway, which is included in local transportation plans as a separate and future project.
Interactive Study Area
Project Overview
Initially, the project proposed to construct a bridge wide enough to fully accommodate a future widened roadway with pedestrian and bicycle accommodations. However, due to substantial increased costs, associated with the full build out, the designs for the current project have been downsized to address the existing conditions of Wesley Chapel Stouts Road. In anticipation of future needs, all the right of way needed for a wider bridge will be purchased now under this project. A three-lane bridge with a multi-use path on the east side will be constructed initially. Note that the bridge has been designed in such a way that it can be widened in the future.
The proposed typical bridge cross section for the current project includes:
- Two 11-foot travel lanes
- 11-foot center turn lane
- 10-foot multi-use path on the east side
- 8-foot shoulder on the west side
CONSTRUCTION
NCDOT plans to maintain traffic on the existing Wesley Chapel Stouts Road during construction, using the existing at-grade railroad crossing while the bridge is being built. However, some construction activities would require that the road be closed for short periods of time, which would result in temporary detours for Wesley Chapel Stouts Road travelers. Detour signs would be posted during these time periods. Construction is expected to last approximately 18 months.
East Side Alternative - Selected Preferred Alternative
The East Side Alternative would construct a bridge over the railroad to the east of the existing at-grade railroad crossing, and realign Wesley Chapel Stouts Road to connect to the new bridge. Orr Road and Country Lane would be realigned and connect to Wesley Chapel Stouts Road at a new intersection further south. The bridge would be approximately 158’ in length. Click Here for Map.
The East Side Alternative has been selected as the Preferred Alternative.
After the two alternatives were presented to the community in August 2020, new information about a planned commercial development on the west side of Wesley Chapel Stouts Road was made known to NCDOT. The new development, planned for construction prior to this bridge project, is located within the footprint of the West Side Alternative which greatly increased the estimated cost for the West Side Alternative.
NCDOT considered the updated estimates of impacts and cost, along with input provided by local officials and the community, during selection of the preferred East Side Alternative.
The designs for the preferred alternative have been refined since August 2020 to include a narrower bridge, and minimize impacts. As the project moves through the final design stage, additional efforts will be made to continue to minimize impacts where feasible.
Based on an evaluation of impacts and input provided by the community and local officials, NCDOT has selected East Side Alternative as the Preferred Alternative. East Side Alternative, which is a grad speration over the rail lines. For NCDOT’s response to public comments click HERE. Refer to the Project Timeline below on this webpage, for scheduled right-of-way acquisition and construction dates.
Proposed Typical Sections
Wesley Chapel Stouts Road Bridge Cross Section
Wesley Chapel Stouts Road Cross Section
Orr Road and Country Lane Cross Section
Previous Alternatives Considered
NCDOT previously evaluated a west side alignment alternative for the bridge.
West Side Alternative
The West Side Alternative would construct a bridge over the railroad to the west of the existing at-grade railroad crossing, and realign Wesley Chapel Stouts Road to connect to the new bridge. Due to the location of the existing Orr Road/Wesley Chapel Stouts Road intersection, the West Side Alternative would require modifications to Orr Road. Two options were under consideration that affect Orr Road:
Orr Alignment 1 would realign Orr Road to connect to Wesley Chapel Stouts Road across from Country Lane. The bridge would be approximately 156’ in length. Click Here for Map.
Orr Alignment 2 would extend Orr Road to the east to cross under the bridge. Orr Road would then curve away from the railroad to connect to Country Lane at a stop sign. Orr Road travelers would access Wesley Chapel Stouts Road via Country Lane. The bridge would be approximately 215’ in length. Click Here for Map.
Local Officials' Virtual Meeting
A virtual Local Officials' Meeting was held April 28, 2021 to provide officials with information on the proposed project, present the map of the preferred alternative, answer questions, and gather comments.
A downloadable pdf version of the powerpoint that was presented at the meeting can be found here.
Project Funding:
This project is listed as Project No. P-5744 in the N.C. Department of Transportation's State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).
| Preferred East Alternative |
|---|---|
Right-of-Way ** | $ 5,820,000 |
Construction Costs | $ 10,900,000 |
Total Costs | $ 16,720,000 |
* NCDOT, April 2021. Costs are preliminary and subject to change
** Includes utility relocation costs
Project Timeline:
Milestone | Date* |
|---|---|
Newsletter #1 | Summer 2020 |
Newsletter #2 | Spring 2021 |
Environmental Document | Spring 2021 |
Right-of-Way | Summer 2024 |
Construction | Summer 2026 |
* Future dates are preliminary and subject to change
Potential Impacts to Human and Natural Resources for Each Alternative*:
| Preferred East Alternative |
|---|---|
Potential New Right-of-Way (acres) | 7.16 |
Residential Relocations | 6 |
Business Relocations | 2 |
Farms | 0 |
Non-Profit/Place of Worship Relocations | 0 |
Streams (linear feet) | 166.5 |
Wetlands (acres) | 0 |
* Impacts to these resources are considered during selection of preferred alternative.
Project Comments:
Due to Covid-19, NCDOT has suspended in-person meetings until further notice.
Questions and comments from the public were submitted by May 25, 2021.
For NCDOT's response to public comments from the Summer 2020 Outreach click HERE.
Project Contact Information:
Brian Gackstetter
NCDOT Rail Division
1553 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1553
Project Email Address: WesleyChapelStoutsRoad@publicinput.com
Project Phone Number: 855-925-2801 enter code 9592
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