From Barney Drive to the I-485 Interchange:

• two lanes in each direction
  • 11-foot inside lane, 14-foot outside lane  
• a 23-foot wide raised median
• a roundabout at the intersection of Idlewild Road and Stallings Road

From the I-485 interchange to Rockwell Drive:

• three lanes in each direction 
  • 11-foot inside lane, 12-foot middle lane, 14-foot outside lane
• a 23- to 35-foot wide raised median  

At Stevens Road

Two concepts are being evaluated for Stevens Road

• Traditional Intersection

• Reduced Conflict Intersection (RCI)

​Interchange at I-485

This interchange will be modified to a “Diverging Diamond” interchange (DDI) which will include a 14-foot multi-use path through the center of the bridge to accommodate bicycles and pedestrians.

Project designs include a 14-foot multi-use path along the North side of Idlewild Road, and 5-foot sidewalks along the south side of Idlewild Road. 

Roundabout:  Stallings Road 

The N.C. Department of Transportation is constructing more roundabouts to improve safety for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists. They also help reduce the congestion and backups more typical of traditional intersections with stop signs and traffic signals. 

Benefits

• less conflict points result in reduced crash potential
• designed to accommodate large vehicles (including fire trucks) that require greater turning radii as they travel through the circular portion of the roundabout.

​How to Drive a Roundabout

Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) :  I-485 Interchange

A diverging diamond interchange allows two directions of traffic to temporarily cross to the left side of the road. This movement provides easier access to an interstate.   A DDI moves high volumes of traffic through an intersection without increasing the number of lanes and traffic signals.

Benefits

A Diverging Diamond interchange allows free-flowing turns when entering and exiting an interstate, eliminating the left turn against oncoming traffic and limiting the number of traffic signal phases. It is also easy to navigate, eliminates last-minute lane changes and provides better sight distance at turns, which results in fewer crashes.

The interchange also reduces congestion by allowing traffic to keep moving through an intersection. 

Cost-Effectiveness

For improvement projects, a Diverging Diamond interchange often uses the existing bridge structure and the existing right of way, which eliminates the cost of building new structures and purchasing additional right of way.
 
Because many of the existing interchange features remain intact, the Diverging Diamond interchange is often built in less time than it would take to build a new interchange and with significantly less impact to motorists.
 
A Diverging Diamond interchange usually requires the purchase of less right of way and the construction of fewer lanes and bridge structures than traditional interchange types.

Stevens Mill Road

Two concepts are being considered at Stevens Mill Road.

Concept 1 - Traditional Intersection

Benefits:   

• More familiar to the public

Traditional Intersection

Concept 2: Reduced Conflict Intersection (RCI)

A Reduced conflict intersection is a general term used to describe several types of designs that may be used to improve safety and traffic flow on a highway.   While there are variations to the designs, they all function the same at reducing conflicts for drivers and pedestrians.  

Benefits:

• Improves safety for motorists and pedestrians by reducing number of conflict points
• Can accommodate more traffic woithout increased delays
• Allows for the city or NCDOT to adjust the timing of the traffic signals to control the speed at which drivers move through the corridor
• From a traffic standpoint, functions better than Concept 1

Picture from mtg map of RCI

Funding

Project U-4913 is shown in the N.C. Department of Transportation’s State Transportation Improvement Program, funded at $8.6 million.

Project Timeline

Project U-4913 is shown in the N.C. Department of Transportation’s State Transportation Improvement Program.  The current milestone dates are shown below.

Public Involvement

Public involvement is an integral part of the planning process. 

NCDOT encourages citizen involvement on transportation projects, and will consider your suggestions and address your concerns

Maps that were presented at the July 25 Public Meeting

Map 1: Roundabout at the Intersection of Idlewild Road & Stallings Road

Map 2: Concept 1-Traditional Intersection at Idlewild Road & Steven Mill Road

Map 3: Concept 2-Reduced Conflict Intersection at Idlewild Road & Steven Mill Road​ ​

Comments/Questions

Comments may be submitted below, via phone, email (Idlewild-Widening@publicinput.com), or U.S. Mail to the Project Manager listed below, or at any meeting 

All comments received carry equal weight, regardless of submission method. 

All comments will be reviewed and suggestions/recommendations

incorporated into designs where feasible.  

PROJECT CONTACT INFORMATION   

Carl Gibilaro

Project Manager

NCDOT Highway Division 10

716 W. Main Street

Albemarle, NC 28001

980-229-4091

PROJECT CONTACT INFORMATION   

James Voso

Consultant Project Manager

Mattern & Craig

12 Broad Street

Asheville, NC 28801

828-254-2201

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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