U-6161: U.S. 321 - Pinewood to Highland - Caldwell County
U-6161: U.S. 321 - Pinewood to Highland - Caldwell County
Intersection improvements on U.S. 321 from east of Pinewood Road to west of Highland Avenue/Lower Cedar Valley Road near Granite Falls, in Caldwell County
Interactive Study Area Map
Project Description
The N.C. Department of Transportation is proposing to make improvements to approximately 0.8 miles of U.S. 321 from east of the Pinewood Road (S.R. 1109) intersection to west of the Highland Avenue/Lower Cedar Valley Road (S.R. 1108) intersection near Granite Falls in Caldwell County. The project will improve roadway safety by converting two existing intersections to Reduced Conflict Intersections (RCI).
A reduced conflict intersection is a general term used to describe several types of designs that can be used to improve safety and traffic flow on a highway.
The most common type of reduced conflict intersection design eliminates left turns from side roads onto busy main roads. Raised medians direct traffic from the side road into turning right. When there is a safe opening in traffic, drivers enter the flow of traffic on the main route. To go the other direction, or cross the highway, they pull into a dedicated lane – typically less than 1,000 feet away – and make a U-turn. There might be a traffic signal at this location. In cases of dual right-turn lanes from the side road at a signalized intersection, drivers should stay in the left lane, if they intend to make the U-turn once on the main corridor. For additional information on RCIs and their benefits, please visit the NCDOT Reduced Conflict Intersection webpage.
The project is anticipated to begin in the Spring of 2028 and be complete in approximately a year. Traffic will be maintained onsite throughout construction.
Project Map
Typical Section
With Concrete Island
Typical Section
Divided With Median Ditch
Project Funding
| Activity | Anticipated Cost * |
|---|---|
| Right-Of-Way Acquisition | $ 2.00 Million |
| Construction | $ 6.57 Million |
| Total Cost | $ 8.57 Million |
* Costs are estimates and are subject to change
Project Schedule
| Activity | Date ** |
|---|---|
| Right-Of-Way Acquisition Begins | March 2027 |
| Construction Begins | March 2028 |
** All future dates are subject to change
Comments:
NCDOT accepts comments throughout all phases of project development.
All comments will be taken into consideration, and carry equal weight, regardless of submission method.
All comments for consideration are to be submitted by September 4, 2026.
The public is encouraged to leave comments using this webpage, email, or phone number:
Email: US321-Pinewood-Highland@publicinput.com
Phone Number: 984-205-6615 and enter project code 10489
Project Contacts
__________________________________________
Donald Nance
Assistant Division Design Engineer
NCDOT Highway Division 11
801 Statesville Rd
North Wilkesboro, 28659
Jimmy Terry, PE
Consultant Project Manager
TGS Engineers
201 W. Marion Street - Suite 200
Shelby, NC 28150
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-Form
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