U-5961: N.C. 274 - Osceola Street to Niblick Drive Improvements
U-5961: N.C. 274 - Osceola Street to Niblick Drive Improvements
NCDOT is proposing to improve N.C. 274 (Union Road) from Osceola Street to Niblick Drive in Gastonia.
Interactive Study Area Map:
Project Highlights
The proposed improvements include widening 1.12 miles of N.C. 274 (Union Road) from Osceola Street to Niblick Drive and providing four 12-foot lanes with a divided 17.5-foot raised grass median in Gastonia. The purpose of this project is to improve traffic mobility and safety on Union Road.
Other improvements include:
- Provide a 10-foot multi-use path on the west side of Union Road.
- Add a 5-foot sidewalk on the east side of Union Road.
- Right in/Right out turning movements at Walls Street
- Median U-turns and U-turn bulbsouts will be constructed on N.C. 274 (Union Road) between Niblick Drive and Wellons Drive and between Betty Street and realigned Osceola Street / Forest Drive.
- A traffic signal will be provided at the intersection of N.C. 274 (Union Road) and realigned Osceola Street / Forest Drive.
The multiuse path was selected due to its ability to accommodate acceptable levels of service for pedestrian and bicyclist users. In addition, it requires less right of way than other separated pedestrian facilities, and costs millions of dollars less than other separated pedestrian facilities.
Public Meeting Map
(Osceola Street to Niblick Drive)
To view or download project map click here or on the map below
Proposed Typical Section
The proposed roadway typical section along N.C. 274 includes four 12-foot travel lanes, a 17.5-foot median, and a 10-foot multi-use path on the west side and 5-foot sidewalk on the east side.
Reduced Conflict Intersections
A Reduced Conflict Intersection – sometimes referred to as a superstreet, a synchronized street, or a median U-turn is a general term used to describe several types of designs that can be used to improve safety and traffic flow on a highway by cutting more than half of the potential locations, or conflict points, where drivers and pedestrians can collide.
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, drivers 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.
With a Reduced Conflict Intersection, drivers from the side street only have to be concerned with one direction of traffic on the highway at a time and do not need to wait for a gap in both directions to cross a major road.
Watch a video about how Reduced Conflict Intersections (RCI's) work
Project Funding
| Estimated Amount* |
Right of Way Acquisition | $ 13.4 Million |
Utility Construction | $ 3.7 Million |
Construction | $ 24.0 Million |
Total Cost | $ 41.1 Million |
* Costs are preliminary and subject to change
Project Timeline
Milestone | Date* |
Public Meeting | November 14, 2024 |
Environment Document | January 2025 |
Right of Way Acquisition | June 2025 |
Construction | October 2026 |
* Future dates are preliminary and subject to change
Project Comments
NCDOT accepts comments throughout all phases of project development.
All comments will be taken into consideration, and carry equal weight, regardless of submittal method.
To submit comments for consideration during the current phase of project development,
please submit before December 4, 2024
The public is encouraged to leave comments using this webpage, email, or phone number:
Email: nc274-gastonia@publicinput.com
Phone Number: 512-580-8850 enter project code 10647
Project Contact
Bryan Sowell, PE
NCDOT Highway Division 12
Division Project Manager
P.O. Box 47
Shelby, NC 28151
Project Contact
Lisa Feller, PE
Consultant Project Manager
JMT
3508-A Trent Road
New Bern, NC 2856
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