U-3467: Rea Road Extension
U-3467: Rea Road Extension
The N.C. Department of Transportation is proposing to extend Rea Road 1.7 miles east from N.C. 16 (Providence Road) on new location to existing N.C. 84 (Weddington Road) near Twelve Mile Creek Road in Weddington (the new location roadway is expected to be signed as N.C. 84).
Study Area and Vicinity Map
Project Overview
The N.C. Department of Transportation is proposing to extend Rea Road 1.7 miles east from N.C. 16 (Providence Road) on new location to existing N.C. 84 (Weddington Road) near Twelve Mile Creek Road in Weddington (the new location roadway is expected to be signed as N.C. 84).
Proposed work also involves widening 2.7 miles of existing N.C. 84 from two to four lanes from Twelve Mile Creek Road to Waxhaw-Indian Trail Road in Wesley Chapel.
This project will help improve the mobility and connectivity of N.C. 84 in Union County.
Without improvement, traffic volumes on N.C. 84 in 2035 are expected to exceed capacity in the project area.
Design Revisions since the June 2017 Public Meeting
In response to additional public and local government agency comments since the preferred alternative was presented at the June 2017 public meeting, as well as an updated traffic study conducted for Weddington High School in 2023, design revisions were made to the preferred alternative. These revisions are shown on the updated Design Public Meeting Maps (see links below).
The Rea Road/N.C. 16/Rea Road Extension intersection was redesigned to have signalized median U-turns (see description below) on existing Rea Road and Rea Road Extension on both sides of N.C. 16 to accommodate drivers seeking to turn left onto N.C. 16.
Design revisions at this intersection were needed to tie the design of the proposed Rea Road Extension into NCDOT STIP Project No. U-5769, Proposed Widening of N.C. 16 (Providence Road South) from Waxhaw Parkway (S.R. 3530) to Rea Road (S.R. 1316).
In addition, because U-5769 will complete the widening of existing N.C. 16 to a four-lane divided facility throughout the entire U-3467 project study area, the proposed improvements to existing N.C. 16 that were part of earlier designs for U-3467 were substantially shortened.
A median crossover and U-turn bulb were added for westbound traffic on the new location section of Rea Road Extension just west of Mundys Run, at the future intersection of the access road for a proposed development on the north side of Rea Road Extension.
A U-turn bulb was added for westbound traffic on N.C. 84 at the existing Weddington Road (N.C. 84) intersection.
The existing Weddington High School central access drive, currently used by buses, was to be closed with the previous project design. Based on the results of a new traffic study conducted for the high school in 2023, the decision was made to provide a driveway connection for the existing central access drive to the future widened N.C. 84 corridor.
The central access drive is proposed to be gated and opened for special events only.
A median crossover/left-turn lane was added for eastbound traffic on N.C. 84 at Camden Drive.
A median crossover and U-turn bulb were added for westbound traffic on N.C. 84 just east of the bridge over West Fork Twelve Mile Creek.
A roundabout was added at the Waxhaw-Indian Trail Road/Village Commons Shopping Center driveways intersection located just south of the N.C. 84/Waxhaw-Indian Trail Road intersection (see proposed location on graphic below) to improve access to adjacent properties in the area.
Design revisions were also made at several locations along the project corridor to improve pedestrian movements and safety and to make it easier for large trucks to make U-turns.
Updated (2024) Maps
The preferred design option for Rea Road Extension, including design revisions are detailed in the following maps:
The preferred alternative involves building a four-lane road with 12-foot inside travel lanes, 14-foot outside lanes to accommodate bicycles, a 23-foot raised grass median, and curb and gutter.
NCDOT will also coordinate with local municipalities to consider including sidewalks. Rea Road Extension would be a four-lane divided roadway and is expected to be signed as N.C. 84. The anticipated posted speed limit is 45 mph.
Roundabout (Waxhaw-Indian Trail Road/Village Commons Shopping Center driveways)
Median U-Turns
Median U-Turns are innovative intersection designs that help to improve traffic flow by redirecting left turns away from the main intersection and increasing “green time” for thru-traffic along both routes. The implementation of median U-turns involves constructing signalized U-turn bulbs on existing Rea Road and Rea Road Extension on both sides of the N.C. 16 intersection.
- Drivers seeking to turn left from existing Rea Road/Rea Road Extension in either direction onto N.C. 16 would then travel straight through the intersection, utilize the signalized U-turn areas to turn around and turn right onto N.C. 16, completing the left-turn movement.
By removing some of the crossing conflicts at the intersection, the median U-turn design also results in less severe crashes and accommodates more traffic volume without increased delays. Median U-turns also allow for safer pedestrian and bicyclist crossing movements at large intersections.
Proposed Typical Section
The proposed typical section for the preferred alternative includes a 4-lane road with 12-foot inside lanes, 14-foot outside lanes to accommodate bicycles, a 23-foot raised grass median, and curb and gutter. In accordance with N.C. Department of Transportation Pedestrian Policy, the inclusion of sidewalks as part of the proposed project will depend on a cost-sharing agreement with the Town of Weddington and the Village of Wesley Chapel.
Project Funding:
Activity | Costs* |
Right Of Way Acquisition | $ 41.0 M |
Utility Relocation | $ 5.7 M |
Construction Cost | $103.3 M |
Total Cost | $150.0 M |
*costs are subject to change.
Project Timeline:
Milestone | Date* |
Environmental Assessment Approved | May 2015 |
Public Meeting held | June 2017 |
Final Environmental Document Submitted | April 2018 |
Right of Way Acquisition began | May 2018 |
Right of Way Acquisition suspended | August 2019 |
Right of Way Acquisition resumed | Summer 2024 |
Post Card Update | Fall 2024 |
Construction begins | Summer 2027 |
Project completion | TBD |
* Future dates 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 submittal method.
To submit comments for consideration during the current phase of project development,
please submit by .
The public is encouraged to leave comments using this webpage, email, or phone number:
Email: Rea-Road-Extension@publicinput.com
Phone Number: 984-205-6615 enter project code 7100 to leave a message
PROJECT CONTACT INFORMATION
Alexander J. Foster, P.E.
Project Manager
NCDOT Project Management Unit
1582 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1582
PROJECT CONTACT INFORMATION
Lee Ainsworth, P.E.
Project Development Engineer
NCDOT Highway Division 10
716 West Main Street
Albemarle, NC 28001
Documents
Finding of No Significant Impact
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2024 Maps
Weddington Hills Drive to Deal Road
Shannon Woods Lane to Waxhaw-Indian Trail Road
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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