R-5889AB - U.S. 29 Upgrade
R-5889AB - U.S. 29 Upgrade
NCDOT is proposing to upgrade U.S. 29 (Future I-785) to interstate standards from Hicone Road in Greensboro to U.S. 158/NC 14 in Reidsville. Guilford and Rockingham Counties.
This project will be reprioritized for funding in the next State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). A schedule for right of way, utilities and/or construction has not been finalized at this time. However, preliminary engineering activities (design, planning, studies) needed for project development are underway.
Project Study Area Map
This map is for reference only and a representation of the area in which environmental studies are conducted.
Project Overview
NCDOT is proposing to improve U.S. 29 to interstate standards, beginning just south of Hicone Road (S.R. 2565) in Guilford County to U.S. 158 in Rockingham County. U.S. 29 is an important corridor, connecting the growing Greensboro area with southern Virginia and serving communities in Guilford, Rockingham, and Caswell Counties. U.S. 29 also provides important freight access from manufacturing centers in the Piedmont region to Virginia and the northeastern United States. The proposed improvements are part of an ongoing effort to designate all of U.S. 29 from Hicone Road in Greensboro to the Virginia State Line as Interstate 785 and are expected to improve overall traffic operations along the corridor.
The transportation improvements to be completed under this project are still to be determined, but they are expected to include updated interchange designs, additional service roads, and widened roadway shoulders in select locations. With these improvements, properties along this section of U.S. 29 will no longer have direct access to U.S. 29; instead, access will be provided via service roads that connect to the interchanges along the corridor.
Project Highlights
The project is divided into two sections.
Section ‘A’ begins just south of Hicone Road (S.R. 2565) in Guilford County and extends north to the N.C. 150 interchange.
Section ‘B’ begins at N.C. 150 and extends north to the U.S. 158/N.C. 14 interchange in Rockingham County, as shown on the map above.
Any future improvements to U.S. 29 north of the U.S. 158/N.C. 14 interchange will be developed as part of a separate project.
The project development phase of the R-5889 project, which covers both the ‘A’ and ‘B’ sections, began in early 2023. During this phase, NCDOT will work with the public and representatives from federal, state, and local agencies to identify concerns, develop proposed design options, and gather comments about the project.
A detailed review of the potential environmental impacts of the project will be conducted before a final decision is made on the alternative to be constructed.
The public will have multiple opportunities to participate in the project development process, which will be announced on this website and through local media.
Project Development Process
NCDOT follows a multi-step process to determine the alternative that will be constructed for a project. The process generally includes the following steps:
Identifying the project’s purpose and need
Collecting data on the current environmental conditions, populations, and community resources within a defined study area
Developing preliminary design concepts
Assessing the effects of the design concepts to the environment and to the public
Selection of a preferred alternative
Completion of an environmental document that summarizes the process and the alternative selected for construction
Public engagement is conducted throughout this process and includes an opportunity to review the proposed design concepts before a preferred alternative is selected. You can participate at any time during this process by leaving your comments on this website or sending them to the project study team.
Project Funding
| Section A* | Section B* | Total* |
| Right of Way Acquisition and Utilities | $ 8.9 million | $ 14.8 million | $ 33.8 million |
| Construction | $ 69.7 million | $116.5 million | $186.2 million |
Total Cost | $ 88.6 million | $131.3 million | $220 million |
* Estimated costs are preliminary and subject to change
Project Timeline
Milestone | Section A | Section B |
Project Development Begins | 2023 | 2023 |
Right of Way Acquisition Begins | 2028 | TBD |
Construction Begins | 2031 | TBD |
* 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.
The public is encouraged to leave comments using this webpage, email, or phone number:
Email: US29-Upgrade@PublicInput.com
Phone Number: 984-205-6615 enter project code 2572 to leave a message
Project Contact
Chris Smitherman, PE
NCDOT Highway Division 7
NCDOT Project Manager
P.O. Box 14996
Greensboro, NC 27415-4996
Project Contact
Beth Smyre, PE
Dewberry
Consultant Project Manager
2610 Wycliff Road, Suite 410
Raleigh, NC 27607