Project Overview

Projects BR-0016 and HS-2009C involve the removal of a functionally obsolete bridge (No.150) on northbound U.S. 29/70 over Lexington Avenue/Old U.S. Highway 29 in Thomasville, and operational improvements needed to address safety concerns including fatalities.

Improvements proposed include:

• Northbound U.S. 29/70 will be realigned to parallel the existing southbound lanes
• Converting the part of U.S. 29/U.S. 70 in the project area to a Reduced Conflict Intersection (RCI)
• Constructing a Roundabout at the junction of Old U.S. Highway 29 with Kanoy Road
• Realignment of the Jimmy Drive intersection with Kanoy Road farther from U.S. 29/70

Interchange options were considered however due to the budget available for the project, the operational improvements were selected. These two projects are combined due to their interoperabiity and need to handle traffic effectively, efficiently and safely through this area.

Project Design Maps and Typical Sections

Clicking on maps or typical sections below will open them in a new window for viewing or downloading.

Project Map

As you scroll down the page you will find explanatory information on individual parts of Projects BR-0016 and HS-2009C

BR-0016

Removal of Functionally Obsolete Bridge

With removal of the functionally obsolete bridge, northbound U.S. 29/70 can be realigned.  Northbound U.S. 29/70 will be realigned parallel to the existing southbound lanes as shown below.

Typical Section

U.S. 29/70

U.S. 29/70 will consist of two 12-foot lanes in each direction separated by a 24-foot grass median.  There will be a 6-foot inside shoulder in each direction, of which 2-feet will be paved, and an 8-foot outside shoulder, of which 4-feet will be paved. 

U.S. 29/70 at Kanoy Road

Left turns off of U.S. 29/70 onto Kanoy Road will be made using the dedicated turn lanes.

Raised concrete curbing will prevent direct travel across U.S. 29/70 from Kanoy Road.

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.  There are variations to the designs, but they all function the same by reducing by almost half the number of potential locations, o​​r conflict points, where drivers can collide. 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 les​s than 1,000 feet away – ​and make a U-turn.

Traffic wishing to cross U.S. 29/U.S.70 from Kanoy Road.will turn right and then make a "u-turn" at the designated location a short distance away. 

This movement is shown in purple below.

U-turn bulbs will be installed att locations shown below. 

Left turns will be prohibited onto U.S. 29/70 from existing connections from Old U.S. 29, Litwin Drive, Jimmy Drive and Kanoy Road.  The direct connection to U.S. 29/70 from Litwin Drive at Clinard Drive and from Jimmy Drive just south of S. Urban Street will be removed.

The intersection of Jimmy Drive and Kanoy road will be relocated farther from U.S. 29/70.

 Roundabout

A roundabout will be constructed connecting Old U.S. 29, Old U.S. 29/Lexington Avenue and Kanoy Road.  The roundabout will have an outside diameter of 68 feet and will include a 16-foot travel lane and a truck apron to allow turning of large vehicles.

The N.C. Department of Transportation builds 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.  A driver generally enters the roundabout more quickly than if waiting at a traffic signal. In addition, the modern roundabout is much smaller than older traffic circles and requires vehicles to travel at lower speeds (15-20 mph), making them safer than traffic circles. Additionally, the slower speeds make it easier for a driver to find a gap in traffic inside the roundabout before safely entering it.​

Project Funding

*Estimated costs shown are what is funded in the State Transportation Improvement Program.  As noted above, the project scope has been right-sized and the final cost of the project will be reduced.

Project Timeline

* Schedule is 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 November 23, 2023.

The public is encouraged to leave comments using this webpage, email, or phone number:

Email: US29-70-Thomasville@PublicInput.com 

Phone Number: 984-205-6615      enter project code 4276 to leave a message

Project Contact

Ryan Newcomb

NCDOT Highway Division 9 Project ENgineer

375 Silas Creek Parkway

Winston Salem, NC  27127

Project Contact

Sam Cullum, PE

KCA Engineers

301 Fayetteville Street - Ste 1500

Raleigh, NC  27601

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

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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