July 2005
Planning for Sugar Creek Road Improvements to Resume
As work to locate the Derita station on the North Corridor Commuter Rail line wraps up this summer,
planning for improvements to Sugar Creek Road between Graham Street and Lynn Lee Circle will get
back in full swing.
Planning work on the widening of Sugar Creek Road began in 2003. Because Sugar Creek is a major
thoroughfare with four lanes plus turn lanes from Eastway Drive to Derita, a key element of the
widening study involves exploring options for handling traffic going to and through Derita, particularly in
light of the State’s proposed construction of Mallard Creek Road Relocation. Improvements to Sugar
Creek Road also are being studied to enhance safety and provide pedestrian and bicycle amenities.
The City is just beginning to identify how many lanes and which design features should be included in
the improvements to Sugar Creek Road. Alternative designs for the roadway will be developed this fall
and presented at a public meeting in late 2005.
CATS Holds Derita Station Location Meeting On
April 6th
On April 6, 2005, Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) held a
Charlotte Station Location Meeting for the North Corridor
Commuter Rail Project at Derita Presbyterian Church. More than
35 citizens attended and expressed a range of comments with
most centered on how properties would be affected, coordination
of at-grade crossing closures, and estimated traffic flow at the
stations. CATS is currently finalizing station site plans with
expected completion later this summer. The most likely location
for the Derita station is near the Nevin Road crossing of the
railroad. If you would like to comment on the project, please visit
www.ridetransit.org.
Mallard Creek Road Relocation Project Update
Based on the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s draft 2006-2012 Transportation
Improvement Program, the State will begin purchasing right-of-way for Mallard Creek Road
Relocation in 2008 with construction starting in 2010. This new four-lane connector will begin at
Sugar Creek Road and re-join the existing Mallard Creek Road near Garrison Avenue. NCDOT is
currently performing a Reevaluation of the Environmental Assessment (EA), completed in 1992,
which will discuss design changes and impacts to the natural and human environment for the
section of Mallard Creek Road between Sugar Creek Road and W.T. Harris Boulevard. NCDOT has
completed an update of the traffic counts for the project and is currently analyzing those counts in
order to make final recommendations and continue with the final design of the project. The EA
Reevaluation should be completed in June 2006. For more information on the project, contact Elmo
Vance, Project Development Engineer, at (919) 733-7844 (Ext. 263) or EEVance@dot.state.nc.us.
Funding Update for Sugar Creek Road
On June 20, 2005, the City Council approved a budget of $1.42 billion, with $874.0 million for operating
expenses and $542.8 million for capital expenditures. Capital expenditures include roads; affordable
housing; neighborhood improvements; municipal facilities; transit; storm water; water; sewer; and
aviation.
Funding for road improvement projects in the approved budget included:
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Cindy Lane Extension
Coordinated Arterial Signal Systems
Minor Roadway Improvements
Bikeways
Public-Private Road Participation
Railroad Crossing Improvements
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Nevin Road Extension
Freedom Drive Widening
Traffic Equipment Replacement Program
Participation in State Highway Projects
Bridge Repair/Replacement Program
East Boulevard Improvements
Fred D. Alexander Boulevard (purchase of Right of Way)
While funding for the Sugar Creek Road Project was not included in this year’s budget or capital
investment plan, it remains as a priority for transportation improvements in addition to Statesville Road;
Fred D. Alexander Boulevard; Beatties Ford Road; and Idlewild Road among others.
Project Schedules
West Sugar Creek Road Widening
Nevin Road Extension
Traffic Analysis .......... ............ Underway
Traffic Analysis ...................... Complete
Alternatives Analysis ............. Underway
Alternatives Analysis ............. Complete
Second Public Meeting ......... Complete
Second Public Meeting .......... Complete
Planning Report Submittal .... Underway
Planning Report Submittal ..... Underway
Preliminary & Final Design,
Real Estate Acquisition and Construction
(not currently funded) ............ TBD*
Final Design Phase ................ Complete
Real Estate Acquisition........... Underway
Construction............................ Mid-2006
*To Be Determined
600 East Fourth Street
Charlotte, North Carolina 28202
Phone: (704) 353-1794
Fax: (704) 336-4554
Email: dpoole@ci.charlotte.nc.us
Project Contacts
Derrel Poole, Project Manager
City of Charlotte,
Engineering & Property Management
(704) 353-1794
dpoole@ci.charlotte.nc.us
West Sugar Creek Road
Lynn Purnell, Project Manager
Parsons Brinckerhoff
(704) 342-5401
purnell@pbworld.com