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Home My WebLink AboutNewsletter�^:��aR7'H ��` � �=v .w``' �': �= • *�I .�' � �,'1��r � :} ::� r��. U.S. 74 Express Lane Projects (STIP No. U-5526 and STIP No. U-2509) North Carolina Department of Transportation Project Development and Environmental Analysis Unit Attn: Wilson Stroud 1548 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1548 U. S. 74 Express Lane Projects (STIP Nos. U-5526, U-2509) Public Meeting Location NCDOT Wants Your Input! Public involvement is an important part of the planning process. NCDOT encourages citizen involvement on transportation projects and will consider your suggestions and address your concerns. Public Meeting Locatron NCDOT will hold two public meetings within the study area for these projects. Interested citizens may attend either meeting at any time during the below mentioned hours to ask questions, collect information, or offer suggestions on either of the express lane projects presented. Public Meetinq #1 ` March 30, 2015 4-7PM Ovens Auditorium 2700 E. Independence Blvd � Charlotte, NC / 16 s�. � �� ° c; ��4��a� Public Meetinq #2 March 31, 2015 4-7PM Matthews Town Hall 232 Matthews Station St, Matthews, NC _ NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled persons who wish to participate in this meeting. Anyone requiring special services should contact Wilson Stroud at (919) 707-6045 as early as possible so that arrangements can be made. Para Asistencia en Espanol favor de Contactar: 1-800-481-6494 Public Meeting Notice The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) will hold two public meetings for the projects on U.S. 74 in southeast Charlotte. The purpose of these meetings is to present the latest information and answer questions regarding the proposed projects. The opportunity to submit written comments and/or questions will be provided. You are invited to drop in anytime between 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. to ask questions and talk to the project teams. Overview of Proj�cts NCDOT is in the process of perForming roadway improvements to increase traffic capacity and implementing a network of express lanes on U.S. 74 in southeastern Charlotte that will provide drivers with reliable travel times on this critical travel corridor. Drivers on this section of U.S. 74, from I-277 to I-485, currently experience congestion on a regular basis. These improvements to U.S. 74 will be accomplished under two projects, STIP No. U-5526 (I-277 to Wallace Lane) and STIP No. U-2509 (Conference Drive to I-485). While these projects are in different stages of development, they are closely related, and the success of the system as a whole relies on the success of each project. This system includes these two projects and also express lanes proposed on I-485 under STIP No. I-5507 and the toll road proposed under the Monroe Bypass project (STIP No. R-3329/R-2559). Public Meetinq #1 March 30, 2015 4-7PM Ovens Auditorium 2700 E. Independence Blvd, Charlotte, NC Public Meetinq #2 March 31, 2015 4-7PM Matthews Town Hall 232 Matthews Station St., Matthews, NC What are Express Lanes? Express lanes are lanes that allow drivers to choose to pay a fee for a more reliable, quicker trip along a corridor. The management of the lanes can vary from vehicle occupancy criteria to a set price to a payment that varies based on the travel demand at any given time. /• -.� � . � . With the growing population, North Carolina faces increasing demand to improve the state's infrastructure. Limited funding, right-of-way restrictions and environmental concerns make adding more lanes an increasingly complex challenge. Recently express lanes have emerged as the most practical solution for providing a reliable travel option and improving mobility in urban, highly congested corridors. They also provide a longer-term management solution than more traditional improvements. How Do Express Lanes Work? Express lanes operate using an electronic tolling system with transponders mounted on the vehicles to collect tolls. Video cameras capture license plates of users without transponders, who are billed by mail and pay a slightly higher rate to cover the cost of collection. There would be no toll plazas and no stopping to pay tolls. Motorists will see signs noting the toll rate, and they will have the option to move into the express lanes or remain in the free general purpose lanes. Connecting people and places in North Carolina — safely and efficiently, with accountability and environmental sensitivity to enhance the economy, health and well being of North Carolina. U. S. 74 Express Lane Projects (STIP Nos. U-5526, U-2509) STIP N0. U-5526 (U.S. 74: I-277 TO WALLACE LN) Project Description U-5526 is the U.S. 74 improvement project from I-277 to Wallace Lane in Charlotte and is a 5.8-mile project that is being proposed for conversion of the existing and under-construction bus lanes along U.S. 74 (Independence Boulevard) to express lanes. The repurposing of the existing lanes will take advantage of the underutilized lanes to provide travel time reliability between I-277 and Wallace Lane. Buses will be allowed to use the new express lanes. The corridor currently operates as an eight-lane freeway/expressway, but experiences periods of high congestion during the morning and afternoon rush hours. One reversible express lane is proposed from I-277 to Albemarle Road (N.C. 27), and two express lanes (one in each direction) are proposed from Albemarle Road to Wallace Lane. For more information, please visit the project website at: www. ncdot. gov/projects/U-5526 STIP N0. U-2509 (U.S. 74: CONFERENCE DR TO I-485) Project Description U-2509 is the 6.3-mile U.S. 74 improvement project from Conference Drive in Charlotte to I-485 in Matthews that is proposed for widening and the addition of express lanes. The corridor currently operates as a four- to six-lane roadway, but is frequently clogged with heavy congestion. The purpose of this project is to provide a reliable travel time and improve mobility along the corridor, provide system sustainability and maintain and improve community connectivity. This project will include widening and the addition of express lanes in the median of U.S. 74. Because access along U.S. 74 would be altered and all traffic signals would be removed, the project would include interchanges and grade separated crossings at major cross streets as well as connecting parallel routes to ensure community connectivity. For more information, please visit the project website at: www. ncdot. gov/projects/U-2509 March 2015 BENEFITS OF EXPRESS LANES Travel Options • Travel Time Reliability • Efficient use of highway capacity ' PROJECT SCHEDULES � '�� NCDOT WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU! INFORMATION AND COMMENTS � For more information about these projects or to express any comments or concerns, contact any of the project managers below. Please refer to the appropriate project number if you know it (U-5526 or U-2509) or to U-5226/U-2509 if you are not sure when writing about the proposed project. All comments and questions will be addressed as soon as possible. Mr. Wilson Stroud U-5526 an d U-2509 NC Department of Transportation Project Development and Environmental Analysis Unit 1548 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699 (919) 707-6045 wstroud@ncdot.gov Mr. Tommy Register U-5526 TGS Engineers 706 Hillsborough St. Suite 200 Raleigh, NC 27603 (919) 773-8887 tregister@tgsengineers. com Mr. Keith Lewis U-2509 VHB Engineering NC, P.C. 4000 WestChase Blvd. Suite 530 Raleigh, NC 27607 (919) 334-5619 kdlewis@vhb.com 1,400 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $1,317.00 or $0.94 per copy.