NCDOT Answers Town’s Road Requests

By Dave Vieser — When Mayor Denis Bilodeau presided over his first Town Board meeting late last year, he made transportation a top priority. To emphasize it, he added a new transportation agenda item at each meeting.

Part of that effort involved communicating major traffic issues to the N.C. Department of Transportation. Town officials identified six priority areas of concern and sent them to NCDOT for feedback.

Wayne Herron, deputy town manager, reported on the responses this week at both the Town Board and Transportation Advisory Board meetings.

Exit 28 DDI signage and pavement markings

• Town request: Better signage and pavement painting for safety.
• NCDOT response: No additional signs or painting are needed but could be reconsidered when the “bookends” on each side of the Exit 28 complex are completed. The town requested “don’t block the box” signs similar to those in Davidson. Herron said the agency responded, “Just because Davidson has them doesn’t mean they are needed or appropriate in Cornelius.”

West Catawba/Catawba Avenue signal timing

• Town request: Expedite signal timing between Jetton Road and Highway 21.
• NCDOT response: Cornelius is already scheduled for signal retiming this year. Work must occur when schools are open, and the state has it planned for fall. Herron and board members agreed there is no point in the town contracting the work this spring or summer due to costs and state restrictions.

Highway 21/Catawba Avenue left turn

• Town request: Remove the protected southbound left turn signal.
• NCDOT response: For safety and traffic volume, the left turn lane must remain protected. Roundabout construction later this year will eliminate the left turn lane.

Highway 21/Westmoreland Road left turn stacking lane

• Town request: Extend the northbound left turn stacking lane.
• NCDOT response: The intersection will be rebuilt in 2033 as part of the Highway 21 widening project. The town could fund and construct the intersection portion now, but it would cost an estimated $20 million and take four years. The state said double turn lanes, called “suicide lanes,” will not be considered.

Bailey Road/N.C. 115 intersection improvements

• Town request: Improve traffic flow from Bailey Road onto N.C. 115 during busy times.
• NCDOT response: The state wants the town to complete the traffic study funded by the Charlotte Regional Planning Transportation Organization. If recommendations affect the railroad tracks, input will be required from Charlotte and Norfolk Southern.

I-77 Exit 28 northbound off-ramp expansion

• Town request: Expand the off-ramp, specifically lengthen the right turn lane further down the ramp.
• NCDOT response: The agency will study feasibility but no action will occur until the roundabouts are completed in 2028. Pursuing the project independently would still be subject to the state’s project priority ranking. Herron suggested the town let the state continue its study.