Town Lands $4.7 Million Fed Grant for Exit 27

The federal government has awarded a $4.7 million grant for the planning and design of a new Exit 27 on Interstate 77 at Westmoreland Road.

The grant is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development, or BUILD, grant program.

The Town of Cornelius and Atrium have reached a preliminary agreement to equally share the additional $2,055,000 needed to complete the advance work, bringing the total planning and design cost to about $6.8 million.

The grant was announced by Tim Moore, R-N.C., whose district includes parts of Mecklenburg County and all or portions of Cleveland, Gaston, Burke, Rutherford and Polk counties.

“I’m proud to have helped secure this grant, which will allow Cornelius to move forward with this important infrastructure project,” Moore said. “The Westmoreland Road and Interstate 77 interchange is critical to improving traffic flow, expanding access to essential services and supporting continued economic growth throughout the region. This investment will provide local leaders with the tools they need to develop the best long-term solution.”

The NCDOT, which previously estimated the cost of the new exit to be in excess of $100 million, has not yet designated the project for funding.

The town hired consultant Kimley-Horn in 2024 to help pursue a BUILD grant, formerly known as a RAISE grant.