R-5724: US-15-501-Pittsboro
R-5724: US-15-501-Pittsboro
Preliminary Engineering Activities
for Section A
of this project have resumed
The proposed project involves widening approximately 1.4 miles of U.S. 15-501 (Hillsboro Street) from Launis Street (just north of downtown Pittsboro) to Powell Place Lane (just south of U.S. 64) in Chatham County.
The existing undivided, two-lane typical section south of U.S. 64 will be widened to a three-lane roadway.
The roadway will consist of:
- two-lanes with a continuous center turn lane
- curb and gutter
- a five-foot sidewalk on the western side
- a 10-foot multi-use path on the eastern side
Intersections with collector roads will also be upgraded.
The roadway will remain open during construction and a detour will not be required.
This project is divided into two sections:
Section A - Preliminary Engineering Activities have resumed for this section
U.S. 15 / U.S. 501, south of U.S. 64 Business to North of U.S. 64 Business. - Streetscape improvements to the traffic circle.
Section B - Preliminary Engineering Activities are suspended for this section
U.S. 15 / U.S. 501, north of U.S. 64 Business to Powell Place Lane
Vicinity Map:
Purpose and Need:
The primary purpose of this project is to improve existing and projected traffic flow and operational efficiency on U.S. 15-501(Hillsboro Street).
The corridor is classified as a north-south principal arterial that provides a direct connection between downtown Pittsboro and US 64 and serves the inter-county travel demands between Chatham County and Orange and Durham counties.
Future traffic through the project study area will result in capacity deficiencies causing congestion and delays. The proposed project would address the need to increase capacity and enhance mobility for vehicles by allowing for an acceptable level of service (LOS) and keep the roadway functioning properly as a major arterial. The project also would enhance mobility for pedestrians and bicyclists along the corridor as they are not adequately served on the existing roadway. In addition, safety may be improved as rear end crashes are typically caused by slowing down due to congestion. On undivided highways with multiple driveways lacking dedicated turn lanes like U.S. 15-501(Hillsboro Street), slowing down may also be due to vehicles waiting to make left turns against oncoming traffic. The proposed improvements and addition of the dedicated turn lane will help to improve the flow of traffic and may improve safety along the roadway.
Level of Service
Public Involvement
Public Meeting Summary
An Open-House Public Meeting was held on June 18, 2019 to obtain stakeholder and public input regarding the project. Eight (8) local officials and 34 citizens attended the meeting. A summary of the comments received at the meeting, by mail/email, and through the project website survey are included below.
After reviewing the plans/typical section, how supportive are you of adding a center turn lane to U.S. 15-501 in the project area?
65% Very Supportive
32% Somewhat Supportive
3% Unsupportive
How supportive are you of adding a sidewalk on the western side of the project?
80% Very Supportive
13% Somewhat Supportive
6% Neutral
How supportive are you of adding a multi-use path on the east side of the project?
82% Very Supportive
12% Not Sure
6% Somewhat Supportive
Are there community impacts that you are concerned about?
38% Residences
33% Streams
14% Businesses
10% Parks
5% Churches
Is there any additional information that you would like to receive regarding the project?
78% No, I have the information needed
22% Yes, I need more information
General Summary of Comments
The majority of the respondents (more than 80%) were supportive (very or somewhat) of the addition of the turn lane as well as the sidewalk and multi-use path. Resources of concern were primarily residences, streams, and businesses. Additional comments are listed below and the number of times the comment was received.
The turn lane is too wide and should be reduced to decrease impacts - 4
Concern for right-of-way impacts to residential properties along the roadway - 4
Recommended minimizing tree removal - 3
Concern over runoff/flooding - 3
Support for the project - 3
Question why a bypass is not being considered – 2
Concern over access impacts to businesses - 2
Project Funding
This project is listed as Project R-5724 in the N.C. Department of Transportation’s State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and is funded for $6,419,000 million with prior year costs of $650,000.
Activity | Estimated Amount* |
| Construction | $ 6,156,000 |
| Right of Way Acquisition | $ 235,000 |
| Utilities | $ 28,000 |
| Prior Year Costs | $ 650,000 |
| Total Cost | $ 7,069,000 |
* Estimated costs, subject to change.
Project Timeline
Milestone | Date* |
25% Preliminary Design Completion | Spring 2019 |
Public Meeting | June 2019 |
Environmental Documentation | Summer 2019 |
Right of Way Acquisition - Section A | Spring 2020 |
Begin Construction - Section A | Spring 2021* |
Right of Way Acquisition - Section B | Spring 2022* |
Begin Construction - Section B | Spring 2023* |
* Future dates are preliminary and subject to change
Typical Section:
PROJECT CONTACT INFORMATION
Morgan DeWit, PE
Project Manager
NCDOT Highway Division 8
121 DOT Drive
Carthage, NC 28327
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