Why do we need to widen Rockfish Road?

Rockfish Road is a primary local travel corridor connecting southeastern Hoke County with the community of Rockfish and the City of Raeford. The population in Hoke County is projected to increase at a rate of 2.5% annually, which is more than double the statewide projection for population growth. Traffic is expected to increase along with the population growth, and the number of commuters traveling from surrounding communities through Rockfish to Fort Bragg and the City of Fayetteville is also expected to increase. In 2017, the traffic volume on Rockfish Road varied between 8,100 and 12,300 vehicles per day. By 2040, the traffic volume is projected to increase to between 16,200 and 28,400 vehicles per day.

Project History

The development of alternatives and the required environmental studies are conducted in accordance with the N.C. State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA).  The overall process for selecting the preferred alternative for the project includes:

• Identify the purpose and need for the project

• Collect data on the project study area

• Develop preliminary alternatives

• Evaluate the impacts of the preliminary alternatives

• Recommend a design alternative

• Engage the public through public meetings

• Select the preferred alternative

• Process the environmental documentation (Minimum Criteria Determination Checklist)

Community Outreach

Since mid-2017, NCDOT has held meetings with community leaders, local interest groups, business groups and affected business owners and neighborhood groups about the Rockfish Road widening project.

The objective of the community outreach program is to solicit input through an open, dynamic process that includes as many residents, business owners, property owners, local agencies, community groups and other stakeholders within the project study area as possible. This process is structured to involve people early and often and to share information as it becomes available.

A variety of techniques has been and will continue to be used to ensure meaningful involvement from the community.

Allternatives Considered

Two alternatives were initially evaluated for managing future traffic in the Rockfish Road corridor.

• Maintaining the existing two-lane roadway but make improvements (turn lanes and traffic signals) at key intersections.

• Widening to a four-lane roadway with median.  

A traffic forecast was completed (Year 2040 traffic volumes) and an operations analysis was conducted to compare the two alternatives in regard to maintaining acceptable levels of service along Rockfish Road. The analysis determined that the four-lane alternative will be the most effective option for managing the 2040 projected traffic volumes and is currently being evaluated as the recommended alternative for improvements to Rockfish Road.

Recommended Alternative

NCDOT has developed a recommended alternative, and community and environmental impacts are being evaluated for the project. The approved traffic projections and traffic operations analysis indicate that a four-lane roadway will be needed to manage future traffic. The four-lane section will include added turn lanes, right-in, right-out only movements, traffic signals at key intersections, and a variable width median throughout the project corridor.  The recommended alternative corresponds to the proposed typical section included in the Fayetteville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s 2040 Metropolitan Transportation Plan dated April 16, 2014. 

The public had an opportunity to comment on the recommended alternative at the public meeting on April 23, 2019. Project maps were available for the community to review and provide input on the refined designs.

Public Involvement

The public had an opportunity to comment on the recommended alternative at the public meeting on April 23, 2019. Project maps were available for the community to review and provide input on the refined designs.  

Public Meeting Maps:

U-5857: Between Pittman Grove Church Road and North Copper Creek

U-5857:  Between Sweet William Way and Eastfield/Westfield Drive

Project Funding

This project is listed as Project U-5857 in the N.C. Department of Transportation’s State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and is funded for $69.6 million.

* Estimated costs are subject to change. Based on NCDOT STIP.

* Future dates are preliminary and subject to change

PROJECT CONTACT INFORMATION 

George Boules

Project Manager

NCDOT Project Management Unit

1582 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, NC  27699-1582

919-707-7135

COMMENTS/QUESTIONS

Comments may be submitted below, via phone, email (Rockfish-rd@publicinput.com), or U.S. Mail to the Project Manager listed above, or at any meeting. 

All comments received carry equal weight, regardless of submission method. 

All comments will be reviewed and suggestions/recommendations

incorporated into designs where feasible.   

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

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