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Freedom Drive (NC 27) Widening
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A 1998 Transportation Bond Project
This transportation project will widen existing Freedom Drive from I-85 (Edgewood Road/Bradford Drive) to Toddville Road. City transporation plans include future widening to Little Rock Road. The road will be widened from a two lane road to a four lane median divided facility.
The improvements will include bicycle lanes, sidewalks, planting strips, and street lighting on wooden poles.
Objectives:
Follow the Mecklenburg Union Metropolitan Planning Organization (MUMPO) transportation plan.
Improve safety by widening existing Freedom Drive from I-85 (Edgewood Road/Bradford Drive) to Toddville Road.
Build bicycle lanes, planting strips, and sidewalks
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Freedom Drive
Phase 1 of this project will widen Freedom Drive to four lanes from Edgewood Road to Toddville Road.
What's happened? City staff has completed the planning and design for this project.
What's next? The project is currently in the Real Estate Acquisition phase. Clearing and grading work for utility relocation will soon begin.
Who to contact: Tom Russell, 704-336-4639 |
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Delays to Project:
- When QKR began design work, it was under 1998 EPA rules on crossing regulated streams which allowed the existing culvert to be extended or replaced without a permit as long as stream impacts were less than 300 feet.
- In 2002, the EPA regulations changed, requiring several permits for stream crossings and a due diligence period of 18-24 months for theh City to show it looked at every reasonable alternative to preserve stream wetlands.
- During that time, the project team examined roadway alignments, compared bridges to culverts and studied alternatives with least wetland impact. As a result, the QK4 culvert design was set aside. Gannett Fleming's design will now use bridges, which much more favorable address the wetland issues.
Cost: $25,250,000
Please note that this figure includes all costs associated with the project such as planning and design, acquiring the right of way, utility relocation, signalization, consultant fees, construction, permits and landscaping.
The Engineering & Property Management (E&PM) project team will manage the Freedom Drive Widening Project through a four stage process. Specific work is conducted during each stage with an emphasis on public involvement during the planning and design phases. Click here to learn how City projects are selected, designed and built.
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Project Contacts:
Tom Russell, P.E., Engineering Project Manager, 704-336-4639 Vernoica Wallace, P.E., Transportation Project Manager, 704-336-7401
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