New I-40 interchange proposed
Published 9:24 am Thursday, July 20, 2017
A feasibility study on traffic patterns along the Farmington Road/I-40/US 158/NC 801 corridor in eastern Davie has been completed.
It contains several recommendations – including extending Baltimore Road to I-40, where a new interchange would be built.
The changes will take years, as local leaders work with regional and state transportation planners.
Dylan Turner of Kimley-Horn Associates presented the findings to county commissioners this month. The presentation goes to the Bermuda Run Town Board next week.
Because of the number of trucks from Ashley Furniture on Baltimore Road, Turner said the new I-40 interchange would qualify for a federal Fast Lane grant. That Baltimore Road extension could eventually go to Redland Road or NC 801, he said, although that would be a different phase of the proposed project.
The recommendations also include: a stoplight at Baltimore Road and US 158; roundabouts on both ends of the I-40 interchange at Farmington Road and at US 158; three lanes on Farmington Road to the new high school site; and improvements to the intersection at NC 801 and US 158 in Bermuda Run.
The study is just that – a conceptual feasibility study. None of the projects are cut in stone, nor have they been funded. While the county had asked for a 2028 timeline, the state department of transportation is looking at a 2040 timeline, Turner said.
Board member John Ferguson said he would like to see cost estimates before giving his full endorsement. County Planner Andrew Meadwell said those estimates are down the road, the county just has to endorse the concept before it can be considered by transportation officials.
Board members will vote on endorsing the proposal in August. After those approvals, it would go to the state department of transportation as well as the federal high administration