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Improvements to NC 16 (Brookshire Boulevard) from North Hoskins Road to I-77

Mecklenburg County

FS-1510A

I. General Description

This feasibility study describes the improvements of NC 16 (Brookshire Boulevard) from North Hoskins Road to I-77 Interchange in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. The length of the project corridor is approximately 2.4 miles. The project area is located in the city of Charlotte. The project location is shown on Figure 1.

The existing geometry of Brookshire Boulevard is six-lanes with a narrow raised median with curb and gutter and sidewalks on both sides of the road from North Hoskins Road to I-85 interchange. There are several at grade intersections.

The existing interchange at I-85 and NC 16 (Brookshire Boulevard) is a single point

urban interchange (SPUI). NC 16 (Brookshire Boulevard) carries four-lanes across. Brookshire Boulevard east of I-85 is four-lanes with a narrow raised median. It has

curb and gutter from I-85 to just east of Centre Street. There is a sidewalk on the south side of NC 16 (Brookshire Boulevard).

The section from Centre Street to I-77 is four lanes with a variable width raised

median from Centre Street to east of Idaho Drive. There is a grassed median from east of Idaho Drive to I-77.

The current posted speed limit is 45 mph north of Idaho Drive and 55 mph south

of Idaho Drive. The proposed speed limit is 55 from I-85 to I-77. There is commercial and residential property as well as Johnson C. Smith University located near I-77.

The recommended geometry is described below.

Section A - North Hoskins Road at NC 16 (Brookshire Boulevard): Recommending

a six-lane divided variable width median with curb and gutter and sidewalks on both sides.

Section B - I-85 at NC 16 (Brookshire Boulevard): Convert the existing Single

Point Urban Interchange (SPUI) to a diverging diamond interchange (DDI) with six-lanes. Pedestrian access across the bridge will be through the median.

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Section C - NC 16 (Brookshire Boulevard) between I-85 and new interchange location: Six-lane divided variable width median on NC 16 (Brookshire Boulevard). New location partial clover interchange with roundabouts connecting to Voncannon Drive on the south and Pennsylvania Avenue on the north. A two lane tunnel lane will connect the properties on the north and south of NC 16 (Brookshire Boulevard).

Section D - NC 16 (Brookshire Boulevard) from tie-in of new interchange to I-77: Six-lane divided variable width median on NC 16 (Brookshire Boulevard) that ties to existing at I-77. A noise wall will be constructed on the north side to reduce noise to the residential area North of NC 16.

Section E - Beatties Ford Road: Widen Beatties Ford Road to four-lane variable width raised median with curb and gutter and sidewalks on both sides. There are two dual lane roundabouts on the north and south side.

The City recommends deleting Section E. The City plans for a Streetcar Line and any work along Beatties Ford Road should be considered in the City’s project which is currently unfunded. We have removed the cost of Section E from the project cost. However, if the City of Charlotte does not implement their proposed Beatties Ford Road improvements prior to this project’s implementation, the cost of Section E will have to be included.

This is the initial step in the planning and design process for this project and is not the product of exhaustive environmental or design investigations. The purpose of this study is to describe the proposed project including cost, and to identify potential problems that may require consideration in the planning and design phases.

Once a candidate project is identified for funding in the TIP, the Feasibility Study

is followed by a rigorous planning and design process that meets the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), where either an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or an Environmental Assessment (EA) is done.

II. Background

The purpose of this project is to upgrade NC 16 (Brookshire Boulevard) to improve the traffic safety and operations to highway standards along NC 16 in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.

The project area is located in the City of Charlotte. NC 16 is classified as a Other

Principal Arterial from I-85 to Idaho Drive and Other Freeway from Idaho Drive and I-77.

There are several State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) projects within the proposed study area of FS-1510A.

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B-5792: Replace Bridge 342 over Andrill Terrace Street and Irwin Creek on NC 16 southbound

I-3311: I-77 from I-277 (Brookshire Freeway) to SR 5544 (West Catawba Avenue, Exit 28). Add Additional lanes.

I-5405: I-77 from I-277 to W Catawba Avenue. Construct HOT lanes and convert HOV lanes to HOT.

I-5718: I-77 from I-485 to I-277/NC 16 (Brookshire Freeway) (Exit 11). Widen existing Freeway to 10 lanes by constructing managed lanes.

I-5796: I-85 from 0.1 mile north of SR 5901 (Billy Graham Parkway) to 0.3 mile north of NC 16 pavement rehabilitation

There are three bridges in the project study area. Please see Table 3 for detailed bridge information.

III. Traffic and Safety

Currently there are two existing traffic signals located along the project corridor. The signals are located at N. Hoskins / NC 16 (Brookshire Boulevard) and I-85 / NC 16 (Brookshire Boulevard). There is a flashing light located at Idaho Drive / NC 16 (Brookshire Boulevard).

The existing 2015 Average Daily Traffic (ADT) along NC 16 (Brookshire Boulevard) varies between 53,800 vpd to 61,600 vpd between I-77 and I-85. The volume varies between 50,500 vpd to 53,100 vpd between I-85 and North Hoskins Road. For the design year 2040, the traffic volume is expected to be along NC 16 (Brookshire Boulevard) varies between 67,600 vpd to 69,200 vpd between I-77 and I-85. The volume varies between 67,200 vpd to 69,900 vpd between I-85 and North Hoskins Road. Truck traffic on NC 16 (Brookshire Boulevard) is estimated to make up approximately 6 percent of the daily traffic. The truck traffic between I-85 and North Hoskins is expected to be 11 percent of the daily traffic.

The following table shows the Level of Service for the signalized intersections. The

no build scenario has a SPUI at I-85 and NC 16. NC 16 has four through lanes. The build scenario adds one lane in each direction and a DDI at I-85 and NC 16. This will provide a six lane section from I-77 to North Hoskins Road. There are two locations of a northbound auxillary lane from I-77 to the off ramp at Beatties Ford Road and from the new interchange to I-85.

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Table 1: Level of Service

Intersection 2015 No Build 2015 Build DDI 2040 No Build 2040 Build DDI

NC 16 / N. Hoskins Road

F (Delay 189.1) AM / F (Delay 195.3) PM

C (Delay 27.0) AM / C (Delay 22.4) PM

F (Delay 324.6) AM / F (Delay 337.2) PM

D (Delay 41.0) AM / C (Delay 27.2) PM

NC 16 / I-85 C (Delay 34.6) AM / D (Delay 40.4) PM

NA E (Delay 65.1) AM / E (Delay 76.1) PM

NA

NC 16 / I-85 SB

NA B (Delay 12.1) AM / B (Delay 18.8) PM

NA C (Delay 22.5) AM / D (Delay 45.5) PM

NC 16 / I-85 NB

NA C (Delay 22.5) AM / B (Delay 19.0) PM

NA D (Delay 39.5) AM / C (Delay 28.9) PM

Beatties Ford Road / NC 16 Northbound Ramps

B (Delay 14.8) AM / A (Delay 7.1) PM

A (Delay 10.0) AM / A (Delay 5.5) PM

B (Delay 17.0) AM / A (Delay 7.4) PM

A (Delay 5.5) AM / A (Delay 6.7) PM

Beatties Ford Road / NC 16 Southbound Ramps

C (Delay 29.7) AM / B (Delay 18.1) PM

B (Delay 15.7) AM / B (Delay 14.6) PM

D (Delay 48.1) AM / C (Delay 23.2) PM

C (Delay 22.2) AM / C (Delay 23.8) PM

The analysis found that the DDI will operate at a better level of service in 2040.

In order to get a passing level of service at the intersection of North Hoskins Road and NC 16, several improvements will be required. North Hoskins will need an additional right turn lane on the Northeast approach. NC 16 will need additional exclusive right turn lanes on both approaches.

Table 2: 2040 Build Level of Service

Intersection 2015 No Build 2015 Build SPUI 2040 No Build 2040 Build SPUI

NC 16 / I-85 NA C (Delay 31.4) AM / D (Delay 39.6) PM

NA D (Delay 35.8) AM / D (Delay 45.3) PM

Widening the existing SPUI will cause an improvement in the LOS from F to D in

the year 2040.

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Crash data was obtained from the NCDOT for Brookshire Boulevard from I-77 to North Hoskins Road for the five year period from 1/1/2011 to 12/31/2015. The results are shown below.

Table 3: High Level Crash Summary

Crash Type Number of Crashes Percent of Total

Total Crashes 678 100

Fatal Crashes 2 0.29

Non-Fatal Injury Crashes 254 37.46

Total Injury Crashes 256 37.76

Property Damage Only Crashes 422 62.24

Night Crashes 215 31.71

Wet Crashes 119 17.55

Alcohol / Drugs Involvement Crashes 28 4.13

The crash rate for this facility was 351.34 crashes per 100 million vehicle miles.

This is more than the statewide average crash rate of 259.47 for NC routes in urban areas.

The severity index for this facility was 4.30. This is more than the statewide average of 4.04 for NC routes in urban areas.

The three most common types of accidents are listed below.

Table 4: Accident Type Summary

Accident Type Number of Crashes Percent of Total

Rear End, Slow or Stop 273 40.27

Sideswipe, Same Direction 113 16.67

Angle 101 14.90

There were 6 accidents involving pedestrians, which was 0.88% of the total.

The number of crashes at the major intersections along the project corridor are shown

below.

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Table 5: Crashes by Location

Accident Type Number of Crashes

Beatties Ford Road 32

Idaho 56

Center 26

Nelson 63

Honeywood 52

I-85 173

Linwood 48

Crigler 21

Cross 29

Hoskins 86

IV. Description of Improvements

Section A: North Hoskins Road at NC 16 (Brookshire Boulevard)

Widen Brookshire Boulevard to six-lane divided. Add exclusive right turn lanes to all approaches.

Section B: I-85 at NC 16 (Brookshire Boulevard)

Convert SPUI to DDI with six-lanes on Brookshire Boulevard. Section C: NC 16 between I-85 and new location interchange

Widen to six-lane divided and eliminate all side street access. Install frontage roads on north and south sides of NC 16 (Brookshire Boulevard). Add pedestrian bridge. Construct partial clover interchange on new location with tunnel under NC 16 (Brookshire Boulevard). Construct roundabouts connecting to Pennsylvania Avenue and Voncannon Drive. Add two retaining walls.

Section D: NC 16 (Brookshire Boulevard) from Interchange tie in to I-77

Widen NC 16 (Brookshire Boulevard) to six-lanes divided. Add a noise wall and retaining wall on north side of the project. Tie to existing I-77.

Section E: Beatties Ford Road

Widen Beatties Ford Road to four-lane with curb and gutter and sidewalks on both sides. Add roundabouts on north and south side.

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With this proposed cross-section, it is anticipated in Section A, from N. Hoskins Road and NC 16 (Brookshire Boulevard) to 50 feet south of N. Linwood Road, one (1) residence and ten (10) businesses relocated due to this project. The total cost of the Section A, including right of way, utility relocation, and construction is estimated to be is $12,100,000.00. The anticipated relocations in Section B, the diverging diamond, will be zero (0) residences and one (1) business. The total cost of Section B, including right of way, utility relocation, and construction is estimated to be is $7,100,000.00. The anticipated relocations in Section C, between the diverging diamond and where the loops tie to the NC 16 (Brookshire Boulevard), will be six (6) residences, seven (7) businesses, and two (2) churches/non-profit. The total cost of Section C, including right of way, utility relocation, and construction is estimated to be is $43,500,000.00. The anticipated relocations in Section D, from the tie in of the interchange to the end of the project, will be zero (0) residences and zero (0) businesses. The total cost of Section D, including right of way, utility relocation, and construction is estimated to be is $18,700,000.00. The anticipated relocations in Section E, between the diverging diamond and where the loops tie to the NC 16 (Brookshire Boulevard), will be one (1) residences, seven (7) businesses, and one (1) churches/non-profit. The total cost of Section E, including right of way, utility relocation, and construction is estimated to be is $23,100,000.00.

Table 6: Cost Estimate by Section Summary

Cost Estimate

Section A Section B Section C Section D Section E*

Right of Way $5,700,000 $1,600,000 $11,000,000 $1,000,000 $6,300,000

Utility Relocation

$1,100,000 $200,000 $2,400,000 $200,000 $1,300,000

Construction $5,300,000 $5,300,000 $30,100,000 $17,500,000 $15,500,000

Total $12,100,000 $7,100,000 $43,500,000 $18,700,000 $23,100,000

*If the City does not implement the improvements on Beatties Ford Road, the improvements will be included under FS-1510A.

Table 7: Cost Estimate Summary

Cost Estimate Total Total without Section E

Right of Way $25,600,000 $19,300,000

Utility Relocation $5,200,000 $3,900,000

Construction $73,700,000 $58,200,000

Total $104,500,000 $81,400,000

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V. Community Issues

A detailed community study was not conducted for this feasibility study. The Geographic Information System Service of the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office used to determine if any historic properties on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) or state study lists exist within the project study area. There are no National Register of Historic districts or structures located in the project area.

The following is a list of potential impacts identified within the project corridor.

o Deliverance Jesus Is Coming Church o United House of Prayer

VI. Natural Environment Issues

The following is a preliminary review of environmental issues that might have a potential impact to the project. The information obtained for the environmental screening is from a Geographic Information System (GIS) database. The purpose of the environmental screening is to identify potential environmental issues early in the process.

Stream Classification

There were no streams identified in the project study area. Ponds/Wetlands

There are two areas of concern identified in the project study area. See Figure 2.

o Freshwater Pond o Freshwater Forested/Shrub Wetland

National Heritage Program - Threatened and Endangered Species

There are no threatened and endangered species identified in the National

Heritage Program Database for the project study area.

VII. Recommendations

The recommended improvement is widen NC 16 (Brookshire Boulevard) to six-lane divided freeway from I-85 to I-77. Widen Brookshire to a six-lane divided expressway from N. Hoskins to I-85. Convert the interchange at NC 16 (Brookshire Boulevard) and I-85 to a diverging diamond interchange. Construct on new location a partial clover

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interchange east of Idaho Drive. Widen Beatties Ford Road to four-lane with roundabouts on the north and south side. The City recommends removing improvements along Beatties Ford Road from FS-1510A and handle any future improvements with the addition of the streetcar line or at a later date. With these improvements the facility is expected to have a level of service D or better in the year 2040.

Table 8: Bridge Information

Structure Number

Facility Carried

Feature Intersected

Structure Description

Structure Length

Vertical Clearance

Horizontal Clearance

Year Built

Sufficiency Rating

342

NC 16 (Brookshire Boulevard

SBL)

Irwin Creek

Reinforced Concrete Deck on I-Beams

233’ 20.67’

underclear 46.17’ 1972 85

345

NC 16 (Brookshire Boulevard

NBL)

I-77 Ramp, Irwin Creek, City Street

Reinforced Concrete Deck on I-Beams

314’ 19.08’

underclear 48.5’ 1972 87

354 NC 16

(Brookshire Boulevard)

I-85

Reinforced Concrete Deck on I-Beams

160’ 17.25’

underclear 99.9’ 1990 83

0 0.850.425Miles

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Idaho Drive

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Begin ProjectFS-1510A

End ProjectFS-1510A

CSX Transportation

CSX Transportation

N. Crigler

Street

N. HoskinsRoad

Charlotte

M E C K L E N B U R GM E C K L E N B U R G

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LegendMecklenburg County

Project Location Map: FS-1510AFigure 1NC 16 (Brookshire Boulevard): Upgrade toFreeway Standards from I-77 to I-85

Mecklenburg County, Division 10

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINADEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONPROGRAM DEVELOPMENT UNITFEASIBILITY STUDIES UNIT

FS-1510A Project Limits

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

Environmental Concerns & Wetland MapFS-1510AFigure 2

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONPROGRAM DEVELOPMENT BRANCHFEASIBILITY STUDIES UNIT

NC 16 (Brookshire Boulevard): Upgrade toFreeway Standards from I-77 to I-85Mecklenburg County, Division 10

0 0.70.35Miles

F

F

F

F

F

F

F

F

F

F

F

F

F

F

F

F

F

F

F

F

F

E

E

E

E

E

E

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E

Begin ProjectFS-1510A

End ProjectFS-1510A

SR 20

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FaithChurch

New BethlehemChurch

BethanyChurch

OaklawnCemetary

North PinewoodCemetary

Idaho Drive

N. HoskinsRoad

Brookshire Boulevard

Biddle Memorial Hall

M E C K L E N B U R GM E C K L E N B U R GCharlotte

FS-1510A Project Limits

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LegendMecklenburg County

Freshwater PondFreshwater Forested/Shrub WetlandFreshwater Emergent Wetland