Overview (Spring 2013)

From NC 55 westward to Green Level Church Road

Description

The Town of Cary is working with local developers and the NC Turnpike Authority to complete the last 1.83-mile segment of the Morrisville Parkway corridor from NC 55 to Green Level Church Road with a planned interchange at NC 540 (Western Wake Expressway).

The roadway will be constructed initially as a two-lane road, and later widened to four lanes when traffic demands necessitate the widening, pending permitting and funding (see History for more details).

Status

The Town completed the preliminary designs and is nearing completion of the draft Environmental Assessment (EA) document for Morrisville Parkway Phase III and the NC 540 Interchange. The document outlines the project details and impacts and fulfills the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Key items addressed in the document include:

· Purpose and Need: The purpose of the proposed project is focused on providing increased connectivity and access, as well as additional network capacity within western Cary. The project would address an existing deficiency in the connectivity of segments of existing Morrisville Parkway and provide Cary travelers better access to NC 540 than at the current two interchanges located at the town's northern and southern limits. The facility will also provide added capacity to the west Cary roadway network which is an expected need for the future to relieve congestion on NC 55 and Green Level Church Road.

· Alternatives Considered: A full range of alternatives, including the No-Build Alternative, Alternative Modes of Transportation, Transportation Systems Management (TSM) Alternative, Improve Existing Facility Alternative, and new location Build Alternatives were evaluated for the proposed action. The Build Alternative represents the recommended alignment from the 2003-2004 corridor study and permitted by the US Army Corps of Engineers and NC Division of Water Quality in 2008. The Build Alternative does include the evaluation of three interchange designs presented at the Citizens Informational Workshop in February 2012.

· Recommended Alternative: The Build Alternative is presented as the Recommended Alternative for the proposed project. The Town’s preferred Build Alternative includes the construction of a partial cloverleaf interchange at NC 540 with ramps and loops in the northwest and southeast quadrants (Alternative C).

· Summary of Impacts: The main impacts of the preferred Build Alternative include the relocation of 7 residences, 6 stream crossings with a combined length of 2,825 feet, 4 wetlands with a combined area of 0.44 acres, 87 acres of forest impacts, and 9 residences where noise impacts may need to be mitigated.

· Preliminary Cost Estimate: The estimated total construction cost is $22.3 million, including the segments being built by development. The Town is working with developers along the corridor as well as the NC Turnpike Authority to determine funding and phasing opportunities to construct the project. This estimate included:

o Right-of-way acquisition = $4.2 million

o Interchange construction = $10 million

When the EA document is finalized, it will be available for download and public review and comment for 30 days. The Town will also hold a public hearing on the project; stay tuned for more details.

Construction

Currently, the Greystone (orange in map below) and Highcroft Village (purple in map below) segments of the extension are under construction by their respective developments.

There is no set date for the completion of the Morrisville Parkway extension or the interchange. The approval of the EA and final designs will help the Town determine a construction schedule. The Town’s Capital Improvement Plan shows partial funding for the construction of the interchange in Fiscal Year 2016 and for widening the roadway from 2 to 4 lanes in Fiscal Year 2020. (Note: Funding years are subject to change through the budget process as the project priorities are re-evaluated each year.)

Project Area

The corridor is composed of three separate segments (shown in figure below) that are currently at in different stages of the development process:

· Western Segment: From Green Level Church Road to west of the NC 540 interchange

The Developer of Greystone PUD is currently constructing a two-lane portion from Green Level Church Road to 900’ from the NC 540 Bridge.

The Town of Cary has designed the remaining 900-foot two-lane section to the bridge.

· Bridge and Interchange at NC 540

The NC Turnpike Authority has completed the construction of the Morrisville Parkway bridge as part of their Western Wake Freeway project.

In September 2011, the Town began the study to design and provide the environmental documentation needed to move the NC 540 interchange forward. The study is reevaluating interchange configurations and intersections based on costs, impacts, and tolling. The study is currently underway and will be followed by final design of the interchange.

· Eastern Segment: From NC 540 interchange to NC 55

The Town is working with two developers to complete the eastern segment. The Town is working with developers to complete a two-lane roadway that may extend beyond their properties so that the roadway connection can be completed earlier.

The Developer of Highcroft Reserve (Phase 4 & 5) is currently constructing a two-lane portion from NC 55 to the western edge of their development.

The Developer of Fryars Gate is currently preparing site and phasing plans. Current Town development requirements would require the developer to construct the portion of Morrisville Parkway across their development. Town is in discussions with the Fryar’s Gate development to secure funding, ROW, and a construction schedule for the remaining segment between Panther Creek and NC 540.