Blue Ridge Road Widening Project

About the Project

The purpose of this project is to provide a functional and safer multi-modal corridor for vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians along the Blue Ridge Road corridor from Duraleigh Road to Crabtree Valley Avenue.

The project will widen a segment of Blue Ridge Road from Duraleigh Road to Crabtree Valley Avenue to three lanes with:

Curb and gutter;
Pedestrian culvert,
Sidewalks; and,
A multi-use path.

The City is receiving federal funding for a portion of this project.

What does that mean?

We are splitting the project into two sections for construction.

Blue Ridge Road South is from Duraleigh Road to just east of Homewood Banks Drive and is scheduled to advertise for construction contracts Fall 2022 and start construction Winter 2023.
Blue Ridge Road North is from just east of Homewood Banks Drive to Crabtree Valley Avenue and is tentatively scheduled to begin construction in mid 2023.

Project Details

Type:: Streets
Budget:: $16.4 million
Project Lead:: Roadway Design & Construction
Contractors:: Kimley Horn (Design Consultant)

Updated Fall 2021

We are in the right-of-way and easement acquisition phase of the of the project.

Duke Energy is scheduled to start utility relocation work along the corridor in early 2022. Part of this work includes clearing along the corridor to allow for the relocation of utility poles. Utility relocation work is expected to take eight months.

Next Steps

We are scheduled to advertise the project for construction in Spring 2022.

Blue Ridge Road South

Duke Energy's Utility Construction Activity is Completed

Duke Energy has finished their utility relocation work between Duraleigh Road and Homewood Banks Drive. Other private utility companies are currently relocating underground and above ground lines along the corridor.

What to expect

Once the team completes the permitting process we will advertise the project for construction bids. After a construction contractor is selected we will hold a pre-construction meeting with residents along the corridor.

If you have any questions please contact the Project Manager, Kitty Thomas.

Blue Ridge Road North

Duke Energy has finished the southern part of the project and is now working on clearing and tree removal from Homewood Banks Drive to Crabtree Valley Avenue. Once Duke's crews complete the clearing, electric lines will be moved to new poles. This process involves establishing replacement electric distribution lines, switching electric service from the existing to the new distribution system, and removing the old distribution system.

What to expect

Replacement of existing utility poles with new, taller poles.
Utility lines relocated to new poles.
Old utility poles removed.
Duke Energy will give advanced notice to any homes or businesses if a power outage is required.
Work will take place between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Intermittent lane closures between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Southern Section Schedule

Date	Activity
July 12, 2018	Early Designs Public Meeting (25% plan)
May 20, 2019	Advanced Design Public Meeting (65% Plan)
August 2019	City Council Presentation
June 2020 - December 2021	Right of Way and Easement Acquisition
Spring Through Fall 2022	Private Utility Relocation - Currently Ongoing
Early 2023	Advertise for Construction Bids - Southern Section
Spring 2023	Pre-Construction meeting
Spring 2023	Start Construction - Southern Section
Summer 2024	Project Completion - Southern Section

Northern Section Schedule

Date	Activity
Fall 2022 - Spring 2023	Private Utility Relocation
Late Spring 2023	Advertise for Construction Bids - Northern Section
Summer 2023	Pre-Construction Public Meeting
Fall 2023	Start Construction - Northern Section
Late Fall 2024	Project Complete - Northern Section

Public Art

The project will include a public art component. Public art along this corridor will include stand-alone or integrated art, which may include a stand-alone sculpture, artwork sited at stormwater catchment site(s), and/or artwork integrated into pedestrian paving, lighting, benches/bike racks or other site elements. The artist will work closely with the design team, project stakeholders, and neighborhood groups to ensure a successful outcome. The artists selected for this project are Angelina Marino-Heidel and Joe Heidel.

Find out more about the public art coming to this project.

Project Details

The Blue Ridge Road Widening Project was prioritized in the Capital Improvement Program, as a major street project.

The roadway connects a major hospital and shopping center. Along with those two anchors, Blue Ridge is fronted by both single-family residences and apartment complexes. Towards the North-Eastern end, the road is intersected by a heavily used greenway.

The project will widen Blue Ridge Road from Duraleigh Road to Crabtree Boulevard to a two-lane divided multimodal roadway.

While maintaining one lane of traffic in each direction, most of the project will include a center turn lane. There is one section with a large curve that will have a raised median. A sidewalk will be located on one side of the roadway and a multi-use path on the other, creating a connection to the House Creek Greenway. Transit stops will be improved along the corridor and made shelter-ready. There will also be a pedestrian culvert under Blue Ridge Road that connects to House Creek Greenway.