The US 74 Independence Boulevard transportation improvement project is a first of its kind in North Carolina. As a vital link for local and regional transportation, US 74 Independence Boulevard is a major artery that carries high traffic volumes and travel speeds with limited at-grade crossings, overpasses, or tunnels for pedestrians. The new improvements—extending 6.5 miles from Conference Drive to I-485 (Charlotte Outer Loop)—will include widening a portion of the highway to six general-purpose lanes, adding interchanges or grade separated crossings at major intersecting roads, extending local parallel streets to ensure access and connectivity, and adding express toll lanes in the median.
VHB is preparing NEPA compliance documentation through the NEPA/404 Merger Process, as well as functional and preliminary designs. VHB is participating in extensive public outreach with stakeholder committees, coordinating with local officials and facilitating public meetings.
VHB also partnered with NCDOT’s Transportation Mobility and Safety Unit to perform a pedestrian safety study along an approximately 12-mile stretch of Independence Boulevard between I-277 in Charlotte and I-485 in Matthews.
