Project Overview
The N.C. Department of Transportation proposes widening an 8.5-mile stretch of N.C. 73 from N.C. 16 in Lincoln County to Northcross Drive in Huntersville to accommodate future growth.
The N.C. 73 project is included in the
2024-2033 NCDOT State Transportation Improvement Program (Draft STIP) as three projects: R-5721A, R-5721B and U-5765. They are combined for environmental study purposes.
The limits for each project are described as follows:
- R-5721A - N.C. 16 to Beatties Ford Road, Lincoln and Mecklenburg counties
- R-5721B - Beatties Ford Road to West Catawba Avenue, Mecklenburg County
- U-5765 - West Catawba Avenue to Northcross Drive, Mecklenburg County
Project Purpose
As the only Catawba River crossing between N.C. 150 and N.C. 16, N.C. 73 is a regionally important route.
The primary purpose is to improve the traffic-carrying capacity within the study area to operate at an acceptable level of service through 2040. The secondary purpose is to safely accommodate multi-modal uses of the corridor, including bicycle and pedestrian activities.
Improvements are needed because by 2040 traffic on N.C. 73 is projected to increase:
- 35 percent (approximately 23,900 to 45,500 vehicles per day) between N.C. 16 and West Catawba Avenue
- 60 percent (55,000 to 60,000 vehicles per day) between West Catawba Avenue and Northcross Drive
The proposed project is being developed in conjunction with additional proposed improvements to
N.C. 73 in Mecklenburg & Cabarrus.
Project Funding
This project is listed as Projects R-5721A R-5721B and U-5765 in the
2024-2033 N.C. Department of Transportation's State Transportation Improvement Program (Draft STIP) and is funded for $334 million.
Utility Relocation
| $10.4 million
| $3 million
| $7.5 million
|
| Property acquisition | $46.4 million
| $15.5 million
| $58.5 million
|
| Construction costs | $102 million
| $59.3 million
| $31.5 million
|
|
Total cost |
$158.8 million | $77.8 million
| $97.5 million
|
*Estimated costs subject to change
Project Timeline
Project kickoff
| August 2015
|
Initial public meetings
| February 2018
|
Design public meetings
| October 2018
|
Environmental document (State EA/FONSI) approval
| August 2019
|
Begin right of way acquisition*
| Fall 2022 (U-5765)
Fall 2023 (R-5721B)
Fall 2026 (R-5721A)*
|
Begin construction
| Fall 2026 (U-5765)*
Summer 2028 (R-5721B)*
Summer 2029 (R-5721A)*
|
*Future dates subject to change