In November 2016 the N.C. Department of Transportation identified different design options – referred to as alternatives – for each section of the project.
Each section was studied as part of a Categorical Exclusion – a National Environmental Policy Act document that evaluates a project's potential impacts to the natural and human environments.
Section A (U.S. 70 corridor upgrades between T.W. Alexander Drive and Brier Creek Parkway)
One alternative was studied:
- A freeway design, in which traffic would be able to access U.S. 70 only at interchanges.
Section B (U.S. 70/T.W. Alexander Drive interchange)
Three alternatives were studied:
- Alternative 1 would involve building an interchange at the existing intersection.
- Alternative 2 would involve building an interchange at the future Aviation Parkway Extension and an overpass at the existing intersection.
- Alternative 2 Revised would involve building interchanges at the future Aviation Parkway and at T.W. Alexander Drive.
Section C (U. S. 70/Brier Creek Parkway interchange)
Two alternatives were studied:
- Alternative 1, Alternative 2 and Alternative 2 Revised proposed the same type of interchange configurations at the existing intersection.