NCDOT: Fire Tower/Portertown Roads Widening

For more than 20 years, the N.C. Department of Transportation and local partners have worked with the community to plan improvements along Fire Tower and Portertown roads. The overview below highlights the key milestones that brought this long‑needed project forward and the benefits it aims to deliver for residents.

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Project Recommendations
The Greenville Urban Area Thoroughfare Plan, adopted by the Greenville Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization in December 2004 and by the N.C. Board of Transportation in February 2005, recommends widening Fire Tower and Portertown Roads to four lanes with bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
In 2009, the Greenville Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Comprehensive Transportation Plan was originally adopted, then revised and adopted again in 2011 by the Municipal Planning Organization and in 2012 by the N.C. Board of Transportation. The Comprehensive Transportation Plan recommended improvements in the proposed project area as a four-lane divided boulevard.
In 2011, the Greenville Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan was adopted, recommending sidewalks throughout the project study area, as well as a bicycle lane.
Project Adoption
In 2013, improvements were prioritized by the N.C. Department of Transportation using the Strategic Transportation Investments, or STI, process, which allocates transportation funds based on data-driven scoring and local input.
The project ranked highly due to factors such as congestion, benefit‑cost performance, safety, freight needs, and input from local planning organizations and NCDOT staff. It addresses critical transportation issues, including current and future congestion, higher‑than‑average crash rates on Fire Tower and Portertown roads, delays from limited access control, and the need for better east‑west connectivity between Charles Boulevard (N.C. 43) and 10th Street (N.C. 33).
Project Planning and Design
On Nov. 10, 2015, a private engineering firm was hired by NCDOT to begin development of the widening project for planning and design. In 2015, a study area was established extending from Charles Boulevard (N.C. 43) to 10th Street (N.C. 33).
On Dec. 1, 2015, property owners along the corridor were mailed notification letters prior to field studies.
The Greenville Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization advertised the project and solicited written comments for a 10-day period beginning Dec. 21, 2015.
In May 2016, a traffic capacity analysis was completed using traffic estimates for the project, based on historic volumes, current counts (January–February 2016), the Greenville Urban Area Metrpolitan Planning Organization Travel Demand model, and design-year traffic projections. Results informed the preliminary design for the corridor.
In 2016, the study area and preliminary design were expanded west along Fire Tower Road near Wimbledon Drive to include the Arlington Boulevard intersection and a proposed Turnbury Drive extension, based on traffic analysis and feedback from local planning organizations and NCDOT officials.
Public Involvement
On Sept. 22, 2016, a meeting for local officials and an open-house public meeting were held at Alice Keene Park to provide project information. The officials meeting included 18 representatives from local agencies. The public meeting was advertised in local media and via postcards mailed to approximately 1,160 property owners. Attendance included 210 members of the public. Displays included large maps and a looping slideshow presentation. NCDOT staff and and consultants were available for questions. In January 2017, NCDOT released responses to written comments from the fall 2016 meeting.
Geotechnical Investigations
In October 2016, Engineering Consulting Services conducted geotechnical investigations along the project corridor to evaluate soil suitability for pavement, retaining walls and other structures.
Additional Public Involvement
On June 22, 2017, the first of two meetings was held with business owners near the Charles Boulevard/Fire Tower Road and Arlington Boulevard/Fire Tower Road intersections to discuss project extensions and intersection designs and answer questions.
On July 31, 2017, a second local officials meeting and public open house were held at Alice Keene Park to share design updates. Approximately 1,220 property owners received mailed notices, and 30 affected businesses received hand-delivered notices. Attendance included 244 members of the public. Displays included large maps and a looping video presentation showing proposed designs over aerial photography. Staffed stations addressed noise, traffic, and right-of-way acquisition questions.
On Oct. 11, 2017, a second meeting was held with business owners to answer questions, and discuss project extensions and intersection designs.
In February 2018, NCDOT released responses to written comments from the summer 2017 meeting.
Project Design Refinements
In May 2018, an updated traffic analysis was completed for the expanded study area, including quadrant intersections (an intersection design that routes left-turning traffic onto a short side road instead of through the main intersection) recommended for East Arlington Boulevard and South Charles Boulevard intersections with Fire Tower Road.
NCDOT and the consultant project team continued to refine project designs in response to public input received as a result of the public meetings as well as information gained from additional studies, including traffic and noise analysis.
On July 12, 2018, an Environmental Assessment document was completed to study potential impacts on human and natural environments. A Finding of No Significant Impact was approved based on the Environmental Assessment document and public/agency feedback.
In September 2024, final roadway design was completed and right-of-way acquisition began for parcels east of 14th Street from 14th to 10th streets (N.C. 33).
In September 2025, right-of-way acquisition began for parcels west of 14th Street from west of Arlington Boulevard to 14th Street.

7/30/2026 11:49 AM

Project History