The proposed design for U.S. 321 Widening - Hickory to Lenoir would involve widening 13.9 miles of U.S. 321 to a six-lane divided road. For most of the length, it would have a 30-foot raised grass median.
A reduced conflict intersection (sometimes referred to as a synchronized street) would be used along the project corridor. All at-grade intersections and driveways would be right-in/right-out only. Drivers would turn right and use new U-turn areas to travel in the opposite direction.
The project design and anticipated impacts are described in the following documents:
This project is divided into sections, as described in the table below, in the current State Transportation Improvement Program.
Section A
| U.S. 70 to U.S. 321A
| Construction begins - Fall 2026
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Section B
| U.S. 321A to Mission Road
| Currently unfunded
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Section C
| Mission Road to Southwest Boulevard
| Currently unfunded
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Section CA
| U.S. 321/Mount Herman Road intersection
| Underway - 2020
Construction - 2024
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Section CB
| U.S. 321/Pine Mountain Road intersection
| Underway - 2020
Construction - 2024
|
Section CC
| U.S. 321/Mission Road intersection
| Underway - 2020
Construction - 2024
|
The recommended design is described below, and shown on the maps listed on the Project Documents page.
13th Street SW/2nd Avenue SW
| NCDOT recommends a half clover interchange at 2nd Avenue SW to replace the existing intersection at 13th Street SW and U.S. 321 and provide a direct connection from U.S. 321 to 1st and 2nd Avenues SW, which are primary routes through downtown Hickory.
A section of 1st and 2nd Avenues SW would be converted from one-way to two-way streets, which is consistent with the city of Hickory’s long-term plan for the roadways.
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| Clement Boulevard | NCDOT recommends a superstreet intersection at this existing signalized intersection.
Although NCDOT initially proposed an interchange, the most current traffic forecast no longer indicates the need at this location. A superstreet intersection notably reduces property impacts to businesses. |
| Grace Chapel Road | NCDOT recommends a flyover bridge from Grace Chapel Road onto southbound U.S. 321 toward Hickory with a synchronized street intersection serving the other movements.
With this design, drivers would be allowed to make a right turn from U.S. 321 northbound onto Grace Chapel Road and from Grace Chapel Road onto northbound U.S. 321.
Vehicles traveling south on U.S. 321 from Lenoir would use a U-turn bulb to turn onto Grace Chapel Road.
NCDOT proposes a new connector road from Lake Shore Drive to Grace Chapel Road as part of this design.
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| Alex Lee Boulevard | NCDOT recommends a tight diamond interchange at Alex Lee Boulevard. As part of this design, a new road would connect Sage Meadow Circle, Midway Sand Road and the new interchange.
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