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.
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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