Projects

City Boulevard extension


Project phase

 

 Project updates

City Blvd project map
This project will extend University City Boulevard westward from its existing intersection at Neal Road to the proposed alignment of Mallard Creek Road near Rumple Road. The design includes a four-lane, median-divided roadway with bicycle lanes, curb & gutter, planting strips, sidewalks, street trees and lighting. It will improve connectivity in northeast Charlotte by linking two major thoroughfares – University City Boulevard and NCDOT’s proposed Mallard Creek/Graham Street Extension Project.​

Project history

Planning and design phase (complete) - City staff worked with URS Corporation to plan and design the roadway extension of City Boulevard. These plans were based on safety, cost, benefits, traffic analysis and a public involvement process that allowed citizens and nearby businesses to provide input at three public meetings. 

Real estate phase (complete) - The City's real estate staff worked with citizens and businesses to acquire right-of-way and property easements needed for construction work. Utility Relocation started in November 2013.

Bid phase (complete) - Final specifications and special provisions were prepared and quantities of material were determined. The City of Charlotte follows the North Carolina state regulations and selected the lowest, responsible bidder. 

Construction phase (began November 18, 2013) - E&PM staff will work closely with the contractor to minimize construction impact. The designers of this project have taken great care to develop a construction plan that lessens inconveniences to you. However, it may be necessary to temporarily reduce or detour traffic flow and close streets. In these instances, you will be notified in advance. 

  • ​​​​​​​To improve travel conditions for vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists and transit users

  • To create more travel choices

  • To reduce congestion and improve safety

  • To provide community connectivity by providing sidewalks and bicycle facilities

​During a neighborhood meeting in May of 2016, residents brought forth several questions and concerns that are outlined in the "Main resident concerns" section of this page. Meetings were also held on June 26, 2008, July 17, 2008 and November 18, 2010, where residents reviewed the project design.

​​$10.8 million

 

​​​Please note this is the funding amount and includes all costs associated with the project such as planning and design, acquiring the right of way, utility relocation, consultant fees, construction, signalization, permits and landscaping.

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 Project contacts

 Main resident concerns

​This is a common question staff receives when initiating the planning work for widening major thoroughfares in the city. The City of Charlotte does not have a policy for constructing brick, concrete or timber privacy walls on road improvement projects. When the City does construct privacy walls, it is to replace existing walls affected by the roadwork or to mitigate damag​es to existing earthen berns as a result of widening the road.​ ​

The City's Neighborhood Matching Grants program can assist neighborhoods with installing a fence or wall. The program awards funds to eligible neighborhood-based organizations for projects that will improve neighborhood quality of life and encourage increased neighborhood participation and partnerships with the City and others. Neighborhood organizations are required to match requested funds -- in the form of cash, volunteer labor or in-kind donations, such as equipment, supplies or professional services.

If you do decide to build a wall or fence on your property that bounds any streets, you must adhere to Section 19-4 of the City Code and get approv​al from the director of the Charlotte Department of Transportation (CDOT). Learn more about getting a fence and wall permit application​. ​​​

​Staff from the Street Maintenance Division of CDOT is inspecting Rumple Road to fill any potholes they identify. You can report potholes online​ or by calling 311.​

​​Temporary traffic control devices must be maintained on City Boulevard and Rumple Road during periods of inactivity in order to protect the health and safety of the traveling public. City staff maintains the devices​​​ that are displaced by others. Permanent devices will be installed once the project is complete and before the road re-opens to traffic.​

​​The City has hired a new contractor, and mowing grass and restoring adjacent properties are priorities. Staff will investigate any drainage complaints associated with the project. However, if you encounter drainage issues outside of the project, please call 311 ​or make a request online​.​

​​The City Boulevard project will include street lights between neal Road and the NCDOT's Mallard Creek Road/Graham Street project. Duke Energy will activate those lights when the project nears completion and before the road is re-opened to traffic.​

​​Staff from CDOT will investigate and determine if any adjustments can be made or new signals installed. Any requests for signal installation and adjustment can be made online ​or by calling 311.​​

​​The project team coordinated with the utility companies to have many of their lines relocated before construction began. Some could be relocated until after construction was underway. Utility lines are allowed to be in the right-of-way and are the property of the utility companies. Many of the lines serve the community for business and personal use, and, most importantly, for emergency services. City staff has a team dedicated to coordinating utility relocation; however, resources from the utility companies may be dedicated to other projects, private development or responding to weather-reated outages in neighboring communities.​

​City Boulevard is not open to through traffic. CMPD is enforcing the "No Through Traffic" signs on city Boulevard to cut-through traffic and making periodic patrols of the construction site. If you observe illegal or suspicious activity or encounter an emergency, please call 911. If not, you may contact Officers Robert Phelps or Jason Peetz, University City Division community coordinators, at 704-432-3900.​

​CDOT will evaluate the volume and speed of motorists cutting through neighborhoods and investigate prior public safety calls. You may request traffic-calming devices online​ or by calling 311.

 Additional resources

 Project documents