The Prosperity Village Area is expected to grow rapidly over the coming years. It's one of six neighborhoods that are part of the Comprehensive Neighborhood Improvement Program (CNIP), which makes strategic investments in larger, multi-neighborhood areas to more comprehensively address a broad array of community needs. Improvements are funded through neighborhood improvement bonds, which voters approved in 2014 for $20 million and 2016 for $40 million. Voters will consider future bond financing in 2018 and 2020, totaling an additional $60 million for the program.
This project was selected as one of the projects to move forward under the Prosperity Village CNIP, based on extensive engagement with Prosperity Village residents, businesses and the Prosperity Village Area Association, which took place in 2014 and 2015.
What and where is the Ridge Road Extension?
The City of Charlotte is studying the potential extension of Ridge Road between Benfield Road and Eastfield Road. The extension would be constructed as a "complete street," which is designed and operated to enable safe access for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit users.
Eastfield Road is the dividing line between Charlotte and Huntersville. In the future, Huntersville will extend Hambright Road and is anticipated to align with the extension of Ridge Road at its intersection with Eastfield Road. A Ridge Road extension to Eastfield Road would provide an important connection for local motorists.
This project could include curb & gutter, sidewalks, storm drainage infrastructure, bicycle lanes, turn lanes and signalization at its intersection with Eastfield Road. The number of lanes and type of pedestrian and bicycle facilities will be evaluated during the planning phase.
Project background and history
An extension of Ridge Road was originally shown in the 1988 Thoroughfare Plan (which has since been replaced by the Comprehensive Transportation Plan), a long-range plan that describes the location of future roadways needed to meet expected growth in an area. In 1996, a 100-foot right-of-way was dedicated to the future of extending Ridge Road. The project is also recommended in the Prosperity Hucks Area Plan, which also included extensive community involvement and was adopted by Charlotte City Council in July of 2015.