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Back Creek Church Road (SR 2827) at
North Carolina Railroad/Norfolk Southern Railway
Crossing No: 715 339U, Milepost 367.52
Background
The Back Creek Church Road crossing was identified for improvements through an earlier 1997 NCDOT Traffic Separation Study. That study was further supplemented by additional planning and traffic studies that have resulted in the project as designed. Partners in the project are:
- NCDOT (Division of Highways and Rail Division)
- North Carolina Railroad Company (owns the rail corridor)
- Norfolk Southern (operates and maintains the railroad)
- City of Charlotte Department of Transportation
Project Purpose
 The purpose of the project is to improve SAFETY for motorists, rail passengers and train crews by improving traffic signal operations, reducing prolonged queues and eliminating difficult maneuvering conditions.
Challenges
- 400% increase in average daily traffic since 1997 (from 3,500 vehicles per day in 1997 to 14,000 in 2002)
- Street network impacts from the new Charlotte Outer Loop (I-485)
- Area residential development
- NC 49/University City Boulevard traffic demands
- Approximately 55 daily trains (49 freight, 6 passenger)
Proposed Improvements
 Provide dual northbound left turn lanes from NC 49 to Pavilion Boulevard
- Provide dual westbound left turn lanes from Back Creek Ch. Rd. to NC 49
- Widen eastbound lane on Back Creek Church Road
- Widen westbound thru/right lane on Back Creek Church Road
- Install a concrete crossing surface
- Update railroad gates and flashers on both sides of the track
- Install railroad cantilevered signals for westbound traffic on Back Creek Church Road
- Install a monolithic concrete median with tubular markers on both roadway approaches to the crossing on Back Creek Church Road.
- Asphalt shoulders within the North Carolina Railroad Company right-of-way.
- Sidewalks and curb & gutter outside of the NCRR right-of-way
- Revise traffic signal at NC 49 (University City Blvd.) and Pavilion Blvd/Back Creek Church Road to accommodate new traffic lanes.
Aerial view of proposed improvements
Project Cost: Approximately $1.1 million
Construction Schedule
Construction is anticipated to begin in 2008 and be completed in 2009. However, this schedule is dependent upon several activities:
- Completion of environmental documentation (additional documentation is required when property condemnation occurs)
- Acquisition of necessary right of way and easements by NCDOT Division of Highways (Division 10); may require condemnation of some properties
- Relocation of utilities
- Completion of traffic signal design by Charlotte Department of Transportation at the intersection of Back Creek Church Road/NC 49/Pavillion Boulevard
- Completion of railroad signal plans by Norfolk Southern
Fabrication and installation of railroad warning devices by Norfolk Southern
- Execution of necessary agreements between the NCDOT, North Carolina Railroad Company and Norfolk Southern
Frequently Asked Questions
Project Contact:
R. N. Pressley, PE
Senior Project Manager
Gannett Fleming, Inc.
704.375.2438
rpressley@gfnet.com
Or:
Chris Johnson, PE
Project Engineer
Gannett Fleming, Inc.
704.375.2438
cjohnson@gfnet.com
Updated December 2007
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