UNC Charlotte has road improvements coming, too

Oct 22, 2014 | Uncategorized

Illustration of Cameron-NC 49 intersection

Future signalized intersection of Cameron Boulevard and University City Boulevard

The first of several road improvements has begun at UNC Charlotte. Over the next 18 months, these projects will:

  • Realign Phillips Road so it flows into Craver Road (under way).
  • Improve campus entrances from Harris and University City boulevards.
  • Signalize and improve the Cameron Boulevard-Mary Alexander Road intersection.
  • Add sidewalks and bike lanes on three roads.

And by the way, the project starts are staggered to avoid adding to the campus traffic congestion.

Funding comes from several sources. Charlotte, the state and UNC Charlotte pooled $500,000 each to pay for the two entrance improvements. Several projects include bike lanes – an important feature since university planners say that there’s been a tremendous increase in bike use on campus in the last two years.

Project details

Phillips Road realignment – This project will eliminate UNC Charlotte’s mini-version of San Francisco – the tire-burning intersection of Phillips Road and Cameron Boulevard. Work started recently to reroute the road around the north side of the Halton-Wagner Tennis Complex near Toby Creek and have it flow into Craver Road where it currently ends at Cameron.

The new intersection will have a traffic signal. Construction will require a yearlong detour of Toby Creek Greenway that includes a steep climb to Richardson Stadium.

Phillips Road bridge

Toby Creek Greenway will pass under new Phillips Road bridge

Greenway users will likely appreciate the end result, since a new bridge will carry busy Phillips Road over the greenway and eliminate the current sidewalk crossing. The project should be finished before the start of the 2015 football season.

Cameron Boulevard signalized entrance on University City Boulevard – Construction should start next March to add a traffic light, pedestrian crossing signals and additional turn lanes at the Cameron Boulevard intersection with University City Boulevard. The project will also widen Cameron to a boulevard and add a median, sidewalk and bike lane from University City Boulevard to Alumni Way (previously called Toby Creek Road). The traffic signal will also serve the small office park across University City Boulevard.

Harris Boulevard turn lane at Alumni Way – Also next spring, work will begin on a “left-over” turn lane onto campus for traffic heading toward University City Boulevard on W.T. Harris Boulevard. Similar turn lanes have existed for a decade or more at entrances to Grande Promenade and CMC-University.

Cameron Boulevard-Mary Alexander Road intersection improvements – This key intersection will get a traffic signal and left-turn lanes. Work will start next fall after the Phillips Road project is finished.

Craver Road after improvements

Craver Road with bike lane and sidewalks

Streetscape improvements on Mary Alexander and Craver roads – The full length of Craver Road from the new intersection with Phillips Road to the intersection at Mary Alexander road will get new sidewalks and bike lanes, as will Mary Alexander Road from Craver to Cameron Boulevard. Mary Alexander Road already has bike lanes and sidewalks from Cameron to Mallard Creek Church Road.

East campus improvements ahead?

Advance planning has begun for street improvements on the east side of campus. These might include a signalized intersection at Cameron Boulevard and John Kirk Road.

0 Comments


Receive Up to Date News


Receive Economic Development News


View Past Newsletters


View Post by Category


Press Releases

Meet Jordan Harris

This month, UCP welcomed Jordan Harris as the Director of Community Development and Outreach. With over a decade of community relations experience in various roles, most recently serving as the associate director of community relations at UNC Charlotte. In her new...

We’re Back…with a Vision!

University City Vision Plan – Connecting: People. Places. Nature. The growth and development being realized in University City is nothing short of transformational.  Major investments in transportation and mobility infrastructure, thousands of new rooftops, new...

University City launches Barton Creek Greenway Native Meadow

By Azania Herron University City Partners, University of North Carolina at Charlotte Botanical Gardens and North Carolina Native Plant Society have partnered to install Barton Creek Greenway Native Meadows, a community native plant project in University City. On April...

New Farmers Market to open Oct. 3 at University Place

University City Partners announces the opening of University City Farmers Market on Oct. 3 around the lake at The Shoppes at University Place. Shoppers will find fresh local produce, food preparation programs and live entertainment. Open every Saturday in October The...

University City Wine Fest to Offer Socially Distanced Activities

New This Year: Wine on the Water and a Boutique Dining Experience.  Greystar University City Wine Fest will return this fall at multiple locations around the lake and boardwalk at Shoppes at University Place. The fourth annual festival will take place from September...

Where Will They Play?

We need more parks now – YOU CAN HELP A crisis caused by Charlotte’s explosive growth and government inaction threatens one of the most important assets of every truly livable city – public parks.   A recent nationwide study revealed that Charlotte has the least...