A study of a section of US 64 between Pittsboro and Cary in Chatham and Wake counties is currently underway. The 19 mile section extends from the US 64/US 64 Business split in Pittsboro to the US 1/US 64 interchange in Cary (see Study Area). This study is a part of NCDOT's Strategic Highway Corridors initiative and continues the effort developed in Phase I of the US 64-NC 49 Corridor Study.

The study is a joint effort of the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), Capitol Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO), Town of Cary, Town of Pittsboro, Wake County and Chatham County. Representatives of these groups are joined by other agencies and organizations on a Corridor Study Team. The Corridor Study Team will be closely consulted and involved in decisions throughout the study.

The purpose of the study is to plan for the transition of this section of US 64 to a freeway and expressway over the next 30 years (as recommended in Phase I):

• Between the US 64/US 64 Business split in Pittsboro and NC 540 in Apex, the corridor will be upgraded to a freeway.
• Between the proposed NC 540 in Apex and the US 1/US 64 interchange in Cary, the corridor will be upgraded to an expressway.

In general, the study is needed to determine how to preserve and enhance the operating conditions (i.e., speed and travel time, freedom to maneuver, traffic interruptions, comfort, convenience and safety) along the corridor. Specifically the study is needed to:

• Preserve and Enhance Capacity and Mobility. Increasing traffic volumes have substantially reduced the traffic flow and increased congestion along US 64. This congestion is expected to continue to worsen as the area continues to experience rapid growth. The need exists to preserve the mobility along the corridor by managing access to the highway and to develop a plan to accommodate future development.

• Enable US 64 to serve Long-Distance Travel. US 64 provides a connection between many of the largest cities in North Carolina, following the midline of the state from east to west. US 64 is a designated Strategic Highway Corridor, as indicated on the Vision Plan, intended to facilitate high-speed travel throughout North Carolina. The existing and projected traffic volumes along US 64 will reduce the highway's ability to serve as the envisioned high-speed corridor.

• Enhance the Ability to Function as an Alternate to I-40 and I-85. The Phase I Report identified the need for the US 64 and NC 49 Corridors to provide the ability to function as an alternate route for traffic from Interstate 40 (I-40) and Interstate 85 (I-85). Since I-40 and I-85 traverses urban areas with a substantial amount of adjacent development, it is unlikely that additional capacity can be incorporated along these segments of the interstates. Over the long term, improvements to alternative travel corridors such as US 64 and NC 49 will be needed to ensure adequate statewide and regional mobility is provided.

• Long-term Improvement Designs - The Study Team will develop designs that show the ultimate vision of the proposed freeway and expressway. These designs will be produced on aerial photography indicating the ultimate footprint of the highway and other features such as proposed right-of-way needed, property lines, access locations, interchange configurations, grade separations, and general pavement markings in an easy to read format.

• Short-term Plan of Improvements - The Study Team will develop a short-term plan of improvements to enhance traffic flow along US 64 within the next 10 years. These types of improvements are typically smaller and less expensive than the long-term improvements, but can greatly affect traffic operations and enhance safety along the corridor. Examples of short-term improvements include the addition of turn lanes, enhancements to traffic signal timing, innovative solutions such as a Superstreet, modifications to median openings and other Access Management improvements. These short-term improvements will be compatible with the long-term solutions for the corridor.

• Community Involvement - The Study Team will hold two sets of community workshops to receive input, comments, and answer questions about the study. At the first set of workshops, scheduled for May 2008, the Study Team will present alternatives for the long-term improvement designs. At the second set of workshops, planned for early 2009, the Study Team will present the preferred option for the long-term design, while also presenting different types of short-term improvements for US 64. For both sets of workshops, one meeting will be held in Apex and another meeting will be held in Pittsboro. In addition to the workshops, three newsletters will be distributed and this website will be updated regularly.

• Phasing Plan - The Study Team will develop a plan for the implementing the recommendations of the study, for both the short-term and long-term improvements.

• Land Use Strategies - The Study Team will analyze the existing and proposed future land uses along the corridor, for compatibility with the long-term Freeway and Expressway design and provide recommendations on changes (if any). As part of this evaluation, the Study Team will incorporate concepts from the Land Use Guidelines for Mobility Protection document.

• Agreements - Following the completion of the study, the Study Team will shepherd the development and signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between study partners to incorporate recommendations into transportation and land use plans and overall decision-making along the corridor.