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Corridor Access
How will this Initiative Affect Access to the Corridors?
The level of mobility along a corridor depends on the amount of access to the facility. Generally speaking, the greater
the number of access points, the lower the level of mobility, safety, and capacity. Therefore facilities which have a
limited number of access or entry and exit points, such as freeways and expressways, typically have the ability to move
vehicles in a safer, more efficient manner, at the intended speed. Critical to the success of attaining the vision for
the corridors is the ability to limit access or impedences to these corridors such as driveways and traffic signals.
Both items create conflicts on the facility, which compromise the level of mobility and safety along corridors.
Driveway Permits
NCDOT recognizes landowners have certain rights of access consistent with their needs. North Carolina is considered
an abutter's right state, which allows for each individual landowner to have access to a public roadway. Applicants
requesting a connection to the State Highway System must do so according the rules and regulations of the
Policy on Street and Driveway Access to North Carolina Highways,
also known as the Driveway Manual. However, requests for
access to Strategic Highway Corridors will be given careful attention and reviewed thoroughly to ensure the mobility,
carrying capacity, and safety of the corridor are not compromised by the proposed driveway. Every effort will be made
to provide alternate access to a public facility not designated as a Strategic Highway Corridor, if one is available.
Additionally, every effort will be made to combine and consolidate access points and provide connectivity through
shared property access. Approval of a permit on a Strategic Highway Corridor will be noted with the following
statement (or one similar to):
The North Carolina Board of Transportation has identified [Name of Facility] as a Strategic Highway Corridor. In
order to protect the safety, mobility and traffic carrying capacity of this Strategic Highway Corridor, the approved
access along [Name of Facility] may be closed or relocated if an alternative access is developed in the future or
if any safety concerns or other traffic impacts arise.
Changes may be made to Driveway Manual to reflect the importance of the Strategic Highway Corridors. These include
strengthening the rules and regulations governing access to the Corridors and providing additional guidance on the
sharing and consolidation of driveways to these facilities.
Traffic Signals
Equally important to maintaining or increasing the level of mobility along a facility is limiting the installation of
traffic signals along corridors. While the purpose of a traffic signal is to control the movement and right-of-way of
traffic, while protecting the safety of motorists and pedestrians, they also impede motorists using the facility,
particularly those on the major facility traveling through the intersection. NCDOT will thoroughly examine each
request for a traffic signal along a Strategic Highway Corridor, whether the proposed signal is located at a public
roadway or an entrance to a private development. This is to ensure that the mobility, carrying capacity, and safety
of the corridor are not compromised by the proposed traffic signal. First and foremost, alternative solutions to
proposed signal will be sought. These include constructing an interchange to limiting access on the connecting street
to right-in/right-out only, depending on the anticipated traffic volumes. If it is determined that a traffic signal is
required (due to safety or financial reasons), even on a temporary basis, every effort will be made to limit the number
of phases at the signal. Additionally the intersection may be designed to incorporate the median u-turn or "super-street"
concept.
It is anticipated that NCDOT will develop guidance to assist engineers reviewing requests for traffic signal installation
along Strategic Highway Corridors. This may include the development of guidance on alternative intersection designs not
only for engineers reviewing requests, but also for engineers designing improvements along the Corridors.
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