J.W. Clay Boulevard Streetscape

• Project typeTransportation
• Project budget$12.93 million (includes all costs associated with the project such as planning and design, acquiring the right-of-way, utility relocation, consultant fees, construction, signalization, permits and landscaping)
• Project phaseBid

Part of the Northeast Corridor Infrastructure (NECI) Program 

Project Overview

This project originated from the Northeast Corridor Infrastructure Program (NECI) planning effort. The project proposes to add sidewalks and bike lanes by widening parts of J.W. Clay Boulevard. Sidewalks are currently in place in some stretches of this street; however, they will be upgraded to wider 8-foot sidewalks to meet transit guidelines. The roadway and median width will be adjusted to allow for the addition of bike lanes. 

The conceptual cross-section includes four travel lanes with four left-turn lanes at intersections, a 12-foot cycle track, a 10-foot multiuse path, curb & gutter, 8-foot sidewalk & planting strip and street trees. The project will include connectivity to the Barton Creek Greenway interface with J.W. Clay Boulevard. 

Barton Creek Greenway will provide a direct link between J.W. Clay Boulevard and Mallard Creek Greenway, allowing residential areas between these destinations access to nine miles of existing greenway trail. An overland connector sidewalk along J.W. Clay Boulevard will connect Barton Creek Greenway to the North Tryon light rail station. 

The NECI team agreed to combine this project with another project underway at the intersection of W.T. Harris Boulevard, J.W. Clay Boulevard and McCullough Drive that will provide a safe pedestrian and bicycle crossing at the intersection. The project will, among other things, tie the J.W. Clay Boulevard Streetscape project in to the McCullough Drive Streetscape project. 

Project Goals

• To enhance pedestrian and bicycle connectivity to Barton Creek Greenway, Shoppes at University Place, UNC Charlotte and University Research Park across I-85 (via the I-85 North Bridge project) and McCullough Drive
• To improve pedestrian and bike crossings and enhance safety for pedestrians and cyclists at intersections throughout the project corridor
• To make improvements for all modes of transportation – pedestrian, bicycle, vehicle, and transit
• To promote economic development by providing infrastructure to support and encourage transit supportive development 

Public Involvement

An extensive public engagement campaign was carried out during the course of the planning phase. Groups engaged included University City Partners, Northend Partners, University of North Carolina - Charlotte, property owners, residents and business owners. So far, the team has hosted public meetings on the following dates:  

• October 12, 2017 at UNCC Lucas Room (LYNX Blue Line Extension meeting)
• October 10, 2017 at Sugaw Creek Presbyterian Church (joint meeting with the McCullough Drive Streetscape project)
• October 5, 2017 at Oasis Shriners Center (joint meeting with the McCullough Drive Streetscape project)
• May 4, 2017 at Hampton Presbyterian Church (LYNX Blue Line Extension meeting)
• May 2, 2017 at Sugaw Creek Presbyterian Church (LYNX Blue Line Extension meeting)
• October 13, 2016 at New Hampton Presbyterian Church (LYNX Blue Line Extension meeting)
• October 12, 2016 at the Charlotte Main Library (LYNX Blue Line Extension meeting)
• October 11, 2016 at Sugaw Creek Church (LYNX Blue Line Extension meeting)
• May 5, 2016 at Oasis Shriners Center
• April 12, 2016 at Oasis Shriners Center
• January 26, 2016 at Newell Presbyterian Church
• October 13-15, 2015 at three LYNX Blue Line Extension public meetings
• September 15, 2015 at the University City Partners Planning and Development Committee meeting
• August 25, 2015 at Holiday Inn Charlotte University
• May 12, 2015 at Oasis Shriners Center
• October 29, 2014 at Hampton Park Community Center
• December 3, 2014 at the NorthEnd Partners annual membership meeting

Feedback we have received at meetings include the following:

• Walkability and pedestrian and bike safety are top concerns
• Accessibility and connectivity to businesses, schools campus and public transit are key
• Contemporary design of streetscape/landscape elements is preferred
• Coordination/timing of all NECI projects is a concern