NCDOT outlines US 74 median project through Anson County, estimates construction start in 2032

Donald Griffith, project manager for the North Carolina Department of Transportation, told the Anson County Board of Commissioners that STIP project R‑5798 would reconfigure about 2.9 miles of U.S. 74 from Graham Street toward Allen Pond into a four‑lane divided section with concrete medians and directional U‑turn "bulbs" to reduce conflict points.

"What R‑5798 is is a proposed construction of a median along US 74," Griffith said, describing the corridor change and noting that the department will move the traffic signal to Park Road and provide median left‑turn movements for shopping centers. He said the project length is approximately 2.9 miles and that the design will, where possible, limit widening to avoid taking more private property.

Griffith gave a breakdown of estimates and schedule: right‑of‑way acquisition is estimated at about $18.5 million, utility relocation just under $5 million, and construction approximately $65 million; when combined those line items produce a larger grand‑total figure cited in materials. He said the department expects the final environmental document in fiscal year 2027, right‑of‑way acquisition beginning in fiscal year 2029 and construction to begin in fiscal year 2032.

He cited safety and operations as key drivers. "Reducing conflict points is very advantageous there to reduce crash data or to reduce crashes," Griffith said, and noted the corridor includes several safety hot spots: about 841 total crashes in the corridor historically, with roughly 410 inside the project limits. He also said design‑year traffic volumes (2045) could approach 37,000 vehicles per day.

Commissioners and residents raised concerns about business access and parking where medians and new connections would alter driveway patterns. Griffith said the design includes dedicated leftover lanes and U‑turn bulbs to preserve access where feasible and that signal placement would be adjusted to balance mobility and property impacts. On whether the project would address speeding, Griffith said engineering changes target collision types, not driving behavior: "It won't change the driver habits of speeders. That's gonna be an enforcement issue."

Griffith also outlined environmental procedures: a July 2019 meeting with the State Historic Preservation Office found three properties eligible for National Register listing (Valley Motor Court, the Carle Family House, and Wade Manufacturing and Mill Village Historic District); he said current reviews show no anticipated adverse effects but that standard procedures will continue.

Next steps: NCDOT offered a public information site and a QR code for constituents and invited follow‑up questions and business‑owner coordination as design progresses. "If you have questions, just send them to me," Griffith said, leaving contact information for additional technical follow up.

The board did not take any formal action on the project at the meeting; the presentation was informational and intended to update local officials and gather input.

Ending: NCDOT staff said they will continue outreach with businesses and stakeholders as the design advances and the department completes environmental and right‑of‑way milestones.