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Raleigh – The N.C. Department of Transportation’s 10-year plan shows there are at least 20 different highway projects in store for Cherokee County from 2024-33.
The State Transportation Improvement Program is the DOT’s guide that shows how and when transportation projects are expected to be funded over the next decade. Projects scheduled in the first five years are generally considered to be committed, while those on the latter
half of the schedule are
subject to be re-evaluated when the next STIP is developed.
The most expensive planned project is also one of the biggest in years, the widening and straightening of U.S. 19/129 from the Georgia line in Bellview to U.S. 64/74 in Ranger. Residential right of way purchasing has begun, although the process hasn’t been nearly as smooth on the commercial side. Another $55.9 million is needed to complete construction, which is scheduled to begin in 2024.
View the draft 2024-33 document, which feature some cost estimates, at www.ncdot.gov. For Cherokee County, the DOT’s plan also includes these highway projects:
- Replacing bridge 159 over Hanging Dog Creek, 2024 construction year.
- Replacing bridge 223 over the Hiwassee River on Old Highway 64, 2024 construction year.
- Modernizing U.S. 64 to Casino Parkway, only funded for preliminary
- engineering.
- Improving and widening U.S. 19/64/74/129 from near Carpet Mart to Hiwassee Street, which began in 2020 and is scheduled to take until 2024 to finish.
- Widening Wakefield Road to Wayah Road to multi-lanes in Cherokee and Macon counties, construction year to be determined.
- Widening U.S. 64 west of Hayesville to N.C. 141 to four divided lanes, construction year to be determined.
- Improvements to U.S. 19 Business in Andrews to where U.S. 129 branches off into Graham County in Topton, construction year to be determined.
There are also two planned public transit projects – one in Cherokee County, the other with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
In addition, various locations in Division 14 – which spans Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Polk, Swain and Transylvania counties – are due to receive:
- Intersection upgrades that comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act, allowing bicycle and pedestrian access.
- Rumble strips, guard rails, safety and lighting improvements.
Work on the long-proposed Corridor K in Graham County will also have an impact in Cherokee County, with a target end date of 2029.