State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) Project No. I-5714 is the proposed reconfiguration
of the State Road (SR) 2136 (Gilead Road) Diamond Interchange with I-77 to a Diverging Diamond
Interchange (DDI) to improve traffic operations. The project is located in the Town of Huntersville,
north of the City of Charlotte, in Mecklenburg County (see Figure 1 in Attachment A).
The Charlotte metropolitan region is one of the fastest growing areas in the United States. The Town
of Huntersville is bordered by Cabarrus County to the east, the Town of Cornelius and Town of
Davidson to the north, and Lincoln County to the west.
The proposed project (Build Alternative) includes upgrading the existing conventional diamond
interchange configuration to a DDI. A DDI alters the flow of traffic on a road crossing a major
highway. On the segment of the road between the interstate entrance and exit ramps, the lanes of
traffic swap sides of the road. Because of where the lanes shift sides, there is no longer a need for left-turning
vehicles to turn in front of opposing traffic. This reduces the length of traffic signal cycles,
reduces delay times, lowers the risk of vehicular accidents, and improves the safety of pedestrian
crossings. The design speed for the proposed project varies, with 40 miles per hour (mph) traveling
eastbound from Reese Boulevard and 30 mph traveling through the DDI. The access control under the
proposed project will be the same as existing conditions with full control on I-77, and limited access on
Gilead Road.
Specific to the I-77/Gilead Road interchange, the Build Alternative proposes a six-lane divided design
(see Figure 2 in Attachment A). This design consists of three eastbound and three westbound lanes
along Gilead Road crossing over I-77 on parallel bridge structures, with a speed limit of 25 mph. The
structure to the north would be a newly constructed bridge carrying eastbound traffic and the existing
bridge, which is in good condition, will be repurposed as the southern, westbound bridge.
This proposed design would accommodate bicycles and pedestrians. Pedestrians would utilize
accommodations including a path within the median on the existing bridge and bicycles would be
expected to use on-street bike lanes or the shared multi-use space.
The proposed project would include resurfacing and restriping the existing roadway west of the DDI to
Reese Boulevard. The existing left-over intersection on Gilead Road (providing access to Huntersville
Medical Center) would be signed for emergency access only. Minor improvements to Reese Boulevard
are included in the proposed project to support access to the medical center. These improvements
include extending the southbound left-turn lane on Reese Boulevard and providing a bulb-out to
accommodate passenger vehicle U-turns. The Build Alternative would tie into the ongoing U-5114
project to the east which also includes non-traditional improvements (median U-turns) along US 21 on
both sides of the Gilead Road intersection.