The Cajah Mountain Road Project

Cajah Mountain Road Project Scope and Proposed Design

The Cajah Mountain Road improvement project aims to enhance the existing road’s curvature, widen travel lanes from 9 feet to 12 feet, and add or extend turn lanes at the Connelly Springs Road, Horseshoe Bend Road, and U.S. 321A intersections. The project is divided into two main sections:

  1. Connelly Springs Road to Joplin Road: This section proposes to widen roadway shoulders to include a 5-foot paved shoulder within an overall 8-foot shoulder width. In sections where guardrails are necessary, the total shoulder width will be 11 feet. The skewed intersection with Hudson Cajah Mountain Road will be realigned, and the posted speed limit will be raised from 35 mph to 45 mph west of the Sawmill town limits.
  2. East of Joplin Road within the Town of Sawmills: This section encompasses curb and gutter works, 5-foot bike lanes, and 5-foot sidewalks on both sides of the road. As per the Town of Sawmills Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan, sidewalks and bike lanes will transition to a 10-foot multi-use path from west of Helena Street/Kendell Place to U.S. 321A at the eastern end of the project.

Project Maps and Interpretation

To facilitate public understanding of the proposed design, several maps have been made available:

Project Funding and Estimated Costs

The estimated costs for the Cajah Mountain Road improvement project, as of August 2022, are as follows:

  • Right of Way: $9,200,000
  • Utilities: $10,200,000
  • Construction: $23,900,000
  • Total Costs: $43,300,000

It is important to note that these costs are preliminary and subject to change as the project progresses.

Project Timeline and Milestones

The Cajah Mountain Road improvement project is expected to follow the below timeline:

  • Newsletter #1: September 2021
  • Public Meeting: August 2022
  • Environmental Document Completion: February 2023
  • Right of Way: August 2023
  • Construction: April 2025

These dates are preliminary and subject to change as the project develops.

The Role of Eminent Domain in the Project

Right of Way Acquisition Process

The Cajah Mountain Road improvement project involves acquiring private property to widen the road and implement the proposed design. In this context, eminent domain plays a vital role in facilitating the right of way acquisition process.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has provided various resources to help property owners understand the right of way acquisition process:

Minimizing Property Displacement

Although NCDOT strives to minimize the number of homes and businesses displaced by road projects, it is often inevitable that some private property is needed for public infrastructure improvements. In the case of the Cajah Mountain Road project, efforts will be made to reduce the impact on the community and ensure a fair and transparent property acquisition process.