Catawba Avenue extension is near completion on the east side of the railroad tracks, off N.C. 115 in Cornelius. (David Boraks photo)

Cornelius officials say a major reconstruction of the main downtown intersection, at Catawba Avenue and N.C. 115, could by completed by Jan. 1.  The work is extending Catawba Avenue east across the railroad tracks and into Antiquity Cornelius, a 128-acre development that eventually could include 1,000 homes as well as offices and shops.

Cornelius Town Manager Anthony Roberts said last week contractors have begun installing curbing and asphalt on the railroad side of the intersection to extend Catawba Avenue. Roads in the Antiquity development leading west toward the tracks are also now complete.

Map shows planned improvements at NC 115/Catawba Ave. Click image to download a PDF of the engineering drawing.

The project also calls for burying all electrical and utility lines N.C. 115 and Catawba. When the work is completed, the crossroads will have new landscaping, push-button crosswalks and sidewalks that will link with exiting sidewalks along N.C. 115, Mr. Roberts said.

Another major change will involving installing curbing around most of the Cashion’s Quick Stop gas station at the intersection, so “you’ll have some controlled access,” Mr. Roberts said. The site currently has no curbs.

CORNELIUS-DAVIDSON AGREEMENT

The work comes five years after an agreement between the towns of Davidson and Cornelius that required developers and the Town of Cornelius to create the new intersection as a main entrance to the Antiquity development. Davidson allowed the Antiquity project to connect to the south end of South Street. South Street now extends into Cornelius across a covered bridge.

The agreement originally required the intersection be completed by September 2006, or Davidson would have the right to close South Street.  But construction in the development has come more slowly than originally expected, and the developer and Cornelius spent years securing permissions for the railroad crossing.

The new intersection is the major feature of plans to reconfigure traffic on N.C. 115 in downtown Cornelius. Two streets that cross the Norfolk Southern railroad tracks to the north and south of the new intersection are to be closed permanently at the same time closings also are planned.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE & DOCUMENTS

Map of intersection improvements at NC 115/Catawba Ave. (PDF), CLICK HERE>

April 13, 2009, “Drain work to close NC 115 overnight Tues./Wed.”

March 26, 2009, “Intersection work to begin soon in downtown Cornelius.”

Jan.8, 2008, “In the news: Antiquity plan OK’d”

Jan. 6, 2008, “Deal close for Antiquity entrance.”

July 20, 2007, “With South Street opening soon, residents raise old concerns.”

January 2007, Design for reconfigured N.C. 115/Catawba Avenue intersection, provided to Town of Davidson