Department of Transportation

East End Connector

The East End Connector is a freeway project within the City of Durham and Durham County that will consist of constructing a multi-lane facility from NC 147 to US 70 (Miami Boulevard) with improvements to US 70 Bypass. This project has been discussed for over 25 years and is included in the 2009-2015 Transportation Improvement Program. The project is 3.6 miles long. The North Carolina Department of Transportation, in partnership with the City of Durham and Durham County, has developed a Environmental Assessment (EA) for the connector.

Project Purpose

The East End Connector will improve connectivity between the Durham Freeway (NC 147) and US 70, improve access to major employment centers such as Research Triangle Park, reduce traffic growth on local streets such as Duke Street, Gregson Street, Mangum Street, Roxboro Street, Alston Avenue, and Avondale Drive, and supports development in east Durham.

Environmental Review

An Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared which provides information about the alternatives considered, existing conditions of the human, physical and natural environments, impacts of the alternatives as well as possible mitigation measures, and public and agency coordination.

East End Connector Environmental Assessment - October 2009

A Design Public Meeting will be held to give citizens and agencies an opportunity to comment on the latest plans for the East End Connector project. Right-of-way acquisition is scheduled to begin in 2010 and construction activities are anticipated to begin in 2014.

Alternative 3 is the Selected Alternative

The Durham City Council held a public comment session on the East End Connector at the Council meeting on February 5, 2007. At this meeting, the City Council voted to recommend that NCDOT and the review agencies further study Alternative 3 and to establish an ad hoc committee to work with the NCDOT and the City of Durham Department of Transportation on the project. In June 2007, NCDOT identified Alternative 3 as the selected alternative based on public input and the multi-agency review of the potential alignments. Alternative 3 was chosen as the selected alternative because this alignment impacts the least number of residences and businesses, requires the least amount of right-of-way, has the lowest construction costs and has minimal impacts to the natural environment.
Map of Alternative 3
3-D images of Alternative 3
  • View from NC 147
  • View from Rowena Avenue/East End Avenue
  • View from US 70 Bypass

    • Ad Hoc Committee

    The City of Durham has established the ad hoc committee to provide input to NCDOT and the City Department of Transportation on the project. The committee has been meeting regularly since August 2008 and will continue to meet as the project progresses.

    Public Meetings

    September 26, 2006 - Project Overview
    Living Waters Church, US 70 and Lynn Rd.
    4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

    January 30, 2007 - Alternatives Analysis
    Living Waters Church, US 70 and Lynn Rd.
    4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

    February 5, 2007 - Durham City Council Public Comment Session
    Durham City Hall, 101 City Hall Plaza
    7:00 p.m.

    December 10, 2007 – Alternative 3
    Orange Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 505 East End Avenue
    4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

    March 25, 2010
    Pre-Hearing Workshop – 4:30p.m. to 6:30p.m.
    Design Public Hearing – 7:00p.m.
    Holton Career & Resource Center – 2nd Floor Auditorium, 401 N. Driver Street

    More information can be found on the NCDOT project website:

    Contact:

    Email: EastEndConnectorProject@rsandh.com
    Project Hotline: 1-800-734-7062
    NCDOT Project Manager - Leza Mundt

    Consultant Project Manager - Chad Critcher, PE
    RS&H, Architects, Engineers, Planners, Inc.

    Office: 8008 Corporate Center Drive, Suite 410
    Charlotte, NC 28223-4489