Project Overview

The N.C. Department of Transportation is proposing to replace the bridge on Lake Wheeler Road (S.R. 1371) over Yates Mill Pond spillway / Steep Hill Creek in Wake County. The existing bridge was built in 1969 and is reaching the end of its useful life. The proposed project is needed to provide a safer more durable structure.

A new bridge will be built to the east of the existing bridge. This will require realignment of Lake Wheeler Road. The realignment will shift Lake Wheeler Road away from the Historic Yates Mill onto North Carolina State University (NCSU) dairy farm property. Penny Road (located south of the existing bridge) will be realigned to connect to Lake Wheeler Road as a “T” intersection with dedicated left and right turn lanes provided.

The new bridge will include 11-foot travel and turn lanes an 8-foot paved shoulder on the east side and a 6-foot paved shoulder on the west.

The existing bridge will be removed.

Project Highlights

Lake Wheeler Road will be shifted to the east on a new alignment over the spillway/Steep Hill Creek. No detour or road closure is anticipated during construction. Construction is anticipated to take up to 2 years.

A left turn lane will be included on Lake Wheeler Road for vehicles turning left onto Penny Road and into Historic Yates Mill Park. The replacement bridge will include a right turn lane for vehicles turning onto Penny Road.

Located immediately to the west of the existing bridge is the Historic Yates Mill and Historic Yates Mill County Park. The proposed bridge replacement will be constructed to be aesthetically pleasing to the Historic Yates Mill.

Benefits of the proposed project include improved safety. The new bridge will include a right-turn lane for southbound traffic on Lake Wheeler Road turning onto Penny Road and maintains the existing northbound left-turn lanes onto Penny Road and into Yates Mill Park. This is intended to reduce crash rates in the study area. The realignment of Lake Wheeler Road and raising the grade will help improve sight distance on Lake Wheeler Road.

A portion of existing Lake Wheeler Road will remain to provide maintenance access to the Historic Mill and park. 

Project Map

Click here or on the map image to open the map in a new window for downloading or viewing.

Typical Section

Project Funding:

*Estimated costs are subject to change. Based on currently adopted NCDOT State Transportation Improvement Program.

Project Timeline:

*Future dates subject to change

Project Comments

NCDOT accepts comments throughout all phases of project development.  

All comments will be taken into consideration, and carry equal weight, regardless of submittal method.

To submit comments for consideration during the current phase of project development,

please submit before March 8, 2024.

The public is encouraged to leave comments using this webpage, email, or phone number:

Email: Yates-Mill-Bridge@publicinput.com

Phone Number: 984-205-6615 enter project code 2723

PROJECT CONTACT INFORMATION 

Dimitri Gambrell

Project Manager

Project Management Unit

1582 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, NC 27699-1582

PROJECT CONTACT INFORMATION 

Darren Even, AICP

Senior Planner

Dewberry

9300 Harris Corners Parkway, Suite 220

Charlotte, NC 28269-2618

Title VI Feedback

To ensure we’re hearing from a broad set of voices, would you be willing to share (completely anonymously) some information about yourself?

If so, please click here https://publicinput.com/NCDOT-Title-VI

RESOURCES FOR PROPERTY OWNERS 

Although the N.C. Department of Transportation works to minimize the number of homes and businesses displaced by a road project, it is inevitable, in many cases, that a certain amount of private property is needed. The following information explains right of way acquisition and answers questions about the process.  

     
Right-of-Way Brochure Single Page Layout      Folleto del Proceso de Adquisición de Bienes Raíces
Right-of-Way Frequently Asked Questions

Right of way Acquisition Process Videos

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