The US 74A/NC 9/US 64 Roadway Reconstruction project is delivering permanent repairs to critically damaged highway corridors in western North Carolina following the impacts of Hurricane Helene in September 2024. The work focuses on restoring approximately three miles of roadway and multiple bridge crossings between Bat Cave and Chimney Rock to reconnect communities, improve safety and strengthen regional mobility. The effort marks the first progressive design-build (PDB) project delivered for the North Carolina Department of Transportation, enabling design and construction to advance concurrently for accelerated recovery. STV is serving as lead designer in partnership with Wright Brothers Construction Company.
What challenges is STV addressing?
Severe flooding and washouts left key segments of US 74A, NC 9, and US 64 impassable, isolating residents and disrupting emergency access, tourism and commerce. STV is navigating complex terrain, flood-prone river crossings and constrained right-of-way while coordinating roadway and bridge design under an accelerated schedule. The team is also addressing hydraulic performance, utility conflicts, maintenance-of-traffic requirements and survey needs – all while construction activities are underway.
What solutions is STV delivering?
As lead designer under the progressive design-build delivery, STV is providing integrated roadway and structural design services that support real-time construction sequencing. The team is performing hydraulic analyses to improve resilience at river crossings, developing maintenance-of-traffic plans to keep access open where possible, and coordinating closely with construction partners to adapt designs as field conditions evolve. This collaborative approach allows design decisions to directly inform construction progress.
How does this project improve mobility and community resiliency?
As improvements advance, the project is restoring critical transportation links that support daily travel, emergency response and economic activity in the region. The work is reducing detours, improving roadway safety and strengthening infrastructure against future storm events. The project also establishes a new model for emergency response delivery in North Carolina through its use of progressive design-build.
Key Stats and Highlights
- ~3 miles of roadway and multiple bridge improvements between Bat Cave and Chimney Rock
- Progressive design-build – first use by NCDOT
- Ongoing emergency recovery and permanent reconstruction effort
