Monroe Connector / Bypass

UPDATE:  The North Carolina Turnpike Authority (NCTA) has received a Record of Decision for the Monroe Connector/Bypass from the Federal Highway Administration, signifying final federal approval of the project’s route. Several potential routes were under consideration, and Detailed Study Alternative D was ultimately selected as the preferred alternative.  More information can be found at the NCTA website.

• NC Turnpike Authority (Website)
   
• NCDOT (Website)
   
• Monroe Connector / Bypass - Conceptual Animation (Section 1 - Only)

This map shows the NC Turnpike Authority Preferred Alternative for the project. 

This project involves improving the US 74 corridor (Independence Boulevard) from I‑485 in eastern Mecklenburg County to US 74 near the town of Marshville in Union County. 

Work is now progressing on an environmental impact statement (EIS) by the North Carolina Turnpike Authority (NCTA).  At present, the NCTA expects to reach the following milestones:

• Draft Environmental Impact Statement – Completed
   

• Final Environmental Impact Statement – Completed
   

• Record of Decision – Completed
   

• Project open to traffic – 2014

Role of the North Carolina Turnpike Authority
The Monroe Connector/Bypass project is a combination of two projects previously analyzed by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) the Monroe Connector (I-485 to US 601 in Monroe) and the Monroe Bypass (US 601 in Monroe to US 74 near Marshville). In 2005, NCTA adopted the Monroe Connector as one of its first four toll candidate projects. In 2006, MUMPO requested that the Bypass be adopted by NCTA and combined with the Monroe Connector into a single planning and environmental study. This request was approved by the NCTA Board, and administration of the environmental analysis of the combined project was officially transferred to the NCTA.

For questions related to NCTA, please email monroe@ncturnpike.org