This plan from 2016 shows approximate locations of roundabouts

Feb. 25. By Dave Vieser. The NCDOT unveiled a $9.7 million plan for improvements at Torrence Chapel Road and West Catawba Avenue, as well as Knox Road and One Norman Blvd. The improvements—which are still proposals—include roundabouts at the Post Office, Lake Norman Chrysler opposite SteinMart and Torrence Chapel at Knox Road. A public meeting on the changes was held Wednesday at Cornelius Town Hall, but comments in writing will be accepted through March 22.

The changes under consideration include the following:

• The addition of a roundabout at the intersection of Liverpool Parkway and Chartwell Center Drive, near the Cornelius Post Office and Mac’s Speed Shop. This intersection is currently controlled by stop and yield signs only for Chartwell Center Drive traffic.
• A new turning lane for eastbound traffic on West Catawba for motorists heading to I-77 southbound. Currently, they must merge onto the I 77 entrance from a through eastbound lane on Catawba Avenue.
• The closure of the north end of Old Torrence Chapel Road, coupled with the addition of a new cut-through north of the Taco Bell which would intersect with Torrence Chapel Road directly across from the existing south entrance to the SteinMart shopping center officially known as the Shops at Fresh Market. Traffic entering Torrence Chapel would be permitted to turn right only.
• A new roundabout at Torrence Chapel Road and the entrance to Lake Norman Chrysler Jeep Dodge. This would line up with the north entrance to the Steinmart Shopping Center.
• A new roundabout at Torrence Chapel Road and Knox Road. Currently, traffic is controlled solely by stop signs on Knox Road. This is a heavily traveled intersection with poor sight distance and an irregular design.
• The closure of the south end of Knox Road, near Bank of America, for southbound traffic seeking to access Catawba Avenue. Motorists would instead use One Norman Blvd and access Catawba via a fully signalized intersection.

The cost for these improvements is estimated at $9.7 million and will be funded by the state as part of the I-77 toll lane bonus allocation projects.

Written comments may be forwarded to Scott Epperson, NCDOT, 716 West Main St., Albemarle NC 28001.