Union County Critical Intersection Program

The Critical Intersection Program is Union County’s initiative to guide local funding toward intersection improvement projects.

Background

The program began in 2015, when Union County partnered with:

• Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CRTPO)
• North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT)
• County municipalities

Together, they developed the 2016 Critical Intersection Analysis, identifying 15 intersections in need of improvements based on safety and congestion concerns.

This analysis supported successful funding applications, resulting in 11 of the 15 intersections being funded for improvements, with several intersections completed.

2019 Critical Intersection Analysis

Following the success of the 2016 report, Union County completed a second analysis in 2019, identifying another 15 priority intersections. An additional 11 of these 15 intersections have been funded for improvements.

As part of this effort:

• Union County applied for two design grants through CRTPO.
• These grants created preferred designs and cost estimates for 11 intersections.

You can explore:

• Results from the first and second design grants
• Interactive map of funded intersection projects

2023 Update: Third Critical Intersection Analysis

In September 2023, the Union County Board of Commissioners approved a third analysis, identifying an additional 15 priority intersections. Three of those intersections have since been funded for improvements.

Highlights:

• Nearly 3,000 residents provided input in mid-2023.
• This input helped prioritize intersection improvements.

Explore the results:

• View the 2023 report
• Interactive slideshow of the process and recommendations
• Interactive map showing 10,000+ pieces of community input

2024 Design Grant

In August 2024, Union County began a third design grant process.

Details:

• Focused on six intersections from earlier analyses.
• Developed final designs and cost estimates.
• Completed in June 2025.

These designs will continue to help Union County, NCDOT, and municipalities respond quickly to grant opportunities for construction funding.

Contact Information

For more information, please contact:

Bjorn Hansen, Senior Planner for long-range planning
Email: bjorn.hansen@unioncountync.gov
Phone: 704-283-3690