Fast-growing Waxhaw is planning major upgrades to one of its busiest roads
Waxhaw town commissioners on Tuesday are expected to designate funds toward upgrades to a major road that aim to improve traffic congestion and pedestrian safety in downtown.
The intersection of Broome Street (NC-16) and West South Main Street (NC-75) during daily rush hour or weekend events is often backed up with traffic in every direction. It serves Waxhaw’s more than 24,000 residents and those passing through to make it to surrounding towns such as Monroe or shopping centers on Charlotte Highway in South Carolina.
“It can get pretty backed up, especially at peak times at that intersection,” said Bradley Lucore, spokesperson for the Town of Waxhaw. “It’s a natural choke point.”
Town commissioners will create a grant project fund, which is intended to ensure that all money designated to the Broome Street improvement project will stay there. The funds will come from a mix of local and federal funding. Tuesday’s agenda places the grant fund on the consent agenda, which is typically used with items that have unanimous support.
Waxhaw received a $3.26 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration by way of the North Carolina Department of Transportation in March 2023. It’s a 80% reimbursable grant that requires a 20% match, or $990,000 from the Town of Waxhaw.
Waxhaw will be reimbursed by NCDOT once the project is completed, Lucore told the Observer.
Through a combination of state and local funds, expected improvements include:
- Construct a center turn lane along Broome Street
- Construct an eastbound left turn lane at the intersection of NC-16 and NC-75
- Add sidewalks and modernize existing pedestrian facilities.
The projected completion date is 2030, but Lucore emphasized that often in traffic projects there are variables outside of the town’s control that could impact timing. Preliminary engineering began in January and right of way acquisition is expected in March 2027.
Lucore expects the feedback on the project to be positive.
“People are generally very happy when we are able to make traffic improvements,” he said.
This story was originally published March 9, 2026 at 12:14 PM.