City of Hickory seeks public input for 16th Street NE (Sandy Ridge Road) roundabout project

Planning and development are underway to improve 16th Street NE (Sandy Ridge Road) and its intersection with 21st Avenue NE and Eighth Street Drive NE in Hickory. The purpose of the project is to improve traffic flow and relieve congestion in this area while also safely accommodating pedestrians and cyclists. 

Residents are invited to a public input meeting to review road improvement plans, share feedback, and express needs. The meeting will be held on Monday, Oct. 14, from 4-7 p.m. in the community room at Highland Recreation Center (1451 8th St Dr NE) in Hickory. During this time, City officials and project development staff will be present to field questions and receive comments from all parties.

Currently, Sandy Ridge is a two-lane road without sidewalks. The intersection of 16th Street NE, 21st Avenue NE, and Eighth Street Drive NE uses traffic signals and turn lanes. The City proposes replacing the existing intersection with a roundabout.

The project also includes the installation of a 5-foot sidewalk and a 10-foot multiuse path along 16th Street NE to 29th Avenue Drive NE. These would tie into other existing and planned sidewalks providing improved pedestrian and bicycling connections to the larger Hickory network.

The existing signalized intersection at 16th Street NE, 21st Avenue NE, and Eighth Street Drive NE would be replaced with a roundabout requiring minor realignment of approach lanes, installation of concrete pedestrian islands, and acquisition of right-of-way around the roundabout.

Proposed plans and detailed information about the road improvement project can be reviewed online at www.hickorync.gov/sandyridgeroundabout.

For those unable to attend the public input meeting or wishing to submit feedback digitally, comments can be emailed to ProjectC5196@hickorync.gov. Comments for consideration during the current planning phase must be submitted by Nov. 15.