Nov. 8. NCDOT is holding two public meetings to discuss Hwy. 73 improvements on Tuesday, Nov. 14 at Lake Norman Baptist Church, located at 7921 Sam Furr Road in Huntersville.

Total cost:  $302 million.

Five separate projects between NC 16 in Lincoln County and US 29 in Cabarrus County are planned as well as improving the Hwy. 73/I-77 interchange.

The first project (R-2632AB) involves widening N.C. 73 (Sam Furr Road) from N.C. 115 (Old Statesville Road) to Davidson-Concord Road in Mecklenburg County. Improvements would also include providing bicycle and pedestrian accommodations.

The second project (R-5706) involves widening 73 from Davidson-Concord Road in Mecklenburg to 29 in Cabarrus County and would include multiuse paths for bicycles and pedestrians from Davidson-Concord Road to Interstate 85, and bicycle lanes and sidewalks from I-85 to 29.

The project is divided into two sections that have separate right of way and construction schedules but are being evaluated under one environmental document.

Section A would widen N.C. 73 from east of Davidson-Concord Road to east of Poplar Tent Road near the Mecklenburg/Cabarrus county line.

Section B would widen N.C. 73 from east of Poplar Tent Road to U.S. 29 in Cabarrus County.

The first drop-in style session will take place from 2 pm to 4 pm; the second from 5 pm to 7 pm.