Traffic control plan design
Traffic Control Plans in Charlotte, NC
Lane closure, sidewalk closure and detour plans for work on Charlotte streets and NCDOT roads in Mecklenburg County.
Plans for work in Charlotte
LADMA Traffic Control draws traffic control plans for contractors, utilities and property owners working in Charlotte. We cover lane and shoulder closures, sidewalk closures with pedestrian detours, full road closures with detours, and utility and fiber work.
You send the location and the scope. We draw the plan to the standards the reviewing agency uses and deliver it as a PDF you can attach to your permit application.
Charlotte has two road owners. The Charlotte Department of Transportation (CDOT) approves work on city-maintained streets, and the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) approves work on state-maintained streets. Many major roads inside the city are state roads.
Who reviews traffic control plans in Charlotte
| Road or topic | Who reviews | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| City-maintained streets | Charlotte Department of Transportation (CDOT) | Right of Way Use Permit, filed in the Cityworks Application Portal |
| State-maintained roads | NCDOT Division 10 (Anson, Cabarrus, Mecklenburg, Stanly, Union) | Encroachment Agreement. The division office is in Albemarle |
| Uptown | CDOT | CDOT must be told about any work inside the I-77 and I-277 loop. Extra limits can apply on the Tryon Street transit mall and near the Charlotte Transportation Center |
Plans follow the NCDOT Roadway Standard Drawings, Division 11, Work Zone Traffic Control, and the North Carolina Supplement to the MUTCD. Work in NCDOT right of way needs an Encroachment Agreement, filed online, with the local district office doing the first review.
Local rules to plan around
- CDOT asks that requests name the diagrams used from its Work Area Traffic Control Handbook (WATCH), with a traffic control plan where needed.
- Lane closures are not allowed in peak hours, typically 7 to 9 AM and 4 to 6 PM on weekdays.
- CDOT lists a minimum of 48 hours for lane and sidewalk closures and 10 working days for full street closures.
- Full street closures are coordinated with Police, Fire, MEDIC and CATS, with public notice.
NCDOT is planning express lanes on US 74 (Independence Boulevard) between Idlewild Road and I-485.
Office names, forms and lead times change. Confirm the current rules with the agency before you apply.
What to send for a quote
- The address, or the road and the nearest cross streets
- What is being closed: lane, shoulder, sidewalk or the full road
- Work hours, and whether the work is by day or by night
- How many days the closure will be in place
- Any comments you already have from the reviewing agency
See also traffic control plans in North Carolina, our guide to state DOT plan requirements, and how long a plan takes.
Need a traffic control plan in Charlotte?
Tell us where the work is and what needs to close. We will come back with a quote.