Jessie Drive Improvements and Extension

Advance Apex: The 2045 Transportation Plan shows Jessie Drive as a four-lane, median-divided thoroughfare extending from Ten Ten Road to Veridea Parkway. In February 2020, the Town completed a feasibility study for the improvement and extension of Jessie Drive from Ten Ten Road to NC 55. The feasibility study identified the need to divide the Jessie Drive Improvements and Extension project into phases, and prioritized the section of Jessie Drive from Ten Ten Road to future Production Drive as Phase 1. The Horton Park residential development project has already begun constructing the extension of Jessie Drive to Production Drive in accordance with their zoning requirements in advance of the Town's project, which is planned to later upgrade the remaining portion of existing Jessie Drive from the Horton Park development boundary to Ten Ten Road.  The roadway is being constructed as an interim half of a four-lane roadway west of Ten Ten Road that widens to four-lane median-divided in advance of the intersection at Ten Ten Road.

Current Status (02/02/26): Right of way acquisition is complete. Final plans, specifications, and bidding documents are in progress. Project is anticipated to be advertised in Spring 2026 and construction to begin in Summer 2026. In advance of road construction, Duke Energy will be clearing easements and relocating electric lines according to approved plans.  The utility relocation agreement is pending approval in February 2026 before Duke Energy can schedule start of work.

Public Meeting (May 2024)

A Public Open House was held on May 20, 2024.  The Public Meeting Map and timeline presented at the meeting is available for viewing.

• Lead Agency: Town of Apex, Russell Dalton, (919) 249-3358
• Tentative Project Schedule:
  • Construction - 2026-2027

Project Map

Street Typical Sections

Land Acquisition Update (April 2024)

Property exhibits have been prepared based on the roadway design plans.  Property appraisals are anticipated to begin in June 2024 following the May 20th public open house.  Affected property owners will receive notifications by mail prior to the start of appraisals required for the additional right of way and easements needed for construction.  Anyone interested in the project is encouraged to drop in at any time during the open house to view the project map, roadway design plans, and discuss next steps with town staff before right of way acquisition begins.  Since the final design public hearing in 2021, the design team conducted additional surveys and research along the corridor to identify potential impacts to well and septic systems and possible mitigation measures.  The alignment has since been adjusted and right of way reduced in some areas in response to the findings.

Final Design Public Hearing (February 2021)

A public hearing was held at Apex Town Council on February 9, 2021 for a Possible Motion to recommend modifying Jessie Drive Phase 1 final design plans to remove the proposed U-turn bulb-out and include the Sweetgum Access Alternative while keeping Sweetgum Drive connected to Jessie Drive as a right-in/right-out access as presented; and, Possible Motion to recommend continuing the 10-foot side path westward along the north side of Jessie Drive in the Phase 1 final design plans to the intersection at future Production Drive/Horton Park Drive. Town Council continued that discussion to the February 23^rd meeting as Unfinished Business.

The continuation of this item as Unfinished Business on February 23^rd resulted in approval of keeping the U-turn bulb-out as currently proposed in the roadway plans to serve the proposed right-in/right-out condition of Sweetgum Drive, not continuing the ten-foot side path beyond the Horton Park boundary, and directing staff to review and propose potential amendments to the Transportation Plan for future local connectivity to Sweetgum Drive.  The Transportation Plan has since been amended by Council to address that concern.

Final Design Public Open House (July 2020)

A public open house was held on July 16, 2020 at Apex Town Hall.  Preliminary plans were shared with the public and the design team received public comments.

Feasibility Study Final Report (February 2020)

The purpose of the feasibility study is to guide project planning by: evaluating concepts and recommending a preferred alternative, providing a functional design and estimated costs, gathering and responding to initial public input, and identifying potential issues that may require consideration in future planning and design phases. The report can be accessed from the following link: Feasibility Study Report (PDF)