Project #: From: VHB Re: NC 54 West Corridor Community Meeting Round #2

Transcription

1 To: NC 54 Study Team Date: Project #: From: VHB Re: NC 54 West Corridor Community Meeting Round #2 Four community meetings were held between May 1 st through May 10 th at four different locations spread across the NC 54 West corridor: the Rigmor House Event Center, Carrboro Town Hall, Graham Civic Center, and Swepsonville Fire Department. Workshop participants comments and feedback are summarized below within the themes of participation, general discussion, conceptual roadway cross-sections, West end, Central, and East end comments. Overall Participation The Rigmor House meeting had the highest level of signed-in attendees (44), probably influenced by the schedule, as this was the first of the four meetings. Attendance for the remaining three meetings ranged between 16 signed in for the Swepsonville meeting, and a headcount of 20 for the Carrboro meeting. General discussion Meeting participants asked whether property owners were considered stakeholders during the engagement process, and whether their input would be more heavily weighted than others during the recommendations phase of the project. Timeline was a common question during meetings. Participants requested an overall sense of how quickly an improvement, or a series of improvements, would be made to the corridor. Similarly, participants asked about the future traffic volumes, and how these were generated. The project team described how this project has a 2045 horizon year, so the traffic forecasts project out to this date based on local and regional inputs for population, housing, and employment. Project recommendations will be made working backwards for midterm and near-term. The emphasis is to recommend an improvement that would not need to be removed and reconstructed by a future widening of the corridor. Participants were skeptical of the projected 1% annual growth rate used for traffic, and expressed doubts about the assumptions for long-term forecast. Several participants suggested that travel demand management (TDM) considerations serve as the central focus for future traffic projections, citing a corridorlong bus rapid transit (BRT) lane is needed rather than two vehicle travel lanes. Park and ride was also mentioned for a western and mid-point location along the corridor. Safety, Speed, and Lighting Crash data was a common theme, involving discussions of vehicle speeds, concerns of safety, visibility around curves, and lighting. All participants were in favor of improving safety along the corridor, however, many seeking to maintain the five-lane cross-section, which was presented as generating a higher rate of crashes than compared with two-, three-, and four-lane roadways. A more detailed analysis of contributing factors to crashes along NC 54 was suggested, which is beyond the scope of this corridor study. Questions were raised about the vehicle design speed for roundabouts, and whether they would be safe for this corridor. The Oak Hollow Road and Leslie Drive neighborhood was identified specifically for difficulties turning left onto NC 54 due to a roadway curve, vegetation, and vehicle speed. \\vhb\proj\raleigh\ Durham NC 54 Corr DCHC\tech\Meetings\Public Workshops Round 2 - May 2018\NC 54 West Community Workshop 2 Summary Memo.docx Venture I 940 Main Campus Drive, Suite 500 Raleigh, NC P

2 Page 2 Next Steps Improved lighting was discussed for several intersections, include Morrow Mill Road, and Neville Road. Light pollution was also mentioned as something to avoid in order to preserve the rural heritage of the corridor. Related to lighting, advanced signage of upcoming roadways was discussed as a near-term improvement, citing drivers who must slowdown in order to read the (small) roadway name signs. Conceptual roadway cross-sections Farming equipment sharing the roadway was a theme mentioned at all four meetings, citing the challenges of total width being much larger than a typical vehicle, their slow operating speed (less than 15 mph), their large turning radius, and potential difficulty using the NC 54 roadway if there were to be a median installed. School buses, large dump trucks, and industrial freight vehicles were also identified as challenged by a potential median. The project team discussed this as an engineering design-level element that can be managed appropriately during future stages of future projects. This project is conceptual-level, to identify and document such challenges and constraints. Concerns were raised about the location of private drinking waters wells in relation to a widened NC 54, specifically on the north side of NC54 just east of McAdams Creek. Trees and existing mailboxes were also identified concerning potentially impacted by future widening. Businesses within and around the White Cross area were identified by meeting participants, who cited the desire for a five-lane roadway cross section for this area. Some were adamant that a median would be bad for business, while others mentioned that they wouldn t mind performing a U-turn if safety were improved. The median concept was the most polarizing topic discussed. The width of shoulders was discussed as a potential improvement for bicyclists who feel comfortable riding along NC 54, though most bicyclists would likely choose the shared use path that is more distant from vehicles. Some avid cyclists were suggesting a wider shoulder by reducing the travel lanes to 11 widths. Conceptual intersection treatments Traditional intersection treatments were discussed in relation to alternative intersection options, such as roundabouts, quadrant intersections, superstreet, and median U-turn treatments. Several attendees endorsed the roundabout treatments for Neville and Bethel Hickory Road intersections, as well as the quadrant intersection treatment for NC 119 and Old Fayetteville Road. One question was raised about whether bicyclists would benefit from a roundabout intersection, or whether it would be a hindrance. Additional comments received are included as an attachment, and separated by meeting date. Comments and feedback from the second round of community meetings will be combined with entries from the Interactive Online Map and feedback from previous meetings to document local preferences. These qualitative contributions will be evaluated with the study s quantitative and other research components to offer recommendations for targeted and corridor-wide improvements.

3 Page 3 ATTACHMENTS Photos Individual Meeting Summaries Community Meeting #2 Photos

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6 Page 6 Community Meeting #2 Individual Meeting Summaries Tuesday 5/1 Rigmor House General Attendance and feedback regarding outreach o 44 attendees signed in, and a headcount of 47 persons was observed. o Attendees commented that they heard of the meeting only hours before, and were unaware of the three public meetings in January (23-25). Suggested media announcement via WCLH radio station and direct mailing. Discussion topics that are non-geographic o NC54 corridor Should have been four-lanes years ago o How long of a timeframe for these recommendations to be built? o Too many roundabouts will make it take forever to get anywhere. Proposed roadway cross-section comments o One bicyclist would prefer bicycle lane rather than shoulder or curb & gutter. West End Graham + Swepsonville - Sheets 1-2 o Quadrant NC-119/Main St and Alfred Road is great option for future development. o Excited about possible bike trail connection near Meadow Creek Central Portion Saxapahaw + Reservoir Sheets 3-4 o Mountains-to-Sea Trail crossing would likely be closer to Saxapahaw Bethlehem Church Road due to property ownership closer to Cane Creek reservoir (east). East End White Cross + Carrboro Sheets 5-6 o Orange Grove Road: prefer traditional three-leg intersection over roundabouts (x3) o Oak Hollow Road and Leslie Drive neighborhood (~40 homes): Is there potential safety improvement project, or additional center turn lane in the very near term? Entering/existing neighborhood is perceived to be dangerous. o Why not five-lane between White Cross Road and Butler/Dodson s Crossroads? Businesses (Sturdivant s Tire) and farm equipment in this area Businesses prefer (five-lane) center turn lane, with deceleration lanes o Not sure how roundabout would help or hinder bicyclists. o Concerns for farm equipment entering highway near (east of) Carl Durham Road, traveling at very low speeds, and requiring more than 12 wide lanes. Median would be difficult for farm vehicles to turn right, merge with traffic, change lanes to left, and perform U-turn at low speeds. This presents an engineering design challenge for U-turn areas, and may need to be spaced further apart. o Rock Quarry is potential site for future park, is there potential for parallel road connection here? o Recommend additional turn lanes for Hatch Road, Shannon Drive and Southern Drive neighborhood o Have severe crashes occurred at Old Fayetteville Road intersection? Is this the justification for superstreet?

7 Page 7 Wednesday 5/2 Carrboro Century Center General Attendance and feedback regarding outreach o 17 attendees signed in, and a headcount of 20 persons was observed. o Can property owners be considered stakeholders for the engagement process? Discussion topics that are non-geographic o What is the breakdown of animal and rear end collisions, and what is the level of non-intersection crashes, as well as crashes by time of day and directionality. o How will the widening affect future development, will said widening encourage development across the corridor in agricultural areas? o What are the sizes of the shoulders and why? Could the shoulders be increased by reducing the width of the travel lanes to 11 instead of 12 o Instead of widening NC 54, there should be corridor-long BRT lanes and more transit service. o Park and Ride should be located at Mebane Oaks o TDM should be considered as a solution for traffic congestion o Would like to see more wayfinding and advance signage for roads and other points of interest. o Would like to see scenarios that include the development and preservation of farmland. o Doubts were expressed about the growth rates and travel assumptions for the long-term forecasts. o Could the SUP be located far off the corridor to encourage use among people who don t want to bike near the corridor? o Shade should play a role in determining which side of the road the SUP is on. o Make the SUP continuous from Carrboro to Mebane Oaks Road. o Vehicle speeds will be much higher on the four-lane road than the current cross section despite dropping the speed limit to 45mph. o There were conflict comments on lighting at roundabouts: roundabouts should be lit, while others said that lighting should be limited in the rural areas. Not a fan of lighting and light pollution. o What is the effect on crashes for five lane roads with and without traffic signals? Proposed roadway cross-section comments o B2: Four-lane with curb & gutter 130 ROW What are the costs of construction and maintenance for curb and gutter? Why a 14 outside lane? Is it for vehicle breakdowns? o C2: Four-lane with ditch & swale 150 ROW None West End Graham + Swepsonville Sheets 1-2 o The railroad tracks near the Honda Plant would prevent rear access to the school. (unconfirmed) o The Buckner Companies operates large freight vehicles that need access to NC54, so the U-turn through the median should be located closer to their property. (location east of Meadow Creek) Central Portion Saxapahaw + Reservoir Sheets 3-4

8 Page 8 o There had been mention of a recently approved SUP or greenway trail north of NC54, and that would negate the value of the SUP along the corridor. o In the rural areas, please consider narrower lanes to preserve active agriculture in the ROW. o It is unlikely that the landowners at Morrow Mill and NC54 would permit a trail head at their property. o Would prefer that the SUP be on the south side on this portion of the corridor. East End White Cross + Carrboro Sheets 5-6 o Could the quadrant intersection design provide rear access for the new development at Old Fayetteville and NC 54? o Roundabouts won t work well at White Cross due to heavy directional commuting volumes. o The eight-lane intersection at Old Fayetteville would be dehumanizing for someone on a bicycle. o The road should be divided o The left turn into Anderson Park is dangerous o There were disagreeing comments on whether to install lighting near Neville Road o The Neville Road area should have noise abatement considerations o The section of NC54 at Neville Road should be graded to address visibility and speed issues. o Several comments endorsed the use of roundabouts at Neville Road and Bethel Hickory Road

9 Page 9 Thursday 5/3 Graham Civic Center General Attendance and feedback regarding outreach o 17 attendees signed in, and a headcount of 17 persons was observed. Discussion topics that are non-geographic o What is the timeline for implementation of roadway and intersection improvements? o Would like to see more land use scenarios that account for zoning changes (i.e. more density) in relation to the widening of NC 54. Proposed roadway cross-section comments None West End Graham + Swepsonville Sheets 1-2 o What sides of the road would sidewalks be on? o The SUP as shown on the map would go through the WWTP s new entrance road. o Trucks from the landfill, school buses, and industrial freight will not work with roundabouts o Residential and commercial growth in Graham will send more cars down a widened NC 54 from I-40. o There was citizen concern about the grading of NC 54 in Graham and the ability of a four-lane segment to adequately drain storm water. o Concerns were raised about the location of wells in relation to a widened NC 54, specifically on the north side of NC54 just east of McAdams Creek. o What can be done to reduce the # of crashes on the existing five-lane portion of NC 54 in Graham? o Left turn location requested for the signal at Ivey Road. o Whittenmore Drive noted as a future intersection that could use an improvement o The SUP should extend towards downtown Graham. o The signals at I-40 should undergo review for improving the sequencing. o Make Graham more walkable and bike able. o A U-turn should be added to the T-intersection diagram. o There is a daycare on NC54 at Wormranch Road on the north side. o Visibility issues persist on the curve just west and north of Creek Point Road. Central Portion Saxapahaw + Reservoir Sheets 3-4 o None East End White Cross + Carrboro Sheets 5-6 o Development is anticipated near the intersection of Old Fayetteville and NC 45. o Land use and zoning changes should assume greater density and conversion from farmland after the road is widened.

10 Page 10 Thursday 5/10 Swepsonville Fire Department General Attendance and feedback regarding outreach o 16 attendees signed in, and a headcount of 17 persons was observed. o Who is a stakeholder, how are their comments gathered, and whose opinions and input matter more in the recommendations process? How is local input used to prioritize improvements? Discussion topics that are non-geographic o Could the crash data be shared for more than the intersections? o Is light rail and other transit part of the study? o What are the volume projections for NC54 based on? o How can roundabouts be designed to keep safe speeds through the intersection and support 55MPH travel speeds on the corridor? o How will the study team consider the tradeoffs of speed, access, and safety? What is weighted more? o Comment that expanded roads will increase traffic volumes on NC54. o During the evening, alternative routes to NC54 are too dark/have poor visibility o Sense that distracted driving and other unsafe vehicle operating behavior will get worse as roadway volumes increase. Proposed roadway cross-section comments o How do farming communities use the proposed lanes with their farm equipment? West End Graham + Swepsonville Sheets 1-2 o Concerned about the use of eminent domain for the acquisition of ROW for a SUP o Worried that new sidewalks/sup will bring crime to neighborhoods in Graham and Swepsonville areas o Comment that rear end collisions near I-40 are more from inattentiveness than other factors o Sidewalks are needed for children and other pedestrians on the segment between Alexander Wilson Elementary School and Long Dairy Road Central Portion Saxapahaw + Reservoir Sheets 3-4 o Consider the existing grade for the proposed intersection improvement o How has the LOS at intersections been affected by the new traffic signals at Mebane Oaks? o Build the four-lane section as quickly as possible o Without lighting, the proposed T-intersection at Morrow Mill Road will be impossible to turn left against the lanes and head west (exiting Morrow Mill Road). Difficulty turning right heading east from Morrow Mill Road during rush hour East End White Cross + Carrboro Sheets 5-6 o Larger radii on roundabout needed traffic faster o Why do communities outside of Carrboro need a bike path? o How do farming communities use the proposed lanes with their farm equipment?