A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE NC 86/MLK JR. BOULEVARD CORRIDOR/TOWN WIDE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY EVALUATION STUDY (2007-05-07/R-13)

WHEREAS, in 2004 the Town commissioned a study of pedestrian barriers and other factors that may limit walking and bicycling in the NC 86/Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Corridor; and

WHEREAS, the 2004 study highlighted several possible treatments for improving pedestrian and bicycle safety and access throughout the corridor; and

WHEREAS, in 2006 the Town initiated an implementation plan to recommend measures to include those possible treatments in the NC 86/Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Corridor; and

WHEREAS, in 2006 the scope of the study was expanded to include 15 additional sites around Chapel Hill identified as having pedestrian safety issues;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the NC 86/Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Town Wide Pedestrian Safety Evaluation Study is adopted with the following changes:

• Adopt only the portion of the Study located south of Homestead Rd. and refer the portion of the Study for the area north of Homestead Rd. to the Northern Area Task Force.
• Eliminate striped bike lanes on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. on the southbound segment between Barclay Rd. and Umstead Dr.
• Any measures in the area of the intersection with Umstead Dr. must be coordinated with the Greenways Master Plan and addresses the connection to the Bolin Creek Greenway.
• Provide a raised median only in locations where it is necessary to protect pedestrians at mid-block crossings.
• Add a flashing warning sign on Manning Dr. before the intersection with Fordham Blvd.
• Reduce the turning radius on the southbound lane of Weaver Dairy Road, at the Weaver Dairy Road/Erwin Road intersection.  Also provide an advanced pedestrian warning sign with warning flasher on the northbound side of the intersection.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council directs staff to immediately begin discussions with the North Carolina Department of Transportation regarding the implementation of the recommendations of the Study, including construction of a mid-block crossing on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., and the construction of portions of the missing sidewalk on the east side of the road.  Staff will also prepare a request to the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization to reallocate funds for the mid-block crossing.  In the event that the mid-block crossing is not approved by NCDOT, then all of the currently available funds should be used for sidewalk construction. 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council directs staff to continue to seek funds from the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization for implementation of the full study.

This the 7th day of May, 2007.