AGENDA #5e
MEMORANDUM
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TO: |
Roger L. Stancil, Town Manager |
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FROM: |
George Small, P.E., Engineering Director Kumar Neppalli, E.I.T., Engineering Services Manager |
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SUBJECT: |
Response to a Petition Requesting Pedestrian Safety Improvements on Estes Drive near Estes Hills Elementary School |
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DATE: |
February 11, 2008 |
PURPOSE
This report is provided in response to a petition requesting several pedestrian safety improvements on Estes Drive near Estes Hills Elementary School.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
At its November 7, 2007, meeting, the Town Council received and referred a petition requesting the following pedestrian safety improvements on Estes Drive near Estes Hills Elementary School:
An area map is provided in Attachment 1 and a copy of the petition is provided in Attachment 2.
Install Crosswalk on Estes Drive at Halifax Road
Estes Drive is a State maintained Road and a sidewalk is located on the north side of the road. Staff from N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) conducted an investigation and informed the Town that they do not recommend a crosswalk at this intersection due to lack of sidewalks on the south side of Estes Drive and on Halifax Road. A copy of the e-mail from NCDOT is provided in Attachment 3. We note that in 2006, a crosswalk with appropriate signs was installed on Estes Drive at the intersection of Granville Road.
Re-enforce pedestrian crossing rights at crosswalks Estes Drive in the area by installing flashing yellow lights and/or signage or ticketing:
In 2007, the Town installed solar powered school zone flashing lights on Estes Drive in the area and they operate morning and afternoon hours on school days. Also, crossing guards at two school crossings on Estes Drive assist the pedestrians crossing Estes Drive during morning and afternoon hours on school days. Staff from the Town Police Department enforces traffic regulations in school zones periodically and it will continue to be a high priority for them.
The Town recently submitted a grant application to the State for “Safe Routes to School Program” funds. The grant application recommends the following pedestrian safety improvements on Estes Drive:
Several other communities also applied for these funds and at this time we are currently waiting for the State’s decision on which communities will receive funding.
CONCLUSION
We believe that the existing measures on Estes Drive: crossing guards, school zone flashing lights, and crosswalk at Granville Road have improved the pedestrian safety in the area. If the “Safe Routes to School Program” funds are approved and received by the Town, we will implement more pedestrian safety improvements on Estes Drive.
ATTACHMENTS
