Attachment 2

RECOMMENDED PROJECT 1 – Upgraded traffic signal poles and crosswalks at the intersection of Franklin and Columbia Streets and at the intersection of East Franklin Street and Porthole Alley

The Downtown Streetscape Master Plan adopted in 1993 recommended several design changes to improve pedestrian traffic flow and safety in the busiest sections of downtown.  These included construction of curb extensions at pedestrian crossings, like those recently installed at the Franklin and Henderson Street intersection, and modifications to the paving surface within the downtown’s busiest crosswalks as a way to emphasize pedestrian traffic.  Consistent with the Master Plan, recommended project 1 includes the installation of imprinted asphalt in the crosswalks at two downtown intersections along with the installation of mast arm traffic signal poles.    

The recommended paving surface would be similar to the treatment used to upgrade crosswalks at NC Highway 54 and Hamilton Road.  In order to proceed with this improvement we will have to obtain an encroachment agreement from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT).  NCDOT has engineering standards in place for this type pavement treatment so we believe they will be willing to provide us with the necessary approval.

The six mast arm traffic signal poles are proposed to be smooth tapered dark green metal poles provided by Duke Power Company. The design will be consistent with the appearance of the signal poles currently being installed by NCDOT at West Franklin and Church Streets and planned for installation at Rosemary and Columbia Streets.  The proposed mast arms are upgraded Duke Power Company standard fixtures, rather than custom fixtures like the Town’s fluted streetlights, so we believe they can be provided more quickly than the streetlights have been in the past.

The cost of the 6 proposed mast arm traffic signal poles is estimated at $185,000. The price for decorative asphalt within 5 crosswalks (284 linear feet) is approximately $45,000. The total estimated cost of Project 1 is $230,000.

Advantages of Project 1:

• Improves pedestrian safety at two of the downtown’s busiest intersections
• Allows the removal of unsightly existing poles and cross wires that support the traffic signal heads
• Could leave Public Works Construction crew available for other projects

Disadvantages of Project 1:

• Uncertainty of the exact costs and scheduling which are affected by numerous variables coordinated among several entities involved
• Crosswalk construction would be temporarily disruptive to these busy intersections

PROJECT 1