AGENDA #5d
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Follow-Up Report on Ways to Improve Pedestrian Travel Around Town Hall and at the Intersection of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and North Columbia Street
DATE: June 27, 2005
This is a follow-up report regarding several measures that could be implemented in the vicinity of Town Hall to improve pedestrian access and circulation.
Unless otherwise directed by the Council, we will develop detailed cost estimates of each project and provide final recommendations to the Town Council in the fall of this year.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
At its June 30, 2004 meeting, the Council received a report from the Manager regarding ways to improve pedestrian travel around Town Hall and at the intersection of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard (then known as Airport Road) and North Columbia Street. The report was provided in response to the Town Council’s direction. A copy of June 30, 2004 Council report is provided in Attachment 1.
June 30, 2004 Council report, provides a list of preliminary projects developed by the Staff. Please see the Attachment 1 for list of projects. Projects #1, #2, #3, and #4 were completed by the Town Public Works Department. The Town staff requested that Projects #6 and #10 be dropped from the list due to economic and traffic related reasons. The Town Council referred the report to the Transportation Board and Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Board for their comments.
The Transportation Board recommended the following:
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board recommended the following:
Please see Attachment 2 for detailed recommendations from the Boards.
Based on the recommendations from the Boards and detailed analysis by the staff, we are moving forward to develop detailed cost estimates, a resident survey as needed, and preliminary detailed plans for the following future projects:
Project #5: Install a flashing warning light and “Slow Intersection” sign at the crest of the hill on North Columbia Street north of Stephens Street.
Project #8: Construct combination of speed table/crosswalk across North Columbia Street south of the Carr Street intersection.
Project #9: Re-align North Columbia Street at its intersection with Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard to create a perpendicular “T” intersection and replace the existing “Yield sign with a Stop” sign on North Columbia Street. This project requires NCDOT approval of plans.
Project #11: Construct a raised pedestrian refuge median in the center-turn lane of Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard adjacent to the Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard entrance to the Town Hall. We are including this project in the Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard Corridor Study for Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety.
Project #12: Construct curb, gutter and sidewalk along the north side of Stephens Street.
Project #13: Improve street and parking lot lighting on Stephens Street.
Project #14: Construct a speed table on North Columbia Street south of the Stephens Street intersection.
Unless otherwise directed by the Council, we will develop detailed cost estimates and plans for the above mentioned projects and provide a report to the Town Council with final recommendations for future projects around the Town Hall to improve pedestrian safety.
ATTACHMENTS