AGENDA #5b
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Response to Petition Requesting Reconstruction of the Intersection of Park Place at East Franklin Street
DATE: September 24, 2001
The following information is in response to a petition submitted by Mr. Alan Rimer at the June 11, 2001 Council meeting. The petition requested that the Town consider reconstructing the west end of Park Place, where it intersects with East Franklin Street, to eliminate a dip in the road and to improve drainage conditions in the vicinity of the intersection. A copy of the petition is attached for reference.
The entrance to Park Place off East Franklin Street was constructed many years ago with a concrete approach slab similar to a commercial driveway entrance. This results in conflicting grades at the intersection and creates a dip at the mouth of the intersection which drivers must cross when entering or exiting Park Place.
Stormwater sometimes ponds in this intersection because of settlement in the gutter line and inappropriately placed storm drain inlets.
Although we do not consider either problem to be severe, we acknowledge that conditions could be improved as pointed out in the petition. Therefore, we contacted the North Carolina Department of Transportation and requested that the intersection improvements be made as requested. East Franklin Street and its intersection with Park Place are within State right-of-way.
The State agreed to consider reconstructing a portion of this intersection and improving the drainage conditions, subject to the availability of funding. We are presently working with the State to determine where we might pursue funds for this work, including Spot Safety or Small Urban funds which are allocated to small projects like this one. Such funds are applied to needs Statewide, and we have not yet determined if or when this project might be funded. We will continue to pursue this, and will advise the Council and petitioner when we have more definite information.
In the interim, the State has agreed to try to improve conditions at this location with some asphalt overlay work, to be performed by its roadway maintenance division sometime this Fall.
We agree with the petitioner that the intersection of Park Place at East Franklin Street could be improved. We have arranged with the North Carolina Department of Transportation to have an asphalt overlay installed as an interim measure. We are continuing to work with the State to identify funding for permanent road and drainage improvements at this location, as requested in the petition.
1. Petition dated June 11, 2001 (p. 3).