Title
Reimagining Weaver Street - Update on Capacity Analysis
PURPOSE: This agenda item is designed to provide the Town Council with an update on the draft findings from the capacity analysis for closing East Weaver Street to vehicle traffic and to discuss possible next steps.
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Department
DEPARTMENT: Planning
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Council Direction
COUNCIL DIRECTION:
_X_ Race/Equity _X_ Climate ____ Comprehensive Plan _X_Other
Council Direction Statement
Reimagining East Weaver Street as a pedestrian-focused space in the downtown area will have implications to the experience of residents and visitors to Carrboro. The capacity study allows for further considerations related to race and equity, climate, safety, and economic development goals of the project discussed at the January 2025 work session.
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Information
INFORMATION: At the January 14, 2025, work session the council received information on and discussed ideas for reimagining East Weaver Street as a pedestrian-focused space. The Town Council directed staff to conduct a study that looked at traffic impacts for all modes, changes to public transit, public services and EMS access, and cost estimates.
The purpose of this item is to provide a follow-up from the work session, presenting the draft findings of a capacity study conducted by Exult Engineering, engaged for this work by the Town Engineer. A representative from the firm will be available to answer technical questions.
The capacity study is designed to understand notable impacts to the surrounding network of closing East Weaver Street to vehicles. The study uses counts taken in March 2025 and considers three scenarios:
• No-Build (No change to East Weaver Street)
• Build (Close East Weaver Street to motorized vehicles)
• Build with Improvements (Close East Weaver Street and implement recommendations beyond minimum required infrastructure changes to close East Weaver Street)
The capacity study is still under review by NCDOT.
Draft findings anticipate:
• Improved travel times through the intersections at both ends of East Weaver Street
• Travel delays at West Main Street and both Greensboro Street and Jones Ferry Road
• No substantial impact to East Braxton Foushee Street or Roberson Street.
The model also suggests long lines of cars at some intersections, anticipating that current congestion on East Weaver Street will shift to Greensboro Street and Mian Street. The Build with Improvements scenario provides road design recommendations that address this anticipated outcome. The consultant also makes general recommendations for bike and pedestrian improvements for the area, expecting a pedestrianized street to draw in more foot traffic and cyclists.
Exult Engineering included the network of intersections around the Drakeford Library Complex and explores the direction of Mapel Avenue converted to a one-way as part of the opening of the building. Exult Engineering recommends that the one-way direction on Maple Avenue be switched from southbound to northbound.
Attachments include a Staff Memo (Attachment A), Race & Equity Pocket Questions (Attachment B), and a copy of the presentation (Attachment C).
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Fiscal and Staff Impact
FISCAL IMPACT: There are no fiscal impacts for receiving the update. The Adopted FY26 Budget allocates $200,000 for the Reimagining Weaver Street project. Depending on review by NCDOT, the consultant may update the opinion of probable construction; the allocated amount in the Adopted FY26 Budget may cover the costs for the Build scenario.
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Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Town Council receive the update, discuss and provide direction for next steps.
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