Title
Resolution Requesting Reduction of Speed Limits on Old NC 86
PURPOSE: The purpose of this agenda item is to provide the Town Council with an opportunity adopt a resolution requesting NCDOT to consider a speed limit reduction for Old NC 86.
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Department
DEPARTMENT: Planning
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Contact
CONTACT INFORMATION: Trish McGuire, Planning Director, pmcguire@carrboronc.gov <mailto:pmcguire@carrboronc.gov>, 919-918-7327
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Council Direction
COUNCIL DIRECTION:
___ Race/Equity ____ Climate __X__ Comprehensive Plan _X___Other
Council Direction Statement
Two strategies in Carrboro Connects, 2022-2042 Comprehensive Plan relate to this agenda item’s topic. First, Strategy 1.1 states that “Equitable mobility should be the goal of any transportation planning process in order to repair past processes that have limited mobility of marginalized populations and Strategy 2.2 calls for continued work to “…create safe streets and trail networks for pedestrians, bike riders, and transit riders” in connection with complete streets, Vision Zero efforts, and other actions. Changes to advance these interests are in part implemented with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), as owner of some of the major arterial roads in Town, and the Town itself, through its authority to modify street standards and establish speed limits in the community.
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Information
INFORMATION: Most streets within Carrboro’s jurisdiction include two travel lanes and have speed limits that are equal to or less than 35 miles per hour. One of the exceptions is Old NC 86 from its intersection at Old Fayetteville and Hillsborough roads to the northern edge of Carrboro’s jurisdiction beyond Eubanks Road. Along this stretch the speed limit varies from 30 to 45. The Town has previous requested studies of and adjustments to speed limits along this stretch of roadway, and NCDOT has adjusted and installed signage following these requests and related studies. Concerns about travel behavior, particularly excessive speeds, have persisted and after a recent fatal accident on Old NC 86 in September, members of the Northern Transition Area Advisory Commission discussed the possibility of renewing the request and seeking a lowered speed limit.
Of note, staff have been in communication with NCDOT on several occasions over the past year related to lowering speed limits in Town and a request for changes to several streets is in review. Staff have been working with NCDOT this month to identify dates to seek approval and any needed next steps related to those requested changes.
On November 14th, Town Council members requested that staff prepare a resolution that would request NCDOT’s consideration of this lowering speed limits in this location as well. A draft resolution has been prepared (Attachment A).
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Fiscal and Staff Impact
FISCAL IMPACT: Minimal impacts of staff time are anticipated with consideration of this item. If approved, Town Code amendments to establish the speed limits, where subject to Town enforcement and installation of signage would involve some direct costs and staff time.
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Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommend that the Town Council consider adoption of the attached resolution (Attachment A).
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