Transportation Solutions
The master plan being developed as part of the US 64 Corridor Study includes two distinct components, a short-term plan and a 30-year long-term plan:
- The short-term plan consists of interim strategies to improve mobility, safety and pedestrian accessibility at major
intersections.
- The 30 year long-term plan consists of improvements needed to serve the anticipated amount of traffic in the year 2035 and
later. It proposes to convert many of the major intersections to interchanges or overpasses.
Currently, there is no funding for any improvements in the short-term plan and the long-term plan. It is Study Team's intent to implement the
short-term improvement first. The need for long-term improvements would be evaluated when the short-term improvements begin to fail.
Further information on each is described below.
Short-Term Improvements
The Study Team has developed an interim solution to improve mobility, safety and pedestrian accessibility along the corridor.
The recommended solution is to implement the superstreet concept (explained in greater detail below) at each of the major intersections along US 64.
The superstreet is a relatively low cost improvement ($1 million - $2 million per intersection) which enhances the efficiency of the traffic signals, while
also make each intersection safer for both motorists and pedestrians. Due to the relatively low cost of the superstreet per intersection, this concept could be
implemented by NCDOT, the towns along the corridor, or even by private entities as development occurs.
The recommended short-term solution was based on an evaluation of:
- Ability to manage traffic for both US 64 and side streets
- Residential and business access
- Pedestrian crossing and safety
- Consistency to facilitate driver expectation
- Longevity of the benefits
- Aesthetics
- Cost/Benefit analysis
What is a Superstreet?
A superstreet is an alternative intersection type that directs left turns and through-movements from side streets to their desired
destination by way of a right turn, followed by a U-turn at a designated median opening approximately 800 feet away.
How do I drive through it?
If you are on US 64, there is no difference between the superstreet signal movements and a regular signal. If you are on a side street
and wish to turn right, again, there is no difference in what you do. If you are on a side street and wish to turn left onto US 64 or cross
US 64, you would first turn right on US 64, then complete a U-turn at the signalized median opening. Once you make the U-turn, you can
either turn right or continue straight through the intersection.
Long-Term Improvements
The Study Team has developed an initial long-term solution needed to serve the anticipated amount of traffic in the year 2035 and
later. The initial recommendation enhances mobility and safety along US 64, while balancing community access and interests. The long-term
strategies include:
- Replacing signalized intersections with interchanges or overpasses
- Modifying access points (such as driveways or entrances)
- Using service roads for access to property
- Enhancing bicycle and pedestrain access and connectivity along the corridor with the creation of a bicycle and pedestrian trail from west of the Haw River
in Pittsboro across Jordan Lake to Apex. This trail would connect to the American Tobacco Trail
It should be noted that there is no funding for any of the improvements in the long-term plan. The long-term plan will primarily be used to
guide development in a manner which preserves right-of-way for future improvements. Additional detailed analyses of long-term improvements will be
performed as projects are funded.
Three different alternatives for the long-term solution were presented at Workshop #1. The recommended long-term improvements presented at Workshop #2 are
composed of different elements from each of the three original alternatives, based on community input and Study Team recommendations. Based on comments during the
summer and fall 2009, the Study Team revised the initial long-term plan recommendations to provide a more balanced solution.
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