Carrboro street-improvement decisions finalized

Twenty-five years of Carrboro street-improvement debates could come to a close by the end of the month.

The Smith Level Road reconstruction is scheduled to go to vote at the Sept. 28 Carrboro Board of Aldermen meeting.

Jeff Brubaker, transportation planner for Carrboro, said the road improvement project would include adding turning lanes, bike paths and a roundabout on Rock Haven Road near Carrboro High School.

The construction is now based on the need for improved pedestrian safety, but has taken so long to work out because the N.C. Department of Transportation officials originally wanted to widen the road from two to four lanes.

“It’s a dilemma because the DOT has to make this a road project,” Chapel Hill resident Terri Buckner said. “Their money comes from making a road project.”

Alderman Dan Coleman said Carrboro residents and the transportation department could not agree on what was best for the area. After years of debate, the road will keep its two lanes.

“For many, many years the department of transportation was insisting that there could only be a four-lane highway there,” he said.

Alderman Lydia Lavelle said almost all the other issues in the revised design have been resolved.

“Within the last two years, DOT has improved the plans to the town’s liking and to the citizens’ liking,” she said.

Lavelle said there is a concern about Willow Oak Lane, a road that forces motorists to turn right, then make a U-turn if they need to go left.

Transportation department officials refuse to change that road layout due to vehicular safety concerns.

“Everything else, they have listened to us, and they have responded,” Lavelle said.

“They are not requiring four lanes, and they are allowing the sidewalks and the bike lanes to be built the way we want it and the way they want it.”

Lavelle said a fewer number of trees would be cleared than originally anticipated as well.

Simone Brackett, member relations specialist for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, said the improvements will increase the flow of traffic but could temporarily impede commerce.

“It would make it more accessible to people visiting, especially tourists,” Brackett said.

“But any time that you have major construction, it definitely puts a hitch in business.”

Carrboro resident Charlie Hileman said he supports the project as it will be voted on. He said the proposed improvements support alternate transportation such as biking and walking, things that are important to many Carrboro residents.

“(The DOT) is finally showing that some of their actions are matching their rhetoric,” Hileman said.

Hileman said he and other residents are glad that the project wasn’t approved before the appropriate changes were made.

“We’re really proud that we were able to hold out so long.”

Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.