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28 <br />Hollow Rock Access Area Master Plan September 2009 <br />Appendix 5 <br />Proposed Pickett Road Closure <br />Pros /Cons Discussion Points (4110108) <br />Background <br />This document is a compilation of the Pros and Cons for closing Pickett Road between <br />Randolph Road and Erwin Road, as provided by City of Durham Transportation Division, <br />Durham City /County Planning and Orange County Planning. <br />Pros <br />Safety <br />• Bisects the Park — There is a safety issue to those trying to cross the road to get from <br />one area of the park to another, especially for groups of school children. <br />• Cars tend to drive too fast on this road and use it regularly as a cut through despite the <br />fact that it is dirt. <br />• The uneven nature of the existing roadbed could cause a speeding car to easily lose <br />control. <br />• There is no definition as to the width of the road. As a result of not having a defined <br />shoulder area, there isn't a safe area for walking or biking. <br />• The NCDOT does not have a track record for installing traffic calming on state <br />maintained roads (Pickett Road is a state road). If Pickett Road is improved, (i.e., <br />paved) and draws more traffic, it may be difficult to have traffic calming measures <br />installed. <br />Aesthetics <br />• Closing the road would enhance the natural open space experience by limiting noise, <br />pollution, hazards and other negative impacts from nearby traffic. <br />• The dirt roadbed and speeding traffic cause large amounts of dust. The dust penetrates <br />deep into the woods, coating the vegetation and posing a potential health hazards by <br />causing lung, eye and/or skin irritation. <br />• The road has been used as an illegal trash dumping site, which will probably continue if <br />the road remains open. <br />Access/Parking <br />• It is a duplicate road. Randolph Road is parallel road that is less than a 1/2 mile away. <br />Patrons of the adjacent private school, which also has access to Randolph Road, are the <br />main use of Pickett Road. <br />• The NCDOT might not permit parking along this public road. <br />Page 1 of 2 <br />25 <br />