Agenda - 06-12-2007-sl - Laserfiche WebLink

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increased safety at a dangerous intersection, as well as providing an additional safe crossing point of Smith Level for bicyclists and pedestrians. 6 Enforce speed limits. Improve Access for Non - Vehicular Traffic The best strategy for reducing the volume of traffic along any road is to provide safe, attractive, and easily accessible alternatives to single occupancy motorized vehicles. Every one of the citizens who attended the public meeting on May 20 expressed their desire for children to be able to walk or bicycle to school. An equally strong desire was expressed for maintaining the rural character of Smith Level Road and its surrounding neighborhoods. Adopt the section of Smith Level Road from Culbreth to 15 -501 and from 15 -501 to Old Lystra Road as part of Carrboro and Chapel Hill's bicycle plan. The Mountains to the Sea Bicycle route currently runs from Bowden Road (Orange County) to Jones Ferry to South Greensboro St to Culbreth Road to Mt Carmel Church Road. While maintaining the Mountains to the Sea Bicycle route in its current location, an additional local bike route could be added to follow Smith Level Road to 15 -501 and over to Old Lystra connecting back to the Mountains to the Sea route at Mt Carmel. The Performance Bicycles headquarters lies along this route and many of their employees commute back and forth along Smith Level Road. 2. Extend and line the shoulders from Rock Haven to Smith Level. Extended shoulders are a viable short-term approach to improving bicycle access since DOT does not have any formal right -of -ways along the southern portion of Smith Level Road. However, DOT can pave an additional two (2) feet in easement areas that they have historically maintained. The additional benefit of adding Smith Level and Old Lystra (see #1 above) to the local bicycle plan is that extended shoulders could be added during DOT's next scheduled repaving, at no or lower cost to local governments through DOT's policy of supporting road enhancements that facilitate multi -modal transportation. Other possible, funding resources for implementing this recommendation are the Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) an Secondary Road Construction Funds, as well as spot safety funds. 3. Add a multi -use path along one side of Smith Level from Ray Road to 15 -501. OWASA has stated that such an addition would not have a negative impact on the watershed. This is a long -term proposal and would require time and funds for acquiring right -of -way. 4. Explore landowner compacts (secured easements) to provide a right -of -way or public trail /greenway access for pedestrians and bicyclists from 15 -501 to the high school. An informal, but much used, trail through university property runs from Heritage Hills to Damascus Church Road. A review of the Carrboro Page 6 of 8