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17 <br /> None of these alternatives provided sufficient roadway capacity to meet the needs of the <br /> projected traffic demand. Additionally, the staff felt that these alternatives were more <br /> disruptive to the adjacent neighborhoods and University buildings than the recommended <br /> alternative. <br /> Comments: During the public meeting process following the release of the draft report, <br /> citizens questioned the need for the Pittsboro Street Extension. Many encouraged the <br /> Town to explore alternate means of moving individuals along the Columbia Street <br /> corridor, including increased use of the public transportation system. Comments were <br /> received concerning the impact in the existing Northside neighborhood and the Town <br /> Center area. Residents along Pittsboro Street were critical of the existing one-way pairing <br /> with Columbia Street,citing increased traffic volumes and traffic speeds between Cameron <br /> Avenue and South Columbia Street. Members of the various fraternities and sororities <br /> were concerned about the impact on the "Frat Court" area and the possible destruction <br /> of additional structures. <br /> Response: Various alternatives to the adopted Pittsboro Street Extension have been <br /> analyzed by the staff, in addition to the numerous alternatives that have been considered <br /> since the thoroughfare was first recommended in 1959. The alternatives to the Pittsboro <br /> Street Extension and the analysis findings are described below. <br /> 1. Widen Columbia Street to six lanes and allow two-way traffic. Do not construct <br /> the Pittsboro.Street Extension. <br /> Daily traffic on Columbia Street will increase from 150% to 200% at some <br /> locations, if it serves as the only main north-south route through Chapel Hill and <br /> UNC. A six lane, two-way facility cannot accommodate those volumes. The <br /> capacity of a six lane arterial street is approximately 35-40,000 vehicles per day. <br /> The capacity of a roadway represents the number of vehicles that can reasonably <br /> be expected to traverse one point during a 24-hour period. <br /> This widening would be more damaging to businesses and University buildings,and <br /> .would present a significant barrier to the thousands of pedestrians which cross <br /> daily. <br /> 2. Construct Pittsboro Street Extension to Rosemary Street and improve the Rosemary <br /> • Street and Columbia Street intersection. Implement one-way pairing of Columbia <br /> Street and Pittsboro Street. <br /> Projections indicate that 34,000 vehicles per day would make the right turn <br /> movement from Airport Road onto Rosemary Street. The existing intersection <br /> configuration could not support near this number of vehicles. Extensive <br /> reconstruction would be necessary that would include converting Rosemary Street <br /> 2.12 <br />