Orange County NC Website
r <br />Comments: Residents of the Stoneridge and Sedgefield subdivisions located on the north <br />and south sides of Whitfield Road have voiced concern and opposition to the upgrading <br />of the classification of Whitfield Road to a major thoroughfare and the construction of <br />the connector to Eubanks Road. The residents feel that this designation would result in <br />increased traffic volumes and speeds, as well as future widening of the road. This would <br />separate the neighborhoods which share a common recreation facility and owners <br />association and pose a hazard to pedestrians. <br />Response: Whitfield Road by virtue of its location currently serves as the major carrier <br />of internal travel in this area. Changing the designation from major to minor <br />thoroughfare administratively would have no effect on the actual traffic on Whitfield <br />Road, however connecting it to Eubanks Road as part of a circumferential route would <br />result in a small increase in volumes. An increase of 10% by 2010 is projected. This <br />increase would not warrant any widening or other upgrading of Whitfield Road during <br />the study period. , it is recommended that the designation of Whitfield Road remain a <br />major thoroughfare and the Eubanks Road connector be eliminated from the plan as <br />originally proposed. <br />Residents need to be reassured that the designation of the road on the plan as a major <br />thoroughfare does not mean that it will be widened now or in the future unless traffic <br />volumes grow at an unanticipated high rate. The designation of Whitfield Road as a <br />thoroughfare would allow for necessary safety improvements, such as widening of <br />shoulders or the construction of sidewalks. <br />PROPOSED UNC ROADWAY CHANGES <br />Comments: Many of the roadway changes included in the draft UNC Land Use Plan <br />affect the thoroughfare system. The proposed UNC roadway changes should be included <br />in the regional transportation model and the effects of those changes analyzed. <br />Response: Many elements of the proposed UNC Land Use Plan, particularly those <br />involving roadway modifications are still being considered by the University. A joint <br />committee of representatives from the University, Chapel Hill, and Carrboro has been <br />formed to consider a wide range of Town/University issues. it is anticipated that this <br />committee will consider thoroughfare related issues within the tier few months. in order <br />to give this committee an opportunity to make a recommendation concerning the <br />thoroughfare modifications related to the UNC Land Use Plan, none of the proposed <br />changes have been included in this revision of the thoroughfare plan- The thoroughfare <br />plan may be revised at a later date to incorporate any UNC related changes. <br />2.10 <br />