Agenda - 05-15-1990 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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