Agenda - 04-21-1992 - Laserfiche WebLink

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-A S SOCIATES;° INC.: r. WHITE 8 . LA - ND USE PLANNING AND DESIGN. . HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. (919) 732 -8528 To: Gene Sell, Planner III From: Wendy Olson, Chair, Orange County TAS Re: Comments concerning the widening of NC 86 from Homestead Road to I -40. Date: 17 April 1992 My comments will focus primarily, but not entirely, on the human environmental impacts of this project and how these road improvements can be a positive change. The safety and convenience of pedestrians and bicyclists as well as motorists concerns me in relation to the proposed alternatives to the widening of NC 86. The land along this stretch of road is rapidly becoming urbanized, mainly for residential purposes. There is already a bus route along this road and pedestrian and bicycle use will continue to increase. For pedestrians and bicyclists, the five lane curb and gutter alternative would be the least desirable. Five lanes of heavily traveled roadway are difficult and sometimes impossible for people to cross. Their safety along the road side would continue to be compromised because the normal curb height of 6" often will not stop or deflect a vehicle that is out of control. Such a situation may become more likely because motorists will also be more prone to speed if the road is the visual equivalent of a freeway. A curbed and guttered road is also less safe for bicyclists because of the trash and debris they must avoid that becomes trapped along the edge. I am assuming that the two alternatives with medians will have grassed swales along the outside edges of the roadway. These swales would have two positive impacts. First, they would be effective protection for pedestrians if the swales are placed between the road and walkway. Second, they would be more efficient at trapping pollutants that accumulate in the runoff from the road surface. These protections may be worth the increased cost of maintenance. Medians provide several positive effects if they are designed and used correctly. They offer a safe island for pedestrians crossing the road and provide space for trees whose shade mitigates the heat and glare of additional pavement. Well designed medians would also encourage slower and safer traffic speeds by visually narrowing the roadway. A twelve foot median width would be just as effective for these purposes ac the wider ones proposed and would have fewer negative impacts on adjacent properties. Please give these environmental aspects of widening NC 86 your serious consideration. These improvements and the provision for bus transit along this road would help to humanize this transportation corridor and encourage the use of alternative transportation, rather than stifling intentions in that direction. Thank you for this opportunity to comment on this matter. N.B. White and Assoc., Inc. 228 S. Churton St., Hillsborough, N.C. 27278. (919) 732 -8528.