By Susan Dickson
Staff Writer
CARRBORO – Jones Ferry Road could become safer for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists if the N.C. Department of Transportation moves forward with a plan to improve the corridor endorsed by the Carrboro Board of Aldermen on Tuesday.
“We do have a safety problem in this corridor, as we all know,†town transportation planner Jeff Brubaker said. “This is a real opportunity to improve what is one of the least-safe corridors in the town.â€
Brubaker said town staff has been working with NCDOT to develop a concept plan to improve the corridor, which they will use to apply for Spot Safety Program funding for the project. At its widest section, Jones Ferry has six lanes, including turning lanes and channelized right-turn lanes. In addition, a number of pedestrians cross Jones Ferry to access the bus stop in front of Abbey Court or to patronize the convenience store and gas station on the corner of Davie Road, but there is no crosswalk. The Abbey Court bus stop has the highest ridership of any stop in Carrboro, with 660 daily riders.
According to Brubaker, there were 20 reported crashes and two serious injuries at the intersection of Jones Ferry and Davie roads over a five-year period from 2006 to 2011.
The plan proposes reducing the number of through vehicle lanes and adding medians, crosswalks and bike lanes. It also would replace the center turn lanes at Davie Road, Alabama Avenue and the N.C. 54 bypass with left-turn bays.
In addition, the plan proposes adding sidewalks along Jones Ferry, but the funding would likely need to be provided by the town, since Spot Safety funding is capped at $250,000, Brubaker said.
The board first reviewed the plan in March. Alabama Avenue residents had questioned whether the addition of the medians would create turnaround traffic on Alabama Avenue from motorists exiting the gas station at Davie Road onto Jones Ferry to travel east. However, Brubaker said that because motorists can use the gas station’s Davie Road exit to make a left turn and travel east on Jones Ferry, they would be unlikely to use Alabama Avenue as a turnaround, since that would be more time consuming.
Board member Lydia Lavelle suggested that signage be added within the gas station parking lot to direct drivers traveling east on Jones Ferry to exit via Davie Road.
NCDOT has indicated they will apply for Spot Safety funds for the project this month.
In other business on Tuesday, Carrboro Public Works Director George Seiz told the board that the health of a mature post oak on Greensboro Street across from the Carrboro Century Center has deteriorated such that the tree must be removed. Testing on the tree found that it is mostly hollow and unsafe, Seiz said.