March 20, 2008 issue
DOT: Traffic Light at Highway 105 and Poplar Hill “Unwarranted”
Improvements Planned for the Highways 321/221 and 105 Intersection
Story by Kathleen McFadden
In early January, Boone Mayor Loretta Clawson sent a letter to NCDOT Division Engineer Mike Pettyjohn requesting a number of roadway enhancements in Boone to address safety issues.
Among the mayor’s requests were the reduction of the speed limit on Highway 105 from 45 to 35 mph, the installation of a traffic light at Poplar Hill Road, reevaluation of the speed limits on all DOT-maintained roads within the town and the addition or maintenance of crosswalks at all major state-maintained roadway intersections, including the following:
• Highways 421 and 194
• Highway 421 and University Village/New Market Boulevard
• Highways 421 and 105
• Highway 105 and State Farm Road
• Highways 105 and 321
• Highway 321 and Shadowline Road
• Highway 321 and Boone Heights Drive
• Highway 321 and Deerfield Road
• All intersections along King Street and Rivers Street
DOT Division Traffic Engineer Dean Ledbetter responded to Clawson’s letter on February 11, explaining that the DOT reduced the speed limit on Highway 105 at the mayor’s request, but adding that the DOT had “determined that the installation of a traffic signal at the intersection of NC 105 and Poplar Hills Drive is unwarranted.”
Ledbetter wrote that any additional DOT recommendations for changes to Highway 105 would be made in light of proposed future development and ASU’s proposed new roadway. DOT has not yet received the traffic impact analysis for the proposed development at the intersection of NC 105 and Poplar Grove Road, he continued, and once DOT has gathered the necessary data, DOT officials will present long-term recommendations to the town.
The good news is that DOT has received funding for installing new wheelchair ramps and crosswalks on all legs of the intersection of Highways 221/321 and Highway 105.
However, Ledbetter wrote that town staff should discuss the other intersections Clawson asked the DOT to address with him on a case-by-case basis.
“The decision to install crosswalks must be based on specific needs, not simply on a desire to create a ‘pedestrian-friendly environment’ or to ‘enhance safety,’” Ledbetter wrote. “Improperly placed crosswalks neither increase pedestrian volumes nor improve pedestrian safety. The often only create a feeling of safety and can be harmful by giving pedestrians a false sense of security.”
Ledbetter concluded the letter by writing that he is not aware of any roadways within the town where he feels the speed limits are inappropriate, but added that if town staff is aware of locations with specific problems, he will evaluate their concerns.
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