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NCDOT’s Division Director Offers Road Report
October 18, 2006
On Wednesday morning, Jonathan Nance, district engineer for the Department of Transportation’s District 5, was the guest speaker at an open meeting of the Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce’s government affairs committee.
During his address, Nance gave the following update on several area road projects:
* The third section of the N.C. 98 bypass will begin in 2008
* A bridge on Jones Dairy Road will be replaced in December 2008
* A bridge on Burlington Mill Road will be replaced in January 2008
* The City of Raleigh is taking the lead on the Falls of the Neuse project to widen the road and extend it across the Neuse River to meet New Falls of Neuse in Wakefield. Construction should start in 2011.
Nance also reported that the DOT has received several compliments from area residents concerning the new bridge built over Richland Creek on Stadium Road, which opened in August. This was one of two projects locally that finished on time – the other was the second section of the bypass.
In his address, Nance also alluded to some of the resurfacing projects in progress including South Main Street (U.S. 1-A) from Capital Boulevard to Ligon Mill Road. The patching for that project began Wednesday morning.
Mayor Vivian Jones also announced during the meeting that the town is trying to work with the Triangle Transportation Authority (TTA) toward getting a commuter bus established from Raleigh to Wake Forest.
Patching along South Main Street
October 18, 2006
Motorists experienced delays on South Main Street (US 1-A) from Rogers Road to the NC 98 bypass as work crews temporarily reduced the section to one lane. The lane closure were necessary so crews could patch the road. The patching of South Main Street precedes the much-anticipated resurfacing project, which is expected to commence in the next several days.
Stadium Drive is Now Open
August 24, 2006
Closed since early April, Stadium Drive re-opened on schedule Thursday morning complete with a new three-lane bridge and sidewalk.
South Main Street Re-Paving Delayed...Again
August 21, 2006
The re-paving of S. Main Street has again been delayed. The NCDOT project – which was awarded to Rea Contracting Company - was expected to commence during the week of June 25. The DOT then reported that the “drop dead” date or the absolute latest date work would begin, was August 10.
Why the delays? According to the assistant resident engineer, South Main Street is but one part of a bigger, county-wide resurfacing contract that also involves road patching. The DOT has shut down the patching operation because Rea had “overextended themselves” and had done a lot more patching than the resurfacing crews could cover.
Since Rea has failed to meet the schedule it gave the DOT, there is no way of knowing when the work along South Main Street will actually begin.
Stadium Drive Bridge Opening on Schedule
August 21, 2006
The assistant resident engineer on the Stadium Drive bridge project reports that Stadium Drive bridge is finished, except for the railing. NCDOT expects to repave the section this week, and then finish minor dress up grading and seeding. DOT officials say this project is on schedule to be finished on or around August 24.
Traffic Signal Issues On South Main Street
August 3, 2006
Motorists traveling north along South Main Street during peak traffic flow conditions in the morning or in the afternoon may have noticed significant delays.
According to the NCDOT, there is a problem with the traffic signal control equipment. Steve Johnson, NCDOT Division Traffic Engineer, said the contractor hopes to have completed repairs to the equipment by Thursday afternoon.
Ligon Mill Road Closed at Railroad Crossing July 24 - 28
July 20, 2006
Ligon Mill Road will be closed at the railroad crossing located between South Main Street and Burlington Mills Road from Monday, July 24 through Friday, July 28 in order for work crews to make improvements at the crossing. Motorists traveling along Ligon Mill Road should follow the detour signs.
South Main Street Re-Paving Update
July 11, 2006
NCDOT officials say the re-paving of South Main Street, scheduled to begin the week of June 25, has been postponed until late July or early August. South Main Street, which is a NCDOT-maintained road, is one of several roads in northern Wake County scheduled to be re-paved. According to Steve Leonard, NCDOT Resident Engineer, crews are working in the Wakefield area and not expected to be finished until later this month. Leonard says work along South Main Street will get underway once the Wakefield project is completed.
Stadium Drive Opening Still on Schedule
July 5, 2006
Despite the flooding that occurred a few weeks ago in the area where the new bridge is being constructed along Stadium Drive, NCDOT officials say the road opening remains on schedule. Stadium Drive is projected to be opened to traffic by August 24 - just in time for the new school year.
Roundabout's "Imprint" Crosswalks Installed
June 23, 2006
Contractors from Prismo, a US subsidiary of a company based in the United Kingdom, worked this week to install four, 10-foot crosswalks at the roundabout located where South Main Street meets South Avenue (NC 98).
The contractors had a distinctive international flavor as one hailed from Glasgow, Scotland, UK and the other from Durham, England, UK. These two were training American subsidiary personnel how to construct such crosswalks using a dyed, polymer asphalt. Heated to 200 degrees Celsius and laid as a liquid slurry, the crosswalks will have a “brick effect” which was stamped-on while the asphalt was still hot.
Original plans called for dyed and stamped concrete. Prismo’s method costs half of that and will last at least twice as long, which is projected to be 15 years or more.
The pictures below provide a useful overview of what was a very interesting process.
New NC 98 Bypass a Work in Progress
June 21, 2006
The section of the N.C. 98 bypass between South Main Street and Capital Boulevard is open, but Wake Forest officials say it is too early to tell how much difference it is making in regard to the traffic in the downtown area and along South Main Street.
Two things are making the impact of the new stretch of road difficult to gauge. First, traditional-calendar schools have let out for summer vacation, and second, the appropriate directional signs have not been erected. Additionally, officials say a notice board at the approach from the east indicating that NC 98 is open to Capital Boulevard has not been set up, so many travelers are not aware the bypass is open.
More Roundabouts Planned
June 21, 2006
Wake Forest officials say plans are underway for two or even three roundabouts on Franklin Street - all part of the Renaissance Plan. For now, the two that are most likely to be constructed are at East Holding Avenue and East Elm Avenue. The third would be for a not-yet-built extension of East Owen Avenue that now stops between the Wake Forest Police Station and Town Hall.
Crosswalks Installed this Week
June 21, 2006
Contractors from Prismo are working this week to install the crosswalks at the roundabout located where South Main Street meets South Avenue (NC 98).
NC 98 Bypass Set to Open Saturday
June 8, 2006
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| NCDOT Resident Engineer Eddie Bunn and Wake Forest Mayor Vivian Jones following the June 9 ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate the opening of the new section of the NC 98 bypass. | The NC 98 bypass section between US 1-A (South Main Street) and US 1 (Capital Boulevard) will open for traffic Saturday, June 10.
Wake Forest Deputy Town Manager Roe O'Donnell says he believes the new section will reduce traffic in the downtown area, particularly on South Main, and reduce travel time for commuters on NC 98 from anywhere between 50 and 75 percent.
The project, which began in early 2004, was scheduled for completion in October, but the contractor, S.T. Wooten of Wilson, completed the project early.
The final section of the bypass will connect back into NC 98 near Thompson Mill Road. NCDOT officials say they plan to award the contract for the final phase of construction in August of 2007. Construction is expected to take about two years.
South Main Street Repaving Set for Week of June 25
June 8, 2006
Weather permitting, the repaving of South Main Street (U.S. 1-A) is set to begin the week of June 25. The work will extend from US 1 (Capital Boulevard) to Friendship Chapel Road.
An NCDOT official says Rea Contracting of Charlotte will begin the initiative by patching and adjusting utilities. Crews will then repave the road and work on the road shoulders.
Stadium Drive Bridge on Schedule
June 8, 2006
Work on the bridge on Stadium Drive is on schedule. The new 40-foot-wide bridge is projected to be completed around August 23.
Front Street & Stadium Drive Enhancement Project
May 25, 2006
Work crews have removed and transplanted several trees along Front Street and Stadium Drive to accommodate new sidewalk construction. The project is being funded through a North Carolina Department of Transportation Enhancement Program (TEA-21) grant designed to improve the cultural, aesthetic and environmental aspects of North Carolina’s transportation system. The affected sections of sidewalk are part of the town’s long-range plan for sidewalk construction.
The project calls for the completion of a 480-foot long, five-foot-wide walkway along the east side of Front Street, beginning at the East Roosevelt underpass and ending at the Front Street and North Avenue intersection. In addition, a 1,200-foot long sidewalk will be constructed along the south side of West Stadium Drive beginning at North Wingate Street and ending west of Judson Drive.
Once construction of the sidewalk is completed, the Town will conclude the enhancement project by planting 21 new shade trees along Stadium Drive within an 8-foot public street tree easement.
Roundabout Update
May 19, 2006
The contractor will begin pouring the second half of the truck apron starting today (Friday, May 19). Barring unforeseen circumstances and inclement weather, the remainder of the roundabout's construction will be completed according to the following timetable:
Monday, May 22: The contractor will begin removing several sections of existing concrete and asphalt that have failed. One section is located in front of the church at the Seminary on South Avenue/Front Street and the other is an area in front of the Seminary on South Avenue. Flaggers will be redirecting traffic during demolition. This area will then be backfilled with stone overnight and repaved the next day.
Tuesday-Thursday, May 22 - 25: Work crews will begin patching excavated areas with asphalt and installing the final lift of asphalt on the roundabout and surrounding streets.
Tuesday, May 30: Work crews will install forms for the mountable islands that are before the stamped crosswalks.
Wednesday, May 31: The contractor will pour the mountable islands. Flaggers will be in roadway directing traffic.
Thursday, June 1: The contractor will begin repairing sidewalk, curb, and walls that have been damaged during construction.
Monday-Wednesday, June 5 - 7: Contractor will start imprinting the crosswalks with brick pattern. Flaggers will be positioned at all three intersections and work will be done in several phases.
Thursday, June 8: Contractor will begin landscaping inside and constructing the stacked wall inside roundabout.
NCDOT Addresses Traffic Congestion at US 1 / Galaxy Drive Intersection
May 11, 2006
Over the past couple of days, several area residents have reported significant traffic delays at the US 1 / Galaxy Drive intersection in the mornings and late afternoons. According to Steve Joyner, NCDOT Project Manager, these traffic delays stemmed from traffic signal problems that have been corrected. Joyner says traffic is now "flowing smoothly" along US 1 / Capital Boulevard.
Joyner also reports an "unusual situation" at the intersection of Retail Drive and Galaxy Drive in front of Applebee's. Vehicles in the northbound lane heading straight through the intersection (toward Target) are facing a left turn lane in the opposite direction. Vehicles in the right turn lane have a straight lane giving the false impression that the right hand turn lane is the through lane. This temporary configuration is causing confusion among motorists but will be resolved by mid-June. Until then, Joyner says vehicles in the through lane must bear slightly to the right and proceed through the intersection, whereas motorists in the right turn lane must turn right.
Finally, Joyner says lane closures for paving should be finished this week.
Roundabout Update
May 10, 2006
Work crews will pour the concrete for the inner and outer curbs of the roundabout on Wednesday, May 10. They are expected to pour the concrete for the truck apron and islands on Friday, May 12.
ST Wooten is scheduled to finish paving the roundabout on Wednesday, May 17. Prismo is expected to "stamp" the crosswalks from May 23 - 26.
Barring inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances, most of the work on the roundabout is projected to be completed by the end of May.
NC 98 Bypass - Tentative Opening Schedule
April 13, 2006
Today, the NCDOT provided the following tentative schedule for the opening of the new NC 98 Bypass at US 1:
May 8, 2006 - The contractor plans to close Retail and Galaxy Drive and complete the ramps on the north side of the interchange.
June 8, 2006 - The contractor plans to open the new NC 98 to traffic. Additional work on US 1 must be completed after the road is opened.
July 7, 2006 - Completion Date
Residents are urged to remember that the schedule is tentative and may be affected by inclement weather and other unforeseen factors.
NC 98 Bypass Update
April 12, 2006
Work crews are paving the on ramps at the US 1/NC98 bridge this week and will complete the paving of the NC 98 bypass between US 1 and US 1A around the first of May. Motorists should be aware of lane shifts and traffic control measures implemented just south of Retail Drive.
Work along the NC 98 bypass between US 1 and US 1A is 92% complete as of March 2006. The anticipated completion is mid-June 2006 – four months ahead of schedule!
Retail Drive/Galaxy Road Traffic Signal Relocation
April 12, 2006
The relocation of the Retail Drive/Galaxy Road traffic signal is scheduled for early May. The turn lanes will be moved north on US 1, so fill dirt can be brought in to build a ramp to access the NC 98 Bypass from US1 southbound.
Stadium Drive Bridge Closing – April 3 through August 24
April 6, 2006
The North Carolina Department of Transportation has awarded a contract to replace the bridge carrying Stadium Drive over Richland Creek. Consequently, the NCDOT reports that Stadium Drive will be closed from April 3 to August 24 in the vicinity of the bridge to facilitate the demolition of the existing bridge and the construction of a new three-lane bridge with sidewalk.
Traffic will be detoured according to the following NCDOT guidelines: Motorists traveling on US 1 wanting to use Stadium Drive (SR 1930) to get to Wake Forest should use the signed detour route as follows: from the intersection of Stadium Drive (SR 1930)and US 1 travel North on US 1 for 1.1 miles to the intersection of Harris Road (SR 1931). Turn Right onto Harris Road (SR 1931) and travel 1.4 miles to the intersection of US 1A/North Main Street. Turn Right onto US1A/North Main Street and travel 0.9 miles to the intersection of North Avenue turn Right onto North Avenue, which will become Stadium Drive (SR1930). Motorist wanting to use Stadium Drive (SR 1930) from Wake Forest to get to US 1 should use the signed detour as follows: Take Stadium Drive South East, which will become North Avenue to the Intersection of US1A/ North Main Street. Turn Left onto US1A/North Main Street and travel 0.9 miles to the intersection of Harris Road (SR 1931). Turn Left onto Harris Road (SR 1931) and travel 1.4 miles to the intersection of US 1. Turn left and travel south on US 1 for 1.1 miles in order to get back to Stadium Drive (SR 1930).
Click HERE to download a detour map.
US 1A / NC 98 Business Roundabout Construction Underway
April 6, 2006
If you have traveled in the vicinity of the US 1A / NC 98 Business road junction recently you probably noticed the work being done on the central island of the proposed roundabout. For the moment, the junction continues to function as a “Tee” intersection, but within one to three weeks, the contractor is expected to begin constructing the other half of the central island of the roundabout. When this happens, the junction will begin working as a roundabout with traffic yielding to vehicles already traveling within the circular portion of the intersection. The stop sign at South Main Street will be replaced with yield signs at all three legs of the new roundabout.
A roundabout is a form of intersection design and control that accommodates traffic flow in one direction around a central island, operates with yield control at the entry points, and gives priority to vehicles within the roundabout. Studies have shown that modern roundabouts restrict speeds to about 15 miles per hour (mph) for minor roadways and about 25 mph for major roadways. Slower speeds require smaller gaps in the circulating traffic for vehicles trying to enter the roundabout. This reduces delays, shortens queue lengths and reduces the threat of serious accidents. All modern roundabouts are governed by the "yield-at-entry" rule that requires all vehicles entering the roundabout to yield to traffic circulating within the roundabout. This allows the roundabout to maintain traffic flow even with high traffic volumes.
Roundabouts are able to handle higher traffic volumes than traffic signals because they allow continuous traffic flow. The only delay in entering a roundabout is the wait for a gap in the circulating traffic. As speeds are low, about 15 mph, only a small gap is necessary to move into the roundabout flow. In contrast, the sole purpose of a traffic signal is to allocate time between competing traffic streams. As time is taken from one stream, it experiences a long delay in flow. With high volume roadways, the delay brought about by the traffic signal leads to long traffic queues.
For more information about roundabouts, click HERE.
North Allen Road Sidewalk Project - Completed
April 6, 2006
Pedestrians in northeast Wake Forest, and particularly those who stroll along North Allen Road, will find it easier and safer to get around now that the North Allen Road sidewalk project has been completed. The project was proposed in the late 1990s but encountered delays due to a lack of funding. A partnership between the Town of Wake Forest, the NCDOT, and the Wake County Housing and Community Revitalization resulted in the allocation of funds and a contract was awarded in early 2005. The long-awaited project officially got underway in the fall of 2005.
In addition to the construction of the walkway, which extends along North Allen Road from Juniper Avenue to the intersection of Wait Avenue (NC 98), the project included the widening and resurfacing of North Allen Road, as well as the addition of new curb and gutter. The sidewalk is expected to improve pedestrian safety by separating pedestrian traffic from vehicular traffic. It will also serve as a link to other sidewalks in the northeastern part of town by connecting with the Juniper Avenue sidewalk which extends along Juniper past Allen Road to Ailey Young Park.
Planning Director Chip Russell says future plans call for the construction of a sidewalk from North White Street from East Juniper north to Flaherty Park.
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