During a recent town meeting in Apex, resident Don Casalino raised concerns regarding the planning and transportation department's oversight of secondary roads, specifically highlighting safety issues and traffic data that he believes should not be ignored in future planning decisions.

Casalino presented data indicating that twelve secondary roads, marked in purple on a provided map, have been excluded from zoning considerations. He emphasized the importance of including these roads in safety analyses, citing a troubling record of 60 accidents involving 104 vehicles over the past five years, resulting in an estimated $637,200 in damages. Fortunately, there have been no fatalities reported in this area, and Casalino stressed the need to maintain this safety record.

He pointed out a recent success story where the installation of warning signs at the intersection of Bosco Road led to a significant reduction in accidents, with crashes on 11 out of the 12 secondary roads dropping to zero. This positive outcome underscores the importance of data-driven decisions in traffic safety.

Casalino also noted that Peak Landing, a key area of concern, has not undergone any engineering traffic studies, which he finds surprising given the volume of traffic reported in a November 2023 investigation by Russell Dalton. The study indicated that over 13,000 vehicles travel on Old 1, a secondary road, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive traffic assessments in the area.

The discussions at the meeting reflect a growing awareness of the critical role that secondary roads play in community safety and the necessity for thorough planning that includes all relevant data.