Town staff proposes two-way cycle track on Northeast Parkway during resurfacing; commissioners raise safety and usage questions

Town engineering staff proposed adding a two-way, north-side cycle track on Northeast Parkway during a planned resurfacing, saying the change would create continuous bicycle connectivity north of I-74 and be far less costly than widening sidewalks.

“Since we're already repaving Northeast Parkway, we can very quickly implement this as opposed to… a $3,000,000 project,” town engineer Susan (presenting) said, noting the restripe would cost roughly $225,000 versus an estimated $3 million to build a full 10-foot side path. The plan would reduce the current five 12-foot travel lanes to four 11-foot lanes, add a two-way protected curb lane for bicycles on the north edge, retain the center two-way left-turn lane, and use vertical delineators and green pavement markings to separate cyclists from traffic.

Susan told the board that current traffic counts (2022) show about 6,900 vehicles per day on Northeast Parkway and that North Carolina Department of Transportation forecasting for 2045 projects up to about 16,800 vehicles per day — a level she said would still be compatible with a three-lane cross-section in each direction with turn lanes in many scenarios. She said the proposal would knit together existing nearby paths and greenways and would immediately link roughly three miles of bicycle facilities north of I-74 if implemented.

Several commissioners raised operational and safety concerns. Commissioner Mark Tufano said the road’s curving alignments and local turning patterns create “choke points” and questioned whether a single westbound travel lane would reliably handle peak flows; Susan replied that the plan preserves a left-turn lane and that current volumes are well below the threshold where a five-lane section is necessary. Commissioner Ken McCool and others asked whether restriping would reduce vehicle speeds; Susan said narrower lanes typically calm traffic and that the green two-way cycle track and vertical separators have been used elsewhere to increase cyclist comfort.

Commissioner John Urban and others asked about usage data; Susan said staff intends to perform before-and-after counts and cited past town projects where bicycle and pedestrian use increased after improvements. Several board members also asked whether the proposal would be part of the town’s resurfacing contract and when construction could happen; staff replied the resurfacing work is in the upcoming contract and that marking could be implemented as part of that work, pending the board’s direction.

No formal board vote occurred on June 23. Staff said this presentation will be used to refine design and to coordinate the striping with the resurfacing contract and with public outreach and monitoring.