Transportation committee backs Salem Road traffic-calming concept, recommends public outreach

The Fayetteville Transportation Committee voted to recommend that city staff advance a traffic-calming and bicycle facility concept for Salem Road and seek public input. Staff presented traffic counts and design concepts showing Salem north of Timberline carries roughly 2,000 vehicles per day and average speeds near 31 mph.

Staff presented a 27-foot cross section concept that would reallocate roadway width to provide a 7-foot northbound bike lane and a shared travel lane for southbound cyclists through the curve, and suggested the Micah intersection as a candidate for a small traffic circle to calm speeds. "So this is the cross section that we came up with where...we could do a 7 foot bike lane on 1 side and just reallocate the space a little bit," staff said during the presentation.

Committee members discussed trade-offs, including the likely removal of some on-street parking and the need for resident outreach. Council member Hirk and other members emphasized outreach and noted the street crosses multiple residential blocks and serves families, students and wheelchair users. Staff said the concept aims to improve safety by narrowing vehicle lanes, adding a protected uphill bike lane on the northbound side, and using shared-lane treatments where appropriate.

The committee made a motion recommending the city proceed with the traffic-calming design and public outreach; a second was made and the motion carried by voice vote. Committee members also suggested a robust outreach process and expressed willingness to participate in neighborhood engagement.

Why it matters: Salem Road is on the city's high-injury network and committee members said the corridor experiences frequent pedestrian and bicycle interactions with vehicles. The proposed reallocation of lane width and small-traffic-circle options aim to slow traffic and provide a clearer, safer facility for cyclists and people using mobility devices.

Next steps: Staff will proceed with public engagement and further design work, refine pavement markings and consider modular separators for short segments; any construction will follow engineering design and permitting processes, including coordination with state right-of-way as applicable.