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Cary officials propose striping, radar signs and patrols for Decker Drive traffic calming
Summary
Following resident complaints about speeding on Decker Drive, staff proposed lane‑narrowing striping, a bike lane, no‑parking designation on one side, and additional radar signs; trustees directed staff to include striping in this year’s program and to monitor results.
Village staff presented traffic study results and a package of low‑cost traffic calming measures for Decker Drive at the Committee of the Whole meeting on May 20 after residents raised speeding and safety concerns.
Staff said a September 2024 speed study showed 85th‑percentile speeds of about 31.6–32 mph at two measured locations and average speeds for cars and trucks above the posted 25 mph limit. "Right now, the average speed is 30 miles an hour and 80 fifth percentile is 34 miles per hour," Chief Finland said during the meeting.
The proposed first phase includes pavement markings to narrow travel lanes, a five‑foot bike lane, a nine‑foot parking lane on one side with the east side designated no‑parking from East Main Street to Claire Lane, installation of speed radar feedback signs and continued directed patrols by police. Staff said striping would be done through the annual CIP pavement‑marking program and that two new radar signs are budgeted this year.
Staff and trustees discussed other options residents raised, including stop signs, speed bumps and weight limits. Public works staff noted the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), administered by the Federal Highway Administration, discourages using stop signs for general speed control; Director Noonan and village staff said installing stop signs solely for speed control could increase legal and liability risks. Several residents urged more enforcement, weight restrictions for heavy trucks and expanded measures extending to Montana Drive and toward 3 Oaks Road.
Residents who spoke included longtime neighborhood homeowners and parents who said children walk to 3 Oaks school. Suggestions from the public included temporary or permanent speed bumps, additional radar signs placed to capture data near 3 Oaks, and clearer crosswalk markings. Trustees generally supported starting with striping, deploying two radar signs and monitoring cloud‑based radar data to direct patrols; staff will return with contract or agenda items for approval and cost breakdowns for individual components if requested.
No formal policy change was adopted; trustees directed staff to proceed with the proposed striping and radar sign purchases in the current budget and to monitor results before pursuing additional infrastructure changes.
