Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Pedestrian Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
After pedestrian death, Pittsboro asks DOT for faster action on Sanford Road lighting and crossings
Summary
Board members pressed staff to accelerate safety improvements on Sanford Road after a recent pedestrian fatality; staff told the board NCDOT will review encroachment and crossing options and Pike Engineering is finalizing designs.
Board members asked staff to fast‑track lighting and pedestrian safety work on Sanford Road after a recent fatal pedestrian crash.
Town staff said Pike Engineering has finalized design and will submit an encroachment package to N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT). "Pike had originally said they thought that was gonna take 6 months. So we we spoke with DOT to make sure that was gonna be fast tracked," a town staff member said, adding DOT indicated encroachment review for this minor project could take two to three weeks.
Staff said the primary delay has been procuring light poles and fixtures; they also described additional short‑term options NCDOT will analyze, including rapid‑flashing beacon signs at crossings, targeted landscaping, a mid‑block crossing, or a four‑way stop at Chatham Street. The town reported Chatham County offered to assist because some proposed landscaping changes are on county property.
"They are going to analyze some of those at sea. And those include a 4 way stop at Chatham Street, a mid block crossing, which is very unlikely, but still an option," staff said. Commissioners expressed support for rapid‑flashing signs and landscaping changes and skepticism about four‑way stops.
The board also asked police to consider additional enforcement options near the corridor while engineering and DOT review proceed.
Ending: Staff said they will press the engineer and DOT to expedite review and look for opportunities to accelerate procurement of lighting fixtures; the board requested periodic updates to track progress.
