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Council briefed on NCDOT pedestrian-safety lane reduction for S. 16th Street
Summary
City staff described a proposed NCDOT pedestrian-safety project to reduce travel lanes on South 16th Street for one block to shorten crossing distances; staff said requests came from residents and businesses and the city was asked to concur with the DOT-led project.
City staff told the council that the North Carolina Department of Transportation is seeking the city's concurrence on a pedestrian-safety project to reduce lanes on South 16th Street from Castle through Queen Street.
A council member asked how the proposal originated and how the city plans to build public support. "We've gotten a lot of requests from residents in the area and the business owners in the area about feeling uncomfortable crossing 16th Street," a staff member said, adding that curb extensions would shorten pedestrian crossings and reduce travel lanes for one block.
Staff said the change effectively extends the current two‑lane section of 16th Street by one block; 17th Street will not change and will remain three lanes. Council members raised questions about traffic flow near the hospital and where motorists merge toward Market Street, asking how to explain the change to residents who have long seen three lanes in parts of the corridor.
Why it matters: staff framed the measure as a pedestrian-safety improvement on a heavily traveled corridor and said it responds to resident and business concerns. The resolution to support the DOT lane reduction was listed on the agenda (R1); council briefing did not include a formal vote. The project is NCDOT-led and the city is being asked for concurrence, not to lead construction.
Council members asked staff about outreach and whether the DOT had already engaged community groups; staff said the project is primarily a DOT project and the city was asked to provide concurrence.
