Council reviews draft Comprehensive Transportation Plan update; debate centers on connectivity, bikeways and funding

Town staff and consultants presented an update to Morrisville's Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP), laying out updated roadway cross sections, a universe of 146 project concepts and a draft prioritization framework intended to align local priorities with regional funding processes.

Transportation Project Manager Brett Martin and Kimley-Horn consultants described proposed changes from the 2019 plan: narrower lane widths in some cross sections with added on-road bike lanes or sidepaths, a new center-turn lane concept for Church Street, access-management and median proposals for NC 54, greenway extensions (including Sawmill Creek and links to RTP), added smart-shuttle node candidates and several proposed regional transit and bus rapid transit alignments. Staff also presented a proposed connector tying Town Hall Drive to the planned NC 885 tollway extension and asked the council whether to carry that connector forward as a concept.

Council members broadly supported improved multimodal connectivity but raised repeated questions about three topics: (1) the difference between conceptual projects and those with committed/identified funding, (2) how cross-section choices (for example, 5-foot vs. 6-foot sidewalks, sidepaths versus on-road bike lanes) will affect right-of-way and future development, and (3) whether projects such as the Triangle Bikeway should remain on the map while unfunded.

Staff said many projects on the draft map are conceptual and unfunded; some corridor-level designs (Mooresville Parkway intersection improvements) have 65% design completed and are candidates for Safe Streets for All grant funding. The proposed prioritization framework attempts to blend local goals (safety, multimodal connectivity) with SPOT and local allocation project criteria so projects will be competitive for state and regional grants. Staff said the public engagement survey is open through April and results and a proposed prioritization (with proposed weightings) will return to council in June.

Council asked staff to provide a clearer, color-coded delta between the 2019 CTP and the draft update, to highlight which projects are committed/funded versus conceptual, and to show traffic-count comparisons that were used in the existing-conditions assessment. Several council members urged stronger emphasis on continuous, protected bike facilities or sidepaths that provide low-stress routes for children and families.

Staff said next steps include running engagement results into the evaluation matrix, returning with prioritized results in June and coordinating with regional partners where funding or network continuity is at issue. Council did not vote on the plan tonight; formal adoption is expected later in the process after additional public input and Planning & Zoning Board review.