Apex staff previews July 8 work session, sidewalk map updates and transportation budget; several projects not included

Town planning staff told the Multimodal Transportation Advisory Board on May 13 they plan to use a July 8 work session as a mid‑point touchstone for the Peak Plan 2055 transportation element and to collect board input on consultant work.

Shannon Cox, the town’s long‑range planning manager, said the July 8 session would be set as a work session with the consultant and that staff prefers an interactive working format. After board debate the meeting will proceed as a work session but will include a public comment period and livestream availability.

Planner Jenna presented the annual sidewalk needs map update. Changes included removal of constructed facilities, updates to facility types and road classifications, refreshed preliminary engineering and construction cost estimates for CIP requests, and a new scoring criterion that awards additional points to sidewalk projects one‑quarter mile or shorter to reflect feasibility. The map now incorporates existing and proposed bus stops and Go Apex ridership in its scoring.

During Q&A a resident flagged a missing curb cut connecting the new Saunders Street parking lot (across from the police department) to the existing sidewalk and crosswalk. Staff said a stairwell is planned for that location and agreed to connect the resident with the project manager to explore whether an accessible ramp or curb cut can be added.

Shannon then reviewed transportation items in the manager’s recommended budget. Included items cited were annual Go Apex bus‑stop improvements (route 1), new bus stop construction for modified routes, pavement management, Apex Peakway North acquisition (design/acquisition phase), two railroad crossing improvements, Jesse Drive Phase 1, intersection design funds at Apex Peakway and Tingen, and funding sources that may include the previously approved bond referendum, POW maintenance funds and Wake Transit CFAP. Not included at this point were certain sidewalk projects (Wimberly Road), the S‑Line mobility hub phase one, some crosswalk beacon replacements, and signal equipment purchases. Council input may still shift some items (for example, the Richardson Road/Core Banks signal has been requested for consideration in FY26–27).

Staff said operational funding for Go Apex remains in the proposed manager’s budget at roughly $1.5 million and that the number covers door‑to‑door paratransit, fixed routes and marketing/outreach; staff agreed to provide a line‑item breakdown on request. A May 28 public hearing was identified as a next opportunity for public input to the town council on the manager’s proposed budget.

Staff committed to returning to the advisory board with more detailed cost breakdowns and follow‑up on specific project timing and feasibility.