How would you fix WF traffic?

A reader, George Buccigrossi, asked: What are your plans for better traffic flow and where would you concentrate? I am going to rephrase his question to ask the following:

** Do you have a plan or an idea to improve traffic flow? If so, what is it?

** The major roads/streets in Wake Forest are owned and maintained by the state Department of Transportation. How would you work with your fellow commissioners and the town manager and staff to apply the updated transportation plan that is due to be adopted this fall to improve the traffic challenges the town faces now and will face in the future? Those challenges include “hot spots,” intersections on state-owned roads where there need to be remedies.

** Did you attend the public meeting about the update for the comprehensive transportation plan? Have you seen anything about the update if you did not attend? Have you read the current transportation plan?

** Would you be in favor of all proposed developments having a traffic study included and why? (The town pays for the traffic study.) Would you question the traffic study for such things as far fewer trips to and from a day care than the enrollment?

**How would you handle the limitations and obstacles created by state laws that govern how much a local municipality like Wake Forest can require from a proposed development?

** Are you aware of the major road changes in the near future? DOT plans to build a traffic bridge over the CSX rail line on Rogers Road starting in 2020 (if that date holds) that will turn all of Rogers from South Main Street to just beyond the Heritage Lake Road/Forestville Road intersection to five lanes.

Also, before Holding Village can get a permit for its 401^st housing unit – the subdivision has about 215 homes now and planned apartments will add substantially to that total – the developer has to complete the extension of South Franklin Street from its dead end in a former pasture to the N.C. 98 Bypass. That will totally change the traffic patterns on Rogers Road and South Main Street.

Another smaller possibility is to extend Rogers Branch Road across a future commercial site to meet Forestville Road at the traffic signal for Foundation Drive, the entrance to Heritage High School. Foundation Drive then could be extended across Smith Creek and a town-owned natural area to reach Ligon Mill Road.

** What other streets do you see as needed?

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The Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a candidates’ forum Tuesday, Oct. 22, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Renaissance Centre. All seven candidates will be at the event during which they will have three to five minutes for a position statement followed by a moderated question and answer period. Afterward there will be a informal meet and greet session with the town residents who attend.

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Election Day for the November Wake Forest municipal elections is Nov. 5 with polls open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. There is no early voting for Wake Forest elections, and you do not have to show an ID to vote in this election.

If you are not registered to vote, the deadline to do so is Oct. 11. You can register to vote online by going to www.wakegov.com, choosing Board of Elections on the first page and Register to Vote on the second. While there you can learn all the other locations in Wake County where you can register.

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Heather Loftin Holding

Transportation is one of the hottest topics and most contentious in our town these days. I believe that infrastructure development requires a long-term approach and philosophy. And often, it requires quite a bit of patience.

As most everyone agrees, the current infrastructure is in need of improvement, but unfortunately we’re somewhat at the mercy of the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the NC State Legislature.

I believe that as Commissioners we can strongly, constantly advocate for the Town’s needed projects.

My growth philosophy is to take each situation on a case by case basis and the same philosophy would apply to transportation issues.

Some of the transportation plan’s priorities and the DOT’s priorities will create major headaches in the short-term, but will make our infrastructure better for the long-term.

I’ve read the new comprehensive transportation plan and am excited to see many of the proposed improvements become reality—especially the additional greenways and bike paths for our community.

Anne Reeve

(Commissioner Anne Reeve did not answer last week’s questions because she was out of town due to the death of a dear friend.)

We are currently finishing the updated Comprehensive Transportation Plan. It should be voted on in the near future. The CTP identifies several intersections that will need updating soon.

However, one of our obstacles in making improvements is NCDOT. They have put a hold on over 900 road projects state wide. Four are in WF…1) Rogers Rd/CSX overpass and widening; 2) bridge on Ligon Mill Rd; 3) Capital Blvd widening (all 5 phases); 4) Upgrades to our signal system. DOT says they are out of funds to all of these projects. Without the financial assistance from DOT we will not be able to move forward immediately.

I have served on the Transportation Plan Committee for 2002, 2010 and 2018-19. With the updated CTP which also includes bikes and greenways, we will have a clearer vision about what we can and can’t do.

Traffic impact studies are always a good tool in reviewing developments. However, the project needs to meet a certain criteria to warrant a study.

It isn’t just state laws, but our own UDO regulations that can be adverse to developments.

Holding Village connecting to Dr. Calvin Jones Hwy (aka:98 bypass) will have a great impact on traffic on Rogers Rd and S. Main St. Alternate routes helps move traffic.

Rogers Branch Rd will connect to Forestville at Foundation Dr. You will see this on the CTP soon. Foundation Drive widening will provide access to the 88 acres of open/park space that the Town is currently reviewing.

Everyone complains about traffic, not accepting the fact they are part of the traffic problem. It isn’t the other guy’s problem, it is everyone’s problem.

Chad Sary

By requiring new developments to provide adequate road improvements that minimize their impact (turn lanes, stop lights, etc); implementing strategic transportation plans that identify priority road improvements & connections; and creating an interconnected network of neighborhood streets that provide alternate transportation routes; traffic flow and potential “bottle-necks” can be improved.

We must continue to advocate at the General Assembly and NCDOT on the need for road and traffic improvements in Wake Forest so that we stay at the top of the priority list.

I am familiar with the Town’s current Transportation Plan as well as the comprehensive update scheduled to be adopted this fall. It identifies transportation improvement recommendations and strategies that will help accommodate future growth & associated traffic. It also supports multi-modal transportation systems for the automobile, bicycle, pedestrian, and transit, giving our residents different transportation options.

Most importantly, it provides recommendations for implementation, identifies priority projects and funding sources. Many of the projects mentioned in your questions above (Franklin Street, Rogers Branch Road, Rogers Road) are being realized as a result of the Town having a Transportation Plan in place when these developments came along. On a side note – kudos to the Town and their Transportation Plan update website – the interactive transportation maps are great!  

Per the Town’s Unified Development Ordinance, a Transportation Impact Analysis (TIA) is a specialized study that evaluates the effects of a development’s traffic on surrounding transportation infrastructure. It helps identify where the development may have a significant impact on safety, traffic and transportation operations, and provides a means for the developer and Town/NCDOT to mitigate these impacts.

It should be used to evaluate whether the scale of development is appropriate and what improvements should be necessary, on and off the site, to provide safe and efficient access and traffic flow. TIAs are currently required when developments meet certain thresholds (i.e. over 100 residential units, offices over 50,000 SF, etc.). The town should continue to require these and evaluate them very carefully on a project by project basis.

I think the US-1 freeway conversion project will greatly affect our town. The removal of traffic signals is something that our residents have been waiting on for a very long time. It would be great to see this project realized sooner rather than later.

Regarding the limitations by state law, a municipality can only act within the confines of the laws set by the General Assembly; it’s in our State’s constitution. We can however, continue to work with the General Assembly on addressing things the Town needs.

Sean Sullivan

Last week the candidates were asked about the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and I mentioned the Plan was very well done. In fact, the only thing I could find wrong was a typo on page 90 but typos have nothing do with substance. If anyone is up to the challenge, see if you can find it and let me know via email sullivanforwakeforest@gmail.com.

The Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) was not formatted like the 145 page CIP but I really like visuals and the interaction of the software used for the CIP.  What I liked best was the page for Combined Recommendations, All Mode Recommendations page. You are able to click on specific sections of the map to see what is planned for that area.

Several months ago the Department of Transportation came out with the plans to make Capital Boulevard more of a highway and reduce the number of lights. This included intersections on 98 Business, Stadium Drive, and Harris Road. I was curious at that time as to what types of service roads would be built to provide access to the highway. The CTP answered that by showing the extension of Ligon Mill Road all the way to Harris Road.

I bring up the CIP because a lot of what is in the CIP regarding roads, greenways, and bikeways ties into the CTP. Living off West Oak Avenue, I see a lot of students waiting for school buses in the morning and when I come home from work at night, I see residents waiting for the Wake Forest Loop bus, all happening at the corner of West Oak Avenue and North Wingate.

The CIP plan shows a proposed covered bus shelter to be built at the corner of North Main Street and West Oak Avenue for the Wake Forest Loop bus.  I’m thinking, why not place the shelter at the corner of West Oak Avenue and North Wingate where both students and loop passengers can benefit from the shelter.

The CTP shows hot spot intersections and I totally agree with the spots on South Main Street, which always has heavy traffic. Another challenge with South Main Street, along with other streets like Rogers Road, is trying to turn left.

Adam Wright

George, great question and thank you for asking. There are a few ways that we can do to help our traffic issues. First, we need to expand our major roads, such as Rodgers (already planned for). Although, an action like that can sometimes be regressive because the wider road will bring more traffic (https://www.wired.com/2014/06/wuwt-traffic-induced-demand/).

Second, we need to continue to look for more connecting streets. This will divert some of the traffic and reduce congestion.

Finally, we should change some of our major traffic lights into smart lights. These are lights that are connected to cameras that can communicate with each other. This will allow blocks of cars to navigate with fewer stops and could reduce travel wait time by 40 percent (https://www.rapidflowtech.com/).

Most of these plans would depend on approval from the DOT. Getting other commissioners and the town manager on board and us stressing what our priorities are should go far in making these plans a reality.

I have been unable to attend any of the transportation plan meetings. I cannot find a link on the government site to them either. I have read the very outdated current plan as well as the walk and bike plan.

I am not in favor of ALL new developments having traffic studies. Only the ones that will be located around our most congested areas of town would I ask for it. My bigger concern is how will new developments impact our already capped schools. While schools are not technically under our responsibilities we need to be cognizant of what impact our rezonings and approvals will have on them.

I understand that the current NCGA has local governments hamstrung in what we can and cannot do. My goal would be to work with my local representatives to try and change that. We know what our community needs better than a bunch of politicians in downtown Raleigh. We should have more control.

I am aware of the major changes coming to Rodgers Rd. It will be vital that the town commissioners, mayor, and city planner stay active in listening to the feedback our citizens give us about any potential issues these changes may bring (and there will be some). As I mentioned previously, we need to continue to look for additional routes for side traffic.

Greg Bartholomew

I do NOT have a traffic plan. I believe there has been too much growth without sufficient plans in place to counteract the impact of additional developments. The Comprehensive Transportation Plan is a wonderful thing. However, it does not address the current needs of our citizens.

We have serious traffic problems along Capital Boulevard, and Highway 98 East and West. Traffic around Heritage is a nightmare. We need highway construction now to alleviate our present problems. Action needs to occur immediately!

Besides Holly Springs, Wake Forest is the only town in Wake County without close access to an interstate highway. This puts our traffic on lower capacity roadways, slowing movement and increasing congestion. In my opinion, since we have no interstate, Wake Forest should receive increased money from the NCDOT. I believe they would react to bad press, political pressure, and big time citizen outrage.

This traffic mess is our problem and we all need to play a part in solving in. As crazy as it sounds, I believe our Wake Forest citizens need to form a “Traffic Nightmare Coalition” to focus our efforts on getting our fair share of our tax benefits. How do we do it?

We need to organize everyone into one loud voice. We coordinate our resources for the common goal; all town leaders, civic groups, clubs, school leaders, Chamber and business leaders, and legislators to act on our behalf. Our group should also involve other local jurisdictions, such as, towns and communities in Franklin County, Vance County, and Durham County.

Except for Heritage, a lot of our traffic congestion is a result of people just passing through Wake Forest in order to travel to work. Nearby communities need to share in our efforts as we fix this traffic mess. Like it or not, their growth affects us greatly. Collateral damage so to speak!

I did attend the public meeting in May for the CTP. Citizen input was excellent. I was not impressed with the plan. While there were perhaps one or two turning lanes added, (which should have been done 5 years ago), there were no new roads listed in the plan. I’m confused, a plan for 20 – 40 years in the future and no plans for additional roads to alieve the traffic issues? I can’t imagine the feasibility of that.

I am absolutely in favor of new developers being required to have a traffic study done. The town could potentially complete the study and the developer would be required to pay. Regardless, additional developments result in increased traffic.

The town board has the final say on growth. To vote yes or no is the question. I think the board has an obligation to its current citizens to protect what we so love now, our town. Growth for the sake of growth has resulted in our current traffic problems.

I’m not sure of state restrictions on growth unless it relates to clean water and stream protection. Housing developments should be under local, not state, control.

Yes, I am aware of the Capital Boulevard Project. Just think what that will do to congestion for the next 10 years! If we can survive Capital Boulevard and the four lane expansion of Highway 98, we might have a chance of a small town life again.

I absolutely think Rogers Road should be 5 lanes from South Main in Wake Forest, all the way to Main Street in Rolesville. As far as the future CSX Bridge is concerned, I believe it is a waste of tax payer money. Approximately four trains per day travel through Wake Forest. Maybe that money could have been used more efficiently by widening Heritage Lake and Forestville Road to 401 to 5 lanes. The Franklin Street extension should have been done when the by-pass was built years ago.

The Rogers Branch to Foundation Road to Ligon Mill Road is a great idea and should be done NOW. The only drawback is the road going through a beautiful natural area.

As far as new roads are concerned, I have an idea for several new and proposed roadways:

• Complete the Oak Grove Church Road over to Harris Road. (Northern By Pass)
• Construct a new road from Harris/Oak Street South to Stadium Drive and south to Old Hwy 98 and to 98 By Pass and under to Ligon Mill and South to 401
• Construct new S. White Street under 98 By Pass to connect with S. Franklin St.
• Construct S. Franklin extension
• Construct new road from Heritage Lake to Wait Ave.
• Construct new road from Wait Ave. To Oak Grove Church connecting with Northern By- Pass
• Construct Heritage Lakes to S. Main by extending Friendship Chapel Rd.
• Five lane Forestville Rd, Ligon Mill Rd., Burlington Mill Rd., Oak Grove Church, Averette Rd.,  Jones Dairy Rd. , South Main St. No new road in Wake Forest should be built less than 3 lanes.

Hopefully these additions will give alternate ways to travel through Wake Forest and also give room for future growth. We all hope for that. Thank you for your time.

Jim Dyer

The questions this week are prompted by a reader, George Buccigrossi. Mr. Buccigrossi, succinctly stated, wants to know how I am going to resolve all the traffic issues around Wake Forest. Do I have a plan, if so, what is it?

Well, I did attend the public hearing about the update for the comprehensive transportation plan. Clearly, Wake Forest has a traffic issue, particularly during the morning and evening rush hours. I don’t know what specific neighborhood or subdivision Mr. Buccigrossi resides in, but I appreciate his concern.

Heck! I live on North Main where the speed limit is clearly marked 25 miles an hour. Some days it is difficult to get out of my own driveway because of the speeding traffic. Then the cars back up at the corner of North Avenue and North Main and again at the underpass.

The Town of Wake Forest, Wake County and NCDOT are working to resolve these issues. Our town staff has done an excellent job getting grants from the Federal Government to underwrite some of these needed improvements.

I lived here when US 1 was only two lanes from Raleigh to Henderson, before there was a 98 By Pass, and when Heritage was a dairy farm. It takes a long range vision to keep abreast of transportation needs.

The US Interstate system was initially designed during the Eisenhower administration back in the 1950s. Many citizens thought this highway system was an unnecessary expense. The point I am trying to make here is, very seldom do current residents want to underwrite the cost of future needs. Therefore, roads, streets and sidewalk improvements are often years behind the need. Growing communities are almost always playing “catch up.”

When the population of Wake Forest was ten thousand or twenty thousand, few people envisioned the current traffic issues we have in Wake Forest and Wake County.  The visionaries that saw our future needs didn’t have the tax base to build roads needed twenty or thirty years down the road. (Please, pardon the pun!)  The road and street improvement needs are a rapidly moving target. It is unrealistic to expect or think the Wake Forest Board of Commissioners will fix this issue overnight.

During the needed improvements, the traffic backups are intensified. There is no magic word! We have trained professional staff at the local, county and state levels that are working these issues sometimes seven days a week. Our current town commissioners in coordination with these local and NCDOT officials have worked and continue to work tirelessly to fix these issues.

I am not an expert on all of the specific traffic issues around Wake Forest. I would not vote for anyone that proclaims that he or she will fix all the growing pains of the town that I love and desire to serve.

Recently, I visited Amsterdam and Copenhagen where upwards of fifty percent of the population ride a bicycle to work or to the train station to get to work daily. We, as a culture, love our cars.

Over forty years ago, I was a young Army captain at Ft. Benning, Georgia. While waiting in backed up traffic day after day, I decided to do some research and present a recommendation to the post leadership that just might solve some of that wasted time. My recommendation focused on connecting the various communities and activity centers with bicycle pathways.  These designated paths would connect residential communities with local schools and shopping.

My research and recommendations did not receive a very warm reception. Ironically, today those bicycle pathways are in very high use.  We are very proud of our Greenway systems here in Wake Forest.  The last place I called home before truly coming back home to Wake Forest was Peachtree City, Georgia.  It was and continues to be one of the fastest growing cities in the USA. Thirty years ago this community had over 50 miles of paved trails around the city. Every subdivision, every shopping center and all recreation centers were connected by a greenway or bicycle path.

When the water, sewer and streets were planned interconnecting greenways played a major role. This type planning prevented fifty SUV’s at every ball game and a lot of short car trips around town. I expect people to laugh, but if we in the Research Triangle area do not wake up to light rail and bicycle transportation in the next twenty years, our five lane freeways will become parking lots.

I am committed to making a difference. I would appreciate your vote.  In HIS service and yours, Jim Dyer