The second of what will be three public meetings with extended comment periods about the future of N.C. 98 between Durham and its intersection with U.S. 401 was held in Wake Forest Town Hall Tuesday afternoon, and several people came to look at the maps, diagrams, photographs and flow charts. They asked a lot of questions.
Currently, the plan forward for the heavily-traveled two-lane road is for some changes at intersections to increase safety and traffic flow and then, in an unspecified year, construct two additional lanes with a median and other improvements. People were asked their opinions about the intersection changes and the public response will be used to guide the designs in the future.
Traffic engineers say the road is at or over its capacity. (The editor believes N.C. 98 was originally planned to be a four-lane road and is not sure why only two lanes were built when it was straightened and improved in the early 1980s.)
The proposed changes in and near Wake Forest are:
1) Adding right turn lanes for eastbound traffic on N.C.98 and on northbound traffic on Six Forks Road at the intersection of 98 and Six Forks.
2) Adding right and left turn lanes on N.C. 98 at its intersection with Camp Kanata Road.
3) Adding an additional left turn lane for northbound traffic on South Main Street where it crosses the N.C. 98 Bypass (Dr. Calvin Jones Highway).
4) Improving the signals at both the Heritage Lake Road and Traditions Grande Boulevard.
5) Installing a roundabout at the N.C. 98 intersection with N.C. 96.
6)Installing a four-way stop at the intersection with Moores Pond Road.
Near Durham, the planners are proposing to add traffic signals at Nichols Farm Road, Mineral Springs Road and Adams Street. The future is fuzzy about what N.C. 98 will look like for a few miles east of Durham and depends on whether Sherron Road is widened and the Northern Durham Parkway is built.
You can look at all the information at the website for the N.C. 98 study, www.nc98corridor.com.
3 Responses
They’re doing some kind of construction at the intersection of 98 and 96. Anybody know what is going on?
I really wish the county and cities would consider using frontage roads more often, which would eliminate needs for multiple signals on a road that will only get busier and busier. Start planning it now so 98 does not turn into Capital near the 440 area.
Thank you. This is extremely vital information.