STEELE CREEK NEWS
City Decision: No
Traffic Signal at Shopton Road West and Steele Creek Roads
(December 23,
2005) The City of Charlotte Engineering and Property Management
Department held a public meeting on November 17 concerning the
realignment of Dixie River Road and Shopton Road West at Steele
Creek Road. Their report on this meeting is below: |
|
Quick Facts:
- An open house was held November 17th
and four concept alternatives were presented (Click here
to see Concept
maps.)
- The city has investigated the potential of installing an
interim traffic signal.
- A follow-up meeting will be held in early 2006.
|
|
November 17th Public Meeting
Summary
A well-attended open
house was conducted on November 17th at the Masonic Lodge to
introduce four concept alternatives for the Dixie River Road
Realignment Project and seek public input to help identify a
preferred alternative. Below is a brief summary of some of the
common comments we received:
-
Preference for one
alternative over another varied; however, the two T-intersection
alternatives seemed to be supported by many people.
- Individual property impacts were a concern expressed by many.
- Based on concerns regarding current safety and congestion at
the intersection of Steele Creek Road at Shopton Road West
improvements are needed now.
- Residential developments in the area are being constructed at a
faster rate than the roadways necessary to accommodate the increased
traffic.
Response to
Request for Interim Traffic Signal
The
planning and design of the Dixie River Road Realignment
Project includes the assumption that a traffic signal will be
installed at the intersection of Steele Creek Road and Shopton Road
West. During the recent open house, several citizens reiterated
their strong interest that a traffic signal be installed as soon as
possible, citing safety as a major concern.
After
the public meeting, staff from the Charlotte Department of
Transportation assembled accident reports for the Steele Creek
Road/Shopton Road West intersection over the past five years. This
data indicated:
Installing traffic signals affects traffic movement and accidents.
For traffic movement, a signal without the planned improvements
would reduce delay and help traffic on Shopton Road, but would
increase delay on Steele Creek Road. With regard to accidents,
installing traffic signals has the effect of reducing certain types
of collisions while increasing others. Adding a traffic signal would
likely increase the total number of collisions. For an interim
traffic signal to operate safely and efficiently, a left-turn lane
would need to be constructed
along Steele Creek Road. This would require a lengthy design and
construction process, which is the same process we are following for
the permanent intersection improvements.
So is the City saying the intersection is safe and does not need a
signal? Help me understand. . .
-
This intersection needs improvements. Fortunately, there is
funding approved and a project underway to plan and construct those
improvements.
- Some aspects of the existing intersection's operation would
benefit from a signal, but without careful planning and design, a
hastily installed traffic signal could increase the number (and
severity) of accidents.
- It is not possible to safely and efficiently add a traffic signal
to the existing intersection without some amount of roadway
reconstruction. Due to the time required to make these roadway
improvements, it is not likely the installation of an interim
traffic signal would be completed substantially before the start of
the permanent signal project's construction.
- Steele Creek Road is a state-owned and -maintained roadway. The
City and NCDOT generally work closely together, but NCDOT has the
final responsibility for approving a new traffic signal at this
location. Based on discussions to date and a summary of this
information, it does not appear either agency can recommend a signal
at this location without the necessary project intersection
improvements.
Next Steps
The City will consider your input and, with the North Carolina
Department of Transportation, will select the alternative that seems
to best achieve the project objectives. A follow-up meeting will be
held in early 2006 to update you on our progress. You will be
notified as to the date, time, and location of this meeting when it
is scheduled. In the meantime,
you can visit the
City's transportation projects web page.
See the following previous stories:
|