The Chapel Hill Town Council approved the construction of a pedestrian bridge over Morgan Creek between Ashe Place and Arboretum Drive at their meeting on June 13.
Funding for the project will come from a 2015 greenways bond.
Jim Orr, director of parks and recreation department, estimated construction cost will be between $125,000- $150,000. Design and permit fees will cost an additional $84,000.
The bridge will be about 60 feet long.
Rob Moody who lives adjacent to the proposed bridge expressed his concerns about the bridge’s impact on the environment.
“The flooding we had the last couple of months, that water came really close to my house and our concern is that building any impediment to Morgan Creek to let that water go on down creek causing the risk of our house to flood,” said Moody.
The Parks and Recreation department said they would consider signage marking private property.
Others like Vicki Booth were concerned about wildlife. Part of the bridge would be built on the Botanical Garden’s land.
“Also speaking for the birds, the blue heron, the raccoons, the possum, the red fox and the turtle that laid eggs in our backyard,” said Booth, “and the beauty of the trees and the nature, and the quiet, I ask you not to build a bridge at Ashe Place.”
Morgan Creek marks the town limits. The town has reached out to the county for help with the project.
But much of the public response, including public comment and emails to the town, has been in support of the project. Public comment for the project was held in April and May.
Dee Fortson said the bridge would connect her to neighbors who live just across the creek.
“It is really silly that if my kids want to play I have to drive out Fordham Boulevard and do this like three mile loop to come back in to take them to a playdate that’s a five minute walk away or I’m dragging them through the creek,” said Fortson.
The bridge will provide access to UNC and Fordham Boulevard for those that live south of the creek and connect to a path that runs out to Merritt Pasture.
Once the bridge design is complete, it will be presented to the town council to make sure all privacy concerns are met.
Comments on Chapelboro are moderated according to our Community Guidelines