After hearing public comments and discussing among its members, the Chapel Hill Town Council approved an initial design for a new multi-use path along Fordham Boulevard.

The town council approved the design option that will construct a sidepath between Fordham Boulevard and the properties of residents living on Hickory Drive. It’s an option members of the Little Ridgefield Neighborhood have been outspoken against, promoting a shared street option instead. They told the council that method would help bikers and pedestrians stay safe as they Hickory Drive as a cut-through, while also preserving a healthy vegetative buffer from the busy thoroughfare.

Chapel Hill’s Town Council proceeded with the true sidepath design, as indicated in their previous meeting, saying the design provides the most beneficial options to the broad community. But council members did include some amendments to the option to try and address the residents’ concerns.

Council member Amy Ryan had previously suggested having a horticulture specialist on-site to review and supervise any removal of the remaining vegetative buffer. That added requirement was on the passed resolution, as well as plan to consult with the neighborhood about creating safe crosswalks in the gaps of the path where cars turn off Fordham.

Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger said at the meeting while not voting for the shared street option, the council aims to keep an active line of communication with Little Ridgefield residents.

“We want to be sensitive to the neighborhood,” Hemminger said. “We’re working very hard. We do have information about how much more utilization something more visible to the public [can have].”

Hemminger spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Aaron Keck following the meeting as well. She stressed how having $1.8 million from the Department of Transportation to complete a sidepath network, which this one would be part of, encouraged the town to choose the option it did. Hemminger also shared the initial goals of the project and how the town hopes it will improve connectivity between neighborhoods.

“We want to get people out of cars and moving around,” said Hemminger. “People are already using that area unsafely, so this will be a big boon. Plus, we have federal money that’s helping move it along.”

Another action raised by the Town Council at its latest meeting is having more community discussions once designs for the sidepath are closer to complete.

To view the full timeline of the Fordham Boulevard Side Path project, visit the Town of Chapel Hill webpage.

Concept designs via Kimley-Horn.

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