The next phase of the Estes Drive Connectivity Project is leading to even more of the popular road being converted to one-way traffic, according to the Town of Chapel Hill.

A release from the local government said starting the week of January 30, the stretch of Estes Drive from Somerset Drive to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard will be shut off to west-bound traffic. Largely, residents who use Somerset Drive and those with driveways along that part of Estes Drive will be affected, according to the town. The change is for contractors to pick up work on new sidewalks and a bike lane on the south side of Estes Drive.

The closure is consistent with the other traffic patterns along the road, as west-bound vehicles have been detoured from the area since April 2022. Previously, the one-way area along Estes Drive stretched from Somerset Drive to the eastern-most intersection with Caswell Road. The new pattern of extended one-way traffic is expected to last until the connectivity project’s construction is complete.

An aerial graphic of the one-way traffic pattern along North Estes Drive in Chapel Hill. The pattern now extends all the way to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, after vehicles could previously drive west from Somerset Drive. (Photo via the Town of Chapel Hill.)

Once complete, the Estes Drive Connectivity Project will bring several new features meant to help with bicycle and foot traffic along the road. Contractors will eventually construct separated bike lanes on each side of Estes Drive, expanded and extended sidewalks until Caswell Road, and new turning lanes onto Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

If the project’s timeline stays the course shared by the Town of Chapel Hill, the next phases of construction will require closures near the intersection of MLK Boulevard and Estes Drive, as crew expand the road and create an additional left turning lane on Estes. Right turn lanes from MLK to Estes will also be constructed, since the sidewalk will also be installed along part of Estes Drive Extension.

To learn more about the Estes Drive Connectivity Project, visit the Town of Chapel Hill’s webpage on the effort.

 

Photo via the Town of Chapel Hill.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our biweekly newsletter.

 

Related Stories
‹
Estes Drive Community, CHCCS Push for Improved Pedestrian Safety After Collision
Emails sent to the Chapel Hill Town Council in the last week detail several stories from residents along North Estes Drive about long-standing concerns around pedestrian safety on the road. The news of two teenage girls being struck while using a crosswalk on New Year’s Eve led to all those stories being shared — as […]
Overnight Repaving Efforts to Begin on Estes Drive; Chapel Hill Says Road to Reopen This Month
The full reopening of North Estes Drive is just days away, according to the Town of Chapel Hill, as final repaving work begins on June 4.
Chapel Hill: Town Manager Chris Blue on Complete Communities, LUMO, and Longstanding Projects
Chapel Hill Town Manager Chris Blue taps in on the segment to speak with 97.9 The Hill on Thursday, February 29.
Chapel Hill Details New Intersection for MLK Boulevard, North Street; Work to Begin in January
Major changes are coming to a Chapel Hill intersection to improve pedestrian safety and connection to the town’s future parking deck, with work set to begin within the first week of 2024. The Town of Chapel Hill shared a release with the community on December 21, saying the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard […]
Estes Drive Traffic Shift Scheduled to Begin July 5
As the Estes Drive Connectivity Project continues to progress, the Town of Chapel Hill is planning to shift traffic from the right side of the road to the left side beginning Wednesday, July 5. In addition, work will begin at 7 p.m. the night of July 6 to move signals at the intersection between Estes […]
The Estes Drive Connectivity Project Has Started in Chapel Hill. Here’s What To Expect
UPDATE: On the week of May 9, Chapel Hill town staff say contractors will begin to relocate a Dominion Energy gas line from the construction site. Grading at the intersection of Estes and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard will also continue. Improving pedestrian and bicyclist infrastructure along Estes Drive in Chapel Hill has long been […]
Estes Drive Connectivity Project Set to Begin March 16
After months of delays, construction on Chapel Hill's Estes Drive Connectivity Project is set to begin on Monday, March 14.
New Chapel Hill Crosswalk Under Construction at Site of Past Pedestrian Collisions
The Town of Chapel Hill and North Carolina Department of Transportation partnered to add a crosswalk, pedestrian island and RRFBs (rectangular rapid flashing beacons) to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
Chapel Hill Police: Crash on Estes Drive Injures Teen Cyclist
The Chapel Hill Police Department is investigating a collision between a driver and teenaged bicyclist on Friday that left the bicyclist injured. An alert issued by police said officers responded to a report of a crash in the 300 block of North Estes Drive in Chapel Hill at 3:45 p.m. Officers say 61-year-old resident Karla […]
Chapel Hill Marks New Estes Drive Bicycle, Pedestrian Improvements with Ribbon-Cutting
To celebrate new sidewalks, and the near-completion of the Estes Drive Connectivity Project, Chapel Hill held a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
›