The site of some past pedestrian and vehicle collisions in Chapel Hill is getting a preventative upgrade to its infrastructure.

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, which is currently under construction. The pedestrian features are located between Taylor Street and Critz Drive, across the street from a BP gas station and convenience store.

Updating the infrastructure is part of the town government’s Vision Zero pledge and safety goals, which aim to “eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2031.” The stretch of MLK Boulevard is important to those, considering two pedestrians have died while crossing the street — one in Feb. 2018 and another in Dec. 2022. According to the town’s dashboard tracking reported pedestrian and bicycle collisions, four other incidents have happened around the stretch of road in recent years.

A photo of the new crosswalk and pedestrian island construction on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard as of Aug. 15, 2025. (Photo via the Town of Chapel Hill.)

“That has been a really dangerous area — we’ve had horrible, horrible accidents there and fatalities,” Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson told 97.9 The Hill when discussing the updates. “The town’s Vision Zero safety team worked really closely with NCDOT engineers to test out multiple options for the crosswalk. As part of the project, we’re also filling a 150-foot gap in the sidewalk nearby, so that’s also a winner.

“Safety’s been an issue, a huge concern there for quite a while,” Anderson added, “so I’m really glad to have a new, safer way for people to cross and to navigate in that area.”

Chapel Hill has similarly added other crosswalks and RRFBs along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in recent years around the apartment complexes and intersections further south. That work, in addition to a new median on South Elliott Road installed in August, are examples of the town working to decrease risks for non-vehicle users, said Anderson.

“As this team continues to do its work,” the Chapel Hill mayor said, “you’re going to see more and more places where they’ve evaluated the data, seen where things are dangerous for [bicyclists and pedestrians], and they are putting in things that are not an incredibly expensive [options], but that can really make a big difference in safety for everybody.”

Presently, there is no public timeline for when the new crosswalk, RRFBs and pedestrian island on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard will be complete.

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 newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
Chapel Hill Council Approves South Creek Project, Recommends Redesign for Old Durham Road Housing
As Chapel Hill looks to improve its housing variety, the town council recently approved one project and sent another back for a redesign.
No More Putt-Putt: After Lapsed Plan, Carraway Village Turns to More Housing in Chapel Hill
Northwood Ravin submitted plans to Chapel Hill this summer to build a mix of housing options on a parcel north of its Carraway Village.
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.
Can Chapel Hill Ease Housing Stigmas as New Neighborhoods Arise?
Written by Teresa Fang, former East Chapel Hill High School student It seems that with every new neighborhood built in Chapel Hill, twice as many concerns are voiced.  Other than there being too much construction throughout the town, Chapel Hill residents demand action for existing issues in neighborhoods to be addressed properly, while others fear […]
What’s the Future of Legion Pond? No Matter What, Chapel Hill Will Drain It
The future of Chapel Hill’s property off Legion Road caused a stir last winter as some residents debated whether to build affordable housing and a park on the site or to leave it untouched. One of the reasons residents against development shared was their fondness of a three-acre pond. But as the town […]
Chapel Hill Approves New Apartment Building on E. Rosemary Street
Two projects aim to provide more housing on East Rosemary Street – with one recently being approved by the Chapel Hill Town Council.
Chapel Hill Targets UNC Property on MLK Boulevard for Strategic Growth Pilot Project
As the Town of Chapel Hill assesses how to handle its need for housing with its limited supply, the local government recently turned to a group of leading urban planning consultants for advice. The result is a framework called the Complete Communities Strategy, with the goal of approving a pilot project to try the approach […]
Chapel Hill's 'Complete Community' Open Houses Provide Look at Development Goals
While housing demand is an issue across the Triangle, Chapel Hill has long struggled to balance building to demand, keeping its downtown charm and environmental concern. But the town council recently brought on internationally-known consultants to help officials chart a course for their vision of the community, who was presented at open houses […]
New Senior Living Community Proposed Next to Southern Village
At the beginning of May, the Town of Chapel Hill’s Economic Sustainability Committee heard a presentation for a potential luxury housing development for residents 55 and older. The proposed South Creek development would replace the previously approved Obey Creek Project.
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.
›