Construction on New Carrboro Roundabout To Begin in August

A major road project thought to be delayed is set to begin construction in Carrboro, just weeks before students are moving back to the area for the fall semester. The town announced Tuesday that the construction on the Estes Drive/North Greensboro Street roundabout would begin on August 5. Construction of a roundabout on South Greensboro Street forced that roadway to be closed last summer.

Once construction begins next Monday on the Estes/North Greensboro roundabout, delays and lane closures are expected to happen frequently since workers will be there from 9 a.m. through sunset until the project’s completion.

North Carolina’s Department of Transportation has been installing more roundabouts in the state because they reduce congestion on high-traffic roads. In Carrboro, however, the construction is likely going to cause more congestion at one of its most popular intersections.

During a conversation with WCHL’s Aaron Keck, Carrboro mayor Lydia Lavelle said the town will keep its residents updated on changes caused by the construction. She understands, though, it will complicate the roadways until the roundabout is finished.

“While we’re pleased that it’s going to be moving forward,” Lavelle said, “we recognize it’s going to create a little bit of havoc on the town.”

Studies show roundabouts are safer compared to stop signs or traffic lights. NCDOT reports a 46 percent decrease in total crashes at intersections in the state where they have constructed roundabouts. They also report drivers typically wait for less time to enter a roundabout than waiting for a traffic signal to change. The intersection at Estes Drive and North Greensboro Street has been prone to accidents over the last few years.

The timeline of the Estes/North Greensboro project was unclear after bidding for construction was apparently halted by state officials. But Lavelle said the roundabout should see no more setbacks.

“We initially had gotten feedback that it was going to be delayed because of some recision concerns with the federal government,” said Lavelle. “But it is on track.”

When told the project could be delayed at the Board of Aldermen meeting in June, board member Jacquie Gist expressed her concern about construction potentially beginning around when UNC students would be returning to campus and school starting in the town.

“Please keep an eye on it,” Gist said, “or we could have a real mess on our hands if we don’t pay attention.”

The Town of Carrboro website suggests travelers use Homestead Road for alternative routes around the construction zone, especially during evening traffic.

The Estes Drive/North Greensboro Street roundabout is projected to be completed in September 2021.

‹

Seils Seeking Reelection to Carrboro Board

Carrboro Alderman Damon Seils announced Thursday morning that he will seek reelection this fall. Seils has served on the board since 2013 and currently serves as mayor pro tem and chairs the Durham – Chapel Hill – Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization. In announcing his run for reelection, Seils said “securing Carrboro’s place at the regional […]

Romaine Announces Run for Carrboro Board of Aldermen

Susan Romaine has announced she will run for a seat on the Carrboro Board of Aldermen this fall. Romaine is the first candidate who has announced a run for the board. Incumbents Damon Seils and Sammy Slade hold seats that will be up for election in November, but the two have not signaled whether they […]

Carrboro Officials Plan to Fill Vacant Board Seat in November Elections

Officials in Carrboro have decided on the manner in which a replacement will be selected for the position left vacant by former alderwoman Michelle Johnson. According to Mayor Lydia Lavelle, elections for that position were being considered by the Carrboro Board of Aldermen after Johnson expressed her desire to resign. “This was the way I […]

Planning Board Chair To Seek Carrboro BoA Seat

Carrboro, and that can work here, too, we lose out,” Bethany Chaney says.

Carrboro Approves Student Mural Designs for MLK Park, Wants More Input on Quotes

Several decisions were made regarding aesthetic features of Carrboro’s new Martin Luther King Jr. Park at a recent Board of Aldermen meeting. Along with approving four high-school finalists to paint the two murals in the park, the board also approved of three of the eight quotes to be featured on placards along the park’s walking […]

Carrboro Board of Aldermen Changes Title to Town Council

Carrboro’s Board of Aldermen passed a resolution to change its title to Town Council at its meeting on Tuesday November 19.*** After being known as the Board of Aldermen for 50 years, the elected officials for Carrboro’s governing board are slated to change its name at their Tuesday meeting to a more inclusive title. […]

Carrboro Considering Changing Name of Board of Aldermen

Carrboro’s Board of Aldermen could soon go by a different name. Carrboro Mayor Lydia Lavelle says one item the board will discuss at Tuesday night’s meeting is the possibility of changing the governing board’s name. The possibility of changing the name from Board of Aldermen has been discussed for several years. The Mayor says this […]

Candidate Intros: Town of Carrboro Board of Aldermen (3 Seats)

Hear from the candidates running for Town of Carrboro Board of Aldermen: Matthew Clements: https://chapelboroaudio.s3.amazonaws.com/2019/CANDIDATE%20INTROS/Clements%20FINAL.mp3 Steve Friedman: https://chapelboroaudio.s3.amazonaws.com/2019/CANDIDATE%20INTROS/Friedman%20FINAL.mp3 Susan Romaine: https://chapelboroaudio.s3.amazonaws.com/2019/CANDIDATE%20INTROS/Romaine%20FINAL.mp3 Damon Seils: https://chapelboroaudio.s3.amazonaws.com/2019/CANDIDATE%20INTROS/Seils%20FINAL.mp3 Sammy Slade: https://chapelboroaudio.s3.amazonaws.com/2019/CANDIDATE%20INTROS/Slade%20FINAL.mp3

CHCCS Candidate Drops Out of Race After Questions of Donating to Trump Campaign

A candidate has dropped out of the race for the Chapel Hill – Carrboro City Schools Board of Education after questions surrounding two donations to the campaign for President Donald Trump. Louis Tortora announced his decision to drop out of the race on his campaign and personal Facebook pages over the weekend. “Unfortunately, some in […]

Construction on New Carrboro Roundabout To Begin in August

A major road project thought to be delayed is set to begin construction in Carrboro, just weeks before students are moving back to the area for the fall semester. The town announced Tuesday that the construction on the Estes Drive/North Greensboro Street roundabout would begin on August 5. Construction of a roundabout on South Greensboro […]

›