If you live or work in Chapel Hill or Durham you’ve probably experienced the heavy traffic on 15-501 connecting the two municipalities.
According to a regional travel demand model used by the NC Department of Transportation to forecast future traffic volumes, the US 15-501 corridor between Ephesus Church Road in Chapel Hill to University Drive in Durham is over or approaching capacity.
Residents of Chapel Hill and Durham can attend a ‘Reimagining 15-501’ public workshop meeting regarding making changes to 15-501 to accommodate all types of commuters. The workshop is on Tuesday, June 26, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 3741 Garrett Road in Durham, with a formal presentation and visioning exercise taking place from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger said the purpose of the workshop is to gather input on multi-modal transportation options.
“We’d love for people to show up and give their input to this, and this will be on our web-page so please check if you’re interested, and please go and give your input. We like everything multi-modal,” said Hemminger.
Among the multi-modal plans for giving 15-501 a better connected road network to alleviate traffic, are implementation of the Durham-Orange Light Rail Transit with station locations and The Old Durham Road/ Old Chapel Hill Road project which will add sidewalks, bus stop improvements and an on-road striped bike lane on both sides.
The workshop is part of the Durham Chapel Hill Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization and NCDOT’s multi-modal transportation study of the 15-501 corridor from Chapel Hill to Durham to update the 1994 master plan that guides development and transportation improvements.
For more information check out their website.
Photo via reimagining15501.com
Related Stories
‹

NCDOT Dedicates I-40, 15-501 Exchange in Durham to Honor Former Rep. David PriceThe exchange of I-40 and U.S. 15-501 is now dedicated to the retired David Price, who is known for his transportation advocacy in Congress.

Chapel Hill Given 'Huge Shock' by Potential Redesign of U.S. 15-501 ExchangeLast week, the Department of Transportation sent the Town of Chapel Hill a concept design to change U.S. 15-501 exchange with Interstate 40.
![]()
North Carolina Looks to Take Jefferson Davis Name off HighwayNorth Carolina transportation officials are taking steps to remove the last vestiges of a highway named more than a century ago for Confederate president Jefferson Davis. The N.C. Department of Transportation is removing signs and markers in the state-owned right of way, The News & Observer of Raleigh reports. The groundwork for the removal was […]
![]()
Friday's Homicide Investigation ContinuesQuestions remain in Friday’s homicide in Southeast Chapel Hill as the investigation rolls on.

Local Government Meetings: October 5-9, 2026This week in local government: Orange County Commissioners discuss data centers and property revaluation, while Carrboro talks composting.

As Durham Trial Begins Over the Murder of Faith Hedgepeth, Here's What to KnowMonday marks the beginning of jury selection in the long-awaited trial for Miguel Salguero-Olivares, the suspect in Faith Hedgepeth’s murder.

Local Government Meetings: September 21-25, 2026This week in local government: Chapel Hill weighs library card fees for out-of-towners, while the CHCCS board appoints a new member.

Local Government Meetings: June 15-19, 2026This week in local government: a proposed AI moratorium in Durham and a board appointment (maybe) in Chatham County.

North Carolina’s Electoral Future May Hinge on Rural Black Voters Who Feel Ignored by DemocratsRoughly 4 in 10 Black voters in North Carolina’s last presidential election said they live in small towns or rural communities.

Local Government Meetings: February 9-13, 2025This week in local government: residents in Chatham County push back against Flock license-plate cameras and AI data centers.
›