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 and Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard to a new location.
The change is needed to prepare for work on the road’s south side and is set to affect the entire road, according to an update from town staff. The direction of road traffic, however, will not change. The only way to travel on Estes Drive is still from MLK Boulevard to East Franklin Street.
Much of the recent work on the connectivity project has been focused on the intersection between Estes Drive and MLK Boulevard. The past few weeks’ work involved grading and drainage improvements around the airport to prepare for a new right-turn lane, waterline testing on the south side of Estes Drive and paving behind Estes Hills Elementary School.
The Estes Drive Connectivity Project has been in progress since March 2022. The project aims to improve pedestrian and bicyclist infrastructure on the road, including separated bike lanes and expanded sidewalks and enhanced crosswalks. The Town of Chapel Hill estimates the project will be completed by this winter.
A rendering of what Estes Drive will look like once the connectivity project is finished. (Image via Town of Chapel Hill)
Updates on the project can be found on the town’s website.
Featured image via Town of Chapel Hill
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Estes Drive Traffic Shift Scheduled to Begin July 5As 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 […]
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I am so sorry to leave a negative reply and am fully aware that my comment might be incorrect. But this project has plodded along at far too slow a pace and with seemingly no concern for the current residents of Chapel Hill who try to make use of the town’s institutions, services and businesses. It has really made me wonder if our elected officials and administrative leaders have really thought through whether or not any of the myriad other projects they have approved might have “Estes Road components” in them. Most of us certainly support learning from the past and planning for the future but we also have to live in the present.
You are absolutely correct. Not only is it dragging on far too long, it’s not making a meaningful impact. The road could have been widened or more lanes added or even bike lanes added, but no.