
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
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
‹

Overnight Repaving Efforts to Begin on Estes Drive; Chapel Hill Says Road to Reopen This MonthThe 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 ProjectsChapel Hill Town Manager Chris Blue taps in on the segment to speak with 97.9 The Hill on Thursday, February 29.

Lane Closure Coming to S. Estes Drive as University Place Continues RedevelopmentA protected sidewalk will be installed on South Estes Drive in front of University Place this week, as the Chapel Hill shopping center continues to undergo extensive renovations and redevelopment. The town government shared an alert to the community on social media Thursday. To make room for the sidewalk, one of the westbound lanes on […]

Chapel Hill: One-Way Traffic on Estes Drive to Extend to MLK BoulevardThe 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 […]

Estes Drive Community, CHCCS Push for Improved Pedestrian Safety After CollisionEmails 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 […]

Celebration of Independence Day to Alter Local Government Services in Orange CountyThe celebration of Independence Day on Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4 will affect several local government services in and around Orange County. Here’s a look at what typical services will and won’t be happening during the weekend: Town of Chapel Hill All Chapel Hill administrative offices will be closed Friday, July 3, as […]

Juneteenth Holiday to Affect Local Government Services Around Orange CountyAcross the country on Friday, Black Americans and communities will celebrate Juneteenth — the national recognition of when the final slaves were freed in the 19th century and of African-American culture. As a holiday, government services around the Orange County community will be affected on June 19 and the surrounding days. Here’s what residents can […]

Garbage Collection, Local Transit and More: How Memorial Day Will Impact Local ServicesThe observation of Memorial Day Monday, May 25 will affect local government services around the Orange County community. Here’s what residents can expect: Town of Chapel Hill Memorial Day is an official town holiday. Most town and other administrative offices will be closed. Residential trash will not be collected on Monday, with the make-up day […]

Orange County Clerk of Court Mark Kleinschmidt Wins State, National HonorsOrange County Clerk of Superior Court Mark Kleinschmidt has been recognized with two awards – one statewide and one national – in recognition of his service. Kleinschmidt received the North Carolina Guardianship Association’s Trailblazer Award last week in Asheville, recognizing his two terms as Clerk of Superior Court and Probate Judge. In legal terms, guardianship […]

Orange County Communities to Observe Martin Luther King Day Jan. 19. Here's How it Affects Services.The observation of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 19 will affect local government services around the Orange County community. Here’s what residents can expect this year: Town of Chapel Hill Most town offices will be closed Monday. Residential trash normally collected Monday will be collected Wednesday, Jan. 21. Curbside recycling collection will […]
›