P P r r o o j j e e c c t t U U p p d d a a t t e e s s
contents
Schedule P.1 Key Facts P.1 Next Steps P.2
PROJECT SCHEDULE
The Town is working on the design, planning, and pre-construction activities for the eastern portion of the project (from NC 540 to NC 55). Planning and design only are being considered for the western portion of the project (from Green Level Church Road to NC 540) at this time.
An anticipated project schedule is shown below. The milestones may change based on factors out of the Town’s control.
PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING Winter - Fall 2013
Technical field and traffic studies to assist the development of preliminary designs and the environmental document – Completed
Fall 2013
Citizen Public Workshop #1
Winter 2013 – Spring 2014
Preliminary designs and environmental documents finalized
Spring 2014
Citizen Public Workshop #2
FINAL DESIGN Spring – Winter 2014 Final design plans developed
CONSTRUCTION
Spring 2015 – Spring 2016 Eastern segment only
Stay updated on the project at the Town’s website, www.townofcary.org, by searching “Green Level West,” or scan this
QR code with your smart device to go directly to the project webpage.
Gr G r e e en e n L Le ev v el e l W We e st s t R R oa o ad d W Wi id de en ni in ng g
O c t o b e r 2 0 1 3
Green Level West Widening Designs Ready for Review
The Town of Cary began working in January 2013 to develop draft designs and
environmental documentation for widening Green Level West Road between Green Level Church Road and NC 55 Highway. The project is segmented into two parts: Green Level West Road from Green Level Church Road to NC 540 (west of NC 540) and Green Level West Road from NC 540 to NC 55 (east of NC 540).
The section west of NC 540 is only funded for environmental documentation and design while the section east of NC 540 is funded for environmental documentation, design, permitting and construction.
From Green Level Church Road to NC 540 (western segment)
The existing roadway is primarily two-lanes. As indicated on the Town’s Comprehensive Transportation Plan, the western half of the project is being designed to Rural Arterial Standards (ditches and swales in lieu of curb &
gutter) as a widened 4-lane median-divided roadway with paved shoulders. Optional aesthetic enhancements may be included such as median landscaping and decorative brick median ends.
From NC 540 to NC 55 (eastern segment)
The existing roadway is primarily two-lanes.
The project incorporates a widened roadway to a 4-lane median-divided section with sidewalks, street lighting, and wide outside lanes for cyclists. As indicated on the Town’s Comprehensive Transportation Plan, the eastern half is being designed to Urban Arterial Standards (with sidewalk and curb & gutter).
Optional aesthetic enhancements may be included such as median landscaping and decorative brick median ends. The eastern segment is funded for construction as a part of the 2012 Community Bond Referendum.
Project Overview
The widening project will provide additional roadway capacity for Cary commuters, resulting in less traffic congestion and fuel emissions, and savings in time and fuel for motorists. The project will also provide a continuation of sidewalks along the eastern segment of the corridor, which will improve pedestrian connectivity in the area. The roadway will have wide outside lanes or paved shoulders to accommodate experienced cyclists, which allows residents to use alternative modes of travel other than the automobile.
For more information and project updates, go to the Town’s website (www.townofcary.org) and search “Green Level West.”
Green Level West Road Widening Project
Next Steps for Green Level West Road Widening
• Citizens and stakeholders are encouraged to fill out a comment sheet to let us know your thoughts.
Let the Town know what you think about the information presented here. Also note any concerns or issues you think should be addressed during the project.
Please provide the Town with your contact information so we can keep you informed about the project and any updates on its progress.
• Town staff will recommend a Preferred Alternative to carry forward in the design process.
Town staff will evaluate the designs, estimated costs, impacts, environmental data, agency comments, and citizen input in order to make a recommendation for a Preferred Alternative to carry forward in the design process.
• Town staff and our consultants will prepare the Categorical Exclusion (CE) document.
The project consultants will summarize the environmental and
community impacts in the CE document to fulfill National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements for the project.
• The Town will conduct a second public workshop in Spring 2014 for citizen input.
The Town will hold an open house to provide an opportunity for citizens give feedback on the Preferred Alternative and CE findings.
Key Facts
• The total length of the project is approximately two miles from Green Level Church to NC 55 Highway.
• Green Level West currently carries about 7,000 vehicles per day (vpd). In 2040, traffic models project it may carry 12,000 vpd on the western half and 21,000 vpd on the eastern half. (Two-lane road capacity:
18,000 vpd).
• The existing roadway is primarily two lanes. The roadway from NC 55 Highway to Glenmore
Road/Capistrane Drive is already widened to five lanes, so improvement along this stretch of roadway will be minimal, consisting primarily of small improvements, such as resurfacing and pavement markings.
• Existing traffic signals located within the project area will be modified to reflect the roadway
improvements. Existing major side streets along the corridor have been evaluated and do not warrant additional traffic controls.
• Preliminary environmental investigations found that the widening project east of NC 540 would have little to no impact on natural or cultural/historic resources in the area.
• The overall project will add pedestrian and bicycle facilities that will link neighborhoods to local greenways, the Green Level Historic District and other amenities.
• Although the project is being administered by the Town, the Town has hired a consultant, Michael Baker Engineering, Inc., to perform the design, planning and pre-construction activities.
• The total project funding is $14 million, with design and engineering through a grant received from the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) Locally Administered Project Program (LAPP). The construction is funded with $13 million from the 2012 Community Investment Bonds.
• Construction of improvements on the eastern project segment is scheduled to begin in Spring 2015.
Comments or Questions?
Contact the Town’s project manager with any questions or comments:
Kristen Dwiggins, P.E.
Town of Cary Engineering Department
(919) 462-3930 kristen.dwiggins
@townofcary.org
