Signalized pedestrian crossings at three locations along NC 54 West: two in Carrboro and one in Chapel Hill. Carrboro locations include NC 54 & Abbey Road and NC 54 & Westbrook Drive.
STATUS
Municipal agreements with NCDOT have been executed. NCDOT is managing design and construction.
- The Town’s participation in the project involved providing $150,000 toward the necessary local match for federal funding.
- Carrboro applied $150,000 of Orange County transit funds earmarked for a HAWK on NC 54 toward the project.
- Reimbursement has been requested and received.
- NCDOT to acquire necessary easements/ROW.
- NCDOT to let the project for construction (anticipated for April 2025).
Next Step(s) with anticipated schedule:
- The pre-construction meeting is scheduled for January 7, 2026.
- Construction is anticipated to begin in mid-February 2026 and take about a year to complete.
NETWORK
The signalized crossings have been located at transit stops along NC 54 with high ridership and where pedestrians frequently cross the highway to access a bus stop. The crossings will further the bike/ped network by providing safe crossings across NC 54, connecting the neighborhoods south of NC 54 to the downtown area and eventually the apartments along the north side of NC 54 to Carrboro High School and University Lake, by way of the Morgan Creek Greenway.
- The projects are identified in NC 54 Safety Study (2019).
- The signalized crossings also provide improved transit assess for some of the larger apartment complexes (Carolina Apartments, Royal Park, Kingswood) that are in Qualified Census Tracts.
Related Projects/Plans:
- The Morgan Creek Greenway (EL-4828A)
- Barnes Street Sidewalk (EB-5890); not yet initiated.