CHARLOTTE
DIXIE
RD
RIVER 2005
December
2005
Dixie River Road Realignment Project
November 17th Public Meeting Summary
A well-attended open house was conducted on November 17th at
the Masonic Lodge to introduce four concept alternatives for the
Dixie River Road Realignment Project and seek public input to help
identify a preferred alternative. Below is a brief summary of some
of the common comments we received:
Preference for one alternative over another varied; however, the
two T-intersection alternatives seemed to be supported by
many people.
Individual property impacts were a concern expressed by many.
Based on concerns regarding current safety and congestion at
the intersection of Shopton Road West at Steele Creek Road,
improvements are needed now.
Residential developments in the area are being constructed at a
faster rate than the roadways necessary to accommodate the
increased traffic.
Response to Request for Interim Traffic Signal
The planning and design of the Dixie River Road Realignment
Project includes the assumption that a traffic signal will be installed
at the intersection of Steele Creek Road and Shopton Road West.
During the recent open house, several citizens reiterated their
strong interest that a traffic signal be installed as soon as possible,
citing safety as a major concern.
After the public meeting, staff from the Charlotte Department of
Transportation assembled accident reports for the Steele Creek
Road/Shopton Road West intersection over the past five years. This
data indicated:
! There were 46 accidents recorded over the past five years.
! Eight were considered correctable with a traffic signal.
! Other accidents are related to the roadway geometry, including
the sharp curve of Steele Creek Road and the intersecting
angle with Shopton Road West.
! This intersection is not on the City of Charlotte's 2005 High
Accident Location List.
Installing traffic signals affects traffic movement and accidents. For
traffic movement, a signal without the planned improvements
reduces delay and helps traffic on Shopton Road, but would
increase delay on Steele Creek Road. With regard to accidents,
installing traffic signals has the effect of reducing certain types of
collisions while increasing others. Adding a traffic signal would
likely increase the total number of collisions. For an interim traffic
signal to operate safely and efficiently, a left-turn lane would need
to be constructed along Steele Creek Road. This would require a
lengthy design and construction process, which is the same
process we are following for the permanent intersection
improvements.
So is the City saying the intersection is safe and does not need a
signal? Help me understand…
! This intersection needs improvements. Fortunately, there is
funding approved and a project underway to plan and
construct those improvements.
! Some aspects of the existing intersection’s operation would
benefit from a signal, but without careful planning and design,
a hastily installed traffic signal could increase the number (and
severity) of accidents.
! It is not possible to safely and efficiently add a traffic signal to
the existing intersection without some amount of roadway
reconstruction. Due to the time required to make these
roadway improvements, it is not likely the installation of an
interim traffic signal would be completed substantially before
the start of the permanent signal project's construction.
! Steele Creek Road is a state-owned and -maintained roadway.
The City and NCDOT generally work closely together, but
NCDOT has the final responsibility for approving a new traffic
signal at this location. Based on discussions to date and a
summary of this information, it does not appear either agency
can recommend a signal at this location without the
necessary project intersection improvements.
Next Steps
The City will consider your input and, with the North Carolina Department of Transportation, will select the alternative
that seems to best achieve the project objectives. A follow-up meeting will be held in early 2006 to update you on our
progress. You will be notified as to the date, time, and location of this meeting when it is scheduled. In the meantime
you can visit the project's web page for additional information at:
http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/City+Engineering/See+Our+Projects/Transportation/home.htm
CHARLOTTE
ENGINEERING & PROPERTY
MANAGEMENT
600 East Fourth Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
Dixie River Road Realignment Project
Quick Facts
An open house was held November 17th and
four concept alternatives were presented (to the
right)
The City has investigated the potential of
installing an interim traffic signal
Concept 1:
Four leg intersection
A follow-up meeting will be held in early 2006
Concept 2A:
Offset T-intersections
with Shopton Road
W. shifted
Contacts
CHARLOTTE
ENGINEERING & PROPERTY
MANAGEMENT
Derrel Poole Project Manager
(704) 353-1794
dpoole@ci.charlotte.nc.us
Kimley-Horn
and Associates, Inc.
Rob Hume
(704) 333-5131
robert.hume@kimley-horn.com
Concept 2B:
Offset T-intersections
with Dixie River Road
shifted
Concept 2C:
Offset T-intersections
with Shopton Road W.
and Dixie River Road
shifted