There was a Traffic Safety Meeting on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at The Culture Mill Lab. There was much discussion leading to the following. Thanks to all who have stepped up to help!
The following teams are working already to make an immediate impact:
Wayfinding/Beautification Team: This team is led by Harry Philips and Megan Jett. They are working to create an attractive setting that says slow down, pay attention, “This is a village” using plants and signs.
Crosswalk Flag Bucket Team: Flags can increase awareness and safety. Elizabeth McCue is leading this team.
Radar Speed Sign Team: Radar signs other road signs can raise awareness. Brandon White is working with Sue Eldon and Stephen Brown to explore options.
Fact Finding Team: This team is exploring road designations (primary vs. secondary), noise reduction measures, crosswalk requirements, etc. Kathryn Brown, Amy Beth Kessinger, and Stephen Brown have agreed to work on this.
Several people expressed interest in the Asphalt Art Initiative, using visual interventions to make our roads safer (https://asphaltart.bloomberg.org/). Allison Blanks is eager to connect with those who are interested in pursuing this project.
Asphalt Art in Durham, NC Marketing Team: “Slow Down for Sax”or Saxapahaw Forward. This team is led by Erin Rasmussen, Megan Jett, Laura Landy, and Chrissy Norton.
Upcoming Meetings:
The next meeting of the Burlington Graham Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO, https://bgmpo.org/) is Tuesday, August 15 @ 9:30 am. Rob White and Brandon white have both agreed to follow up.
Jennifer Shelton has organize a meeting with the DOT will be meeting about the traffic situation for The Hawbridge School on July 5. Sue Eldon will be present at this meeting.
Long-term projects include:
Round-a-bouts: The DOT has already approved this and we are waiting for a compact roundabout to be installed in Burlington first to see how it works.
Crosswalks, Speed Humps and Sidewalks: Allison Blanks and Ginny Boyer are working with Chuck Edwards, the DOT Engineer, on this. Megan Jett, Rob White, and Christine Norton agreed to help. This process requires persistence so that Saxapahaw will actively be on the DOT radar.
Bypass: Carter Jordan and Deborah Perotti will work on this as we need a proposal to get in the system so that it will happen some time in the next 15 to20 years. There is a need for additional leadership here. Does anyone know someone in the DOT who could help us move this forward?
Possible additional resources to explore:
NC Dept. of Commerce (https://www.commerce.nc.gov/)
The UNC Highway Safety Research Center (https://www.hsrc.unc.edu/) and Walk Friendly Communities (https://www.walkfriendly.org/)
The SS4A Grant (https://www.transportation.gov/grants/SS4A)
Other Questions:
Do we need a Traffic Impact Analysis? If so, how might it be funded?
Is it worth reaching out to our representatives? Dennis Riddell was helpful in the past.
What about Creating an Entity? Saxapahaw Forward as a non-profit bumps us into more funding options. We will keep this on the radar.
Next Meeting: Tuesday, July 11 at 6 pm. Location TBA.
If you would like to connect with one of these teams and do not know how to contact the team leaders, send an email to saxapahawforward@gmail.com. Someone will respond within a few days.