Traffic Safety Meeting Follow Up
Here's what happened... and some possible next steps.
Brandon White led this meeting to review progress so far by the traffic committee as well as new ideas. Our roads are for everybody; how can we make them safe for pedestrians? As a regular walker in this community, Brandon shared that a lot of us who have used the existing sidewalks, especially on the bridge, have experienced that moment of existential dread. While the speed limit is 30 mph, we are seeing traffic going much faster. The traffic is clearly getting worse, even as we become a trail town with many more visitors.
Can we add video link here?
Brandon led a panel discussion:
Elizabeth McCue, resident, described the early work by the committee and a recent break to work on water issues before getting the traffic committee working again. Steve Carter, County Commissioner, and John Jordan are present. Representative Dennis Ridell worked with the committee earlier; after receiving a petition and stories from residents, he contacted DOT for help. We are an unincorporated but strong community. We’re waiting for a roundabout, but need other ideas and solutions.
Andrew Sam, crew leader for Haw River and MST trails, says trails are happening. There were 88,000 people last year at Island Park (tracked by Alamance Parks & Rec). We need to slow the traffic down.
Kathryn Brown, resident, current Saxapahaw Village Kids board chair and former Hawbridge School board member, commented that the addition of the Hawbridge Upper School created a big change in community traffic. There will be 620 kids at Hawbridge next year. She says BEJ School wants to be involved. She read a statement from Sax Village Kids director, Renee Lynch, about ensuring the safety of our youngest learners.
Wright Archer, the Division Engineer with the DOT, says community involvement is important. DOT did 2019, 2021, and 2023 traffic studies. Traffic doubled from 2021 to 2023. DOT wheels move slowly; traffic calming is the goal. Funding and permitting are challenges. We are waiting for a roundabout.
People volunteered topics for Table Talk groups; everyone chose a topic to join, and spokespeople reported back to the whole group after 20 min. Discussion ranged broadly! Points made were:
Speed bumps would be the quickest and cheapest traffic calming measures. Crosswalks could be built high to BE speedbumps. What are the barriers to speed tables as crosswalks?
Jazz up pedestrian walkways – have buckets of flags that pedestrians carry across with them, put in bucket on other side.
A turn lane is needed at the Upper School.
The massive warehouse construction in Mebane is creating a lot of our truck traffic. In the end, we will need a bypass, a way around Sax. Carter Jordan has a proposed route, which would include a new bridge over the Haw.
We need sidewalks. They are part of the trail system. Would it be possible to have sidewalks from 87 to Austin Quarter, and up Sax-Beth to Terra Stay?
A pedestrian bridge over the Haw River is needed – architectural, for people & bikes & strollers, part of the trail. Very expensive.
How can we use landscape plants to slow traffic and show that this is a residential community?
A small, modular roundabout costs ~$200,000. There’s a new modular, composite model that DOT is trying first elsewhere in Alamance – there have been delays, but hopefully this summer.
Crosswalks need repainted immediately. (DOT says may not be possible until whenever repaving is scheduled). We need to add 2 more crosswalks. Flashing lights (solar?) are needed by crosswalks, and more signs that pedestrians have right of way. People coming from the campground need a crosswalk at the corner of Moore’s Chapel and Church.
There is no visible daytime speed enforcement in Sax.
Two final thoughts:
What can we do ourselves and what is considered DOT? What do we need to ask permission for, and what can we just do?
Is there anything we can do about airbrakes on trucks? Can they be banned in town?
Thanks for putting this together. We've got some good short-term, mid-term, and long-term solution ideas, so ready to explore the cost/benefits, getting organized, and determining next steps.
This has been getting more dangerous by the year - my hope is that it doesn't take a serious accident to gain the attention needed. Living close to the bridge, it is my experience that both cars and trucks use this as a drag strip, hitting high rates of speed and noise (exhaust). I've also see trucks that appear to be illegally lifted (too high, etc.) This adds to the danger when combined with speed. As this outline states - there is a lack of enforcement for the speed, noise, lift kits, garbage hauled without cover/tarps and other violations. It's seems like common sense to start with the simple steps and work up to more permanent solutions. Again, Thank you to everyone working on this!