The initial phase of the Walnut Street Road Diet Project, which began this quarter, runs from Cary Towne Boulevard to Walker Street. The project is scheduled to be completed this summer and will enhance corridor safety with traffic-calming measures, such as reducing the number of vehicular lanes, providing buffered bike lanes to encourage alternate modes of transportation, and high-visibility pedestrian crossings. Future corridor improvements are also under consideration and will be developed as staff evaluates the effectiveness of the initial phase.

Cary’s Crabtree Greenway Project is currently underway with support from a $1.57 million federal Locally Administered Projects Program, or LAPP, grant. Managed by Lanier Construction Company, construction began in March and is scheduled for completion by winter 2025. When complete, the greenway will extend northward from Bond Park, passing under Cary Parkway and alongside the Preston soccer fields. It will ultimately connect with High House Road and a proposed street-side trail. This project fills a critical gap in the Crabtree Creek Greenway corridor, with transit connections via a GoCary stop on High House Road, and enhances biking and pedestrian access to Bond Park, the hub of Cary’s greenway network. 

Cary began construction on phase 3 of the Higgins Greenway in April. The existing greenway will be extended 0.86 miles from its current terminus at Union Street eastward to Kildaire Farm Road. This work will fill a gap in the greenway network and increase connectivity between downtown Cary and the surrounding neighborhoods. The project is anticipated to continue through summer 2025.

Black Creek Greenway renovations and Cary Parkway sidewalk construction at Black Creek started on June 3. These projects will improve and rehabilitate Black Creek Greenway from West Dynasty Drive to Old Reedy Creek Road and complete a sidewalk gap along Cary Parkway over Black Creek. Construction is anticipated to take three years to complete and will take place in three phases to help minimize impacts to greenway users. Each phase will require closing and detouring that section of the greenway while the other sections of the greenway remain open. The first phase begins at West Dynasty Drive and ends at the North Cary Park access to the Black Creek Greenway.

The new GoCary Downtown Loop (DL) began June 1, providing more access to downtown attractions and parking options. Additionally, the microtransit feasibility study is wrapping up after 19 community engagement events and 1,270 survey responses. Staff will present future service recommendations to Council later this summer.

Cary’s Traffic Calming Program continues to be active with more than 40 neighborhoods engaged with staff in the process. The most visible aspect of Cary’s Traffic Calming Program is often the construction of new devices, and this quarter was no exception. Cary installed 11 speed humps across three different communities: Glenkirk, Preston Village, and Whitford Place on Olde Weatherstone Way, Preston Village Way, and Weycroft Avenue. 

Also this quarter, Council approved a policy update that represents a notable evolution in Cary’s program. The latest policy statement provides staff the opportunity to consider so-called “cut-through” traffic volume as a factor in determining funding for traffic-calming projects. Many residents note cut-through traffic as a concern in their communities, and this update will provide greater flexibility for Cary to respond.

This quarter saw an innovation in Cary’s transportation system that is focused specifically on pedestrian safety, which has been top of mind for many residents. Cary installed In-Road Warning Light Systems at two existing crosswalk locations in the downtown area: Harrison Avenue at the Cary Depot and Walnut Street near R. S. Dunham Park. The systems consist of LED light “pucks” in the road surface paired with LED-enhanced signs and pedestrian-activated push-button devices. Together, these devices are intended to enhance the visibility of pedestrians using the crosswalk and allow pedestrians to signal their presence to drivers. This additional awareness is critical to promoting safer mobility for Cary’s road users.

These systems are a first for Cary and much of North Carolina. The uniqueness of the equipment challenged both Cary staff and the contractor, but good collaboration allowed both systems to be installed successfully and with minimal disruption to residents. Cary staff will continue to study these two systems to help determine where additional installations could be effective.

This May, National Bike Month had Cary on the move with community engagement and initiatives aimed at promoting biking as a safe, accessible, and fun transportation option. The celebration kicked off with Spring Daze’s popular Bike Valet service, providing hassle-free parking for attendees. Additionally, Cary debuted two new bike corrals strategically located downtown to offer convenient and secure parking near popular destinations. These efforts demonstrate Cary’s dedication to creating a biking network that supports residents of all ages and abilities from the beginning to the end of the trip. 

Throughout Bike Month, Cary continued to prioritize community involvement and education. Events included Bike & Roll to School Day, when hundreds of students enjoyed Cary’s greenways and learned about bike safety. The month also featured “Bike to the Park,” an event that invited visitors to ride their bikes to Downtown Cary Park to engage with staff and other bike advocacy groups about the bike plan and bike safety. Later in May, the Bike Plan Focus Group participated in a downtown group ride, gaining valuable insights on street designs that impact biking comfort and safety. This input, along with feedback from the community, will be used to develop a draft bike plan later this year. Cary continues to enhance its reputation as a nationally recognized bike-friendly municipality committed to a sustainable transportation network. 

The North Carolina Department of Transportation is more than 90% finished with phase 1 of the Complete 540 project, which extends from the N.C. 55 bypass in Apex to the I-40/U.S. 70 interchange. Opening this summer, phase 1 is more than 17 miles long with six travel lanes, a 70-foot-wide median, and a posted speed limit of 70 miles per hour. Tolling will operate the same as other tolled areas of N.C. 540. The eastbound ramps at the Bells Lake Road interchange in Cary will open toward the end of the year. 

Throughout the project, Cary staff have collaborated with NCDOT to construct greenway facilities and to allocate space for future pedestrian and bike facilities at interchanges. On June 22, NCDOT hosted a 5K run, 10K cycling trial, and duathlon challenge on the highway for a unique experience before the highway opens. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for mid-2024. Phase 2 will complete the last leg of N.C. 540. Full construction is anticipated in early 2025. Visit ncdot.gov/complete540 for more information.