Drivers can eventually look forward to a smoother ride down Sandy Forks Road in north Raleigh.
Raleigh City Councilors approved final designs during their regular Tuesday meeting. Improvements are slated to begin next year.
The $9.9 million project includes bicycle and pedestrian-friendly upgrades for the one-mile stretch of road that connects Six Forks and Falls of the Neuse roads. Bike lanes, sidewalks and a grassy median are expected to provide a safer environment on a road that already sees a heavy amount of foot traffic.
Ariella Monti
Sandy Forks Road.
Some residents have raised concerns about not being able to make left turns into their driveways because of the median. City staff was asked to work with property owners to find a creative solution, but designs were approved without any changes.
Funding for the project comes from the 2013 transportation bond.
Raleigh will also be using Sandy Forks as a pilot project for the Greenroads program, which has been described as LEED certification for street projects.
The project will include an extra thick layer of recycled asphalt and stormwater management controls that will help control runoff during rainstorms.
RCAC Asks for More Help
Members of the Raleigh Citizens Advisory Council are asking for more assistance from city officials in managing the area’s growing population. Each Raleigh resident is automatically a member of a CAC.
“We’re stretched to the limits,” said RCAC chair Benson Kirkman. “We have several CACs that are enormous, geographically.”
Kirkman asked that the Council and the city manager redraw the lines and create more CACs. There are 19 CACs, which are considered an advisory arm to the Council.
Councilor Thomas Crowder said he made a request on behalf of the CACs in his district to have more city staff present for the frequent rezoning presentations given by developers at CAC meetings.
“We desperately need planning department representation,” he said.
City Receives Grant for Chavis Park Trees
The city has received a $7,000 grant from the Alliance for Community Trees to enhance the riparian buffer alongside Little Rock Creek in John Chavis Memorial Park by planting a number of trees in the space.
The buffer is currently overrun with invasive plant species. The master plan for the park addresses creek stewardship by formalizing riparian zone edges with art, managed landscapes and retaining walls.
Volunteers will plant the trees during an event in October.
Road Races Approved
Councilors approved three road races, which will be put on this year’s calendar.
Race: Gail Parkins Memorial Ovarian Awareness 5K
Location: Sanderson High School
Length: 5K
Date and Time: Sept. 13, 9:30 a.m. To 1 p.m.
Attendees: About 1,500
Race: 9th Annual Magnificent Mile Road Race
Location: Downtown Raleigh
Length: Three 1-mile races
Date and Time: Sept. 14, 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Attendees: About 1,400
Race: Patrol Stroll
Location: N.C. Highway Patrol Training Facility
Length: Unspecified
Date and Time: Sept. 27, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Attendees: Unspecified
