Lake Wheeler Road Project Update Survey

Move Filter by Segment Options
Project Engagement
Views 383
Participants 152
Responses 789
Comments 103
Move Toggle Comments Filter by Segment Options
We are proposing a roundabout at the Lake Wheeler and South Saunders Street intersection. On a scale of 1-10, with 10 as the highest and 1 as the lowest please rate your support of this feature.
Average 81 / 100
As others mentioned, it's hard to provide feedback on this feature without seeing the alignment and for me personally the footprint of the proposed circle. In general, engineers in the US oversize roundabouts and end up creating a larger intersection than is required. The new roundabout at Pullen and Bilyeu for example is much larger than it needs to be. This is probably too radical for people to get behind right now, but I could see Lake Wheeler and S. Saunders as a Shared Space intersection where Northbound Saunders yields to Lake Wheeler > Saunders. This would only work if the grade was tempered well in advance of the intersection, but there also, a roundabout would need the same grade tempering on the approach. Hard to say at this point, but VERY GRATEFUL that something is being proposed to 1) slow traffic 2) provide better accommodation for bike/ped. The design speed of this entire corridor from Maywood to Saunders and beyond should be no more than 20 mph! 15 mph really. It is a street, not a road.
Reply7 Agree2 years ago
My only concern with a roundabout is that it often causes pedestrians to feel uncomfortable, as they are never entirely certain that someone will stop for them. It can be difficult for a pedestrian to make eye contact with someone in low-light conditions. (When was the last time that you crossed the street at the Hillsborough / Pullen Rd. roundabout? Go try it. I'm serious. Do it). A red light gives pedestrians (near) certainty that they will not be hit. Considering that Dix park is surrounded by many apartment and residential complexes, having safe pedestrian passages is imperative for this area to flourish. Many of these areas are low-income, and many of the residents rely on pedestrian walkways as their main transportation. Many people using South Saunders and Lake Wheeler Road are either coming off the interstate or trying to access the interstate, so they are hurrying through and would likely be in a more accelerated state of driving. Safe, consistent, and certain pedestrian and biking access is absolutely imperative for this intersection.
Reply7 Agree2 years ago
I believe any traffic calming measures in the city core are great additions. This intersection now isn't optimal and I believe a roundabout is a considerable improvement, especially with the development on the east side of S. Saunders under way now. I would love to see this project focus on and present pedestrian/bike benefits 1st and 2nd priority accommodations to cars.
Reply5 Agree2 years ago
It highly depends on the actual design of the intersection and how pedestrians / cyclists will navigate it. For example, the bike lanes on Hillsborough dead ends at the roundabouts which is dangerous and difficult to safely navigate.
Reply3 Agree2 years ago
Without seeing how you plan to realign S. Saunders and Lake Wheeler it's hard to answer this question.
Reply3 Agree2 years ago
Move Toggle Comments Filter by Segment Options
With the new Daladams Street extension into the park and the long-term goal of having Umstead Drive a pedestrian-only entrance, we propose making Umstead Drive a right-in, right-out only street. On a scale of 1-10, with 10 as the highest and 1 as the lowest please rank you support for the proposed right-in, right-out intersection at Umstead Drive.
Average 82 / 100
This seems perfectly reasonable. Currently this is a dangerous spot, and having the option of turning left in or out of Umstead drive adds complexity to the situation. Fully support limiting vehicular access here.
Reply4 Agree2 years ago
Honestly doesn’t matter to me on the turning but please MAKE A SIDEWALK FROM SOUTH SAUNDERS TO CENTENNIAL!
Reply1 Agree2 years ago
So is it going to be pedestrian-only or is it still going to have vehicular access? This is confusing to me.
Reply1 Agree2 years ago
Yes
ReplyAgree2 years ago
I am not sure how it will affect events as it is currently a staff entry point for dreamville
ReplyAgree2 years ago
Move Toggle Comments Filter by Segment Options
We are proposing an elongated roundabout between Goode Street and Mercury Street. One a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 and the lowest and 10 as the highest, please rank your support for the elongated roundabout concept.
Average 81 / 100
Move Toggle Comments Filter by Segment Options
If any, what is your biggest concern with the elongated roundabout?
80%
Pedestrian/Cyclist Safety
11%
Vehicular Navigability
5%
Other
4%
Increased Travel Time and/or length
111 respondents
Move Toggle Comments Filter by Segment Options
Would you prefer to see the pedestrian & bike accommodations
58%
Inside the elongated roundabout
42%
At either end only
93 respondents
Hard to say. I think the vast majority of bike/ped demand will be on the west side of the street at this location as people will largely either enter the park or continue down Lake Wheeler. It might be best to keep the main bike/ped artery on the west side of this intersection with a connection to the east side to access Mercury.

The biggest feedback from me, and a lot of people on here I'm sure, is to keep the design speed DOWN on Lake Wheeler. This does not need to be a stroad that any driver feels comfortable traveling 35mph+. It needs to be a STREET that drivers only feel comfortable traveling less than 25 mph, and ideally less than that. It's only a 0.9 mile corridor, which takes much longer on foot/bike than in a car, regardless of whether the car is going 20 or 40, so please prioritize bike/ped empowerment over vehicle volume/speed. If Lake Wheeler becomes slow and congested, GOOD! That means drivers will find alternate routes for through trips (like highway 401 right next door). And it means drivers are paying attention, because congestion creates attention to driving conditions.

THANK YOU ALL - LET'S DO THIS!!!
Reply4 Agree2 years ago
With good signage, it's more intuitive and safe to yield to pedestrians before entering the roundabout, rather than while inside it. The whole point of a roundabout is that those inside have right-of-way to those entering - if you change that, it could be unsafe. Dutch style roundabouts have bikes and pedestrians always on the outside.
Reply2 Agree2 years ago
As frequent pedestrians here, the "desire path" on foot naturally is a straight line between Mercury and Goode. Pedestrians crossing inside the roundabout would align most with how it's currently used on foot.
Reply1 Agree2 years ago
The roundabouts at hillsbrough street are difficult to cross as a pedestrian and feel dangerous. Don’t know what the answer is but make these safer, easier, faster for pedestrians!
ReplyAgree2 years ago
Like it
ReplyAgree2 years ago
Move Toggle Comments Filter by Segment Options
Do you think the proposed additions to the design concepts create a safer corridor for Lake Wheeler Road and Dix Park?
90% Yes
10% No
114 respondents
I think Maywood and Lake Wheeler should be considered for a roundabout. Its increasing more difficult to turn from Maywood onto Lake Wheeler in either direction since the opening of the new Farmer's Market access and the artificial bottleneck of forcing cars into one northbound lane at Centennial. Of all the intersections on Lake Wheeler in this stretch, this is the only one not being mentioned for improvements.
Reply6 Agree2 years ago
One additional point. The entrance to the Farmer's market is also a point of congestion, especially for traffic coming off Maywood onto Lake Wheeler road, then changing lanes to turn right into the Farmer's Market. Perhaps one of those elongated traffic circles could include the Farmer's Market intersection as well.
Reply3 Agree2 years ago
I agree about need for roundabout at Maywood
Reply1 Agree2 years ago
These and most of the lake wheeler plans only look at cars and the park. There’s an entire neighborhood on the other side of the street. People live in those houses and have to use that street for their daily lives. These residents, who will be first— and most active — users of the street and the park need more consideration in these plans. Roundabouts aren’t a solution. Learn from the mess that is Hillsborough street.
Reply1 Agree2 years ago
Sidewalks are the biggest need here. A proper pedestrian crossing at Maywood and Goode. Sidewalks need to go all the way from centennial to south Saunders. Traffic is not a major issue here pedestrian safety is!
ReplyAgree2 years ago
Move Toggle Comments Filter by Segment Options
Did you find the presentation informative and easy to understand?
83% Yes
17% No
109 respondents
It would be informative to have a presentation document with the proposed design elements and the location of each designated on a map. The video presentations are clear and informative; however, it is sometimes difficult to gain a perspective of where all the changes are without having a single map to glance at while studying the changes.
Reply6 Agree2 years ago
I only voted no because there were parts that didn't go into enough detail for me. You did a nice job with it all, and I'm supportive. I just had some moments where I wanted more info.
Reply4 Agree2 years ago
Please focus on and present pedestrian/bike improvements before benefits for cars. Slow traffic down. Make this corridor less desirable for through traffic and more friendly for foot/bike traffic. If there is any road in Raleigh that needs to be completely reimagined for safety of pedestrians, it's this road (change to Street makes a lot of sense as well). This road borders Dix and connects downtown to the Farmers Market (obv).
Reply2 Agree2 years ago
really liked this video format
Reply1 Agree2 years ago
The video (though it lacked some detail) was a helpful way to portray the information, appreciated!
ReplyAgree2 years ago