College-Buncombe Street Cultural Corridor
College-Buncombe Street Cultural Corridor
The City held a public meeting on January 25 to discuss a proposed road improvement project on College/Buncombe Street. The goal of the project, which will include street resurfacing, landscaping, multi-use paths, traffic signal upgrades and street/pedestrian lighting, is to provide and enhance pedestrian and bicycle mobility between Main Street and Heritage Green. In addition to soliciting general feedback on the plan, the project team is also asking the public to weigh in on two proposed traffic flow patterns for the intersection of College and Academy.
Intersection of College and Academy Streets
Traffic engineers are considering two options for traffic flow at this key intersection.
Alternative #1
This option would provide a safer environment for pedestrians by moving a lower volume of traffic through the intersection at a slower rate utilizing two dedicated left turn lanes. This option best meets the project goal of achieving a safer pedestrian environment by eliminating an additional conflict point between vehicles and pedestrians.
- Left Turn Lanes: 2
- Through Lanes: 2
- Enhanced pedestrian and bicyclist safety
- Shorter crossing distance of College St on west (left) leg
- “Protected” crossing of Academy Street on south (lower) leg – no conflict w/turning traffic
- Increased westbound traffic queueing (compared to existing conditions)
Alternative #2
This option would move a higher volume of traffic through the intersection at a faster rate utilizing one exclusive left turn lane and one shared left/through lane.
- Left Turn Lanes: 1 exclusive, 1 shared
- Through Lanes: 3 (including 1 shared)
- Reduced pedestrian and bicyclist safety
- Longer crossing distance of College St on west (left) leg
- “Unprotected” crossing of Academy St on south – left turning vehicles must yield to peds and sight lines can be obscured with 2 cars turning together
- Leading ped interval recommended
- Similar westbound traffic queuing (compared to existing conditions)