U.S. Route 64, referred to locally as Highway 64 or just “64”, is the longest highway in North Carolina. Stretching from the western edge of the state to the Outer Banks, Highway 64 runs for 563 miles. If you have ever traveled on Highway 64 during the hours of 4:00pm to 7:00pm on a Friday afternoon it might feel like every person who lives within those 563 miles is traveling at the same time. Specifically, the section of road that runs between Laura Duncan Rd. in Apex to U.S. 1 in Cary has been an area of interest not only to residents but to NCDOT as well.
According to public documents, in 2011 the NCDOT, together with Apex, Cary, Chatham County and the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) conducted a US 64 Chatham-Wake County Planning study. The study evaluated the short- and long-term recommendations for the highway. Part of the long-term recommendations included interchanges at Laura Duncan Rd. and Lake Pine Dr., as well as improvements including U-turns, right-in/right-out only intersections and left-overs. According to Ryan White, Senior Transportation Engineer with Stantec Consulting Service, Inc., “Those working on the project are looking at not only previously evaluated options, but also options considered to be outside the box, and those that have never been used in North Carolina.”
The concerns for this section of the highway include not only traffic and congestion, but safety as well. Over the course of the study, between 2012 and 2016, nearly 800 crashes occurred, which is nearly double the state average for a highway this size. Of those 800 crashes, 500 were rear-end collisions (likely due to the stop and go nature of the area), 70 were side-swipes (think: merging or changing lanes without checking blind spots) and almost 250 of these crashes took place between the hours of 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Bob Deaton, NCDOT Project Manager for the Central Project Delivery Team also noted that the location of Apex High School, which is currently undergoing renovation, is “among the primary safety concerns for the project.” Mr. Deaton stated “It is unfortunate that the school is closed at this time, because we would have liked to have been able to collect data regarding pedestrian (student) traffic.” Not only is information on vehicle traffic of concern, but the high rate of pedestrian traffic is as well. Specifically, the students that are frequently crossing Highway 64 from Apex High School to the shopping center located on the opposite side of Highway 64. Mr. White said, “We have been challenged and have had to be creative with ideas that have never before been constructed in North Carolina.” “The primary concern or challenge is with implementing new intersection/interchange concepts combined with the high number of inexperienced drivers and pedestrians at the high school,” Mr. Deaton said.
Some of the design options that have been discussed include a “tear drop” interchange, which consists of two roundabouts on each side of 64 on Laura Duncan. A tear drop interchange resembles a figure eight. This option would allow for traffic to flow freely because it does not have traffic signals. A pedestrian bridge is included with this interchange option to allow pedestrians to avoid the free-flow ramps. Another option is a more traditional diamond interchange that utilizes signals and would provide sidewalks for pedestrians.
During the process of determining the best options for the area, the NCDOT has reached out to those that would be utilizing the new roads the most, the residents. In June of this year, the DOT held a public meeting to discuss the project, receive feedback and answer questions. Over 200 people were in attendance, and Mr. Deaton and Mr. White both stated that this type of turn-out was substantial. Most of those that attended agreed that there is a need to update this area due to the current growth of Apex and the extensive growth that is likely to take place over the next several years.
While the NCDOT is at the heart of the planning, there are also several other agencies that are involved in the planning process of the project, including the Towns of Apex and Cary Comprehensive Transportation Plans (CTPs) and the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO). Mr. White explained that when dealing with an area “that is over 50 thousand in population, CAMPO is required by the federal government to help develop long-term transportation plans.” This is required when there is federal funding involved. Planners also approached the auto dealerships, neighborhoods and churches in the surrounding areas. “We knew we needed to get the public opinion, and it was just the right thing to do,” Mr. Deaton said.
While most Apex residents would love to have this project conceptualized, planned and completed in short order, a project of this magnitude takes time. Mr. Deaton said that the NCDOT hopes to have the planning portion of the project completed by mid-2019. Once the planning is complete there are several processes that need to take place including right of way acquisitions and construction. It is the hope that the impact on residential and commercial property is minimal, as well as the impact on the aesthetics and vegetation of the area. There are departments involved in the project that are responsible for providing information necessary to ensure the result continues to have the look and feel that Apex is accustomed to. “We will also have studies done to determine the noise levels that are currently around this area and will determine the best place and way to provide sound barriers,” Mr. White said.
The purpose of this project is to improve the traffic flow on one of the busiest roads in Apex. The development of the city and the expected growth over the next several years has expedited the need for this road expansion. There are many layers to a project of this magnitude, each of which takes an ample amount of time, but all are imperative if the outcome is to be worthwhile. “Folks aren’t always happy with the timeframe, but we hope that they know that we are mindful of the community and are tasked with being respectful of the community’s needs. There is a lot of juggling that goes on to make sure the right solution is implemented,” Mr. Deaton said.
Though it won’t happen overnight, a solution is on the horizon and Apex residents can rest assured that the NCDOT will do everything possible to accommodate all those that utilize this major highway.
For maps and to submit questions to the NCDOT, please visit https://publicinput.com/U-5301-US64-Apex-Cary.
