The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and the City of Durham are collaborating on an ambitious resurfacing project focused on improving safety and connectivity for all road users. Beginning in November 2023, the project will target University Drive, from Durham-Chapel Hill Boulevard (US 15-501 Business) to East Forest Hills Boulevard.
Project Scope and Limitations
The resurfacing will primarily involve updating road paint markings to improve bike lanes and crosswalks, enhancing safety for pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, and drivers. However, due to the constraints of working with existing road widths, the project will not include more extensive infrastructure changes like new sidewalks. As University Drive is a state road, any proposed updates must comply with NCDOT standards, which may limit the extent of potential improvements.
Key Dates and Timeline
•Project Start: November 2023
•Community Engagement Period: January 2023 – February 25, 2024
•Anticipated Design Completion: March 2024
•Construction Start: May 2024
•Expected Completion: November 2024
Design and Collaboration
The City of Durham has enlisted Stantec Engineering, Brick & Story, and Just Cities Collective to manage site investigations, conduct density analyses, create design plans, and engage with the community. The finalized design for University Drive has been submitted to NCDOT for approval.
Community Involvement and Engagement Summary
Since February, City staff have organized multiple open houses and panel discussions to present the proposed changes and gather public feedback. These efforts have engaged over 339 residents, collected 118 online map comments, and received 167 survey responses. The feedback collected has been incorporated into the final design plans.
For more details, including the engagement summary and downloadable final design documents, visit the project’s web page. Stay tuned to Bull City Citizen for further updates as this important infrastructure project progresses.
