Comments for “Duke/Gregson Corridor Study”
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Vickers widens here to add a right turn lane beginning south of Jackson St, continuing south across the 147, and ending at Yancey St. The width of Vickers here (3 lanes) creates a perception of a faster street and traffic speeds are way too fast when vehicles arrive in Morehead Hill at the intersection of Yancey. The right turn lane (which some drivers think is a third driving lane, due to poor signage and markings, creates further confusion) ends at Yancey, replaced by street-side parking (a traditionally good traffic calming measure), but the damage is done, so to speak, as drivers' speeds are already well over the limit as they continue south on Vickers.
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Add stop lights that are timed to stay green going from club to main when going 30mph. turn red going faster. Same for Duke.
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Add dedicated bike lanes to connect Club to Lakewood Ave
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Add dedicated bike lanes for bikes, scooters, etc to connect Club to Main.
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Vehicles speeding down the hill southbound after crossing the intersection of W Chapel Hill St either underestimate or don't see this curve in the road, which has led to several accidents as cars leave the road and enter the property being developed here as condos/townhomes.
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The issue is the intersection of Parker and Vickers. There is a stop sign at Parker St eastbound, but cars are trying to get across Vickers as speeding southbound cars come over the 147 overpass and around a blind curve. This has led to multiple accidents at the intersection. Pedestrians are put in danger without crosswalk signage, and a majority of southbound Vickers Ave vehicles turning left on Parker to access the 147 don't yield to pedestrians.
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So many drivers use this route (Morehead > Shepherd > Parker) as a cut-through to access the 147 (initially a temporary access point which was never intended to be permanent), and the volume of traffic moving through the neighborhood is diminishing the quality of life for residents.
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I have lived on Duke St for more than 25 years. Since COVID the amount of traffic appears to have decreased but the speeds have increased. I park on the street daily. OMy vehicles have had 2 windows broken out, 3 beer bottle/cans thrown at my car at high speeds causing dents, 2 mirrors taken off by moving vehicles and a car side-swiped in a hit and run. Because of the lack of traffic calming measures between the lights a Markum and the ones at Club Blvd cars can get up to highway speeds along this intersection putting the residents who live through here at risk. Those that live past the crest of the hill are daily taking their lives into their hands when they tried to leave home in their vehicles or anyone that is trying to cross the street.
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The intersection at Knox and Duke St is difficult to see to cross or turn. Especially heading west on Knox St. The large trees block the ability to see more than 20 feet down the road. With traffic consistantly going beyond the speed limit coming down the hill from Markham towards this intersection it is a daily hazard for drivers. There have been multiple accidents and near misses at this intersection.
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Parker St. is not safely or properly designed as a freeway entrance. When initially opened it was supposed to be temporary until nearby proper entrances were constructed. All that this entrance does is direct needless traffic (including endless buses and trucks) through a residential area -- traffic that can easily be handled at either of the two nearby entrances. The Prker/Vickers intersection is the danger point due to poor designed signage and street markings; there are frequent wrecks and multiple daily near-wrecks. And it is an impossibly dangerous pedestrian crossing for anyone who cannot break into a run when necessary. Best solution is to close this menace of an entrance -- an unnecessary entrance -- to 147.
I'm glad to discuss this if it would be helpful. I live on that intersection so I am familiar with its dangers and other problems,Liked 10 times -
I own a home on N Gregson. Homes are consistently of lower value due to the high traffic volume on Gregson. The street must be changed to either be 2-way or to be 1 lane. There should NOT be an opportunity for cars that want to SPEED to PASS cars that are going an appropriate speed. Look at any other 35MPH road and you will see a VERY different typology than this historic thoroughfare. 35MPH is WAY TOO FAST for this neighborhood!! People who want to get from point A to point B quickly should TAKE THE HIGHWAY
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If you try to cross Duke or Gregson at an intersection without a traffic light, and a car slows down for you, another car will likely PASS the slowed car. This has lead to injuries! There should not be a way for cars to PASS other cars on a neighborhood street!!!
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This intersection is extremely dangerous to cross, especially with young children. Traffic routinely exceeds the speed limit. Cobb St. is a critical bike/ped route to Orchard Park, Morehead Elementary, downtown Durham and the American Tobacco Trail.
In addition to multi-modal safety improvements, study should assess conversion to two-way streets with lower speed limits and additional four-way stops at Cobb/Duke and Cobb/Gregson.
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I saw a woman get hit by a car here.
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There is no crosswalk here. Dacian connects to the Ellerbe Creek trail at the bottom of the hill here, but it is SO UNSAFE to cross Duke at this location. There are lower income apartments here on Dacian and MANY people walk by necessity. Watching older siblings with younger children try to cross the road here will take your breath away. It's essentially a 3-lane highway!
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This intersection is extremely dangerous to cross, especially with young children. Traffic routinely exceeds the speed limit and is very difficult to see due to on-street parking and topography. Cobb St. is a critical westbound route to Orchard Park and Morehead Elementary and eastbound to downtown Durham and the American Tobacco Trail.
In addition to multi-modal safety improvements, study should assess conversion to two-way streets with lower speed limits and additional four-way stops at Cobb/Duke and Cobb/Gregson.
Liked 11 times -
I'm a resident near the corner of Duke and Green St. I drive my car, walk my dog, and ride scooters occasionally as alternative transportation. This section of Duke and Gregson is hilly and visibility at intersections is very limited, especially when cars are parked on the street or there are bushes planted in the space between sidewalk and road. I disagree with other residents that a helpful solution is making the streets 2-way traffic; considering intersection visibility is such a problem, doubling the direction would just create additional stress of watching for oncoming traffic at intersections. I also disagree with the 1-lane solution; some of the drivers who frequent these streets are very aggressive and, personally, I appreciate that they can go around me in the other lane while I'm slowing down to turn onto a cross street. I think some solutions that are more likely to be helpful to both neighborhood residents and passers-through are:
Roundabouts every 2 or 3 intersections, such as the one at the intersection of W. Trinity and Glendale Ave.
Lower speed limit. 25 may be a bit too slow, is 30 an option?
More sidewalks? I can't walk around my block without crossing Duke to use the sidewalk on the other side of the road.
Thanks for considering my input and thanks for reviewing these issues! (Also my apologies to bikers, I don't bike and am unsure if my comments are helpful or hurtful to bikers' needs.)
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I would support making both Vickers and Duke street 2-way, or some other major change to slow traffic. Many cars pass going at least 20 mph over speed limit, and crashes are common.
Liked 12 times -
very difficult and confusing area of pedestians to cross in to the shopping area
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the visability at this intersection is poor and I've seen several cars driving west run this stop light.
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this intesection is a school zone but has no signage and a poorly marked, hard to see crosswalk that people don't notice. this area could be improved for children and school walkers
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there have been several accidents from speeding south-bound cars along this stretch of vickers. I know one homeowner who moved specifically bc they couldn't take the stress of all of the accidents at this intersection.
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would it be possible to better protect the sidewalk or increase the height of the fence by the sidewalk over the freeway to make it feel less scary to walk over? would improve pedestrian quality a lot to be able to have a good corridor to walk safely to downtown
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I second that eliminating the two one way thoroughfares would be much better/safer/more pleasant/ less annoying and intrusive on the quality of life in Morehead Hills. This would help alleviate many of the problems already mentioned here and Possibly be the single most dramatic improvement that could be made.
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pedestrian bridge is very welcome and well used. Thank you
Liked 6 times