Officals say the “superstreet” design makes roads safer and improves traffic flow by eliminating left turns. The concept is planned when the NCDOT widens West Catawba Ave. in the coming years. (NCDOT diagram)
Andrew Grant
Cornelius Assistant Town Manager Andrew Grant will talk about the NCDOT’s planned West Catawba Avenue widening project and the proposed “superstreet” design at the next Coffee Chat Monday, May 4, hosted by commissioners Woody Washam and Jim Duke.
The meeting is open to the public May, 4 at 9am at Acropolis Restaurant, 20659 Catawba Ave., off I-77 Exit 28.
The chats provide an opportunity for citizens to discuss legislative issues with local and state lawmakers.
The NCDOT plans to widen West Catawba Ave. from Jetton Road south to NC 73. Here’s a view looking north toward Westmoreland Road. (David Boraks/CorneliusNews.net)
The NCDOT is considering design alternatives for the planned widening of West Catawba Avenue between Jetton Road and NC 73/Sam Furr Road. At their April 20 meeting, some Cornelius commissioners gave bad reviews to the “superstreet” plan.
In the design, planners have re-thought the way turns work on busy streets. Instead of four-way stops, drivers wanting to turn left on a superstreet are required to turn right, then make an immediate U-turn farther up the road. It’s counterintuitive, but experts say it has been proven to make roads faster and safer.
Some commissioner fears it could turn the road into an unsightly highway that favors through traffic while making it harder for motorists to stop at local businesses.
In a note to constituents this week, Commissioner Duke said:
I am very concerned that this concept will create something so out of character with our community as to detract from the appeal of our small town. If you are curious about what a “Super Street” is all about, take a drive along Poplar Tent Road in Concord. While the road moves traffic efficiently, it is more like a freeway than a street. Its’ U-turn design requires an exceptionally wide roadbed and large “bump outs” adjacent to each U-Turn location. I believe that we need to widen Catawba consistent with the work that was done for Catawba Phase I.
The DOT currently plans to widen the road in 2019. Still to come are public meetings on the idea.
RELATED LINKS AND COVERAGE
April 21, 2015, “Board thinks superstreet design isn’t so super; electric lines to be buried”
Nov 6, 2014, “DOT considers ‘superstreet’ design for W. Catawba widening”
