Raleigh Council approves roundabout plan

Raleigh Council Approves Roundabout Plan

After going in circles for months, the Raleigh City Council approved a plan to put two roundabouts in the Hillsborough Street area.

The City Council passed the measure Tuesday by a vote of 6-2, with council members Philip Isley and Tommy Craven opposing the plan.

The plan calls for two roundabouts, possibly four, but it will not include the 11 roundabouts that were originally proposed.

“I think sometimes we do have to do what I call creative tension where you have to stretch that rubber band as long as you don't break it and I think we stretched it to that point that we will come out with a much better product,” Councilman James West said.

Under the plan, a roundabout would be placed at the intersection of Pullen Road and Hillsborough Street near the North Carolina State University Bell Tower. A smaller roundabout would be placed at the intersection of Oberlin Road and Groveland Avenue.

The new plan will bury utilities in a five-block area, create more than 200 on-street parking spaces on both sides of Hillsborough Street and provide a median to help students cross the street safely. The plan is supported by N.C. State and most businesses and residents in the area.

“The roundabouts and the parking are the key to changing the character of the street. It will slow the traffic and it will not only slow it but create a sense of place here which has been what's missing for many years,” said George Chapman of the Hillsborough Street Partnership.

Raleigh Planning Director Mitch Silver said the location of the roundabouts will serve as a gateway to the university district and an entry to the city. Most importantly, he said, it's a plan that is sustainable for the long term.

“We really looked at it from an economic development point of view,” he said.

More detailed designs for the roundabouts will now be drawn up. The entire project is likely to cost between $6 million and 7 million. Nearly $3 million is already set aside from a previous bond.

It is now up to the city manager to figure out where the rest of the money will come from. Mayor Charles Meeker said the money could come from streetscape funds, impact fees or even other bond projects that are delayed.



25 Comments


Golo

Welcome to GOLO, where WRAL.com visitors can comment on stories and create profile pages, blogs and photo galleries.

You must be a registered WRAL.com user to use these tools. Click here to register or log in.

View Comments View Comments

Report It
Send us your news photos, videos, tips and story ideas.
Submit Videos Submit Photos Submit Reports
  1. Durham cityscape_03
    Cityscapes of the Triangle

    Take a tour through the urban landscapes of the Triangle's cities and towns.

  2. APTOPIX_People_Michael_Jackson
    Michael Jackson (1958-2009)

    The life and death of Michael Jackson in video and photos.

  3. Drought Map
    A year of N.C. Drought Maps

    View a time lapse animation of drought conditions during the last year.

  4. Antiques Roadshow
    'Antiques Roadshow' in Raleigh

    The "Antiques Roadshow" taped Saturday, June 27, 2009, at the Raleigh Convention Center, where over 5,000 ticket holders lined up to learn what…

  5. Film_Review_Ice_Age
    The week in entertainment

    A look at the top entertainment stories this week through the lenses of Associated Press photographers.