City plan to ease traffic around Crabtree Valley Mall gathers dust

Raleigh, N.C. — For years, Raleigh city leaders have talked about ways to relieve traffic around Crabtree Valley Mall. A $30 million street extension has been on the drawing board as a fix for the congestion, but not everyone is in favor of it.

The proposal is to extend Crabtree Valley Avenue from Creedmoor Road to Glenwood Avenue. While the proposed roadway is only a third of a mile, there are a lot of issues to address.

Before moving forward, city leaders would have to consider several issues, such as BB&T's lease on property in the path of the extension.

Crossing Crabtree Creek would be another obstacle.

"It has been a road that has been on the map forever,” Mayor Charles Meeker said. "It is one of those things you probably wouldn't do even if you had the extra money.”

City leaders have pulled the project from their comprehensive plan, but are reviewing the possibility of conducting a traffic study on the area.

"We really need to have that study to make the best judgment,” Councilwoman Nancy McFarlane said.

McFarlane said it is important to weigh the city's options, while Meeker said it is time to put the idea to rest.

"Realistically, I do not think it is going to happen," Meeker said.

The traffic study could cost the city around $250,000.

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Latest Comments

I object to the city spending $ 250K on a traffic study.

Another 'consultant' firm to be hired on another waste project ?

Let DOT do the study, we have people who can do it cheaper.

james27613
February 18, 2009 7:28 p.m.

Two things. 1) why is it all the city's responsibility? The management of the mall should be stepping up to help with the resolve the problem. 2) what is the big deal with the "going to the mall" any way? What is the big appeal with big building full of stores?

Transient Entity
February 18, 2009 4:21 p.m.

I have always said the problem with traffic in this city is not the number of cars or the size of the roads. The problem is the way this city over controls traffic. I live in that area and have sat waiting for up to 3 minutes to turn onto Leadmine while no traffic was coming from either direction on Glenwood. Then as soon as traffic starts coming, the light stops the traffic dead.