Lake Wheeler Road
If you’ve driven down Lake Wheeler Road lately, you may be wondering what all the markings and stakes are on the west side of the road. Well, we did too. So we asked Fleming A. El-Amin II, AICP, Transportation Planner with the City of Raleigh Office of Transportation Planning to help us understand what’s going on.
It’s a $2.15 million project that’s adding turn lanes and pedestrian improvements from Raleigh Oaks Shopping Center (Lake Wheeler Road and Tryon Road) extending to the Farmers Market. But here are the questions that we asked El-Amin II to help us understand more about the project and where it is today.
The City Council approved the “Lake Wheeler Road Pedestrian and Turn Lane Improvements” project in May 2012. What stage is that project currently in and what are the next steps?
[The project has] recently requested right-of-way certification and is awaiting approval. The next step is construction authorization in preparation for a 10/12 project advertisement for bids. Construction commencement is expected during Spring 2013.
What are some advantages of having pedestrian amenities such as the 5′ asphalt path and concrete sidewalk in communities like this?
The sidewalk and asphalt path will provide continuity within the sidewalk network along Lake Wheeler Road. This project will provide pedestrian connections to Capital Area Transit stops along the Lake Wheeler Road, and will provide continuous sidewalk connectivity from the State Farmers Market to the Raleigh Oaks Shopping Center. This project will also provide pedestrian accommodations connecting to the Walnut Creek Greenway Trail.
What do the current markings on the West side of some Lake Wheeler Road properties in this project area indicate?
The stakes/ribbons seen mostly on the west side of Lake Wheeler represents the construction limits of our proposed improvements. In order to make some of the improvements, additional land was acquired either as easements or as right-of-way depending on the accommodating need.
Does the city anticipate any road closings or traffic interruptions once construction begins next Summer?
Currently, we do not anticipate any roadway closures in association with this project. However, traffic interruptions are likely to occur as is always the case with these types of roadway improvements. Typically, roadway work requiring the most significant traffic disruption will occur during off peak hours.
Some citizens are concerned about southbound traffic illegally passing cars waiting to turn onto Carolina Pines. Will this project include improvements to address those concerns?
A single left turn lane is proposed at Carolina Pines. It will allow for the separation of traffic making a left turn and the traffic traveling south along Lake Wheeler Road. This improvement will help alleviate illegal passing at this intersection.
Where can citizens go for more information?
Citizens may visit the City’s website at www.raleighnc.gov and search “Lake Wheeler Road Improvements” or contact the project manager Sylvester Percival at [email protected] or 919-996-4053. Updates are posted to webpage as project milestones are met…see the project schedule for additional details.