Date: Tue, 8 Oct 2019 12:49:26 +0000 (UTC)
From: Jina Blasko
Subject: Traffic Circle
So I am unsure what the update is on the circle however I found the following online from the Chatham news and record May 2019
Courthouse Traffic Circle Improvements
Improvements to Pittsboro’s traffic circle was identified as a priority during a visioning process started by downtown leadership in 2014, according to Bryan Gruesbeck, Pittsborois town manager. With the assistance of Chatham Park, Kimley-Horn was contracted to design a vision of downtown Pittsboro in order to compete as new development occurred in other areas of Pittsboro. Gruesbeck noted that traffic movements through the circle are very challenging and the goal was to allow downtown to compete in terms of traffic flow and pedestrian flow.
In June 2015, N.C. Dept. of Transportation contracted with Kimley-Horn to design based on the vision documents and to improve safety. They began surveying in fall of that year and began engaging with property owners around the circle early in 2016. Since then, plans have been reviewed, changed, and reviewed again, according to Gruesbeck. The project will constrict the amount of pavement which is currently around the circle in and effort to control and slow down traffic in the circle. There will also be visual elements that will help force drivers to slow down.
It’s estimated that the design will be complete this June with the bidding and awarding of contracts to occur in this fall. Prior to the start of the circle project, a project to bury utility lines will occur throughout the summer. This means the circle construction will likely begin in early 2020 with an estimated completion of October 2020. Construction will require road closures except local traffic, with detours sending large trucks to N.C. 87 to the U.S. 64 Bypass. Local traffic will have other detours using town streets.
The work will occur by quadrant allowing some flow of traffic during the process. However, several quadrants will require a complete closure of the circle. Representatives for NCDOT noted that there are discussions as to possibly to night work or weekend closures to allow contractors to “get in and get out.