Comments on: Top 10 List

By: Alex

Alex — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 04:38:56 +0000

workon64, You are as misinformed as pirmin, so I would suggest not to be so confrentational. That picture up above is of the High Five interchange in Dallas, TX. It’s called the High Five because it is a stack interchange with 5 levels. Every highway going into it is 8 lanes / 4 lanes each direction (minimum), and it is an intersection of two major interstate highways, not a 4-6 lane highway (US1), a surface street (Tryon) and a future 6 lane “half-highway” (US64). That interchange will have 3 levels, not 5. My guess is whoever put that image on up there went to Google Images and searched for the most dramatic highway interchange photo they could find just for the purpose of arousing people and getting them on board by making it look worse then it will actually be under the proposed design. So please note, while pirmin had no right to claim someone “stole” the picture, whoever put the image up was merely trying to get people riled up.

By: Alex

Alex — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 04:30:01 +0000

I think that even though for the immediate area it may not be the best idea, for the region it is really needed. I live along 64 and I think something needs to be done at Laura Duncan and Lake Pine. The DOT released its “big-shot” projects for the next 10 years and one of them is an interchange at Laura Duncan with a bridge for 64. This will expand Laura Duncan to 2 lanes each direction from just north of the old Winn-Dixie down to the Knollwood entrance.

For the region, it definitely makes sense. Think about it. Making the road better for millions of cars a year and only making a few hundred people that live in the immediate vinicity upset. Makes sense to me. No plan will please everyone, and traffic is a nightmare. The DOT will do something there, whether we like it or not, so we need to have a plan in place that a majority of people find satisfactory or all of us will be unhappy.

For the greater good of people going from Raleigh to Charlotte, it is needed, even if it is going to make a few hundred people mad.

I rest my case.

By: workon64

workon64 — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:30:23 +0000

This is a response to pirmin, above…you are aware that the long-term plan that the DOT is proposing adds another overpass, that will stand above the existing one, at the current US1 and US 64 split, right? So you know that we’d end up with a massive interchange that is similar to what’s in the photo? If not, then that photo did its job.

Further, your insinuation that our website development group “steals” anything is getting on toward slander. Please refrain from such language if you wish to continue posting in the future.

By: jay sills

jay sills — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 02:30:01 +0000

Nc 55 south and the length of it needs work.. Around Angier where I live Maude Stewart Rd-Keenebec Rd ;since last July at least 4-vehicles have been totaled out here ……….Lagenaria Dr has had a few wrecks at it.A log truck wrecked next to this drive.Logs were spilled closing road a few weeks ago.The speeding in area going unchecked most of the time three Agencis have jurisdiction out here is not going on to any noticable level…. Drop off’s on edge of roads is a hazard,and I feel is a fcator in some wrecks,even though it’s not on reports it still may be a factor.. The roads between Angier and Durham are in some areas could use some additions to inprove safty. A light would help here close to my residence.7825 Lagenaria Dr,is where I live… To get out here is a real chore at times….Laura, I hope this info is helpfull in this consideration for improvements in my area… But to spend money on such a big project even when it’s funded; is a bit much to swallow at this point!!!!!!!!!!!! NC 55 is in poor shape in some areas,just drive it from Durham to Erwin,it’s a narrow hog path in some area’s . I know hog paths ;I grew up a few miles from Wake County,in Harnett,Johnston County. So,I know a Hog path when I see ONE!!!! Please help… Thanks, for letting me say my PEACE!!!!

By: Melissa

Melissa — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 21:05:30 +0000

Loss of “community” and “Business 64″

Why does it have to be an “elevated” expressway?

Elevated expressway and loss of visual appeal

Increased faster traffic. Why does everything have to be bigger and “faster”?

Loss of a peaceful scenic civilized route at a comfortable speed to get to other destinations

Decreased property values and the need to disclose upon a sale of a home the fact that an elevated expressway is going into our backyard

By: pirmin

pirmin — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:14:59 +0000

Wow, that’s a fear-mongering photo you’ve chosen to include with this post. You at least could identify where it is…L.A.? Did you steal it from the Internet?

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 22:21:10 +0000

The DOT website leads us to believe that completion of 540 will lead to increased traffic as it has on US 1 in North Raleigh. If this is the case, then DOT is admitting that building roads increases sprawl and traffic congestion – so why build more and not repair what we have?
I am opposed to the super street idea. There are too many intersection in close proximity to each other to permit enough space to have the U turns between each intersection. The increased flow of traffic would make it difficult to make the U turn and merely move the traffic slow downs away from the current lights to the U turns. These slow downs would be especially problematic during Apex High School school days and for church goers on Sundays. The super street would make pedestrian traffic more challenging and unsafe.
In general, widening Hwy 64 will create more commercial and industrial development, ruining established neighborhoods, destroying residential property values, and ruining a lovely community.

By: Elaine

Elaine — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 21:00:50 +0000

My top concerns:
• Daily inconvenience for residents of the neighborhoods along Hwy 64 for local travel – for work, school, sports, groceries, errands, shopping, visiting friends, etc.
• Increased, faster traffic that will be dangerous for inexperienced high school drivers – driving to and from school, visiting friends, giving each other rides, going out to eat (not just for lunch, for other meals too).
• Losing a peaceful, scenic route to get to Chapel Hill, Greensboro, Charlotte and other destinations. This is especially important for seniors, but others enjoy having a less hectic option as well.
• Loss of visual appeal along Hwy 64 and at the entrance of several subdivisions.
• Decreased property values in neighborhoods along Hwy 64.

By: Steve Goslen

Steve Goslen — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:09:38 +0000

My concerns are as follows:

Safe pedestrian crossing at Laura Duncan. The Apex High School kids often park across the street at the old Winn Dixie lot since there is limited parking at the HS, and then walk across 64 during the rush hour.

Length of time it would take to sit at two lights (one at the intersection, and one at the U-turn) in order to go left or straight. I’m not convinced that it will be a shorter wait, and it certainly will be more distance.

Concerned about the businesses that will be affected by this. If you have to turn right to go straight or left, then many folks will just not visit some businesses since they are now harder to get to. We often visit Bojangles or Taco Bell, and Jiffy Lube, but if getting there is a going to be harder, then these folks will suffer.

What about the teenage drivers that are coming from Cary to Apex High (I’ll not get into WCPSS view of redistricting) that now go straight across 64 on Laura Duncan. I’m worried that this will add confusion to these young drivers.

There seems to be too much bias towards the “through traffic” instead to local traffic. Most likely the “through traffic” is mostly made up of folks from Apex/Cary and not from Charlotte.

Why were news letters about this change only sent to folks within 1600 feet of 64? There’s a bunch more people that are affected by this change than just those within 1600 feet of the roadway. This impacts the whole community of Apex, not just that small set.

By: Cynthia Van Der Wiele

Cynthia Van Der Wiele — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:52:51 +0000

1. The superstreet concept eliminates the ability of road cyclists (either riding alone or in the numerous group rides that take place after work or on weekends) to use the cross streets or US 64 safely. A multi-use side trail is not a safe solution.

2. Charlotte to Raleigh thru-traffic will have high speed rail in the future as an alternative to using I-85 and I-40, so that will reduce some individual motorist usage. It also provide transportation options.

3. Older drivers often take NC 49 and US 64 as a more user-friendly option to get to the Raleigh area from Charlotte. The roads are signed at slower speeds (45 and 55 mph) rather than 65-70 mph. They can actually unclinch and enjoy the view (it is signed as a scenic byway by NCDOT). With the aging of baby boomers, NCDOT should be mindful of their needs as well.

4. The NCDOT plans (short and long term) do not seem to be in alignment with the white paper put out by the new U.S. Secretary of Transportation calling for complete streets and transportation options. It is the typical “build more, build now so everyone continue to drive their red pickup truck (or luxury SUV) to Raleigh. Further, it does not consider that rural counties may wish to stay more rural in order to continue to provide those local food sources that are desired by urban and suburban residents and restaurants and promoted by new urbanist planners…or move toward a tighter land use planning model rather than low-density suburbia everywhere.