Bike lanes added in U.S. 421 widening; NCDOT reverses decision, official says
by Anna Oakes
In a reversal of previous plans, the N.C. Department of Transportation will mark dedicated bicycle lanes as part of the U-4020 project, the widening of U.S. 421 from Hardin Street to Old East King Street in Boone scheduled for completion this year.
Dean Ledbetter, NCDOT Division 11 traffic engineer, said four- and five-foot-wide bike lanes will be marked on both sides of the highway.
A small section — in front of the Penny Wise gas station on the corner of U.S. 421 and N.C. 105 — will not be wide enough for bike lanes, Ledbetter said.
Until this month, the plans for the widening project did not include bike lanes, instead opting for wider outside lanes to be shared by cyclists and motorists.
“I just decided that we really needed to come back and take a look at this particular project,” Ledbetter said. “We came to the conclusion that we missed it the first time.”
Ledbetter said he discussed the issue with town of Boone officials and local bicycle advocates, including representatives from Boone Area Cyclists, after attending a bicycle facility workshop in November.
A draft copy of pavement marking plans for the U-4020 project indicates the plans were revised Feb. 6 to include bike lanes. The revised plans have not received final approval, Ledbetter said.
Andrew Miller, a BAC board member who leads the group's advocacy efforts, announced the NCDOT's decision at the BAC's annual meeting Feb. 16.
“It will not be perfect, and there will be challenges,” Miller said, but he pointed to the decision as a success in ongoing efforts to ensure that all users of the road — not just motorists — are considered in transportation planning.
“Now, what I'm happy to say is that conversation is beginning to shift,” Miller said.
The marking of bike lanes will take place when the contractor pours the final layer of pavement this spring.
Ledbetter said the addition of bike lanes will require additional pavement markings, signage and possibly adjustments to traffic signal sensors, but these changes will not result in significant costs.
The costs to add bike lanes will be funded by NCDOT and not the town of Boone's portion of the project costs, he said.
Although most of the cycling advocates with whom Ledbetter met expressed support for dedicated bike lanes, “the bicycling community is really rather split on that,” he said.
Collisions can occur when a motor vehicle overtakes a cyclist traveling in a bike lane and turns right, in front of the cyclist, while the cyclist continues moving straight, he said. And because motor vehicles aren't traveling in bike lanes, debris can build up in the lanes, which can be hazardous for cyclists.
Within town limits, the Boone Public Works Department sweeps roads, including state highways, at least once per month during the summer and more often following winter weather events, said Public Works Director Blake Brown.
“I appreciate the effort from DOT to work with us on this and to be able to step back and make a change,” Brown said. “I applaud them for doing that.”
Speaking at the BAC meeting, Miller said NCDOT also made a verbal commitment to work with town officials on the possibility of bike lanes for any future resurfacing projects in Boone.
Dean Ledbetter, NCDOT Division 11 traffic engineer, said four- and five-foot-wide bike lanes will be marked on both sides of the highway.
A small section — in front of the Penny Wise gas station on the corner of U.S. 421 and N.C. 105 — will not be wide enough for bike lanes, Ledbetter said.
Until this month, the plans for the widening project did not include bike lanes, instead opting for wider outside lanes to be shared by cyclists and motorists.
“I just decided that we really needed to come back and take a look at this particular project,” Ledbetter said. “We came to the conclusion that we missed it the first time.”
Ledbetter said he discussed the issue with town of Boone officials and local bicycle advocates, including representatives from Boone Area Cyclists, after attending a bicycle facility workshop in November.
A draft copy of pavement marking plans for the U-4020 project indicates the plans were revised Feb. 6 to include bike lanes. The revised plans have not received final approval, Ledbetter said.
Andrew Miller, a BAC board member who leads the group's advocacy efforts, announced the NCDOT's decision at the BAC's annual meeting Feb. 16.
“It will not be perfect, and there will be challenges,” Miller said, but he pointed to the decision as a success in ongoing efforts to ensure that all users of the road — not just motorists — are considered in transportation planning.
“Now, what I'm happy to say is that conversation is beginning to shift,” Miller said.
The marking of bike lanes will take place when the contractor pours the final layer of pavement this spring.
Ledbetter said the addition of bike lanes will require additional pavement markings, signage and possibly adjustments to traffic signal sensors, but these changes will not result in significant costs.
The costs to add bike lanes will be funded by NCDOT and not the town of Boone's portion of the project costs, he said.
Although most of the cycling advocates with whom Ledbetter met expressed support for dedicated bike lanes, “the bicycling community is really rather split on that,” he said.
Collisions can occur when a motor vehicle overtakes a cyclist traveling in a bike lane and turns right, in front of the cyclist, while the cyclist continues moving straight, he said. And because motor vehicles aren't traveling in bike lanes, debris can build up in the lanes, which can be hazardous for cyclists.
Within town limits, the Boone Public Works Department sweeps roads, including state highways, at least once per month during the summer and more often following winter weather events, said Public Works Director Blake Brown.
“I appreciate the effort from DOT to work with us on this and to be able to step back and make a change,” Brown said. “I applaud them for doing that.”
Speaking at the BAC meeting, Miller said NCDOT also made a verbal commitment to work with town officials on the possibility of bike lanes for any future resurfacing projects in Boone.