DOT project would add turn lanes and restrict left turns on 15th Street | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's Note: This article originally appeared in the Beaufort Observer.

    The Washington City Council, meeting in its first regular monthly meeting of the new year, heard a report from NC Department of Transportation engineers on the renovation of 15th street. You can read the background agenda material on the topic beginning on page 51 of the agenda material which can be downloaded by clicking here. Essentially what DOT is proposing is to add a turn lane to 15th Street east of Carolina Ave. While adding turn lanes, the project will install a median that will have the effect of limiting where left turns can be made, both entering and leaving 15th Street. The objective is to reduce the number of crashes caused by left turns on 15th Street.

    You will detect in the nuances of the discussion that DOT is asking the Council to take a stand on whether it will support the project. One would assume that there will be significant disruption of traffic along 15th street for 8-12 months while the project is being completed. And presumably there will be some permanent impact on business access on some sections of 15th street. It also will entail a cost to the City of relocating some of the utilities that would be on the new right of way.

    As you will hear in the video, no action was taken but it was suggested that the issue be discussed in the next council workshop session and possibly set for action at the February meeting. Presumably there will be a public hearing before the council takes action.