Sidewalk and Pedestrian Safety Program

Announcement

April 19, 2023 - The University Research Park sidewalk project is going to bid.

  • Project typeSidewalks
  • Project budget$75 million from voter-approved bonds in 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2020

Program Overview

The Capital Investment Plan includes funding for the Sidewalk and Pedestrian Safety Program to address ongoing pedestrian safety issues for the more than 870,000 current residents. Guided by City Council’s adopted Sidewalk Retrofit Policy, those funds will be used to construct 10 to 12 miles of new sidewalks and to support the city’s goal of constructing 15 new pedestrian crossings per year.

Charlotte has experienced dramatic growth over the past 70 years. During that time, transportation policy in Charlotte focused on providing quick and easy access to automobiles. Sidewalks and pedestrian safety were not a significant part of the city’s transportation strategy.

In the late 1990s that changed, and the City of Charlotte shifted its transportation focus toward creating “Complete Streets” that accommodate all types of users of all different abilities – whether on foot, on a bike, in a bus or in a car.

As a part of that policy shift, the Sidewalk & Pedestrian Safety Program was created to build new sidewalks and pedestrian crossings that make Charlotte’s streets and neighborhoods safer and more attractive for walking. The program has constructed more than 100 miles of new sidewalks since 2002, improving pedestrian safety and offering citizens a healthy and attractive alternative to travel by car.

Project Updates

University Research Park Sidewalk (April 17, 2023) - This project is now in the bid phase. During the bid phase, the city uses a competitive bidding process to procure the services of a contractor to build the project. By state law, the contract is awarded to the lowest responsible bidder.

Margaret Wallace Road Sidewalk (Summerfield Ridge Lane to Marshbrooke Road) (Jan. 24, 2023) - Design continues for this project. The limits of the project have changed from 0.61 miles long to 0.40 miles long, along Margaret Wallace Road from Summerfield Ridge Lane to Marshbrooke Road.

 

Projects with Web Pages

Current Projects

Mallard Creek Road Sidewalk (Mallard Creek Road to Claude Freeman Road)

Project Cost: $3.485 million

Provides new sidewalk along the south side of West Mallard Creek Church Road from Mallard Creek Road to Claude Freeman Drive (approximately .6 miles). The project will fill a sidewalk gap that exists along a major thoroughfare and provide safer walking conditions for nearby residents and businesses.

Margaret Wallace Road Sidewalk (Summerfield Ridge Lane to Marshbrooke Road)

Status: In Design

Project Cost: $3.61 million

Project Contacts

Patricia Abney
Project Coordinator
General Services
980.214.5845
patricia.abney@charlottenc.gov
 
 Samantha Miller, PE
Engineering Program Manager
General Services
980.250.2569
Samantha.Miller@CharlotteNC.gov
Matt Magnasco, P.E., Assoc. DBIA
Senior Engineering Project Manager
Charlotte Department of Transportation
704.582.1829
matt.magnasco@charlottenc.gov
 
Chris Manno
Project Manager
General Services
980.408.0281
chris.manno@charlottenc.gov

Sidewalk Gaps and Ramps

This ongoing project will install sidewalks in small gaps as well as accessible ramps throughout Charlotte.

Tuckaseegee Road Sidewalk

Status: Real Estate Acquisition

Project Cost: $4.3 million

Project Contacts

Jonathan Hamrick
Project Manager
General Services
980.219.1785
jonathan.hamrick@charlottenc.gov

Tom Sorrentino, PE
Senior Project Manager
Charlotte Department of Transportation
704.336.3934
tom.sorrentino@charlottenc.gov

Project Overview

This project will in numerous gaps in the existing sidewalk system along both sides of Tuckaseegee Road from Little Rock Road to Westerwood Drive, and along the north side of Tuckaseegee Road from Mulberry Church Road to Mulberry Pond Drive.

Project Goals

  • To increase connectivity

  • To improve walkability and pedestrian safety

University Research Park Sidewalk and Mulituse Paths

Status: Bid

Project Cost: $1.69 million

Project Contacts

Rebecca Chambers, PE
Engineering Program Manager
General Services
704.517.4391
becky.chambers@charlottenc.gov

 

Patricia Abney
Project Coordinator
General Services
980.214.5845
patricia.abney@charlottenc.gov

 

Matt Magnasco, P.E., Assoc. DBIA
Senior Engineering Project Manager
Charlotte Department of Transportation
704.582.1829
matt.magnasco@charlottenc.gov

 

Project Overview

This project will install sidewalk and multi-use paths in three locations within the University Research Park area.

  1. A 6-foot-wide concrete sidewalk along Medical Plaza Drive between Harris Boulevard and Mallard Creek Road

  2. A 12-foot-wide concrete multi-use path connecting existing greenway from the intersection of David Taylor Drive and Claude Freeman Drive to the intersection of Governor Hunt Road and David Taylor Drive

  3. A 12-foot-wide concrete multi-use path along Claude Freeman Drive from the intersection of David Taylor Drive and Claude Freeman Drive to the first business entrance at the right side of Claude Freeman Drive (10330 David Taylor Drive).

This project will also install curb ramps, pedestrian crossings, retaining walls, curb & gutter and storm drainage as needed. The total project length is .38 miles.

Project Goals

  • To enhance pedestrian safety

  • To enhance pedestrian connectivity

West Mallard Creek Church Road Shared-Use Path

Status: Construction

Project Cost: $2.89 million

Project Contacts

Natalie King, PE
Project Manager
General Services
980.402.9004
Natalie.King@CharlotteNC.gov

Joe Harper
Senior Construction Inspector
General Services
704.309.6181
joe.harper@charlottenc.gov

 

Matt Magnasco, P.E., Assoc. DBIA
Senior Engineering Project Manager
Charlotte Department of Transportation
704.582.1829
matt.magnasco@charlottenc.gov

 

Project overview

Improvements will be provided along the south side of West Mallard Creek Church Road, from Mallard Creek Road to roughly 600 feet east of Claude Freeman Drive. The project proposes the following:

  • Approximately 3/4 mile of 12-foot shared-use path 

  • A typical 8-foot planting strip (where possible)

  • Intersection improvements at David Taylor Drive

  • Intersection improvements at Claude Freeman Drive

  • Several CATS bus waiting pads 

Due to the short length of the sidewalk network gap and its proximity to a large employment center (University Research Park) and nearby retail and commercial land uses, this project is a high-priority request along a thoroughfare. High-priority projects along thoroughfares connect multiple land uses, provide access to businesses and transit, extend the pedestrian network, and often show evidence of existing pedestrian demand.

Project Goals

  • To encourage walking and bicycling by connecting business/office land uses on the south side of West Mallard Creek Church Road with commercial land uses to the north

  • To increase vehicular and pedestrian/bicycle safety by making improvements at the intersections of David Taylor Drive and Claude Freeman Drive

 

 

Program Contacts

Dan Leaver, PE, Assoc. DBIA
Transportation Program Manager
General Services
980.345.0246
dan.leaver@charlottenc.gov

Erin Pratt, PE
Senior Engineering Project Manager
Charlotte Department of Transportation
980.240.3165
erin.pratt@charlottenc.gov

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