Southern Pines discusses Knoll Road Trail Project

The Southern Pines Town Council met Tuesday afternoon.

The council had a discussion about the Knoll Road Trail Project. The plan is to take the three lanes currently in place to two 11 feet lanes. According to the Southern Pines Planning Director, this should reduce the speed on the road.

The project will add a walking/biking trail along Knoll and Midland roads. The N.C. Department of Transportation’s budget for this project is $2,090,000 with Southern Pines contributing  $418,000. The schedule calls for survey work to begin in approximately four months, with the project finished sometime in 2025.

The current daily traffic volumes are 9,300 for Airport Road and 11,500 for Midland Road. These are from a study done in 2019 and 2021. Eighty-five percent of drivers on Knoll Road drive 43 mph in a 35 mph zone. The project will be 1.2 miles on Knoll Road and 0.3 miles on Midland Road. How the pandemic affected traffic volumes is uncertain, so the study will be redone.

This project is in its infant stage, so the council took no action.

In a relatively rare event, the council was asked for their opinion on naming an unnamed creek to Wet Paws Creek. The Whispering Pines Town Council objected because most of the stream is contained within their named lakes.    

In other discussions, back door garbage collection will end on June 30. For residents who have physical disabilities, there is an option. Residents would have to have a doctor certify that they are physically unable to take the trash to the curb. Also, they must not live with someone who can take the garbage to the curb. The existing 29 residents who are currently on the list will not have to reapply. The reason for the change is the current contract is expiring. The new contract is identical to the present contract, minus the back door collection.

During a council round table meeting, they held a discussion concerning properties that have been condemned. Currently, the town policy has been rewritten and is with the attorney for review. There are now 50 properties on the list.

The next meeting is scheduled for March 14, 2023.

Sandhills_Sentinel~Written by Sandhills Sentinel Reporter Chris Prentice. Contact him at [email protected].

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