Week of  3/13/02
   
 
 
Traffic signal plan worries merchants
By Scott McLeod
Waynesville is proposing to install a new traffic signal at the intersection of Depot and Commerce streets that would:
° Rest in green when there is no traffic on Commerce.
° Have traffic detection signals in the pavement on all approaches that would activate the signal.
° Add right turn lane on Depot turning onto Commerce.

The project would:
° Eliminate four parking spaces on Depot Street.
° Add pedestrian crossing signals and painted crosswalks.


Frog Level merchants fear a plan by Waynesville to replace a worn out traffic signal will harm their long-term efforts to turn the area into a popular pedestrian shopping district.

Merchants and town officials met last week to discuss the plan by the town to replace the light at the intersection of Depot and Commerce streets. The town plans to install the new traffic signal and add a turning lane on Depot Street turning on to Commerce. This would eliminate four on-street parking spaces on Depot Street to allow for the turn lane.

“Although installation of proposed improvements ... would allow for better management of the current and expected increase in the volume of traffic, we expect that it would in the long run encourage congestion, remove existing parking spaces and limit the availability for new parking,” wrote Carol James in a letter to the town. “Most importantly it would, even with upgraded pedestrian crossings, continue to put the pedestrian at risk.”

The town is replacing the signal at its own expense because of its age and because the intersection remains on the town’s thoroughfare plan and handles a heavy volume of traffic. Town Engineer Fred Baker told the merchants who gathered last week that those realities mean officials must balance the desires of the property owners to slow traffic and the need to move a sufficient number of vehicles through the intersection in a timely manner.

“We just have to strike a balance between moving traffic and servicing thoroughfares, between lanes that are too wide and and too narrow,” said Baker.

Speakers said the current plans for the Frog Level district include several new retail businesses opening within the next several months, including a new coffee shop, a new pottery retail store, a proposed open air farmer’s market, a restaurant and several antique businesses.

“A real parking crunch is going to happen down there in less than 90 days,” said Jack Wadham, owner of Waynesville Supply. Wadham will lose four parking spaces in front of his business if the town follows through with its plan. About eight years ago he lost two other spaces in front of his business.

“Why should I turn around and improve my property when there won’t be any place for them to park,” said Wadham.

Aside from pedestrian convenience, several speakers addressed safety. They argued that providing a turning lane with a green light will lead to vehicles turning onto Commerce at a high rate of speed. That is going to lead to pedestrians getting hit, they said.

Baker told the merchants, however, that the turning lane and the ability to move traffic through Frog Level at a reasonable speed were issues affecting the whole community, not just the local merchants.

“Whether people are going to work or parents taking their kids to the middle school, the congestion down there affects a lot of people,” said Baker.

Town Manager Lee Galloway said negotiations are under way with Norfolk Southern that hopefully will lead to an agreement to let the town use the railroad’s property at the intersection. If that occurs, the town plans to add parking and do some landscaping.

James, who is working through the Frog Level Merchants Association to establish a historic district and to rebuild the old train depot, said she feared the town and the merchants were headed in different directions.

“We have been advised by town officials that there are not, nor do they expect to implement, plans to calm Frog Level traffic. If this is the case, then we are headed in opposite directions,” said James.

Although the town’s proposal has not been given final approval by engineers, Baker said he hoped the project would be completed this year. However, after hearing the complaints and fears of the residents, he said that it would probably be up to 90 days before any work begins. He also said the concerns of residents would be forwarded to engineers and town board members.

Late last year Frog Level merchants presented the town with a long-range plan for the development of the area into a shopping district. The proposal included rebuilding the old train depot and turning it into a museum, opening an open air farmers market and making a number of other improvements.

The merchants association also wants to continue efforts to lure the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad — currently headquartered in Dillsboro — to start making passenger excursions into Waynesville. That effort, which could bring tens of thousands of tourists into Waynesville, has been discussed for years. The rail line between Dillsboro and Waynesville is owned by Norfolk Southern.