Title
Pickett Road Closing (10 minutes)
Felix Nwoko, LPA Staff Manager
Narrative
At the June 2016 MPO Board meeting, the Board directed staff to look into closing the unpaved portion of Pickett Road given the installation of a traffic signal at Erwin Rd. and Randolph Rd., and the recent official opening of Hollow Rock Nature Park. Given that the MPO has no direct role in road closings, the Technical Committee (TC) recommends that the MPO refer the matter to the agencies and government, i.e., Orange County, that must initiate the road closing process.
In 2011 and 2012, the MPO conducted a public meeting on the proposed closing and the TC subsequently made a recommendation to not close the road. The TC had decided to limit the evaluation to a transportation perspective and thus decided that the closing would reduce roadway connectivity and divert traffic into a residential neighborhood. See the attached 2012 memorandum, "Closing of Pickett Rd...," for details. Note that this memorandum has not been updated. The MPO Board then decided to table this issue at their June 2012 meeting.
It should be noted that any steps to close Pickett Road will involve the county (e.g., Orange County), the NCDOT and adjacent property owners. See the attached document "Process to Close a Public Right-of-Way," that compiles steps for abandoning a state road. Note that this document has not been updated. Both the Durham City Council and Durham Board of County Commissioners voted to support closing the road in 2011.
Recommendation
TC Action: Recommend that the MPO Board refer the road closing to the agencies and government that must initiate the road closing process.
Board Action: Refer the road closing to the agencies and government that must initiate the road closing process.