Knoll Rd. Project

The Town of Southern Pines, in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), is currently designing a multi-modal trail along Knoll Road, which will accommodate both bikes and walkers. The specific changes to Knoll Road will be confirmed during the design and will be located between Midland Road and Airport Road.

This specific project originated in the Town’s Bicycle Transportation Plan, adopted in 2010. It is the missing link that would allow residents to travel all the way from the Moore County airport area to the U.S. 15-501 corridor, without using a car. The project has a total estimated cost of $2.09 million, for all phases from design through construction. Under an agreement with NCDOT, the Town will pay $418k (20%) with NCDOT paying the 80% balance of $1.67 million.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

This is an important project that was first envisioned during the process to create a comprehensive bicycle and pedestrian plan in October 2010. Approximately 400 residents provided input on this plan. As part of the design process, the Town will seek public input on design options and concerns. Details will be shared on this page - stay tuned!

Longleaf Community Meeting: August 2023
Residents of the Longleaf community invited Town Council and staff to a community meeting on August 29, 2023. A summary of this meeting can be found here.

TENTATIVE PROJECT STEPS

Survey Work: Fall 2023
Underway now

Environmental Documentation: Fall 2023 & Winter 2024
Underway now

Public Input: Ongoing
Coming soon

Public Input Meeting: Spring 2024

Environmental Document Submittal & Approval: Spring/summer 2024

75% Design Plans: Summer 2024

100% Design Plans: Fall 2024

Construction Bid & Award: Winter 2025
Review of final design and construction contract by Town Council

Construction: Spring 2026 and beyond

PROJECT QUESTIONS

Can the speed limit be reduced on Knoll Road?

During an August 2023 community meeting, Longleaf residents inquired about the possibility of lowering the speed limit on Knoll Road, between Airport Rd. and Midland Rd., from the current 40 MPH to 35 MPH. The speed limit will be reviewed along with the proposed changes to Knoll Road for bicyclists and pedestrians. Learn more about how posted speeds are determined and how this effects Knoll Road.

What will the pedestrian and bicycle improvements look like?

This project has been envisioned as a “road diet,” meaning all of the bicycle and pedestrian facilities will be added to the existing roadway of Knoll Road (between the curbs). In order to accomplish this, the existing center turn lane and two travel lanes will be modified in some way to add an area for bikes and pedestrians to safely travel. This will not necessarily be a singular approach that looks identical along the entire corridor. Design engineers will look at each intersection along Knoll Road to determine how vehicles can safely navigate other vehicles, bikes, and pedestrians. 

Have other design options been explored besides a "road diet?"

Yes. In 2021/2022, the Town worked with a consulting engineer to re-confirm current cost estimates and scope options. The engineer looked at both a stand-alone multi-modal path (all outside the roadway) as well as the road diet approach described above. 

The stand-alone option revealed a number of factors that make it significantly more complex to design and build, which could ultimately impact the ability to complete the project. Due to the complexity and added risk, the stand-alone project was estimated to cost at least $3.61 million.

Since the “road diet” design is contained all within the existing roadway/curb, the complexity and risk is significantly lessened, which also translates to more cost-efficient design and construction, estimated at $1.92 million. 

In July 2022, the Town Council reviewed these options with staff and the consulting engineer. The Council expressed consensus that the “road diet” approach and cost estimate was the preferred option and directed staff to request an 80% funding match from NCDOT. In June 2023, NCDOT entered into an agreement with the Town for a $2.09 million multi-use trail, which is modeled from the road diet scope and cost estimate. NCDOT will reimburse the Town a total of $1.672M 

Is this a Town project or a NCDOT project?

The Town of Southern Pines is managing and carrying out this project. NCDOT has provided federal funding toward this project, which obligates the Town in certain ways:

• The federal funding may only be used for Knoll Road, between Airport Road and Midland Road. 
• The project must have "multi modal facilities," meaning it provides both bicycle and pedestrian improvements.
• The Town must follow certain guidelines related to design, public input, and similar processes. The Town may enhance these processes, but does have to follow DOT's minimum requirements.