Challenge
In Raleigh’s Five Points area, an intersection located at Glenwood Avenue (U.S. 70), Whitaker Mill Road, and Fairview Road has long been a concern for both residents and City leaders. This intersection experiences frequent crashes, including speeding-related and run-off-road incidents. Congestion and queuing add to operational issues, while bicyclists and pedestrians face uncomfortable and unsafe conditions. Beyond addressing these transportation needs, the community has emphasized the importance of solutions that support livability and maintain access to local businesses and homes.
Solution
Kittelson partnered with the City of Raleigh to identify nine conceptual alternatives for addressing both short-term safety concerns and long-term goals for the intersection. The alternatives include a range of treatments, from closing or redirecting travel approaches, to implementing signal timing and curb extensions, to employing a mix of single- and multilane roundabout concepts.
Our team also held three open house events, each attended by about 100 community members, to provide opportunities to share ideas and concerns. The project also included online materials to supply information about the project to a broader swath of the community. This process helped shape concepts that balance transportation function with community priorities.
The Outcome
From Quick Wins to Long-Term Change at Five Points
The study identified a series of low-cost, near-term solutions for implementation that are expected to have an immediate effect on traffic speeds and multimodal safety at the intersection. At the same time, longer-term concepts were outlined and advanced for future consideration as funding becomes available. Together, these efforts offer a phased path forward, beginning with practical steps to improve safety today while keeping the option open for more substantial changes in the years ahead.
