CLEMMONS, NORTH CAROLINA — A crosswalk is planned for a busy Clemmons intersection after a local family raised concerns about pedestrian safety, but construction isn't expected to begin until 2029.
The planned crosswalk is part of a larger North Carolina Department of Transportation project along Lewisville-Clemmons Road that includes additional pedestrian, safety and traffic improvements.
The family of Benjamin Whery first contacted ABC45 about the intersection of Lewisville-Clemmons Road and Stadium Drive last week. Whery said his son, Ethan Lloyd, works at an Arby's and Little Richard's Bar-B-Que located on opposite sides of the road.
"I have to come in when he has to double shift to bring him across the street because there's no crosswalk in the intersection," Whery said.
ABC45 sat down with NCDOT Division 9 Traffic Engineer Ryan Newcomb to learn more about what is planned for the area.
"At this intersection, Stadium Drive, the project is going to put sidewalks on both sides of those for Clemmons Road, curb ramps and pedestrian facilities, crosswalks, pedestrian signals, at the intersections," Newcomb said.
Crosswalk planned for Clemmons intersection, construction to start in 2029
The improvements are part of NCDOT project U-6004, which includes a median and other safety and traffic improvements along Lewisville-Clemmons Road.
Newcomb said the project is intended to address crashes and confusion at intersections along the roadway.
"We end up with a lot of crashes along those type of segments, because I don't know if you're turning left here or I try to pull out in front of you because I think you're turning in one driveway and you were going to the next one," Newcomb said.
Why can't a crosswalk be added now?
While the project will eventually add a crosswalk and pedestrian signals, construction is not expected to begin until 2029.
ABC45 asked NCDOT what could be done in the meantime to make the intersection safer for pedestrians.
Newcomb said the agency cannot simply paint a crosswalk on the roadway because the necessary pedestrian infrastructure isn't currently in place.
"Unfortunately for us it's a safety issue and it's an Ada compliance issue. We just can't stripe a crosswalk and put someone in an unsafe condition. Because if I were to do that across the Lewisville-Clemmons Road without the proper facilities on either end, I'd actually be putting that pedestrian and just as much dangers that are in today, because the lines on the pavement would create sort of a false sense of security for folks. ," Newcomb said. know it takes time to wait for these large capital improvements to come along, but I think the finished product, once we complete the improvements and all those for Clemmons Road will be, you know, better capacity for vehicles, better traffic flow. And then also the the added bonus of the pedestrian facilities, signals, crosswalks, ramps, sidewalk network that you can actually utilize.
Whery said he's glad to know changes are planned.
"I'm really appreciative," he said.
For now, NCDOT says the planned improvements remain scheduled for construction beginning in 2029.
ABC45 will continue to follow the project and provide updates as the timeline moves forward.