Traffic Calming Update

Highcroft is a great community, in a great town. We're fortunate to have a school, a pool, a park and playground, and greenways all within walking distance. These amenities have helped create an exceptional and welcoming environment for our families.

As you may already know, a volunteer committee has been working for more than two years to ensure Highcroft roads are as safe as possible for its families. The following points summarize the drivers (no pun intended) behind the traffic calming effort...

• Highcroft Drive and Sears Farm Road are the main roads of our community
• Average daily traffic volume on Highcroft Drive is approximately 1,100 vehicles
• Average daily traffic volume on Sears Farm Road is approximately 800 vehicles
• Approximately 70% of vehicles exceed 25 mph and 30% exceed 30 mph
• Future daily traffic volume on Highcroft Drive is expected to double or triple
• 68 families live along Highcroft Drive and 16 families live along Sears Farm Road
• Children from all corners of the community walk, cycle, and play along these roads

The committee was recently successful in lobbying the town to lower the speed limit on Highcroft Drive from 35 mph to 25 mph. Unfortunately, studies have shown that a reduced speed limit is rarely effective without traffic calming. This finding is supported by the speeds recorded on Sears Farm Road, which is alos posted at 25 mph.

Furthermore, Highcroft Drive is a designated collector road that will be extended as part of a larger transportation network. With this connectivitiy, and continued growth in the area, the town expects the existing traffic volume to double or triple. This increase will be comprised of non-residents driving through Highcroft to reach destinations further north or south, and who are not consciously vested in the safety of our community. Traffic calming will deter this "cut-through" traffic.

In the coming weeks, a petition will begin circulating to seek your approval for implementation of traffic calming on Highcroft Drive and Sears Farm Road. Details of the proposed traffic calming plan, its funding, and additional information can be found at the link below.

Highcroft Traffic Calming Plan

The additional links may also be of interest:

• Traffic Calming and Neighborhood Traffic Management
• Town of Cary Speed Hump FAQ
• The Economic Impact of Speed Humps on Housing Values
• Investigation into the Impact of Speed Humps

After exploring all of the available options, the committee believes that implementation of the proposed traffic calming plan is the best solution for creating a safer environment, while also protecting the significant investment residents have made in their homes. We believe that once residents have had the opportunity to become informed on this important issue, they will agree.

Sincerely,
Gina Bertolini, Brian Hassink, Sky Matthews, Joyce Munro, Jim Pullen, Jeff Smith, Debra Van de Vender