Weaverville – A walking trip to nearby Lake Louise poses dangers for residents of the new Palisades at Reems Creek and the Creekside Village developments along Merrimon Avenue in Weaverville.
While there are sidewalks along Merrimon Avenue, the bridge that crosses Reems Creek, which allows pedestrians and vehicles to cross from one side of the creek to the other, lacks sidewalks for pedestrians. Additionally, the sidewalk ends approximately 100 feet from the bridge.
The Tribune inquired about this hazardous situation with David Uchiyama from the North Carolina Department of Transportation. In his response, he stated that changes were “…a recommendation in the town’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan developed in 2023 – Active Weaverville.”
“The Town has completed a feasibility study for the 2.25-mile Reems Creek Greenway (off-road multi-use path), extending from Lake Louise to Karpen Fields. Federal funding has been programmed for engineering, but that phase of work has not yet begun.” The connector is estimated to cost $570,000.
Weaverville Town Planner James Eller confirmed the plan. “The information provided by the state is correct. The Active Weaverville Plan was adopted by the town in 2023, well after the Palisades at Reems Creek was permitted in 2020.” When asked if there was a timeline for when construction would start, Eller replied, “Not at this time. Like many of these projects, it is funding dependent.”
Until the Creekside Connector Sidewalks are built, individuals will be forced to share the roadway with vehicles, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries. Bridges without sidewalks have been shown to pose significant hazards to pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers.
A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that bridges lacking sidewalks have a higher incidence of pedestrian-vehicle collisions (NHTSA, 2019). The absence of physical separation between pedestrians and vehicles significantly raises the risk of pedestrians being struck.
Research by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) highlights that pedestrians on bridges without sidewalks are less visible to drivers, particularly at night or in adverse weather conditions (FHWA, 2018).
The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC) reports that bridges without sidewalks lack safe crossing points, making it difficult for pedestrians to navigate safely (PBIC, 2020).
The Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) found that cyclists sharing the road with vehicles on bridges without sidewalks face a higher risk of collisions (ITE, 2017). The absence of dedicated bike lanes forces cyclists to navigate narrow roadways, where they are vulnerable to being hit by vehicles.
A study by the American Journal of Public Health found that drivers are less accustomed to sharing the road with cyclists on bridges, leading to dangerous driving behaviors (AJPH, 2016). This includes close passes and abrupt lane changes, which can result in accidents involving cyclists.
Research by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) indicates that drivers attempting to avoid pedestrians and cyclists on bridges without sidewalks are more likely to swerve, potentially causing accidents with other vehicles (TRB, 2018). This behavior can lead to traffic congestion and increase the risk of rear-end collisions.
The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that the presence of pedestrians and cyclists on the roadway can slow down traffic, causing congestion and increasing the risk of accidents (NSC, 2019). Traffic congestion on bridges without sidewalks can lead to frustration among drivers, resulting in aggressive driving behaviors.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) emphasizes that bridges without sidewalks are particularly dangerous in poor weather conditions such as rain, snow, or fog (FHWA, 2018). Reduced visibility and slippery surfaces heighten the risk of accidents.
The Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) reported that many bridges without sidewalks have narrow roadways, leaving little room for error for both drivers and pedestrians (ITE, 2017). This increases the likelihood of accidents, as there is no safe space for pedestrians to walk or for vehicles to maneuver around them.
The National Safety Council (NSC) found that the absence of barriers or railings on the edges of bridges without sidewalks can lead to severe accidents if a pedestrian, cyclist, or vehicle veers off the road (NSC, 2019). Safety barriers are crucial for preventing falls and collisions on bridges.
Research by the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC) indicates that pedestrians and cyclists may experience fear and anxiety when crossing bridges without sidewalks (PBIC, 2020). This psychological stress can affect their ability to navigate safely and increase the likelihood of accidents.
Until the connector is constructed, neither the town nor the state has provided any additional safety measures for pedestrians and cyclists on the bridge.