Your Guide to the 2024 connecting durham Bonds
Whether long-time residents of Bragtown or new residents near Southpoint, whether working at Duke Medical Center or in a restaurant kitchen, most of us want Durham to be inclusive and vibrant place to live and work. When every resident is able to get around Durham by walking, biking, rolling, or riding transit we open up access to the community to everyone and more people thrive.
In Durham, our elected and staff leaders have put two referendums on the November 5th ballot called the Connecting Durham bonds. If passed, these will fund critical improvements to our city’s sidewalks, streets, and parks - improving access to bus stops, schools, and jobs and creating new joyful spaces in our parks. This funding will accelerate the completion of these projects in the least expensive way available.
It is up to all of us - voters in Durham - to make this choice. We know what can make Durham thrive for us all. By educating voters about this opportunity and turning out the vote, we can have better walking, biking, rolling, and bus access throughout Durham and several transformed parks. Together they will not only connect and improve our neighborhoods, but protect the air we breathe, the water we drink, and this City we call home, for years to come.
At Bike Durham, we're all about getting the word out and making sure our community understands what’s at stake. We’re hosting events, talking to neighbors, and spreading the word—and we’d love your help! Whether it’s phone banking, canvassing, tabling at events, passing out literature, or joining one of our street teams, your involvement can make a real impact. Come be part of the change and volunteer with us today!
Watch the recording below of our community meeting about the Sidewalk and streets BonD
Connecting durham bond referendum would complete 12.4 miles of new sidewalks and biking facilities
On Monday, June 17, the Durham City Council voted in favor of continuing the investment in Safe & Healthy Streets for Durham through two important actions:
Adopting the FY2025 Budget and Capital Improvement Program (CIP), and
Voting to put two bond referendums on the ballot: a $115 million General Obligation (GO) Bond for Sidewalks and Street Resurfacings and an $85 million General Obligation (GO) Bond for Parks.
LIST OF NEW CONNECTIONS TO BE FUNDED
There are dozens of important projects that would be funded through both of these actions. These are projects that have already been in development (design and right-of-way acquisition is complete or nearly so) and will be ready to move to construction in the next 2-3 years (link to City webpage on the bonds). Click on projects to expand list.
- Both sides of East Club Boulevard from Stephenson to Glenbrook (filling gaps/building new sidewalks along ~0.4 miles on each side)
- This is a project that the Bragtown Community Association has been advocating for many years.
- It will improve access to GoDurham bus routes 9A/9B and connect to the Club Boulevard Housing community.
- Both sides of Hillandale Road from I-85 to NC-147 (filling gaps/building/widening sidewalks, building bike paths along ~1 mile on each side)
- This stretch of Hillandale Road is an important north-south connection and the site where Seth Vidal was killed while riding his bike in 2013.
- It will improve access to a new bus route that is expected to begin operation in August of 2024.
- Both sides of Morreene Road from Erwin Road to Neal Road (filling gaps/building/widening sidewalks, building bike paths along ~1.5 miles on each side)
- This project will improve access to GoDurham bus route 11B and is an important connection to Duke’s West Campus and Erwin Road from many residential communities, including Morreene Road Housing Community, Damar Court, and American Village.
- Both sides of LaSalle Street from Kangaroo Drive to Hillsborough Road and on west side from Hillsborough Rd. to Sprunt Ave (building new sidewalks along ~0.5 miles on east side and ~0.7 miles on west side)
- This project will improve access to GoDurham bus route 11 and Duke bus route LL and is an important connection from the residential communities on LaSalle to Duke and Erwin Road to the south, and the businesses on Hillsborough Road to the north.
- Both sides of Cornwallis Road from Old Chapel Hill Road to South Roxboro Street (building new sidewalks and bike paths along ~1.2 miles on each side)
- This project will close an important gap in east-west access including a connection to Rogers-Herr Middle School.
- East side of N. Duke Street from Murray Avenue to N. Roxboro Road (building new sidewalks along ~1.8 miles)
- This project will improve access to GoDurham bus routes 4 and 9A and the residences and businesses along this busy stretch of North Duke Street.
- South side of NC-54 from NC HWY-55 east to the RTP western limit (building new sidewalks along ~0.4 miles)
- This project will improve access to GoDurham bus route 12B and GoTriangle bus route 805.
- North side of Raynor Street from N. Miami Boulevard to Hardee Street (building new sidewalks along ~0.3 miles)
- This project will improve walking access to GoDurham Route 3 and to the second busiest bus stop in the city at Raynor St. and North Miami Blvd.
Five street segments will get sidewalks on this project. More info.
- West side of Clayton Road from Chandler Road to Freeman Road; north side of Freeman Road from Clayton Road to Obsidian way (building new sidewalk along ~0.5 miles) (improving access to GoDurham bus route 3B)
- Both sides of the Hillsborough Road from 3800 Hillsborough Road (Hilton) to 3414 Hillsborough Road (Sheetz) (filling gaps/building new sidewalks along ~0.7 miles on each side) (improving access to GoDurham bus route 11)
- Both sides of Holloway Street from the intersection of N. Guthrie Avenue to N. Miami Boulevard (filling gaps/building new sidewalks along ~0.3 miles on each side) (improving access to GoDurham bus routes 3, 3B, and 3C)
- Both sides of Old Oxford Road from 204 Old Oxford Road to 429 Old Oxford Road (filling gaps/building new sidewalks along ~0.4 miles on each side) (improving access to GoDurham bus routes 9A and 9B)
- Both sides of W. Corporation Street from N. Duke Street to N. Mangum Street (filling gaps/building new sidewalks along ~0.6 miles on each side) (improving access to GoDurham bus routes 1, 4, and 9A/9B)
Eight street segments will get sidewalks on this project. More info.
- West side of Broad Street from the rear side of Walgreens parking lot to Forest Road (building new sidewalk along ~0.1 miles) (improving access to GoDurham Route 1)
- Northeast side of the roadway at 3519 Fayetteville Street (Mount Zion Christian Church) (filling sidewalk gap along ~70 feet) (improving access to a bus stop for GoDurham Routes 5 and 7)
- East side of Fulton Street from Pratt Street to the Durham Freeway On-Ramp (widening sidewalks along ~0.2 mi) (listed on Durham's Future Pedestrian Facilities GIS site as a mixed-use path)
- Both sides of Holt School Road from 3900 Holt School Road to 4102 Holt School Road (filling gaps/building new sidewalks along ~0.1 miles on each side) (improving access to Holt Elementary School)
- Both sides of N. Pointe Drive from the intersection of Guess Road to 1915 N Pointe Drive (Red Roof Inn) (filling gaps/building new sidewalks along ~0.3 miles on each side) (improving access to GoDurham Route 1)
- West side of the Raynor Street from 611 Raynor Street to 701 Raynor Street (filling gaps/building new sidewalks along ~200 feet on each side) (improving access to GoDurham Routes 3/3B/3C)
- Both sides of the SW Durham Drive from 3705 SW Durham Drive to the intersection of Old Chapel Hill Road (filling gaps/building new sidewalks along ~0.5 miles on each side) (improving access to GoTriangle Route 400)
- Both sides of Stadium Drive from 801 Stadium Drive to Olympic Avenue (filling gaps/building new sidewalks along ~0.2 miles on each side)
As mentioned above, funding the completion of the above projects with voter-approved bonds, the City has capacity to add new projects to the Capital Improvement Program.
- “Beltline” running from North Durham to Durham Station area downtown (~1.8 miles of new bike and pedestrian paths)
- Additional amenities including the Gateway Park at the trailhead and lighting and site furnishings along the trail. (Video of the proposed enhancements.)
- This would also fund property acquisition at Avondale Avenue to support a future trailhead amenity and parking.
- Planning study for a rail-to-trail conversion of the abandoned rail corridor from near Avondale Drive to Person County border (~18 miles of new bike and pedestrian paths)
- The 18-mile corridor would connect the end of the future Durham Rail Trail (Avondale Drive) to the Person County line, passing through the communities of Bragtown, Bahama, and Rougemont along the way.
- Pavement markings and signal upgrades to convert US 15-501 Business North (Roxboro Street) and US 15-501 Business South (Mangum Street) from a one-way pair system to two-way streets. Design FY 2025, construction beginning FY2026
- Bike and pedestrian facilities on Guess Road between I-85 and Club Boulevard. (~1 mi)
This is a request for local funding to replace federal funding so that project can move faster.
- Adds vertical protection to buffered bicycle lanes in Durham
- Roundabout at the intersection of Morreene Road and American Drive to improve safety and slow traffic. (Bike safety improvements around 1 intersection)
- This project will be comleted in conjunction with the Morreene Road project that will add sidewalks and bicycle facilities.
- Flashing beacons for Rocky Creek Trail crossing at Elmira St (between Dakota St and Hemlock Ave)
- Flashing beacons for S Ellerbee Creek Trail crossing at Stadium Dr (across from Durham County stadium driveway)- School zone flashers for Durham School of the Arts on Stadium Drive
- School zone flashers for Central Park School for Children on North Street/Hargrove Street
- School zone flashers for Hope Valley Elementary and Durham Academy Middle on University Drive
- Pedestrian signals for Club Boulevard Elementary at Roxboro/Lavender
- Flashing beacons for Fayetteville St Elementary crossing at Elmira St and Hemlock Ave
- Flashing beacons for Morehead Montessori Elementary crossing at Lakewood Ave and Shepherd St
- Flashing beacons for Clement Early College High crossing at Fayetteville St and Formosa Ave
- Curb radius reduction for Hillandale Elementary at Hillandale/Peppertree
- Crosswalk for Brogdon Middle at Leon St and Buchanon
- Bump outs for Shephard Middle along Dakota St
- Warranted traffic signal on Stadium Dr at new Durham School of the Arts (between Carver St and Shaftsbury St)
This is a request for local funding to replace federal funding so that project can move faster. More info.
- Englewood Avenue from Georgia Avenue to Watts Street
- Knox Street from Watts Street to Acadia Street
- Bivins Street from SR 1127 (Chapel Hill Road) to Arnette Avenue
- Iredell Street from US 70 Business (Main Street) to West Club Boulevard
- Maryland Avenue from West Club Boulevard to Ellerbee Creek Trail
- Cleveland Street/Corporation Street from US 70 business/NC 98 (Holloway Street) to Rigsbee Avenue
- Juniper Street from Spruce Street to Guthrie Avenue
- Lincoln Street/Grant Street from Lawson Street to Lakeland Street
- Ridgeway Avenue/Lakeland Street from Lawson Street to Mathison Street
- Lavender Avenue from Elgin Street to Stephenson Street
- Stephenson Street from Lavender Avenue to SR 1669 (Club Boulevard)
- Umstead street/Lodge Street from SR 1118 (Fayetteville Street) to Fargo Street
Continuation of LC259.
Continuation of projects.
In addition to the sidewalk projects (use button above for details), the bond referendums would also fund:
$15 million to repair existing sidewalks and ADA curb ramps;
$10 million to pave dirt and gravel streets within City limits;
$30 million to maintain and repave city streets (We are seeking information from the Public Works department on the city streets that would be included to know more about opportunities to add traffic calming, safer crossings, and bicycle facilities); and
$85 million to fund major upgrades to Long Meadow and East End parks and a new water park beside the Wheels Roller Rink at Merrick-Moore Park.
Some of the funding for these projects was previously identified in the city’s Capital Improvement Program. This can be confusing, but by funding the completion of these projects with voter-approved bonds, the City frees up additional capacity to add new projects to next year’s Capital Improvement Program.
click on image below to View the City’s interactive map of connecting durham bond projects:
Screenshot from City’s webpage on the Connecting Durham 2024 Bond Referendum