Traffic Assessment for Construction and Demolition Landfill, Forsyth County, NC

DTC was contracted by the Winston-Salem City County Utilities Commission to perform a traffic assessment for the proposed development of a landfill located off Fagg Road (SR 1926) on the Forsyth and Stokes County line. This project had two phases. The original (Phase 1) scope of services included an existing conditions report for roads directly adjacent to and affected by the proposed landfill; accident data and level of service analysis for four critical study area intersections; and school bus stop information for US 311 in the study area. DTC found that it would take six years to obtain maximum operating levels, and that the projected lifespan for the project would be thirty years. DTC found that there were no serious transportation deficiencies within the study area, and no specific recommendations were made for improvements. Phase 2 scope of services expanded the study to incorporate a larger area of impact, with specific focus on the Town of Walkertown vicinity. To address these concerns, the study area was expanded to incorporate all reasonable routes in northeastern Forsyth County that may be affected by landfill traffic.  Field surveys and research were conducted by DTC staff to determine the existing conditions of the transportation facilities within the study area.  Based on a 30-year lifespan for this project, DTC staff identified all the roadway improvements that were planned within this time period.  The most notable improvement for this area was/is the construction of I-74 (NCDOT project number U-2579).  This section of the beltway is planned to run from US 52 around eastern Winston-Salem to I-40 Business, then continue south to I-40.  Based on the schedule provided at that time by NCDOT, construction on this project was to begin by 2010 and be completed by 2016. Based on our review of the existing and projected conditions, DTC found that: 1) there would need to be geometric improvements at the intersection of Fagg Road and US 311, including the construction of left and right turn lanes; 2) Fagg Road may have to be strengthened, pending a more detailed structural analysis of the pavement; 3) development of this project will not substantially impact any of the roadways within the study area and US 311 had more than ample capacity to handle the project; 4) The project would have only a minimum impact on Walkertown NC 66 intersections; 5) Should truck traffic become an issue on Main Street in the vicinity of the school, NCDOT would have the authority to restrict thru truck traffic to US and NC routes; 6) the I-74 project will significantly reduce the traffic volumes on NC 66 and US 311/I-74; 7) The primary roads providing access to the site from Forsyth County are NCDOT maintained facilities that have no truck restrictions, including US 158 and 311 which are truck routes and are designed as such.  Overall, DTC concluded that the project was not a major traffic generator and would not present a serious traffic problem for the study area, or Eastern Forsyth County in general.