Chapel Hill Active Transportation Project Tracker
We’re excited to share our Chapel Hill Active Transportation Project Tracker — a public tool designed to make it easier to see what’s happening across bike, pedestrian, and multi-use infrastructure projects and related planning efforts.
We’ve compiled this information from multiple sources and formats in one place to support residents, advocates, and Town Council members alike. The tracker shows each project’s stage, funding status, and timeline so our community can stay informed, engage constructively, and help move priorities forward. It also helps guide Shift’s own advocacy work.
You can explore the tracker directly through the Google Sheet or interact with it via a map view.
We’re currently building a similar tracker for Carrboro and look forward to sharing it soon. In the meantime, below is a summary of Carrboro infrastructure and planning activity as of January 2026.
If you have questions or notice something missing, please reach out at board@shiftchc.org — community input helps keep this resource accurate and useful.
Carrboro infrastructure and planning summary:
I. Active Infrastructure & Greenways
Morgan Creek Greenway (Phase 1): This 1,850-foot segment will connect Smith Level Road to Abbey Road. A bid opening occurred in December 2025, and the Town Council is scheduled to award the construction contract on January 20, 2026.
Jones Creek Greenway: A multi-use path connecting Lake Hogan Farm Road to Morris Grove Elementary. It is scheduled to be advertised for construction in June 2026, with a target completion date in Summer 2026.
South Greensboro Street Sidewalk: This project fills a critical pedestrian gap south of downtown. Design is 65% complete, and construction is expected to be advertised in December 2026.
Completed Work: The Homestead Road-Chapel Hill Multi-Use Path was formally closed out in December 2024, and a town-funded repair to a damaged bridge section was completed in December 2025.
II. Safety & Pedestrian Improvements
Signalized Pedestrian Crossings (NC 54): NCDOT has awarded a contract for three crossings at high-ridership transit stops (Westbrook Dr., Abbey Ln., and Kingswood Apartments). Construction is set to begin in February 2026 and take approximately one year.
Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Grant: In December 2025, the Town was awarded $780,000 for planning and demonstration projects. New RRFBs (Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons) are planned for North Greensboro Street at Hillsborough Road and Quail Roost.
Bicycle Loop Detectors: Construction is largely finished for detectors at key downtown intersections. Final steps involve installing temperature-sensitive thermoplastic markings.
ADA Ramp Project: NCDOT's ongoing ADA ramp replacements and additional crosswalk installations are scheduled to continue through March 2026.
III. Downtown & Roadway Management
East Weaver Street Weekend Closure: A detailed proposal has been developed to close East Weaver Street to vehicles on weekends. This includes movable bollards for deliveries, covering specific signals, and moving stop bars back by 30 feet to accommodate large vehicle turns.
Speed Limit Reductions: The Town is in ongoing discussions with NCDOT to lower speeds on several corridors, including reducing Hillsborough Road to 25 mph and South Greensboro Street to 30 mph.
Hillsborough/W. Main/Poplar Intersection: Two primary alternatives are being considered for this intersection: an All-Way Stop or a future Traffic Circle (which would require additional funding).
IV. Future Planning & Funding
P8.0 NCDOT Prioritization: Projects submitted for the 2028-2037 cycle include Phase 2 of the Morgan Creek Greenway, Phases 2-4 of the Bolin Creek Greenway, and a sidepath for Seawell School Road.
Transit Fund Warnings: While Orange County Transit funds support several active projects, staff warned that capital funding may be more limited after FY27, potentially delaying the 203 Connector and West Main Street sidewalk.
Safe Routes to School (SRTS): A non-infrastructure grant is funding an update to the 2012 SRTS plan. Walking audits are complete, and a draft report is expected in late Spring 2026.