News Flash

[North Wilkesboro, NC, October 2, 2020] – Beginning next week, a temporary traffic pattern will be installed on 6^th St. between F and G Streets. The width of the travel lane will be reduced from 13 to 10 feet along this stretch using traffic barrels. The posted speed limit is 25 miles per hour. The installation will be in place for approximately two weeks. 

In the coming weeks, North Wilkesboro Police Department will be posting its dynamic speed sign on 8^th St./Toll Rd. This sign uses radar to capture an oncoming vehicle’s speed and display it to the driver. The sign also records traffic volume and speed data. The posted speed limit in this area is also 25 miles per hour.

These installations are being installed to test the effect of traffic calming measures on motorists. The data collected during the testing period will be used by the Town of North Wilkesboro to evaluate possible safety enhancements to town streets.

“Data is an important thing to have whenever you’re making a decision” said Town Manager Wilson Hooper, “especially when you’re trying to solve a problem like this one where the important information -traffic volume and speed- is so easy to collect.” 

Hooper added: “What we find out during this test will inform things like public safety staffing and infrastructure improvements. Infrastructure improvements in particular are too expensive to be decided using a gut feeling; you’ve got to have data to show that they’re going to be effective.” 

Motorists are asked to use caution as they proceed through both areas.