Town of Chapel Hill, NC
Home MenuResidents » Transportation » Capital Projects
Estes Drive Connectivity Project
ESTES DRIVE UPDATES
PURPOSE
- To provide bicycle, pedestrian, crosswalk, and vehicular improvements along Estes Drive and at the Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd./Estes intersection
- The project will include raised bike lanes and sidewalks along Estes Drive, wider sidewalks along a portion of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., crosswalks at the MLK/Estes intersection, and turn lanes at the MLK/Estes intersection.
Delays
- We understand that delays are an inconvenience. Roadwork is often impacted by weather delays, unexpected delays associated with utility relocations and easements, and many other factors that we try to manage as efficiently as possible. We'll continue to keep you informed if we receive information about potential delays so that you are aware of the status of the work. To stay informed, please sign up for our Estes Drive Updates listserv.
STAY INFORMED
- Join our Estes Drive Updates listserv for regular updates about the project.
- Archived email updates are available below.
- Email Mayor/Town Council at mayorandcouncil@townofchapelhill.org
Estes Drive has reopened to two-way traffic! Drivers can now travel from Franklin Street towards Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
The end of the one-way detour marks the end of most construction activities on this project. However, there will be intermittent lane closures to complete the following activities:
- Concrete pedestrian refuge islands at Caswell and Somerset.
- Concrete repairs as needed along corridor.
- Opening new turn lanes on Estes Drive Extension and Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
- Permanent lane marking and final paving of Estes Drive, which will occur overnight in a few weeks.
While weekly updates will end, we will reach out when the final construction activities are scheduled and share any expected impacts.
This Fall, just before students head back to classrooms, we’ll celebrate this great route to school with a biking and walking parade on the brand-new side path. It’ll be packed with family fun! We’ll share those details with you as they come together.
In the meantime, at 10am on Tuesday, June 18, we’ll host a small ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark this big milestone in our community. You’re welcome to join us for refreshments on Estes Drive in front of Phillips Middle School.
June 7th
We are in the final week of one-way traffic along Estes Drive.
Repaving remains on schedule and weather permitting, two-way traffic will resume on the afternoon of Wednesday, June 12, after school dismissal.
This week, you can expect:
- Overnight paving on Sunday night
- Final concrete work on sidewalk and road crossings
- Repairs and punchlist items
In a few more weeks, after two-way traffic resumes, the contractor will do the final paving and permanent striping, which will take place overnight. As we have a better understanding of when this might be and its impacts, we will share that information with you.
Thanks so much for your understanding as we get to the finish line. We know this has been a long process with disruptions to your daily life. We also know that the end result will be a safer, more accessible, more connected road for all who use it.
May 23rd
Construction Update:
There will be a temporary closure of Caswell near the middle school on mid-day Friday. This will not affect morning drop-off, but will impact Phillips Middle School pick-up on Friday afternoon. The school system will provide information on what parents should do for afternoon pickup. Neighborhood residents should use Cumberland Road or the other end of Caswell Road at the stoplight. The road will be open again by the end of the day Friday.
Here's the Town of Chapel Hill's update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of May 27th.
- The project remains focused on milling the old asphalt and paving the road.
- Installation of handrails, concrete islands, and final landscaping.
Estimated Completion Date: 1st week of June 2024
May 17th
Here's the Town of Chapel Hill's update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of May 20th.
- Project focus on milling and paving to replace old asphalt
- Sidewalk work wrapping up along project
Estimated Completion Date: 1st week of June 2024
May 10th
Here's the Town of Chapel Hill's update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of May 10th.
- Milling and paving of the road's asphalt is scheduled to start Wednesday and last for two weeks.
- Flashing light crosswalk to be installed at Estes/Granville this week
- Continued sidewalk and driveway work on the south side of Estes
Timeline Update
Due to weather impacts on construction, the current estimate for the reopening of two-way traffic has moved to the first week of June. We will update you on the schedule if additional weather-related delays occur.
Updated Estimated Completion Date: 1st week of June 2024
May 3rd
Here's the Town of Chapel Hill's update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of May 3rd.
- Driveway repairs and alterations as sidewalk is installed.
- Sidewalk installation on the south side continues towards schools.
- Preparation for roadway repairs and paving.
Timeline Update
The current estimate for the end of construction from the contractor continues to be late May. We will share the precise date when we have confirmation.
Estimated Completion Date: May 2024
April 26th
Here's the Town of Chapel Hill's update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of April 29th.
- Driveway repairs and alterations as grading changes.
- Sidewalk poured in place after grading.
- Preparation to lower the asphalt level on the closed lane.
- Installation of flashing crosswalk signs at Estes and Granville Road.
Timeline Update
The latest estimate for the end of construction from the contractor is late May. We will share the precise date when we have confirmation.
Estimated Completion Date: May 2024
April 19th
Here's the Town of Chapel Hill's update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of April 22nd.
- Grading and sidewalk installation throughout project.
- Preparation to lower the asphalt level on the closed lane.
Updated Estimated Completion Date: May 2024
April 12thSave
Here's the Town of Chapel Hill's update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of April 15th.
- Due to weather, night work was rescheduled to Sunday 4/14-Tuesday 4/16 in the MLK/Estes intersection to abandon an old waterline. This will require nightly lane closures at the intersection but will not affect daytime traffic.
- Ongoing sidewalk installation
- Temporary removal of flashing crosswalk signs by Phillips to install sidewalk.
Updated Estimated Completion Date: May 2024
April 5th
Here's the Town of Chapel Hill's update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of April 8th.
- Night work is scheduled from Tuesday 4/9-Thursday 4/11 in MLK/Estes intersection to abandon an old waterline. This will require nightly lane closures at the intersection but will not affect daytime traffic.
- Grading for future sidewalk.
- Sidewalk installation following grading and stone base.
Updated Estimated Completion Date: May 2024
April 1st
Here's the Town of Chapel Hill's update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of April 1st.
- Grading for future sidewalk near schools
- Sidewalk installation following grading and stone base
- Adjustment of water valves for new sidewalk
Estimated Completion Date: Spring 2024
March 22nd
Here's the Town of Chapel Hill's update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of March 25th
- Curb removal and replacement near the schools
- Grading and sidewalk installation near Boomerang and Amity Church
Project Timeline
We expect the road to reopen to two-way traffic when the detour ends, instead of the phased reopening that was shared at the start of construction. This is because utility-related delays pushed the construction team to work on items outside of the planned phasing.
Estimated Completion Date: Spring 2024
March 15th
Here's the Town of Chapel Hill's update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of March 18th
- Continued work on curb and gutter on south side of Estes
- Continued concrete and asphalt installation for sidewalk
- New signage to be installed near Boomerang to alert drivers to Somerset Drive
Project Timeline
The construction has moved significantly faster since the end of utility delays, and is on track for the estimated completion date of Spring 2024. We will update the timeline with clearer dates in the upcoming month.
Estimated Completion Date: Spring 2024
March 8th
Here's the Town of Chapel Hill's update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of March 11th
- New curb and gutter to be put in place
- Grading over areas with completed storm drain system
- Concrete poured for some sidewalks and driveways
Estimated Completion Date: Spring 2024
March 1st
Here's the Town of Chapel Hill's update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of March 4th
- Concrete poured for some sidewalks and driveways
- Stone base to be set in place for upcoming sidewalk sections
- Quality checks of new storm drain system
Estimated Completion Date: Spring 2024
February 23rd
Here's the Town of Chapel Hill's update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of February 26th
- Additional driveway work for houses along Estes Drive.
- Stone base to be set in place for upcoming sidewalk
- Work to tie storm drains together
Estimated Completion Date: Spring 2024
February 16th
Here's the Town of Chapel Hill's update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of February 19th
- Aura development will conduct sanitary sewer work at Somerset/Estes this week. This will require intermittent lane closures on Somerset Drive.
- Driveway work for houses along Estes Drive.
- Grading for future sidewalk on south side.
- Storm drain work continues along Estes.
Estimated Completion Date: Spring 2024
February 9th
Here's the Town of Chapel Hill's update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of February 12th
- Work on curb and gutter continues along south side of Estes
- Continued work to finish stormwater system
Estimated Completion Date: Spring 2024
February 2nd
Here's the Town of Chapel Hill's update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of February 5th
- New curb and gutter to be laid along south side of Estes
- Stormwater system installation continues
- Dominion Energy to evaluate depth of service lines to homes
Estimated Completion Date: Spring 2024
January 26th
Here's the Town of Chapel Hill's update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of January 29th
- Stormwater system and curb/gutter continue to be focus along Estes Drive
- Preparing road base under closed lane for new asphalt
- New signal cables to be installed in MLK/Estes intersection overnight 1/29-1/30. May require temporary lane closures.
Estimated Completion Date: Spring 2024
January 19th
Here's the Town of Chapel Hill's update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of January 22nd
- New curb installation along Estes Drive in areas with the new storm drains in place
- Continued installation of new stormwater system along Estes Drive
- Pavement in closed lane to be milled down
Estimated Completion Date: Spring 2024
January 12th
Here's the Town of Chapel Hill's update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of January 15th
- Construction will be focused on the stormwater system installation along Estes Drive
- Grading in preparation for sidewalk in areas with finished stormwater system
Estimated Completion Date: Spring 2024
January 5th
Here's the Town of Chapel Hill's update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of January 8th
- This week, with waterline installation complete, the project's construction will be focused on installing the new storm drain infrastructure along and under the road.
Estimated Completion Date: Spring 2024
December 22nd
Here's the Town of Chapel Hill's update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project through the next two weeks (Dec. 25th-Jan. 5th)
- Removal of old waterline
- Installation of storm drains and pipes on south side of Estes
- Continued curb and gutter work moving down Estes Drive
- No work on December 25th, December 26th, or January 1st
Estimated Completion Date: Spring 2024
Project Note:
Construction equipment was recently vandalized, which raises safety concerns for the equipment and crew. Please keep an eye out and share potential information with Chapel Hill Police.
Estimated Completion Date: Spring 2024
December 15th
Here's the Town of Chapel Hill's update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of December 18th
- Final waterline tie-ins on Monday and Tuesday. OWASA will have notified affected customers ahead of time
- Grading and preparation for storm drains, curb, gutter, and sidewalk on south side of Estes
- Gap in sidewalk near Azalea to be filled with final waterline work
Estimated Completion Date: Spring 2024
December 13th
Project Alert
Cumberland Road at Estes will remain closed through early next week.
The contractor for the Estes Drive construction project originally scheduled work on the waterline for yesterday; however, they had to cancel because OWASA didn’t give affected customers a five-day notice of expected water outages.
The work is now scheduled for next Monday, Dec. 18, which gives customers five days’ notice.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
December 8th
Here's the Town of Chapel Hill's update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of December 11th
- Side street closure on Cumberland Road scheduled for December 12th
- Waterline work continues, with switch to new pipe expected next week
- Ongoing curb and gutter work near Amity Church and Childcare Matters
New Estimated Completion Date: Spring 2024
December 1st
Here's the Town of Chapel Hill's update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of December 4th
- Waterline work to close Caswell's western connection to Estes on Monday and Tuesday - Phillips pick-up and drop-off will see changes
- Concrete to be poured in front of Azalea Estates
- Ongoing work near Amity Church and Childcare Matters
Estimated Completion Date: Early 2024
November 28th
We have an update on the side street closure schedule around Estes. These closures are necessary to connect the new waterline to the water system.
- Cumberland Rd. at Estes will close tomorrow, November 29th through Wednesday November 30th. Traffic on Estes will not be affected, but cars will not be able to turn onto or out of Cumberland.
- Caswell Rd.'s west connection (near Phillips) will not close tomorrow, as previously scheduled. This closure will occur next week and we will share details closer to the date.
- No other closures are scheduled this week - we will share updates for the coming weeks in our normal Friday newsletter.
There will be other upcoming road closures as contractors connect the new waterline to existing lines along the corridor so please keep an eye out for notifications.
November 17th
Here’s the Town of Chapel Hill’s update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of November 20th & November 27th:
Two-Week Outlook
- Work focuses on finishing up waterline and connecting to public water system
- No work on Thanksgiving or Black Friday
Upcoming Closures
Due to waterline work, several side streets to Estes will have closures that prevent cars from turning onto Estes. These closures will not affect through traffic on Estes. The tentative schedule for closures is below, and we will share any schedule updates as work progresses:
Caswell Road near Phillips: Mid-day closure on November 29th
Cumberland Road: Closure from November 30th-December 1st, and closure on December 5th
Q&A
Does the waterline testing impact water for nearby homes and buildings?
The waterline that was being tested and now connected is a brand new line, so there have not and will not be impacts on water quality. The contractor is working with OWASA to contact residents who will have brief disruptions in water service over the next few weeks while the new waterline is tied in to the existing lines and residences and other buildings are connected.
Estimated completion date: Early 2024
November 10th
Here’s the Town of Chapel Hill’s update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of November 13th:
Next Week’s Outlook
- Continue curb and gutter installation from MLK to Childcare Matters
- Finish sidewalk and fire accesses in front of Azalea Estates
- Begin connecting new waterline to buildings on the south side of Estes
Q&A
What is happening with the waterline installation along the south side of Estes?
The waterline along Estes Drive has passed water quality testing after multiple failed attempts, which delayed construction. The next step in the project is to tie buildings into the new waterline, and disconnect them from the old waterline. Once the new waterline is active, construction will be able to move forward along the south side of Estes Drive
Estimated completion date: Winter 2023/Early 2024
November 3rd
Here’s the Town of Chapel Hill’s update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of November 6th:
Next Week’s Outlook
- Work focused near Amity Church area
- Finishing work on sidewalk and bike lane in front of Azalea Estates
- Continued waterline preparation
Estimated completion date: Winter 2023/Early 2024
October 27th
Here’s the Town of Chapel Hill’s update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of October 30th:
Next Week’s Outlook
- Curb and gutter construction around Amity Church
- Sidewalk to be poured in front of Azalea Estates
- Continued waterline testing and preparation
Q&A
Where does the project currently stand?
The construction at the intersection of Estes/MLK is complete and the new multiuse path along MLK is open. The north side of Estes will be completed this week with the sidewalk/bike lane in front of Azalea Estates. Most of the south side is still on hold pending waterline testing and approval, but curb and gutter will be poured near Amity Church.
Estimated completion date: Winter 2023/Early 2024
October 20th
Here’s the Town of Chapel Hill’s update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of October 23rd
- Work winding down around MLK/Estes intersection
- Ongoing work around utilities and preparation on Estes
- Grading and prep to install sidewalk and bike lane in front of Azalea Estates
Q&A: Why haven’t I seen construction happening between Somerset and the schools?
The contractor finished installing the new waterline along the south side of Estes recently. Once finalized, this waterline will replace the existing pipes, but needs to pass testing and be accepted by the State before it can be put into operation. This process takes time, and there have been unexpected obstacles, but once the waterline passes testing and is accepted, heavier construction in that area will begin.
October 13th
Here’s the Town of Chapel Hill’s update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of October 16th:
Next Week’s Outlook
- Focus on asphalt for turn lanes at MLK/Estes corner
- Work to switch over a signal at MLK/Estes intersection on Friday, 10/20
- Reminder to use caution at Estes/Caswell intersection - intersection has students walking to and from school, and does not allow right turns on red lights.
Estimated Completion Date: Winter 2023/Early 2024
Here’s the Town of Chapel Hill’s update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of October 9th:
Next Week’s Outlook
- Concrete poured for sidewalk and asphalt poured for turn lanes on MLK
- Waterline testing continues on Estes
-
Grading and preparation for sidewalk along Estes Drive
- Ongoing work on Estes by Aura Chapel Hill
Here’s the Town of Chapel Hill’s update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of October 2nd:
Next Week’s Outlook
- Grading and work for turn lanes at MLK/Estes intersection
- Waterline testing and preparation along Estes Drive
- Finishing curb and gutter work along MLK and installing curb ramps
Q&A
The Town is conducting the work:
- Along MLK from the YMCA driveway to Estes
- Along the south side of Estes from MLK to Caswell
- Along the north side of Estes from Somerset to Caswell
Other projects in the area include:
- Aura's construction and utilities, along their MLK and Estes property frontages, and in front of Azalea Estates
- Estes Hills Elementary blacktop work, occurring on the school campus
Estimated Completion Date: Winter 2023/Early 2024
Here’s the Town of Chapel Hill’s update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of September 25th:
Next Week’s Outlook
- Waterline testing on the south side
- Final utility relocation and curb and gutter work at MLK/Estes intersection
- Grading along MLK
- Continued traffic enforcement
- Continued one-way traffic pattern for safety, which is our top priority; the closed lane isn't ready for vehicle traffic
Here’s the Town of Chapel Hill’s update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of September 18th:
Next Week’s Outlook
- Waterline work and testing on south side
- Final utility relocation at MLK/Estes intersection
- Curb and gutter at MLK/Estes intersection
- Continued traffic enforcement for start of the school year
Estimated completion date: Winter 2023/2024
Here’s the Town of Chapel Hill’s update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of September 11th
Next Week’s Outlook
- Road work focused on MLK/Estes intersection to add turn lanes and widen sidewalk
- Continued work on waterline connection to Phillips – no major impacts expected
- Aura continues work along their frontage on MLK and Estes
Estimated completion date: Winter 2023/2024
- Water line work continues down south side of Estes Drive
- Some minor traffic shifts to install new waterline connection to Phillips – no major impacts
- Signal work delayed by rain – rescheduled to Tuesday night (9/5)
- Continued traffic enforcement for start of school year
- Water line work continues down south side of Estes Drive
- Nighttime signal work at Estes and MLK scheduled for Tuesday night – expect late-night delays
- Work on turn lane additions at Estes/MLK intersection
- Estes Hills and Phillips students return to class – expect more traffic and greater traffic enforcement
- One of the northbound lanes of MLK Jr. Blvd. will be closed from the YMCA to Shadowood Drive, starting Wednesday, August 23rd. The closure will last three months.
- Cumberland Drive’s entrance to Estes will be closed from Tuesday through Thursday (Aug. 22-24) to continue the waterline work. Residents on Cumberland should use Caswell to access Estes.
- Work will continue on the waterline on the south side of Estes, heading east beyond Caswell/Phillips
- Continued work on right turn lanes at the MLK and Estes intersection
- Signal work expected at MLK and Estes intersection on 8/18 and 8/19, pending weather
- Continued work at MLK/Estes to pave for new right-turn lanes and adding curb and gutter
- Changes at Caswell/Estes signal to make left turns into Caswell easier
- Waterline testing and installation along Estes
- Aura continues work along Estes Drive and MLK
- Water line work between Caswell Road’s west end and Cumberland Road
- Continued work at MLK/Estes to pave for new right-turn lanes
- Aura continues work along Estes Drive and MLK
- Caswell to be closed for 3 days starting Tuesday morning (July 25th) depending on weather.
- NO CHANGE TO TRAFFIC ON ESTES during Caswell closure
- Waterline work continues down the south side of Estes Drive
- Work at MLK/Estes to pave for new right-turn lane near airport
- Work on south side of Estes to install new waterline
- Work continues at MLK/Estes to pave for new right-turn lane near airport
- Work focused on waterline on south side of Estes
- Ongoing utility work near Azalea Estates by the Aura development
- The lane shift has been completed, but the detour remains the same. Please let us know if you see cars driving the wrong way towards MLK Jr. Blvd.
June 30th
- Lane shift to occur on July 5th, with sidewalk on the north side of Estes opening up
- Work on the night of July 6th starting at 7 PM to move MLK/Estes signals over to new location
- Grading work on the southwest corner of Estes and MLK
- No work on July 3rd or 4th
- Due to rain delays, continued milling, paving, and marking work on Estes to prepare for lane shift
- Lane shift to occur when pavement is dry
- Ongoing waterline work and testing
- Traffic is scheduled to shift from right side of the road to the left side along the whole road on Monday, June 26th
- NO CHANGE IN DETOUR - Lane shift needed to prepare for work on the south side of Estes
- Milling, paving, and lane marking along Estes to prepare for lane shift
- Work continues to focus on Estes/MLK intersection
- Grading and drainage work around airport corner for new right-turn lane
- Waterline work and testing on the south side of Estes Drive
- Paving behind Estes Hills to tie in curb and island
- Work focused on Estes/MLK intersection
- Grading and waterline work around MLK/Estes intersection on the YMCA/Amity corner
- Grading around airport corner for new right-turn lane
Here’s the Town of Chapel Hill’s update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of May 29th
Next Week’s Outlook
- Work to focus on MLK/Estes intersection and prepping for the addition of a turn lane on the west side of MLK
- No work scheduled for Memorial Day
- Sidewalk and curb ramps near Estes to open to public
Estimated completion date: Winter 2023
- Waterline work to continue on the south side of Estes
- Temporary walkway in place between Azalea Estates and Somerset
- Sidewalk behind the school to be poured on Monday
- Milling and paving along the north side of Estes Drive, near Azalea Estates
- Work on ADA ramps near Estes Hills to tie sidewalk together
- Work occurring this Saturday (5/5) on greenway near Estes Hills
- Duke utility work scheduled for the corner of MLK and Estes next week
- Potential waterline work on Saturday, May 13th
- Stormwater work near MLK
April 28th
- Work on storm drainage facilities along Estes and MLK
- Continued work on waterline on south side of Estes
- Connecting the sidewalk from behind Estes Hills to the main sidewalk along Estes
- Curb construction near Azalea
April 21st
Here’s the Town of Chapel Hill’s update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of April 24th
Next Week’s Outlook
- Waterline work continues down south side of Estes Drive
- Grading work near Azalea Estates
- Some Saturday work anticipated on April 29th
Estimated completion date: Winter 2023
April 14th
Here’s the Town of Chapel Hill’s update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of April 17th
Next Week’s Outlook
- Waterline work continues down south side of Estes Drive
- Sidewalk work near Estes Hills Elementary and Clayton Road
- Coordination with upcoming utility work for the Aura development project
Estimated completion date: Winter 2023
April 7th
Here’s the Town of Chapel Hill’s update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of April 10th
Next Week’s Outlook
- Waterline work moves down south side of Estes Drive
- Ongoing sidewalk and bike lane concrete work
- Phillips traffic to return to normal driveways after spring break
Estimated completion date: Winter 2023
March 31st
Here’s the Town of Chapel Hill’s update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of April 3rd
Next Week’s Outlook
- Waterline work moves to Estes Drive, with temporary closures of Amity Church driveway and Childcare Matters driveway on Tuesday or Wednesday
- Grading of Phillips driveway to meet new sidewalk
- Ongoing sidewalk and bike lane concrete work
Estimated completion date: Winter 2023
March 24th
Here’s the Town of Chapel Hill’s update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of March 27th
Next Week’s Outlook
- Waterline work around MLK and Estes
- Phillips west driveway set to reopen Monday
- Continued sidewalk and bike lane pour
Estimated completion date: Winter 2023
March 17th
Here’s the Town of Chapel Hill’s update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of March 20th
Next Week’s Outlook
- Utilities companies continue relocation work
- Stormwater drainage installation near Azalea Estates
- Phillips East Driveway to close for grading on Friday
- Continued sidewalk and bike lane pour between Phillips and Estes Hills
- Waterline work at MLK/Estes
Estimated completion date: Winter 2023
March 10th
Here’s the Town of Chapel Hill’s update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of March 13th
Next Week’s Outlook
- Continued sidewalk and bike lane pour between Phillips and Estes Hills
- Phillips west driveway to remain closed for grading, with pickup and drop-off at Estes
- Utilities to remove old power poles from sidewalk construction area
- Waterline work along Estes Drive
Estimated completion date: Winter 2023
March 3rd
Here’s the Town of Chapel Hill’s update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of March 6th
Next Week’s Outlook
- The extension of the one-way pattern will start this week, limiting access from Somerset Drive and connected streets.
- Phillips bus entrance and large parking lot scheduled to be closed Friday, with teachers and staff parking on neighborhood streets
- Continued sidewalk and bike lane pour between Phillips and Estes Hills
Estimated completion date: Winter 2023
February 24th
Here’s the Town of Chapel Hill’s update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of February 27th
Next Week’s Outlook
- Continue sidewalk pour and landscaping
- Waterline and storm drain work near Azalea Estates
- Night work expected on MLK for waterline work on February 28th and March 1st
Upcoming Work
The extension of the one-way pattern has been delayed until the week of March 6th. Signs and road markings will be prepared this week
Estimated completion date: Winter 2023
- Concrete pour for sidewalk installation
- Waterline and storm drain work near Azalea Estates
- The Aura development is conducting work along their frontage on Estes Drive. They may have temporary lane closures through February 25th, and will be required to have a flagger to manage traffic flow.
- Night work expected on MLK for waterline tie-in on February 28th and March 1st
Here’s the Town of Chapel Hill’s update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of February 13th
Next Week’s Outlook
- Work will require lane shifts around MLK/Estes intersection this week
- Rock base laid and prepared for concrete sidewalk installation
- Stormwater infrastructure installed prior to concrete
- The one-way pattern extension to MLK Jr. Boulevard has been delayed until early March.
Estimated completion date: Winter 2023
- Ongoing grading work and preparation for sidewalk installation
Here’s the Town of Chapel Hill’s update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of January 30th.
Key Update: The one-way pattern will be extended all the way to MLK Jr. Boulevard, starting as early as this week. The main impact will be on traffic leaving Somerset & Amity Church, which will need to head towards Franklin Street when the change begins.
Next Week’s Outlook
- Grading for sidewalk scheduled for Saturday, January 28th
- Waterline installation on north side of street
Estimated completion date: Winter 2023
Here’s the Town of Chapel Hill’s update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of January 23rd.
Key Update: The one-way pattern will be extended up to MLK Jr. Boulevard, starting the week of January 30th. The main impact will be on traffic leaving Somerset & Amity Church, which will need to head towards Franklin Street when the change begins.
Next Week’s Outlook
- Continued curb and gutter construction
- Utility preparation and relocations
Estimated completion date: September 2023
Next Week’s Outlook
- Some curb and gutter construction possible for next week
- Asphalt base to be continued
- Ongoing water line construction, testing, and grading
Estimated completion date: September 2023
Here’s the Town of Chapel Hill’s update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of January 9th
Next Week’s Outlook
- Continued drainage and waterline work near Azalea Estates
- Permanent seeding of grass on the school side of Estes Drive
- Ongoing grading work on the north side of the road
- Utilities on power poles to relocate to new power poles
Estimated completion date: September 2023
Here’s the Town of Chapel Hill’s update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the weeks of December 19th through January 2nd
- Work is primarily focused on stormwater infrastructure
- A new waterline will be tied into the larger water system
- Storm drains are set to be completed, and curb is set to start going in
- AT&T to continue utility relocation work
- No work on 12/26, 12/27, and 1/2
Estimated completion date: September 2023
Here’s the Town of Chapel Hill’s update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of December 12th
Week of December 12th
- Ongoing grading work on the north side to prepare for curb and gutter
- As grading occurs, construction crew will lay as much of the future gutter and stormwater infrastructure as possible
- AT&T set to work on relocating underground and overhead lines
Here’s the Town of Chapel Hill’s update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of December 5th
Week of December 5th
- Grading work continues to prepare for curb and gutter
- Ongoing work on stormwater drains and water pipes near Azalea and Phillips
Installation of things like drainage systems and walkways will impact the driveways, but construction crews will always keep one lane open and have traffic control on site. We will work to give the schools as much advance notice as possible when this is scheduled to occur.
Estimated completion date: September 2023
Here’s the Town of Chapel Hill’s update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of November 21st
Week of November 21st
- Grading work is scheduled to begin Monday, weather permitting
- Continued work on stormwater and utilities
- No work scheduled on Thursday or Friday
Estimated completion date: September 2023
Here’s the Town of Chapel Hill’s update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of November 14th
Week of November 14th
- Contractor to work on stormwater drain and pipes along Estes
- Utilities to continue work to relocate infrastructure
- Town to complete walking path on Caswell Road
Week of November 7th
- Town to install speed cushions on Caswell Road (North Lakeshore speed cushion installed last week)
- Internet fiber work wrapping up
- Utility work by main contractor throughout week
Week of November 14th
- Grading work scheduled to begin
- Town to complete walking path on Caswell Road
Estimated completion date: September 2023
Here’s the Town of Chapel Hill’s update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of October 31st.
Week of October 31st
- Internet fiber work continues through the week
- Duke to remove power poles once all wires are moved over
- Preparations for stormwater utility work in upcoming weeks
Estimated completion date: Late Fall 2023
Here’s the Town of Chapel Hill’s update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of October 24th
Week of October 24th
- Internet providers are moving their fiber away from other utilities
- Utilities to move all wires from the old power poles to the new power poles
- Negotiations with utility companies to resolve final conflicts and proceed with construction
Here’s the Town of Chapel Hill’s update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of September 19th
Week of September 19th
- Waterline testing is scheduled for next week
Staff are primarily working behind the scenes with utilities to locate in the right place and avoid conflicts with other infrastructure.
Here’s the Town of Chapel Hill’s update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of September 12th
- Duke Power to relocate wires, which may require intermittent lane shifts
-
Continued work on stormwater utilities around Azalea Estates
Week of September 5th
- There will be some signal and signal pole work around the MLK intersection
- Work continues on water line infrastructure
- Google Fiber plans to relocate their infrastructure between Caswell and Phillips
Estimated completion date: Summer 2023
Week of August 29th
- Work on storm drain relocation and adjustments
- Additional work and prep with OWASA infrastructure
- Duke Power work on utility poles
Here’s the Town of Chapel Hill’s update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of August 22nd.
Week of August 22nd
- The large waterline relocation is anticipated to finish this week
- Work to begin on storm drain relocation and adjustments
Q&A
What is being done to prepare for the school year?
The Town is preparing information for parents to discourage speeding, and is meeting with the contractor to discuss safety for students.
Here’s the Town of Chapel Hill’s update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of August 15th.
Week of August 15th
- Waterline relocation work continues near Azalea
- Potential work for fiber on Estes and MLK
- Town staff preparing traffic calming measures for return to school
Here’s the Town of Chapel Hill’s update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of August 8th
Week of August 8th
- Ongoing work for the waterline relocation and power pole utilities
- Erosion control measures and maintenance
July 29th, 2022
Here’s the Town of Chapel Hill’s update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of August 1st
Week of August 1st
Crews will work on waterlines around Azalea Estates and MLK
Utilities will move from the old power poles to the new power poles
July 22nd, 2022
Here’s the Town of Chapel Hill’s update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of July 25th
- Visible construction is paused while utility relocations are coordinated
- Duke Power should complete their pole relocations
- Preparation and work on OWASA’s water lines
July 15th, 2022
Here’s the Town of Chapel Hill’s update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of July 18th.
Week of July 18th
- Utility relocations will continue along Estes Drive
- Duke Power continues relocating power poles
- Additional silt fence and rip-rap will be added to the stormwater devices
Q&A
How is the project addressing erosion issues from storms?
The contractor is working with the Town’s Stormwater division to improve the existing controls, add more grass to areas not actively under construction, and prevent excessive sediment runoff.
July 8th, 2022
Here’s the Town of Chapel Hill’s update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of July 11th
Week of July 11th
- Utility relocations will continue along Estes Drive
-
Duke Power continues relocating power poles
Week of July 18th
- Expected work on utilities and water line
July 1, 2022
Here’s the Town of Chapel Hill’s update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of July 4th
Week of July 4th
- Utility relocations will continue along Estes Drive
- Duke Power will relocate poles
- Ongoing work on grading
Week of July 11th
Ongoing utility work to prepare for construction
Q&A
Will work stop for the July 4th holiday?
Construction will pause for the holiday itself, but will resume as normal on July 5th
June 24th, 2022
Week of June 27th
- There will be a temporary lane shift in front of Azalea Estates to give construction more space – traffic will not be impacted
- Power pole relocation to begin
- Water line relocation to begin
Week of July 4th
- Underground utilities to coordinate with project and move out of construction area
Q&A
Will my power or water be affected by the relocations?
- There may be short interruptions, but the utility companies have told us that they will give advance notice to customers when they are expected. These interruptions will only occur when the actual transfer happens (from pole to pole or from old waterline to new waterline).
June 17th, 2022
Here’s the Town of Chapel Hill’s update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of June 21st
Week of June 21st
•Night work for traffic signals around the MLK intersection
•Dominion expected to complete all gas line work
Week of June 28th
•Utility relocation and power pole relocation will continue
•Potential work on moving OWASA’s water lines along Estes Drive
June 10th, 2022
Week of June 13th
Week of June 20th
Q&A
When will traffic calming measures be installed on neighborhood roads?
Due to supply chain issues, traffic calming materials are taking longer to get here than expected. The Town expects to receive them in the next couple of weeks and will install them as soon as possible.
June 3rd, 2022
Here’s the Town of Chapel Hill’s update on what’s happening with the Estes Drive Connectivity Project for the week of June 6th.
Week of June 6th
- Underground utilities will begin to be moved and relocated out of the project boundaries
- Dominion to finish installing large gas line and work on smaller gas lines
- Week of June 13th
- Duke Power to relocate power poles where possible
- Other utilities to move wires off Duke Power poles
- OWASA utilities to be relocated and moved
Q&A
How is the project addressing erosion and runoff from storms?
The project has an approved erosion control plan that includes silt fence and temporary water quality measures. While water may pool and look muddy, the goal is to prevent soil from washing into streams. The areas around the MLK intersection have also been seeded to add vegetation back and prevent soil loss.
May 23rd, 2022
May 13th, 2022
May 6th, 2022
April 29th, 2022
April 25th, 2022
Good afternoon,
Hope all is well. We wanted to provide an update on construction for the Estes Drive Connectivity Project, and what to expect in the coming weeks.
- The bulk of the work will focus on the north side of the street, with the relocation of the natural gas pipeline, grading to prepare the area, and clearing work moving up towards Somerset Drive and MLK.
- On the south side of the street, some clearing has occurred within the construction limits and right-of-way.
- Dirt removed from the north side grading will be stored on the south-side sidewalk between the middle school and MLK, starting in the coming weeks to a month.
- Throughout construction, we will make sure that children can safely access the schools.
- Phillips students should use the walkway while the sidewalk is under construction - the walkway is blocked off with cones on the left side of the driveway and the School Resource Officer will get the kids safely to the sidewalk by the drop-off/pick-up line.
- The walkway to Estes Hills' front door will need to be closed - the sidewalk on Caswell will remain open, and guardians who normally meet their children out front should meet them at the intersection of Caswell and Estes Drive.
Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns about the project, or you can reach out to the on-site supervisors with SEPI Engineering at 919-789-9977.
April 12th, 2022
Good morning,
Hope all is well. As the Estes Drive Connectivity Project gets underway, we wanted to share some news on upcoming construction impacts.
The existing sidewalk on the south side of Estes Drive, from Phillips Middle School to MLK, will need to be closed starting later this week. The closure will last from mid-April to October.
This closure is necessary due to the need to stockpile dirt that will be used to create an even, flat sidewalk and bike lane. The construction project is designed to be neutral in terms of dirt removed and dirt added on Estes Drive. This neutrality means that the dirt left over from the grading on the north side of the road will be used to build up the south side so there is no waste and no need to purchase new dirt. However, until we can begin construction on the south side of the road, the dirt will need to be stored on the sidewalk - storing it offsite would be prohibitively costly, would require a number of large dump trucks moving the dirt back and forth, and delay completion of this phase of the project.
We are working with Chapel Hill Transit to make EZ Rider service available to all those who need to access a location on Estes Drive by foot. Unfortunately, there is no great public way to walk around this closure for people who would normally walk along this stretch of Estes Drive. We ask that you please be courteous and cautious while taking neighborhood routes, especially those that are not on public streets.
Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
March 31st, 2022
Good afternoon,
Hope all is well. We wanted to send a reminder that the construction detour for the Estes Drive Connectivity Project will begin next week.
The one-way, eastbound traffic pattern from Somerset Drive to the Estes/Caswell traffic light will begin on Monday, April 4th. The one-way detour will continue for the majority of the project.
This phase of construction will construct a sidewalk and bike lane on the north side of the street. The work on the north side of the street will take several months.
While the work on the north side is occurring, traffic that normally uses Somerset Drive and visitors to Amity United will still be able to travel to the Estes/MLK Jr. Boulevard intersection for these first several months. We will provide advance notice before the next phase of construction.
A rough illustration of the detour is below, and construction-level documents are also available for review.
Finally, as construction issues arise, we want to share the contact information for the Town's construction and engineering inspections firm, who will help address any issues that may emerge on the ground. You can reach them at 919-789-9977, and they will do their best to assist you, or direct you to the right person to help.
March 18th, 2022
Good afternoon,
After beginning construction on the Estes Drive Connectivity Project, the start date for the necessary one-way traffic detour has been solidified.
The one-way, eastbound traffic pattern from Somerset Drive to the Estes/Caswell traffic light will begin on Monday, April 4th. The detour will continue for the majority of the project.
As the project enters Phase 2, traffic will use the lane on the south side of the road (neighborhood side) while construction crews begin work to construct the sidewalk and bike lane on the north side of the road (the side with the schools and Azalea Estates). A rough illustration of the detour is below, and construction-level documents are also available for review.
Finally, as construction issues arise, we want to share the contact information for the Town's construction and engineering inspections firm, who will help address any issues that may emerge on the ground. You can reach them at 919-789-9977, and they will do their best to assist you.
Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns, and we appreciate your patience as we deliver this important project.
Best,
Josh
March 10th, 2022
Good morning,
We wanted to address concerns that we've heard around the temporary shut down and relocation of Dominion Energy's gas pipeline as part of the Town's Estes Drive Connectivity Project. We've received the following information from Dominion Energy about the pipeline relocation:
Dominion Energy customers in the area will not experience natural gas service disruptions during the duration of Estes Drive Connectivity Project work. If customers have additional questions about this matter, they can email persida.montanez@dominionenergy.com or call our customer care line at 1-877-776-2427 for account questions or emergencies.
Additionally, we've learned that due to weather conditions this weekend, clearing and grading work will start on Wednesday, March 16th, instead of Monday, March 14th.
Please reach out to Dominion Energy for additional questions about the pipeline, and to Town staff if you have other questions about the project.
March 8th, 2022
Good morning,
The Town of Chapel Hill is preparing to begin construction on the Estes Drive Connectivity Project on March 14th. The first phase of construction will be clearing and grading on the corner of MLK/Estes, which will require temporary lane closures as crews do work on Estes Drive and the northbound lanes of MLK Jr. Boulevard. This phase of construction is expected to last two to three weeks, and traffic will be directed by construction flaggers.
Following this phase of construction, traffic on Estes Drive is expected to move into a one-way, eastbound pattern from Somerset to Caswell around the start of April. We will communicate the exact date as soon as we know it. The one-way traffic pattern is expected to last for the majority of the project duration. See below for a diagram of the traffic pattern.
We appreciate your time, and would appreciate you help in sharing the news to your neighbors. Please reach out to Bergen Watterson know if you have any questions or concerns at bwatterson@townofchapelhill.org, or Josh Mayo at jmayo@townofchapelhill.org.
February 16, 2022
Good afternoon,
As spring approaches, we wanted to provide an update on the status of the Estes Drive Connectivity Project and potential construction impacts. However, we wanted to start by acknowledging the tragic crash on Estes and Caswell on December 31st, and the multiple pedestrian and cyclist crashes around Chapel Hill since then. The safety of our residents is our top priority, and the driving force behind this construction project; we share the frustration that the project has taken so long to get started.
The Town has taken several steps to immediately improve safety on Estes, including additional speed display signs, a pedestrian-activated crosswalk with flashing lights, and additional traffic enforcement. Measures in the near-future include pedestrian-activated crossing lights at Granville and Estes and a study of the pedestrian signals at MLK and Estes.
For the long-term Estes Drive Connectivity Project, construction is set to begin in mid-March, with clearing and grading as the first stage of construction, followed by utility relocation. Traffic will continue to be in both directions during this phase of construction, with occasional stops by construction workers flagging traffic as needed. We will continue to provide updates on the construction schedule and impacts as we get closer to the start date.
Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns about this project or pedestrian and cyclist safety in general.
December 17th, 2021
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me at jmayo@townofchapelhill.org or Bergen Watterson at bwatterson@townofchapelhill.org.
October 21, 2021
Hello,
We wanted to provide an update on the Estes Drive Connectivity Project to keep you informed. Since our public meetings in August, we’ve been working with the contractor to get everything ready to start construction, and there’s been a string of construction and utility-related obstacles that need to be worked through. We are evaluating our options and are still hoping to break ground this fall.
We will make sure to provide an update once we have reached a decision and before any construction begins. Please reach out if you have any questions. You can also review the details of the project at www.townofchapelhill.org/estes.
The origins of the Estes Drive project reach back to 2009 when funding was provided through the Federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) program to provide bicycle improvements along Estes Dr. The Central West Small Area Plan, adopted in 2013, identified Estes Drive as a critical priority for bicycle and pedestrian improvements and recommended the implementation of protected bicycle facilities. With the adoption of the Central West Small Area Plan additional CMAQ funds were allocated to Estes Drive project.
- First public outreach session held September 17th, 2015 to gather public input. Materials displayed at this meeting are available here.
- Based on public input received in September, the consultant has performed an alternatives analysis.
- A second public outreach was held on February 6th, 2016 that presented the project plan, and gathered final public comments.
The project's CMAQ funding provides $2,338,000 for right-of-way acquisition and construction for the project in fiscal year 2016 and 2017. To fund the project design, an additional $247,000 has been allocated through the Federal Surface Transportation Program Direct Allocation (STP-DA) process by the Durham Chapel Hill Carrboro MPO, which will be split at 80% ($197,000) from the MPO and 20% ($49,400) from Town.
The Town hosted updates about the Estes Drive Connectivity Project on August 4th and 5th, 2021, focused on the expected construction schedule, and its impacts on traffic flow on Estes Drive. Video of the August 4th meeting is available, and the presentation from both meetings is available. In addition to these resources, you can sign up for regular project updates by email.
Stewart Engineering completed surveying on the site to identify the existing right of way, property lines, and utility infrastructure and easements. A detailed map of that surveying is available here.
An alternatives analysis was performed by Stewart Engineering, resulting is 3 separate design concepts. The alternatives are available here:
- Alternative 1 Design Concept; Alternative 1 Roll Plot (jpg)
- Alternative 2 Design Concept; Alternative 2 Roll Plot (jpg)
- Alternative 3 Design Concept; Alternative 3 Roll Plot (jpg)
The Alternative 2 design is available for download here. (PDF, 19 MB)
Construction Impacts
The construction associated with the project will require lane closures and delays on Estes Drive. For a full overview of impacts, please review the Construction Management Plan.
Phase 1, which is set to begin March 16th, will have the lowest impact as construction crews move utilities out of the way of the project and clear the project area. Temporary lane closures may occur as needed, with flaggers controlling traffic.
Once the project advances to Phase 2, Estes Drive will convert to eastbound traffic only (towards Franklin Street) from Somerset Drive to the stoplight at Caswell Road and Estes Drive. This phase of construction is expected to last several months while the bike lane and sidewalk are constructed on the north side of the street.
An example of Phase 2 traffic flow and work limits
For Phase 3, the eastbound restrictions will extend to the full stretch between Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and the stoplight at Caswell and Estes, as the project is constructed on the south side of the street.
An example of Phase 3 traffic flow and work limits
Finally, Phase 4 will drop the one-way detour for most of Estes Drive, but keep the eastbound pattern between Somerset and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and will include some lane closures on MLK, as construction crews add the left turn lane from Estes to MLK and right turn lanes from MLK to Estes.
An example of Phase 4 traffic flow and work limits