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I know the problem at the Lake Lynn trail, which also floods often, is that subsequent to the expansion and deepening of the lake about 40 years ago as part of the flood mitigation program for Crabtree Creek, the lake bottom has silted up from construction in its watershed. Consequently the lake doesn't have the short-term storage capacity that it was designed to have. Every year it takes less stormwater runoff to push the lake above the level where the bridges flood. Can't really blame the Greenway for that. Draining and mucking out the lake bottom to restore its capacity is not something that the City and County have been enthusiastic about.
I know the problem at the Lake Lynn trail, which also floods often, is that subsequent to the expansion and deepening of the lake about 40 years ago as part of the flood mitigation program for Crabtree Creek, the lake bottom has silted up from construction in its watershed. Consequently the lake doesn't have the short-term storage capacity that it was designed to have. Every year it takes less stormwater runoff to push the lake above the level where the bridges flood. Can't really blame the Greenway for that. Draining and mucking out the lake bottom to restore its capacity is not something that the City and County have been enthusiastic about.
Stormwater issues are going to become a big problem for the City of Raleigh, I'm afraid.
The current system is already stressed and there seems to be little concern for addressing the problem. One of the downsides of rapid development and infill projects is that they result in a loss of pervious ground - and as a result more stormwater is shunted into pipes that weren't designed for the additional stress.
The City of Raleigh has a drainage assistance program that is supposed to help homeowners who are negatively impacted by the city's stormwater issues, but it's woefully under-funded and projects languish there for years and years.
Some crossings are pretty bad. The Gorman crossing of the Walnut Creek is especially unsafe, imo.
Just saw this while I was compiling comments and there was recently a fatality at this crosswalk. There is a HAWK signal that will be going in here in the next year - unfortunately it wasn’t soon enough to prevent this one but it will be improved in the near future.
More miles and connectivity is the big thing for me. Get the Crabtree finished to Umstead. Work with Cary to connect up, say, the Walnut Creek greenway with the planned Iron Gate greenway or other. There needs to be options than just swinging all the way to Umstead.
Crabtree connection to Umstead is currently in design with construction starting later this year
Cary connection -> the Walnut Creek greenway is definitely on the city's radar in getting that extended across 440/Jones Franklin over to Cary
There's some preliminary discussion about using a connection along Durant Road to connect the East Fork Mine Creek trail over to the Abbott's Creek Trail
My stance (as a cyclist) towards the trail pedestrians / walkers/ joggers is that they have the right of way & priority, and I don't call out, "on your left" because, as you said, to them it's meaningless. Why would it have any meaning or make sense (other than to other, aware cyclists)? Instead, I call out a hopefully cheery "hello" and/or "good morning/afternoon" and I don't hesitate to slow down to a crawl or even stop. Especially if there are children or pets. I also thank those who do provide room after I go by.
I feel the same way, but in practice I find that I don't slow down as much on multi-use dirt trails compared to paved greenways. I sometimes also use the buzz of my rear derailleur to notify pedestrians of my approach instead of calling out to them.
I really hate it when pedestrians (or cyclists) walk (ride) down the middle of the trail with ear buds in their ears. Totally oblivious.
Also, google maps will route using the greenways (and in between) if you select bicycle as the transport.
Ah, I didn't think about Google maps.
And thanks Pierre, those maps plus Google will get me where I need to go hopping on and off different greenways.
I'm pleased with the current greenway system. No complaints here.
I wish the vast majority of the Mountain to Sea Trail was "bikeable" ugh ... that's a goal one day, but I guess I'd have to opt for the on-road route.
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