As many people that live in Wilmington know, Market Street has some major problems when it comes to traffic. Most specifically, the area that extends from Colonial Dr. to 16th St. is rather narrow. Most roads are 11-12 feet wide, with some being a wide as 15 feet in rural areas and some being as narrow as 10 feet (this being considered narrow); however, the heavily traveled section of Market that I am discussing in theis entry is 9 feet wide. With the average width of a car being 6 feet, this leaves drivers with 18 inches on either side of the car to navigate. Currently, commercial trucks are not suppposed to be on Market St due to this problem, however, with the designation of Business Highway 17, many trucks follow it's path through our downtown to get over into Brunswick County.
Several months ago a Marine convoy travelling West along Market St ran into the first ancient oak tree in that area, causing the city to have to remove the remains of the destroyed tree. In addition to these types of problems, this area is prone to accidents with cars speeding through the 35 MPH section, cars coming out of the surrounding neighborhoods being unable to fully see in order to move out into traffic, large vehicles move into the other lanes, and vehicles running up onto the all-to-close sidewalks. This makes for a very dangerous strip of road, and families that live in the surrounding neighborhoods are very concerned for their safety as well as the safety of the many citizens who travel this road daily.
Several years ago a study was commissioned by the city to determine what, if anything, needed to be done about this problem. It was advised by the professionals that a "diet" of sorts be performed and the road should become a 2 lane road seperated by a median. This would slow traffic, increase the width of the lanes, pull the roads away from the sidewalks and maybe even provide some on-road parking for the area. This study was adopted by the city to be put into effect once the Independence Rd. Extension is completed. The problem with this is that accidents continue to occur causing injuries to the victims and costing money in damages to the vehicles and property involved. Most families in the area fear crossing the street, or even walking the sidewalks.
When presenting improvements, one is left with the city pointing to the state and saying that it is a highwayand therefor the state's responsibility while the state points to the city and says that it is the city's responsibility. However, when changes are to be made by the city the state insists that more traffic should be funneled through road because it is, afterall, a state highway.
This interesting problem has left some to suggest that Business Highway 17 needs to move. A more appropriate route for the highway may be to move it down College over to Oleander/Wooster, since these are larger roads with the capacity to handle this type of traffic (especially since trucks are suppose to be going this route anyways to bypass Market St.). This would take the state out of the picture and allow the city (once funding is available) to have more freedom to fix things.
So what should we do?? Well, I've been told by those who are involved in this that the city is discussing the idea of moving the Business Highway 17 designation. BUT, they need to know that people actually see a problem with this part of Market St. so email, call or write a letter to our City and County officials. Let them know that you support the Market St diet, as well as the redesignation of Business Highway 17. Also, let them know your ideas on how to make Market St. safer in the mean time. Whether it be adding mirrors for those entering Market St. to see oncoming traffic, adding more lights to slow traffic, increasing police presence, or just plain repainting the lines until a more proper method of implenting the Market St. diet is instituted.
You can find the contact list of representatives
here.
