Walking/cycling to Lake Louise is dangerous as there is no footpath across the bridge

Pedestrians have less than three feet of space to walk or push strollers across the bridge to get to Lake Louise. Photo by Clint Parker

Weaverville – A walk to nearby Lake Louise poses dangers for residents of the new Palisades at Reems Creek and the Creekside Village developments along Merrimon Avenue in Weaverville.

While there are sidewalks along Merrimon Avenue, the bridge over Reems Creek, which allows pedestrians and vehicles to cross from one side of the creek to the other, lacks sidewalks for pedestrians. Additionally, the sidewalk ends about 100 feet from the bridge.

The Tribune asked David Uchiyama of the North Carolina Department of Transportation about this dangerous situation. In response, he stated that changes were “…a recommendation in the city’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan for 2023 – Active Weaverville.”

“The city has completed a feasibility study for the 2.25-mile Reems Creek Greenway (off-road multi-use trail) that runs from Lake Louise to Karpen Fields. Federal funding is earmarked for construction, but that phase of work has not yet begun.” The cost of the connection is estimated at $570,000.

Weaverville’s city planner James Eller confirmed the plan. “The information provided by the state is correct. The Active Weaverville Plan was adopted by the city in 2023, long after the Palisades at Reems Creek were approved in 2020.” When asked if there was a timeline for construction to begin, Eller replied, “Not at this time. Like many of these projects, it depends on funding.”

Until the Creekside Connector walkways are built, people will have to share the roadway with vehicles, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries. Bridges without sidewalks have been shown to pose a significant hazard to pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.

A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that pedestrian-vehicle accidents are more common on bridges without sidewalks (NHTSA, 2019). The lack of physical separation between pedestrians and vehicles significantly increases the risk of pedestrian-vehicle collisions.

Studies by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) show that pedestrians on bridges without sidewalks are less visible to motorists, especially at night or in adverse weather conditions (FHWA, 2018).

The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC) reports that bridges without sidewalks lack safe crossing points, making it difficult for pedestrians to move safely (PBIC, 2020).

The Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) has found that cyclists sharing the road with vehicles on bridges without sidewalks face a higher risk of collision (ITE, 2017). The lack of dedicated cycle lanes forces cyclists to ride on narrow roads where they are at risk of being hit by vehicles.

A study by the American Journal of Public Health found that drivers are less accustomed to sharing the road with cyclists on bridges, leading to dangerous driving behaviors (AJPH, 2016), including close passes and abrupt lane changes that can lead to crashes involving cyclists.

Research by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) shows that drivers attempting to avoid pedestrians and cyclists on bridges without sidewalks are more likely to swerve, potentially causing accidents with other vehicles (TRB, 2018). This behavior can lead to traffic congestion and increase the risk of rear-end collisions.

The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that the presence of pedestrians and bicyclists on the roadway can slow traffic, cause congestion, and increase the risk of accidents (NSC, 2019). Traffic congestion on bridges without sidewalks can cause frustration among drivers and result in aggressive driving behavior.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) emphasizes that bridges without sidewalks are particularly dangerous in bad weather conditions such as rain, snow, or fog (FHWA, 2018). Reduced visibility and slippery surfaces increase the risk of accidents.

The Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) reported that many bridges without sidewalks have narrow carriageways, leaving little room for error for both drivers and pedestrians (ITE, 2017). This increases the risk of accidents as there is no safe space for pedestrians and vehicles cannot maneuver around them.

The National Safety Council (NSC) found that the lack of barriers or railings on the edges of bridges without sidewalks can lead to serious accidents if a pedestrian, bicyclist, or vehicle veers off the road (NSC, 2019). Safety barriers are critical to preventing falls and collisions on bridges.

Research from the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC) shows that pedestrians and cyclists can experience fear and anxiety when crossing bridges without sidewalks (PBIC, 2020). This psychological stress can affect their ability to move safely and increase the likelihood of accidents.

Until the connecting road is built, neither the city nor the state have taken additional safety measures for pedestrians and cyclists on the bridge.