State Plans to Make Highway 15-501 Safer
By Hanna A. Gordola

Chapel Hill pedestrians can soon breathe a little easier when crossing Highway 15-501.

North Carolina plans to improve dangerous roadways in Chapel Hill. The state Department of Transportation is adding 14 new signal heads with countdowns to let walkers know how much time they have to cross an intersection.

The Town of Chapel Hill also has plans to increase pedestrian and biker safety. It will reduce the speed limit in front of Southern Village by 10 mph.

State DOT officials say the three pedestrian fatalities in January influenced the changes.