The rejection of a proposal to modify the 15^th Street corridor from Carolina Avenue to John Small Avenue is a result of a grassroots campaign that coalesced in 2017.

Not that many people attended an August 2016 meeting to explain the project to the public. At a series of meetings about the project in early 2017, crowds filled City Hall.

In March, the Washington City Council voted 3-2 not to proceed with the project.

Strong opposition to the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s plan to modify that section arose in the fall of 2016, resulting in multiple appearances before the council by those who opposed the project with a price tag around $16 million to $20 million. During several meetings, some of those opposed to the project continued to voice their opposition to the council, citing many of the same concerns they’ve discussed at previous council meetings and at least one Planning Board meeting. Some residents and business owners along the project corridor oppose raised medians, U-turn locations and other elements of the proposed project. Others said they worry the project, if built as proposed by DOT, would hinder response times of emergency personnel, add to drainage problems along the 15^th Street corridor from Carolina Avenue to U.S. Highway 264 and hinder access to businesses.

Over the past several years, since a 15^th Street project has been on the drawing board, DOT officials have maintained the project’s goal was to reduce the number of vehicles crashes on 15^th Street from Carolina Avenue to U.S. Highway 264. Crashes in that corridor occur about 1.5 times more frequently than crashes on similar roads in other areas of the state, according to the latest DOT figures.

Some of those who oppose the project contend there is no hard evidence it would reduce the number of accidents along that corridor. Others describe the project as ill conceived and one that would create more problems than it would solve.

Some opponents said a better, less-expensive plan to address DOT’s concerns with that section of 15^th Street might be acceptable in the future.

William Kincannon, DOT’s resident engineer for its Division 2, said DOT heard opponents’ concerns and changed the project plans to reflect those concerns.

At that March meeting, Doug Mercer, a council member for 14 years, said the 15^th Street project “has generated more interest in what this council has done than anything I have seen in that 14 years.” He continued: “The citizens have come forth. They said, ‘We don’t want what you’ve got there. We think there’s a problem on 15^th Street, but this isn’t the solution.’ Therefore, I move we not adopt the resolution as presented.’

His remarks were met with applause by most people in the audience. The Council Chambers could not hold everyone who attended the meeting, forcing some people to other areas of City Hall.