Chapel Hill Started Fordham Boulevard Sidepath Project

The town has begun work on a $2.4 million asphalt path designed to separate pedestrians from traffic.

Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Construction

A newly laid asphalt path runs along a suburban road lined with orange traffic cones and green trees. — Chapel Hill officials have begun construction on a $2.4 million asphalt sidepath along Fordham Boulevard to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Chapel Hill officials have initiated construction on a new asphalt sidepath spanning from Cleland Drive to Willow Drive along Fordham Boulevard. This project aims to replace an older path that was damaged in 2025.

Why it matters

The project serves as a key component of the Vision Zero Chapel Hill initiative, which seeks to eliminate traffic-related deaths and injuries by 2031. It improves local accessibility to landmarks like the Community Center.

The sidepath project carries a total budget of $2.4 million, supported by federal transportation funds and 2024 general obligation bonds. This segment is part of a broader infrastructure effort currently under development.

The players

Town of Chapel Hill

This is the municipal government body responsible for overseeing the local infrastructure project and the Vision Zero safety initiative.

The details

The construction will create a wider asphalt surface that keeps cyclists and pedestrians physically separated from road traffic. While the existing path has been closed since 2025 due to damage from Tropical Storm Chantal, the new construction is not expected to regularly disrupt vehicle traffic.

The existing sidepath closed in 2025 following damage from Tropical Storm Chantal.
The Town of Chapel Hill announced the construction start on September 17, 2026.
Construction on the new sidepath began in October 2026.
The completed sidepath is scheduled to open in late 2027.
The target year for the Vision Zero Chapel Hill initiative is 2031.

Market Landscape

Infrastructure projects like the Fordham Boulevard sidepath represent a shift toward prioritizing protected non-motorized transit in growing municipal centers. This development follows a pattern set by the Vision Zero Chapel Hill initiative to reduce traffic fatalities through physical separation.

Residents can expect improved, safer access to the Community Center and surrounding areas once the project is finished. While the new path is under construction, pedestrians and cyclists must navigate the closure of the existing route along the boulevard.

The takeaway

This infrastructure investment demonstrates a commitment to long-term pedestrian safety and connectivity in the region. Residents should plan for alternate travel routes until the path's expected completion in late 2027.