Raleigh Denies Traffic Calming for Gardner Street
The city ruled that the street does not meet the necessary criteria for additional safety installations.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in City Hall
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Raleigh officials have denied a request for traffic calming measures on Gardner Street after finding the road fails to meet established speed and crash thresholds. While the request for calming features was rejected, the city has installed an all-way stop at the intersection of Gardner Street and Kilgore Avenue.
Why it matters
The decision underscores the city's reliance on specific volume and safety data to prioritize infrastructure spending. Without meeting these strict benchmarks, streets remain ineligible for permanent traffic control interventions.
Traffic calming requires 85% of vehicles to exceed the 25 mph speed limit by at least 7 mph, yet 85% of traffic currently travels at or below 27 mph. City data further confirms only one speed-related crash occurred over the past three years.
The players
City of Raleigh
The local municipal government is responsible for managing traffic safety standards and implementing infrastructure projects across the city.
The details
The city assessment determined that Gardner Street, which connects Hillsborough Street and Wade Avenue, did not meet the mandatory criteria for further traffic calming devices. Residents looking for alternative traffic management options may submit a new assessment request every 12 months.
Timeline
One speed-related crash was recorded on Gardner Street over the last three years.
CBS 17 submitted traffic concerns to the city last year.
Residents may request a new traffic assessment every 12 months.
Political Context
This decision follows the City of Raleigh traffic calming threshold requirements, which dictate the specific safety metrics needed for infrastructure approval. Local residents often argue that these rigid volume and crash statistics overlook the subjective safety concerns of neighborhoods.
Drivers on Gardner Street will not see additional speed reduction features, but they must now navigate the newly installed all-way stop at Kilgore Avenue. This change to local traffic flow requires commuters to adjust their driving habits at that specific intersection.
The takeaway
The denial highlights the importance of keeping detailed records regarding traffic incidents to influence future municipal planning. Residents concerned about street safety are encouraged to document patterns and re-apply for assessments as conditions change.
What happens next
Residents may request a new traffic assessment for the street in 12 months.
Further reading
For more information on municipal policy, see Raleigh City Hall.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS17.
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Should city officials prioritize resident requests for traffic calming measures over data-based safety thresholds?
