For years now I've used the informal trails linking my neighborhood around Lloyd Street/Broad Street near downtown Carrboro, Northside, Bolin Creek, and the rest of Carrboro to navigate as a pedestrian and a biker. Every time I
cross the ditch on an old railroad tie and then straddle the railroad
tracks to get to Harris Teeter or the Pleasant Street neighborhood, I
marvel at the fact that the geographic center of Carrboro/Chapel Hill
is still so isolated from the surrounding neighborhoods. At night as I
see folks wandering through the informal dirt paths that connect
Pleasant Street to Lloyd Street, I worry about the safety of the dark
trail and wish that there was a way to put some resources into making
these vital links for those of us who can't or choose not to drive much more user friendly and safe.
As noted on the Endangered Pedestrians thread, Chapel Hill is testing an "exclusive pedestrian" traffic signal phase at the Columbia (NC 86) & Cameron intersection, a configuration of traffic signals and pedestrian "walk" displays that will allow those on foot to cross in all directions at once, including diagonally across the street. This video (also below) demonstrates such a crossing in Los Angeles.
Police statement published today by the Carrboro Citizen:
On Thursday, December 11th, the Chapel Hill Police responded to a
traffic crash on N.C. 54 west of the South Columbia Street Bridge.
Seven pedestrians were reportedly crossing the roadway at approximately
10:30 PM. Four of the pedestrians had made it to the median and three
were struck by an eastbound vehicle. One person, a female, was
pronounced dead at the scene and two others were transported to UNC
Hospital for treatment of their non-life threatening injuries.
I just got the following notice from the Chapel Hill Town Manager's offce:
We are saddened by the tragic accident of Valerie Hughes, who died on Oct. 28 after being struck by a bus while crossing a street in Chapel Hill. We wish to express our deepest sympathy to her family and to her friends.
The driver of the Chapel Hill Transit bus involved in the accident, James Orr, was placed on administrative leave without pay immediately. The Town of Chapel Hill conducted an internal investigation consistent with Town policy and statutory guidelines.
Effective November 3, 2008, James Orr, Transit Operator II was terminated as an employee of the Town of Chapel Hill.
The Town Council has expressed an ongoing concern with pedestrian safety, and this unfortunate accident highlights our need to continue and improve upon that effort.
I imagine many OP readers have heard about area residents who are concerned about the new fence blocking access between Estes Park Apartments in Carrboro and Village West Townhouses in Chapel Hill. The management of Estes Park erected a fence and gate which is padlocked. The fence is 8' tall with three strands of barbed wire at the top. It blocks a traditional connection between the two neighborhoods and by extension connections from each neighborhood to downtown Carrboro and Chapel Hill.
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For years now I've used the informal trails linking my neighborhood around Lloyd Street/Broad Street near downtown Carrboro, Northside, Bolin Creek, and the rest of Carrboro to navigate as a pedestrian and a biker. Every time I
cross the ditch on an old railroad tie and then straddle the railroad
tracks to get to Harris Teeter or the Pleasant Street neighborhood, I
marvel at the fact that the geographic center of Carrboro/Chapel Hill
is still so isolated from the surrounding neighborhoods. At night as I
see folks wandering through the informal dirt paths that connect
Pleasant Street to Lloyd Street, I worry about the safety of the dark
trail and wish that there was a way to put some resources into making
these vital links for those of us who can't or choose not to drive much more user friendly and safe. 
