A crucial decision regarding the removal of traffic lights on Queen Street will be discussed at the Kinston City Council meeting tomorrow night, Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. Residents are strongly encouraged to attend and voice their opinions.

“I would like to encourage the citizens of Kinston to come out and join us at city hall so that you would have the opportunity to voice your opinion and/or concerns as we will be discussing the option on whether we should or should not remove several stop lights within the downtown area.” Kinston Mayor Don Hardy said. “I would love to hear from you on this matter!”

The proposal, spearheaded by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), aims to remove traffic lights at three intersections: Caswell, Gordon, and North Streets.

“When backing out of a parking space on Queen Street, those lights are the only way to know if a car is not coming,” said The O’Neil owner Stephen Hill. “Removing those three lights will not make Queen Street pedestrian friendly.” Hill’s other business, Mother Earth Brewery, had a truck smash into the side of the building last week.

The initiative is intended to improve traffic flow, but it has raised significant safety concerns among local business owners and officials.

“Queen Street is a busy area with a significant amount of pedestrian traffic, particularly involving families with children under the age of 12,” said Inflatable World USA owner K’Hadree Hooker. “Our storefront's location facing this street heightens our concern for ensuring a safe environment for our visitors. The presence of traffic lights plays a crucial role in regulating traffic flow and providing safe crossing points for our patrons.”

The traffic signals currently provide 45 seconds of green light for Queen Street traffic and 18 seconds for side street traffic. This timing, originally set to accommodate higher pedestrian traffic and commercial activity, may no longer be suitable due to changes in downtown activity.

“While we understand the considerations behind the NCDOT's proposal and respect the city council's process in seeking public input, our primary concern is maintaining a safe and accessible environment for families,” said Hooker. “We believe that the removal of these lights could potentially increase safety risks for our customers, particularly the young children who visit our establishment.”

The total investment for the recent redevelopment of Queen Street was $11,020,839, including $984,000 for water, $6,850,426 for sewer, and $3,186,413 for streetscape improvements. The substantial investment highlights the importance of maintaining safety measures, such as traffic lights, to protect both pedestrians and motorists.

“We do not support the removal of the traffic lights on Queen Street, in particular the one that is near our establishment,” said Hooker. “We trust officials will work to explore alternative solutions that enhance both traffic flow and pedestrian safety.”

The City Council meeting will take place at the town hall, providing a platform for residents to express their views on the proposed changes. The decision made at this meeting will play a critical role in determining the future of traffic management on Queen Street.

To provide a Citizen Comment, first call the City Clerk at 252-939-3115, or use the Citizen Comment Form.