Cary council adopts targeted speed-limit reductions under Vision Zero plan

The Cary Town Council unanimously adopted amendments to the town traffic schedule on March 12 that lower posted speeds on three Cary‑owned streets as part of the town’s Vision Zero safety initiative.

Transportation Director Cassie Schumacher Georgopoulos told council members the reductions stem from a collaborative review by transportation, police and neighborhood services and respond to resident requests received through the town’s traffic‑calming process. Staff recommended reducing a portion of Green Hope School Road and Cozy Oaks Avenue from 35 to the residential standard of 25 miles per hour and lowering Lochmere Drive from 35 to 30 miles per hour.

Schumacher Georgopoulos said the corridor speed data show drivers already travel within the proposed limits and that the changes will not require major design work. Implementation steps include updating the traffic schedule on the town website, community outreach and sign replacement this spring, initial monitoring and education through the summer, and targeted enforcement if needed. Council members asked how enforcement and outreach would be handled; staff said signage and notices to engaged residents would precede enforcement and that initial police activity would focus on education and warnings rather than citations.

Councilmember (unnamed in the transcript) moved to adopt the amendments and the motion was seconded; the motion carried unanimously.

Ending: Staff will post maps and notices before signs are changed this spring, monitor the corridors through the summer and report back on outcomes as part of ongoing Vision Zero implementation.