Sidewalk Prioritization & Safe Routes to School

The Town works actively to expand and complete gaps in the pedestrian network. This page provides information about how the Town prioritizes and funds construction of sidewalks and side paths. More information about current sidewalk projects can be found on the Transportation Projects page.

• Sidewalks - street-side pedestrian facilities typically 5-feet in width and constructed in concrete.
• Side paths - street-side pedestrian facilities typically 10-feet in width and constructed in asphalt.

In Apex, sidewalks, or side paths where designated on the Bicycle and Pedestrian System Plan Map, are required on both sides of all thoroughfares and collector streets and are constructed by developers along their property frontage as projects occur. Sidewalks are also required on one side of all new residential streets, and both sides within Planned Unit Developments. Because many roads in Apex were built prior to the requirements listed above, and new development is only required to improve their road frontage, a lot of areas lack a complete sidewalk network.

Advance Apex: The 2045 Transportation Plan, included a recommendation that local sidewalk funding should be reserved for priority sidewalk segments in the Town Center and Transit-Oriented Development context areas, areas within ½ mile of existing and planned schools, and where sidewalks serve specific activity centers where walking is a priority; such as, connections to schools, parks, greenways, and mixed-use activity centers. 

Sidewalks in these areas are typically constructed with money allocated through the Town of Apex 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan, the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Locally Administered Projects Program (LAPP), or transportation bond funds. The Town of Apex also contributes funds to larger NCDOT roadway improvement projects to provide planned pedestrian and bicycle facilities. In 2021, Apex voters passed the Streets & Sidewalks bond, which will provide about $9 million toward pedestrian improvement projects over time, including specific funding for projects that provide a safe route to school. 

Sidewalk Needs Interactive Map

Click the image of our interactive map below to view all of the sidewalk needs that have been identified either: as providing a safe route to school, as a gap along a collector street or thoroughfare, or from a resident request. 

Sidewalks needs are color-coded into three categories based on a generalized level of priority. There are numerous factors included in the sidewalk prioritization approach, such as: 

• Whether it provides a safe route to school (see below)
• Citizen requests
• Observed bicycle/pedestrian routes
• Crash information, including presence on the High Crash Network or High Injury Network
• Roadway facility type (thoroughfares are higher priorities than collectors, collectors are higher than residential streets)
• Context area (Town Center and Transit-Oriented Development areas are prioritized)
• Whether a reasonable alternate pedestrian route is available
• Destinations within ¼ mile
• Existing and proposed bus stops within ¼ mile & bus stop ridership
• Whether it crosses a significant barrier
• Relative need

The generalized level of priority is one of the factors used when identifying pedestrian projects to include in the Town’s 5-Year Capital Improvement Program.

If you have a sidewalk need that is not included in the map below, or would like to share your input about priorities, please complete this online form.

To request a sidewalk repair, please complete the Street Maintenance form.

Safe Routes to School Analysis

In 2018, an initial analysis of all sidewalk needs to provide safe pedestrian routes to every school in Apex was completed based on analysis of existing facilities, travel patterns, input from school officials, crash data, traffic volumes, and the availability of alternate routes. Every two years, Town staff across multiple departments meet with school principals to share updates and gain insight into current conditions. The most recent school meetings were completed in January 2024 and confirmed: 

• Recently-completed projects are being utilized by students and families
• Many of the previously-identified needs are still relevant
• Projects that are underway are still a priority
• Overall, there are safety concerns with school kids crossing major roadways

Each year, the Town is able to address a few of the needs identified. The approved 2021 Streets and Sidewalks bond funds have accelerated this process. The specific projects and priorities are refined and adjusted annually based on updated analyses, changing travel patterns and conditions, completion of projects by development, feasibility of construction, available funds, and grouping projects so that they can be completed as efficiently as possible. 

For more information about sidewalk prioritization and Safe Routes to School, contact: 

Jenna Shouse, AICP
Senior Long Range Planner
Email
919-372-7509