NCDOT Removes Market Street Parking Signs
SMITHFIELD — The North Carolina Department of Transportation on Wednesday removed two-hour parking signs along East Market Street in downtown Smithfield and replaced them with “No Parking” signs, moving forward with safety changes despite a recent request from town leaders to pause any action.
The change affects the stretch of Market Street between Second and North Seventh streets and signals the beginning of NCDOT’s plan to eliminate on-street parking along the corridor. The town had formally asked the department in December to delay any changes for 90 days while a newly formed task force studies alternatives.
NCDOT first announced plans in November to remove approximately 70 on-street parking spaces along East Market Street, citing safety concerns. According to the department, more than 500 crashes occurred along the downtown portion of the roadway over a recent five-year period. More than half involved parked vehicles being struck or sideswiped, resulting in 71 injuries and one traffic-related death.
Market Street, also known as U.S. 70 Business, carries nearly 19,000 vehicles per day through downtown Smithfield.
In response to the proposed changes, the Smithfield Town Council voted unanimously on Dec. 16 to create a Market Street Task Force Action Committee and to request a 90-day moratorium on any modifications. Town leaders expressed concern that removing curbside parking could negatively affect downtown businesses that rely on convenient customer access.
Mayor Pro Tem Sloan Stevens previously said the town needed more time to explore options and accused the state of overlooking economic impacts. Mayor Andy Moore said the extension would allow for public input and collaboration with NCDOT to identify solutions that improve safety while supporting downtown commerce.
Smithfield Town Manager Mike Scott released the following statement Wednesday afternoon. “The no parking signs that were erected on Market Street today created a 45-day window of discussions with NCDOT to discover if any other options exist other than removing all the parking on Market Street. A non-quorum group of the Market Street Task Force met with NCDOT earlier today and had a great conversation. We believe that there is room for compromise and solutions that might serve the Town, Downtown Businesses and NCDOT and we are exploring those. Our group hopes to meet with NCDOT on a weekly basis through this 45-day window, and today, I have confidence that we can find viable solutions, that may not meet everyone’s preference, but solutions we can support.”
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This story has been updated
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23 Comments
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I don’t think 70 spaces will make that much of an impact.
Again, just one side from 2nd to 5th and move the lanes over would have been enough, but something was needed and the town wasn’t going to do it.
A couple of questions occur to me. If Smithfield Police don’t write any tickets for parking there, will the State Patrol? Will trucks continue to stop there and block a lane for loading & unloading?
I would hope it would be free game to tow trucks to pull vehicles that park there.
Shame on the town council for spending $856,000 + dollars to build an Outhouse by the Amphitheater instead of using it to address the parking and safety issues. That is/was absurd. Just my opinion.
That’s what the town gets, by wanting to create a task force! You don’t need a task force, just make decisions amongst the current town leaders that are already in place. You had plenty of time, you were notified in November.
Anyone that has lived in the area know that all the locals and regular downtown regulars park halfway on the sidewalk, because they know there is an issue.
This is not Mayberry.
I completely agree! My guess is that town leaders are more concerned with keeping people safe and are on board with what DOT is doing. They should have had the courage to say as much when DOT first announced the changes. If the businesses along Market St. provide good products/services, shoppers will find a place to park and continue to patronize their shops.
Another thing that occurs: If you park there and your car gets hit, the insurance company will count you at fault for parking illegally.
Insurance covers such things.
Good thinking!!! Let the insurance companies handle it. Pay for the damages and then increase rates even more!
Finally
They just killed that f**king town
I’m glad the someone stepped to the plate to address an issue that needed to fixed for years
This has been needed for decades. Thank you NCDOT, don’t listen to the whiners, you are absolutely making Market Street safer.
What about the business’s that are affected by the no parking.
The town has been studying parking solutions for 15 years. Paying for multiple studies as I understand it. As with most other things in downtown Smithfield the leadership has failed miserably as it relates to small businesses being able to survive there.
Personally I think it’s hilarious that the state stepped in overriding the town of Smithfield. A task force for parking spots? You’ve got to be kidding. No wonder the state ignored those idiots.
I just came through there, multiple vehicles stilling parking there plus a Sampson county sheriff pickup parked there.
I’m not surprised. It doesn’t look like the Town is going to enforce it as I guessed. Smithfield Police Dept is 919-934-2121.
Again, anyone who parks there should be warned that if your car is hit, insurance will pay, but it will be an at-fault collision subject to deductible, not the liability of the other driver, and they will raise your rates.
How many guys does it take to take one sign down? My god, classic example of dot wasting time.
You try pulling all those signs up by yourself with that traffic!
Took 3 years to fix potholes by the outlet center.
DOT ain’t waiting for some Mayberry task force.
The whole town is going to heck.
Builders coming in and doing whatever they want, not following set guidelines, horrible subdivisions.
Negotiating smaller roads, shorter driveways, ugly houses on top of each other.
I just don’t want to even keep typing anymore.
When the 50 spaces at Wells Fargo are taken up by one local company.
But half of that is owned by the town if Smithfield.
Yet people who feel entitled still park in the street.