Bikers who regularly commute between Chapel Hill and Durham are in luck.

The Chapel Hill Town Council voted to endorse a plan for a construction project along the Old Durham Chapel Hill corridor. The plan would provide bike lanes, sidewalks, and a multi-use paths to various sections of the area.

The original plan for the area included four-foot bike lanes and sidewalks on both sides of the corridor, but the council was unable to move forward with the plan due to budget constraints.

At tonight’s public hearing, Long Range and Transportation Planning Manager David Bonk gave a presentation that outlined four alternative options for the project to reduce costs.

On behalf of the The Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization, Bonk recommended the town endorse the fourth alternative, which would provide a sidewalk on the south side of Old Durham Chapel Hill Road from Pope Road to Standish Drive, an eight-foot multi-use path on the north side from Standish Drive to Lakeview Drive, a five-foot sidewalk on the north side from Lakeview Drive to Pope Road, and four-foot bike lanes from Pope Road to Standish Drive.

“Throughout this period we’ve been working with the North Carolina Department of Transportation to refine elements of the project,” Bonk said.

Altogether, the project will cost approximately $3.5 million, with the town responsible for $707,000 of the total sum. $2.8 million will come from the Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Triangle resident Laura Gilliam spoke at the hearing and said she supports the endorsement of the fourth alternative, because, as a biker who lives on the south side of the corridor, she often worries for the safety of herself and her children.

“It’s muddy, the weeds get high, and biking is scary,” she said. “I wouldn’t want my kids out there.”

Speaker John Rees also said he supports the project to improve bike safety along the road.

“While I may be comfortable making that trip on my bicycle, many don’t,” he said. “I’ve had a number of close calls on that route.”

Council member Ed Harrison confirmed that bike safety on the corridor has been an issue. He said he remembered talking to a bicyclist about what it was like to ride along the route.

Council member Maria Palmer said she was concerned about whether the proposed improvements would make it easier for those who commute by bus along the route instead of by bike. Bonk said there are no provisions for bus shelters in the current plans, but the project will provide space for shelters to be constructed.

Council member George Cianciolo said he is happy the improvements are finally coming to fruition, and wants to avoid any more delays due to design changes.

“This project has been more than 10 years in the making, so if it’s a question of turning down $2.8 million while waiting to redesign, I’d prefer if we move forward,” he said.