TO: Mayor and Members of City Council
THRU: Michael Gibson, Interim Assistant City Manager
FROM: Sheila Thomas-Ambat, Public Services Director
Brian McGill, Assistant Public Services Director
DATE: August 10, 2026
RE:Title
Adopt Ordinance for Blanton Road Speed Limit Reduction from 35 mph to 25 mphTitle
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COUNCIL DISTRICT(S):
Council District(s)
District 4 - CM Haire
b
Relationship To Strategic Plan:
Goal I: The City of Fayetteville will be a safe and secure community.
Objective 1.2: To ensure traffic and pedestrian safety.
Gola IV: The City of Fayetteville will be a highly desirable place to live, work and recreate.
Objective 4.5: To ensure a place for people to live in great neighborhoods.
Executive Summary:
At its April 6, 2026, Work Session, City Council directed Public Services staff to evaluate reducing the speed limit on Blanton Road from 35 mph to 25 mph. Following staff’s report at the June 8, 2026, Regular Meeting and presentation at the August 3, 2026, Work Session, Council directed that a Speed Limit Reduction Ordinance be brought forward for approval.
The proposed ordinance would reduce the speed limit on the entirety of Blanton Road from south of Galleria Drive to Johnson Street. If approved, the change will be incorporated into the City's Traffic Schedules in accordance with Chapter 16 of the City’s Code of Ordinances.
Background:
City Council unanimously passed the motion at the April 06, 2026, Council Work Session to request Public Services staff to consider a Speed Limit reduction for Blanton Road from 35 mph to 25 mph. Public Services staff provided an administrative report at the June 08, 2026 City Council Regular Session. City Council moved to have the report presented, and heard the presentation, at the August 03, 2026 Council Work Session. Council approved the Speed Limit Reduction Ordinance to be placed on an upcoming Council Agenda. Attached to this agenda item is the Speed Limit Reduction Ordinance for Council Approval.
The current speed limit posted for Blanton Road is 35 mph. Blanton Road is a City-maintained two-lane road and is approximately 4,575 feet long, or 0.87 miles long. It has no sidewalk, and NCDOT defines it as a “local” road. The land-use abutting the road is primarily residential along Blanton Road.
The requested speed limit reduction would apply for the entirety of the road, from south of Galleria Drive to its intersection with Johnson Street. Should Blanton Road’s speed limit be reduced, all roadways that branch off from or intersect Blanton Road would remain their current respective speed limits.
Chapter 16, Motor Vehicles and Traffic, Article III, Traffic Schedules, Section 16-61, Traffic Schedules Adopted; City Manager Authorized to Compile., requires Council approve changes to these ordinances. Should this agenda item be approved, the speed limit revision for Blanton Road will be reflected in item 12 - Speed Control.
Issues/Analysis:
The administrative report provided to Council discussing this item is File ID 26-0294, from the June 08, 2026 City Council Regular Session. The presentation provided to Council discussing this item is File ID 26-0396, from the August 03, 2026 Council Work Session.
Budget Impact:
All sign installation and maintenance costs will be within the existing Engineering and Infrastructure operating budget.
Options:
• Adopt the ordinance revision
• Reject the ordinance revision
Recommended Action::Recommended Action
Adopt the ordinance revision to reduce the speed limit of Blanton Road, pursuant to City Council direction on August 03, 2026.
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Attachments:
Blanton Road - Speed Limit Reduction Ordinance.pdf