Public Works Committee Meeting - August 11, 2026

The Public Works Committee of the City of Winston-Salem met on August 11, 2026, at 2:00 PM. The meeting covered three major agenda items: the Northwest Boulevard Streetscape Feasibility Study, an amendment to the Winston-Salem Transit Authority (WSTA) extreme weather fare policy, and a presentation on the July 29, 2026 water main break. The committee also approved the consent agenda and heard staff updates.

Consent Calendar

• Approved Consent Agenda items C-1 through C-4 unanimously:
  • C-1: Request for a public hearing on petition to close a portion of South Spring Street (scheduled for October 5, 2026).
  • C-2: Resolution authorizing abandonment and relocation of a permanent access easement on Tax PIN 6867-50-1123 (outside city limits).
  • C-3: Resolution authorizing a supplemental agreement with NCDOT for additional funding ($2,086,722) for the Silas Creek Parkway Sidewalk Project.
  • C-4: Approval of the Public Works Committee summary of minutes from June 9, 2026.

Discussion Items

G-1: Northwest Boulevard Streetscape Feasibility Study Final Report

• Presentation by Hunter (staff) and Brad Dees (RK&K consultant) described a study of the 1.5-mile corridor from University Parkway to North Liberty Street, funded by the FY25 Unified Planning Work Program with a $40,000 city match.
• Short-term concept: within the $1 million council-approved budget, focusing on existing right-of-way, improved signage, striping, crosswalks, ADA upgrades, and pedestrian lighting. Estimated cost: $1.2 million.
• Long-term concept: shared-use path, curb line changes, estimated $6–7 million (2026 dollars).
• Community engagement included two rounds of open houses, intercept surveys, and online feedback. Key community priorities: increased safety, accessibility, improved appearance, and maintenance.
• Next steps: implement signing and striping plan, coordinate with Duke Energy on utility consolidation and lighting, and pursue funding for long-term improvements.
• Councilmember Adams (Mayor Pro Tem) expressed strong concern about historical neglect of the corridor, noting disparities compared to western segments. He urged prioritization and lobbying for federal/state funds.
• Councilmember Scipio asked about other streetscape studies (MLK Jr. Drive ongoing), state road status (University Parkway is NCDOT), and Duke Energy easements. She cautioned about potential delays based on MLK experience.
• Chair Burke noted the corridor connects three wards (East, Northeast, North) and requested a future update on capital projects.

G-2: Resolution Amending WSTA Extreme Weather and Special Events Fare Policy

• Staff explained that the original policy (adopted 2025) had time restrictions (10 AM–7 PM) that proved inadequate during summer 2026 heat waves; free service had to be extended operationally, leading to a policy violation.
• Amendments: For extreme cold (wind chill ≤20°F for 4+ hours), free service will be offered the entire operational day before, the day of, and the day after thresholds are met. For extreme heat (forecast ≥95°F with heat index ≥100°F), free service will be offered for the full service day when thresholds are met.
• Notifications will be shared as soon as forecasts are reliable (days in advance when possible).
• Councilmember Adams asked about benchmarking; staff indicated Winston-Salem is leading compared to Charlotte and Greensboro. Financial impact described as nominal.
• Councilmember Bowen asked about ridership impact (increase expected; staff to provide data). Policy applies to Trans-Aid, fixed route, and future microtransit.
• Councilmember Scipio requested consistency in notice timing; staff clarified cold weather notice includes day before/after due to overnight cold, heat notice covers the entire day.
• Motion to approve carried.

G-3: Presentation on July 30, 2026 Water Main Break

• Staff (Courtney, with deputies Josh Beck and Bill Brewer) presented the timeline and response to a 24-inch water main break discovered early July 29, 2026.
• The break occurred off Lowry Street (near Winston-Salem State University offices and city facilities). Pipe estimated at 50 years old.
• Isolation of the line by 9:30 AM allowed restoration of pressure, but system pressure loss triggered a boil water advisory for two pressure zones (impacting roughly half the service area).
• Emergency Operations Center activated at Fire Station 13; coordination included emergency management, fire, police, hospitals, public health, Red Cross, marketing, and city/county staff.
• An interactive address map on the city website received over 65,000 hits. Boil water advisory lifted for first zone Thursday, July 30, at 10 PM; for all areas Friday, July 31, at 3 PM. Pipe repair completed early Friday, July 31, and pipe returned to service Saturday, August 1.
• After-action review underway; consultant testing pipe material and SCADA data.
• Councilmember Adams emphasized communication lessons: need for earlier public notification (holding statement issued by 9 AM) and interactive map deployment. Staff noted strategic withholding of exact location to avoid interfering with repairs.
• Councilmember Scipio commended staff and suggested developing a critical care database for medical facilities during emergencies. She also urged resident preparedness (e.g., storing water).
• Chair Burke acknowledged the team and noted the break impacted her ward; she received texts but could not call due to laryngitis. Councilmember Clark asked to convey "great job."
• Staff comments from ACM King and Jeff Fansler included updates: WSTA service changes launch August 30 with 5 new fixed-route buses and 3 new Trans-Aid EVs; new blue parking pay station signs deployed; public meeting for Brewer Road sidewalk (August 12 at 5:30 PM at Georgia Taylor Rec Center).

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved unanimously.
• G-2 (WSTA fare policy amendment) approved by vote (motion and second; passed).
• G-1 (Northwest Boulevard study) and G-3 (water main break) were information items; no votes taken.
• Staff to provide future updates on capital projects and water main break after-action review.