Public Works Committee Meeting - August 11, 2026

The Public Works Committee of the Winston-Salem City Council met at 2 p.m. on August 11, 2026. Present: Council Members Barbara Hanes Burke (Chair), Scott Andree-Bowen (Vice Chair), Robert Clark, and James Taylor Jr. The committee approved the consent agenda 4-0, discussed the Northwest Boulevard corridor plan, acted on the WSTA extreme-weather fare policy amendment, and heard a briefing on the July 30, 2026 water main break.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the consent agenda unanimously (motion by Council Member Clark, seconded by Council Member Andree-Bowen; 4 ayes).
• 26-0306 - Request for a public hearing on a petition to close and abandon a portion of South Spring Street (South Ward); public hearing set for October 5, 2026.
• 26-0304 - Resolution authorizing abandonment and relocation of a permanent access easement on Tax PIN 6867-50-1123 (Weston Brooke Trail).
• 26-0311 - Resolution authorizing a supplemental agreement with NCDOT for additional funding for Silas Creek Parkway.
• 26-0325 - Approval of Public Works Committee minutes from June 9, 2026.

Northwest Boulevard Corridor Plan

• A consultant presented the Northwest Boulevard corridor study developed with city staff and the community. Feedback was gathered in person and online; key themes were safety, accessibility, and connections to businesses and destinations.
• The plan has short-term and long-term concepts plus a la carte improvements that could be implemented as grant funding becomes available. It includes shared-use path connections, the Long Branch Trail connection, and strategic placement of street trees and landscaping to avoid future relocations.
• Council members noted the corridor is important because it connects the East, Northeast, and North Wards; one member described the corridor as extending from Liberty Street to Thurman. Members also noted MLK and University Parkway are state/NCDOT streets, not city streets, which affects project delivery. A council member asked staff to bring a future update to the committee and to complete a prioritization exercise before deciding which projects to submit for state funding.
• In response to a question about the estimated project cost in 2026 dollars, staff said a tabletop/prioritization exercise would need to occur before the next state prioritization cycle to determine which projects to submit.

WSTA Extreme Weather and Special Events Fare Policy

• Staff described a proposed fare policy amendment prompted by summer heat that extended beyond 7 p.m. and by the need to inform riders when fares would be waived.
• Council members asked why the heat provision did not mirror the extreme-cold provision, which covers the entire service day before and after the event. Staff said WSTA believed it was leading among benchmark cities on this policy.

July 30, 2026 Water Main Break

• Staff presented an information item on the water main break. The presenter noted that the date in the agenda title had been entered incorrectly; the virtual news conference was held Thursday, July 30, at 3 p.m.
• The break affected two pressure zones. A precautionary boil-water advisory was issued, but no contamination was detected. Updates were provided through the virtual news conference, website, and phone contacts.
• The failed pipe was a roughly 20-foot section with a horizontal long split. The pipe was estimated at about 50 years old, and records showed it existed prior to 1992, though the older drawing was undated.
• The location was described as off Lowry Street, near city facilities and Winston-Salem State.
• An after-action review is in progress, including staff questionnaires and SCADA records; the exact cause may never be definitively known.
• Council members emphasized the need for proactive communication and factual information to counter social media misinformation. One member thanked groups such as dialysis centers for managing during the water interruption. Staff responded that they cannot control social media but work to provide accurate information to media and the public.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved 4-0.
• Northwest Boulevard corridor plan was received as an information item; no formal action was taken, and a future committee update was requested.
• The WSTA fare policy amendment was moved by Council Member Taylor and seconded; the item is scheduled for City Council consideration on 09/08/2026.
• Water main break briefing was an information item; the after-action review continues.
• Assistant City Manager King announced that new, larger blue parking signs have been deployed citywide for on-street and off-street parking, and that a public meeting on the Brewer Road sidewalk project would be held the next evening (from Clementville Road to Parkland High School's main campus).