Transportation Engineering

Report a Traffic Issue

Lane, Street, and Sidewalk Closure Permits

We review requests for lane, street, and sidewalk closures, and confirm the nature of the work, timing, and safety measures fit within the parameters of our procedures.

Follow these four easy steps to get a lane, sidewalk, or street closure permit:

• Submit a brief letter or email
  • Send it to dmay@townofchapelhill.org at least five business days before your planned closure.
  • State the nature of the work, including dates and times you wish to be in the roadway or sidewalk.
  • Lane closures are only allowed between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
• Submit a Traffic Control Plan.
  • Follow Chapter 6 of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
  • Show the proper work-zone signage and safe lane-closure methods (flaggers, cones, etc.)
• Call NC 811 if you are digging.
  • Provide positive response locate tickets.
• Pay your fees.
  • The permit fee is $200, and the inspection fees are $60 per working day. 

Signs & Markings

• We install and maintain traffic control signs and pavement markings on Town-maintained streets.

Street Lighting

• Duke Energy installs and maintains the Town’s streetlights. For streetlight outages, call them at 800-769-3766 or report a streetlight out.

Report a streetlight outage

• We enforce lighting standards for new developments, inspect major roadways, and coordinate with Duke Energy for maintenance. 

Traffic Control & Parking

• The Town Council enacts ordinances setting speed limits, stop regulations(PDF, 306KB), and other traffic control policies for Town-maintained streets. 
• For State-maintained streets, which include most of the major traffic routes, the State Board of Transportation adopts traffic regulations other than for parking.
• We regulate parking on Town Streets; the University regulates parking on streets in the area of UNC's campus.

Traffic Management Center (TMC)

• The Traffic Management Center, located in the Public Works Department, is equipped with computers, software, and video displays, which allow staff to adjust signal timings, respond to signal malfunctions, dispatch technicians, and manage traffic flow in Chapel Hill and Carrboro.
• The center is typically staffed Monday through Friday during peak traffic hours, and during special events like high profile UNC athletic games.