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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2005-043 Comments Draft 2006-2012 State Transp Imp Prog Division 7 Projects in Orange Co~ ~S r ~Oo S ®~/..~ ~ .~ -PZr~a..~ ~~ ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS A RESOLUTION PROVIDING COMMENTS TO THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION REGARDING THE DRAFT 2006 - 2012 STATE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM DIVISION 7 PROJECTS IN ORANGE COUNTY WHEREAS, Orange County gives priority to identified safety needs on existing roads and bridges, to other transportation projects that encourage alternatives to automobile travel, to projects that minimize adverse impacts on the natural environment and cultural sites, and to those projects that foster economic development in the designated Economic Development Districts; and WHEREAS, Orange County has submitted a Priority List of Transportation Projects for inclusion in the 2006 - 2012 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP); and WHEREAS, the North Carolina Department of Transportation has considered the Priority Lists submitted by local jurisdictions in the development of the 2006 - 2012 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), and has released the Draft 2006 - 2012 STIP for public comment; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Orange County Board of Commissioners that the Board submit the attached comments to the North Carolina Department of Transportation for consideration by the North Carolina Board of Transportation when adopting the 2006 - 2012 State Transportation Improvement Program. Upon motion of Comm' sione ,and seconded by Commissioner the foregoi resolution was adopted this the /7 day of , 2005. I, Donna Baker, Clerk to the Board of Commissioners for the County of Orange, North Carolina, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true copy of so much of the proceedings of said Board at a meeting held on May 17, 2005, as relates in any way to the adoption of the foregoing and that said proceedings are recorded in the minutes of said Board. WITNESS my hand and the seal of said County, this _~ day of , 2005. ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS REGARDING THE DRAFT 2006-2012 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM May 17, 2005 Orange County appreciates the opportunity to participate in the North Carolina Transportation Improvement Program process. Like so many jurisdictions across the state, we have transportation needs we feel are necessary to provide our citizens with a safe and efficient multi-modal system throughout the County. Orange County submits the following comments on selected projects in the Draft 2006-2012 NC Transportation Improvement Program.. These are provided as two distinct sets of comments, with the majority of the comments included in the first set, as follows: Comments Regarding the Draft 2006-2012 North Carolina Transportation Improvement Program for Orange County Projects Within the Durham-Chapel Hill- Carrboro Metropolitan Area Boundary; and Comments Regarding the Draft 2006-2012 North Carolina Transportation Improvement Program for Orange County Projects Outside the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Area Boundary. ORANGE COI~NTY PRO!J'ECTS WITHIN THE DURHAM-CHAPEL. HILL-CARRBORO I~IETR4POUTAN AREA BOUNDARY` As a member of the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization, Orange County will continue to work with the Transportation Advisory Committee (DCHC TAC) to develop the Transportation Improvement Program for the portion of Orange County that lies inside the Metropolitan Area Boundary. Given below are comments on selected projects in Orange County, presented in four sections: (1) Projects Requested by Orange County; (2) Comments on Project U-3808, Elizabeth Brady Road Extension; (3) Comments on Two TIP Projects Initiated by NCDOT; and (4) Comments on Other TIP Projects. Projects Requested By Orange County A. SR 1006 Orange Grove Road, at Interstate 40: Construct a pedestrian bridge over I-40. Orange County is gratified that the Draft 2006-2012 STIP includes a feasibility study for this project. Grady Brown Elementary and newly constructed Cedar Ridge High School are located on New Grady Brown School Road that has access from Orange Grove Road south of I-40. The schools are within walking and cycling distance from residential areas north of I-40. Bicyclists and pedestrian must share the roadway with motor vehicles crossing the narrow two- lane bridge that carries Orange Grove Road over Interstate 40. The bridge is too narrow to accommodate a pedestrian walkway. Lack of an adequate pedestrian crossing presents an unsafe environment for students to walk to the schools. 2 B. U-2805: Homestead Road fSR 1777) Improvements: Improve Homestead Road from SR 1834, High School Road, to NC 86. This project should include bicycle and pedestrian facilities. This is an unfunded project in the Draft 2006-2012 STIP. Orange County appreciates NCDOT's cooperation and participation in the Homestead and High School Roads Safety Task Force efforts to obtain sidewalks on the north side of Homestead Road from Camden Lane to Rogers Rd. through the NC Moving Ahead! program. Orange County is also aware that projects funded in the TIP are not eligible for Moving Ahead funds. Although NCDOT has agreed to include the Homestead Road sidewalk in the Moving Ahead program for FY 06, NCDOT has not identified funding for this project. In the case that this project is not funded in the NC Moving Ahead! program for FY 06, TIP project U-2805 should be funded and phased so that sidewalks on the north side Homestead Road from Camden Lane to Rogers Road can be constructed as soon as possible. . There are three schools in the vicinity of Homestead Road: Chapel Hill High School, Smith Middle School and Seawell Elementary School: Many students live within walking distance and cycling distance to Chapel Hill High School and must walk or cycle along Homestead Road, and cross the road daily. Provision of sidewalks is of utmost importance for the safety of students and other pedestrians who use this corridor. Provision of bicycle facilities is, likewise, necessary for the safety of students and others. C. NC 86, Bicvcle Lanes: Construct bicycle lanes (4-foot paved shoulders) from Chapel Hill (Whitfield Road) to Hillsborough (US 70 Business). The Draft 2006- 2012 STIP does not include this project. This project will extend bicycle lanes on Airport Road (NC86) in Chapel Hill to US 70 Business in Hillsborough. Bicycle lanes have been completed along NC 86 from UNC to Whitfield Road (SR 1731) in Orange County. NC 86 from Chapel Hill to Hillsborough is experiencing increasing numbers of bicyclists using this route. Also, there are two schools along this route (A.L. Stanback Middle School and New Hope Elementary School). This route is listed as priority I of the primary bicycle routes proposed in the Orange County Bicycle Transportation Plan adopted April 6, 1999. This project is listed in the 2002-2008 TIP, as an incidental bicycle need. Orange County requests that bicycle lanes be constructed as an independent project, and, if necessary, programmed in phases. D. Old NC 86 (SR 1009 Bicvcle Lanes: Construct bicycle lanes (4-foot paved shoulders) from Carrboro (Eubanks Road) to Hillsborough (I-40). The Draft 2006-2012 STIP does not include this project. This route, from the Carrboro Transition area- (Hickory Forest Road) to Lafayette Drive, is identified in the Orange County Bicycle Transportation Plan, and would extend bicycle accommodations requested in TIP Project R-2825 to Carrboro. The Town of Carrboro Transportation Advisory Committee has also established bicycle routes on Old NC 86 as a transportation priority connection between proposed bicycle facilities along Old Fayetteville Road, Homestead Road and Eubanks Road. 3 E. R-2825 Improvements to South Churton Street: Develop congestion management, limited access, aesthetic and capacity improvements between US 70 Business and Interstate 40. The Draft 2006-2012 STIP does not include this project. Orange County requests that NCDOT fund this project. The portion between Interstates 40 and 85 will conform to the design criteria of the Economic Development District Design Manual (4-lane divided section with bike and pedestrian improvements). The feasibility study completed in February 2002 recommends a 4-lane divided, with 16-foot median, curb and gutter cross section for the entire corridor from I-40 to Eno River. Orange County stresses the need to study improvements within the current. right-of-way for the segment north of Interstate 85. Improved capacity through widening is not the County's first choice because of significant constraints between Interstate 85 and US 70 Business and the proximity of the historic district north of the project limits. Orange County requests that, where conditions do not prevent the addition of frontage roads, the feasibility study include the addition of frontage roads with limited access from the corridor. Development of Waterstone, a 337-acre mixed use development, is underway off the east side of South Churton Street in the Hillsborough Economic Development District north of I-40. Current (2003) Average Annual Daily Traffic counts on Churton Street in this corridor vary from 11,000 just north of I-40 to 15,000 south of I-85 to 19,000 south of the Eno River. Traffic is expected to increase dramatically as Waterstone's 134 single-family houses, 128 town home/patio homes, .271 apartments, 450,000 square feet of retail space, 408,000 square feet of mixed use, 150,000 square feet of office space, a 20-acre community college site, and more, are completed. Another approved development on S. Churton Street, Oakdale Village, will add over 122,000 square feet of retail and office development on the west side of Churton Street north of Oakdale Drive. The developers of both projects will make some improvements on South Churton Street, and plans should be coordinated to provide the facilities as recommended in the feasibility study for this corridor. F. US 70 Bypass Widening: Widen, from the Orange/Durham County Line to the US 70 - I-85 Connector east of Efland, US 70 Bypass to a four-lane divided section with bike and pedestrian improvements. This project should be phased to address traffic counts and existing congestion. The Draft 2006-2012 STIP does not include this project. G. NC 86 (North of Hillsborough) Improvements: Widen NC 86, from US 70 Bypass north of Hillsborough to SR 1332, Coleman Loop (Coleman Loop also being the intersection area of the planned connector between NC 86 and NC 57), to four 4 lanes with intersection improvements at US 70 Bypass. The Draft 2006-2012 STIP does not include this project. Orange County requests that this project be identified as a need and included in the 2006-2012 STIP. The crash rate (for the three-year period from January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2003) on the segment of NC 86 from US 70 Bypass to NC 57 was 1147 crashes per 100-million vehicle miles, compared to an average 217 crashes per 100-million vehicle miles on NC routes in Orange County for the same three-year period. NC 86 is the major north-south route through Orange County. NC 57 converges into US 86 just north of US 70 Bypass. The segment of NC 86 between NC 57 and US 70 is congested, rendering a high. accident location at the intersection of US 70 Bypass at NC 86. Development north of Orange County (in Caswell and Person Counties) will exacerbate trafi:tc congestion and accident proliferation. II. Comments on Project U-3808, Elizabeth Brady Road Extension: South Of US 70 Business to north of US 70 Bypass at SR 1002 (St. Mary's Road), construct multilanes with new crossing of Eno River. A. The proposed corridor, .discussed for many years, would require a crossing of the Eno River and impact natural areas, the. river corridor and several historic properties. The Orange County Board of Commissioners stresses that the alignment and cross section for the project must be one that has the least impact on the Eno River, the natural environment and cultural sites. B. The Board would not support the option for an alignment along the ridge south of the Eno River (Poplar Ridge) that creates no new crossing of the river if, of the three alignments being studied, it would have the worst impact on biological and hydrological environments and on cultural sites. C. The Orange County Board of Commissioners supports a design that includes bicycle and pedestrian facilities for the Elizabeth Brady Road Extension project connecting US 70 Business with. US 70 Bypass. The Board prefers a road configuration of two lanes with right-of-way reserved for four lanes (four lanes if necessary). III. Comments On Two TIP Projects Initiated By NCDOT A. I-3306 Section A: widening of I-40 to six lanes from I-85 in Orange Countyto NC 147 (Buck Dean Freeway) in Durham CountLi. The Orange County portion of this project is currently listed in the TIP as an unfunded project; however, this project is nearing completion (estimated completion in 2005) in Durham County. Project planning and design for this facility was completed for both phases of the project and the environmental studies rendered a Categorical Exclusion (CE) in 2000. 5 1. HOV Lanes The studies for the project in Orange County should be reviewed prior to construction, especially with respect to the recently completed study concerning high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. Orange County is opposed to any widening of I-40 through Orange County unless there is a commitment by NCDOT to provide HOV and/or dedicated bus lanes (from NC 86 westward). Transportation modeling studies indicate that the existing four-lane section from I-85 to NC 86 may be adequate to handle projected future traffic, but HOV lanes, along with widening to a six- lane section for general traffic, will be needed to help alleviate congestion from NC 86 to US 1/64 in Wake County. 2. Design Features Orange County also requests that NCDOT consider the following design features for this project: a. Use native plants in landscaping at interchanges for this project; b. Include noise walls or other means to reduce the effects of traffic noise on residential and other uses located along the corridor; c. Include any available wildlife mitigation measures, particularly at bridges; and d. Incorporate bridge designs that allow wildlife to cross safely under the bridge and that allow pedestrian passage along any existing or planned trail-system connectors. 3. Bridge on Orange Grove Road Orange County requests that, if funding cannot be secured through another project, this project include widening the bridge on Orange Grove Road over I-40 to provide safe access for bicycle and pedestrian traffic over the interstate as recommended in the (2002) Orange Grove Road Study executed by a joint committee made up of Orange County and Town of Hillsborough Commissioners and staff from Orange County and Hillsborough Planning Departments, Orange County Economic Development Department, and NCDOT. B. Widening of I-85 to six lanes and reconstructio at H i e 1. Environmental Considerations This project would cross three tributaries of the Eno River (Cates Creek, Stony Creek and Rhodes Creek). Care should be exercised to minimize environmental and water quality degradation during construction and provide culverts with sufficient space for wildlife migration. Additionally, a study from 1992 identified a possible connection between the Duke Forest and Eno River State Park with a connection in this area (Mount Herman Church Road). The County and the Triangle Greenways Council have discussed this concept as 6 part of the Triangle Greenprint project. Reservation of a pedestrian crossing linking these two large open space and trail areas would be desirable. 2. Design Features Planning and design for this project are in progress. Right-of-way acquisition is scheduled to start in FFY 10 - FFY 12, with construction. starting in FFY 10. Orange County requests that NCDOT consider the following design features for this project: a. Provide HOV lanes. Orange County is opposed to any widening of I-85 through Orange County unless there is a commitment by NCDOT to provide HOV and/or dedicated bus lanes. b. Use native plants in landscaping at interchanges for this project. c. Include noise walls or other means to reduce the effects of traffic noise on residential and other uses located along the corridor. d. Include anv available wildlife mitigation measures, particularly at bridges. e. Incorporate bridge designs that allow wildlife to cross safely under the bridge and that allow pedestrian passage along anv existing or planned trail-system connectors. 3. Infrastructure Improvements Orange County requests the following infrastructure improvements as they relate to the I-85/US 70 Economic Development District. a. Erosion Control Measures -Orange County requests that permanent erosion control measures be included in the project. b. Landscaping of Interchanges -Orange County requests that NCDOT landscape all reconstructed interchanges in an aesthetic manner. c. Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities -Orange County requests that its staff be allowed to participate in the determination of where and what type of facilities are to be included in this project. Among the features requested for inclusion are sidewalks and bike lanes (see the Regional Bicycle Plan for Durham and Orange Counties) along roads where interchange improvements are required and adequate guardrails on overpasses. d. Wildlife Corridor Under I-85 (in the vicinity of US70 Interchange) -Orange County requests that its staff be allowed to participate during the planning stage and that this issue be brought to the attention of the NCDOT Staff Biologist. Constructing this wildlife corridor is one of the recommendations presented in the "The New Hope Corridor Open Space Master Plan: Proposals for Linking Duke Forest and Eno River State Park." Orange 7 County also requests that NCDOT consult county staff in designing the interchange at US 70 to provide a pedestrian trail under I-85 (along Mt. Herman Church Road) linking New Hope Creek and the Eno River (New Hope Rustic Woodland Trail proposed as an element of the Lands Legacy Program). e. Intersection of Pleasant Green Road (SR .1567) & Mt Herman Church Road (SR 1713 - NCDOT Division 7 Traffic Engineers have recommended that this intersection be included as a part of I-305 because of its proximity to the I-85/US 70 interchange. The entire intersection should be realigned so that Pleasant Green Road intersects US 70 at a 90-degree angle. f. US 70 Interchange: Orange County requests that reconstruction of the interchange at US 70 be designed to accommodate future widening of US 70, and that a reasonable section of US 70 near the interchange be upgraded to provide for a suitable transition from/to I-85. g. Mt Herman Church Road (SR 1713) -Preliminary plans by the Planning & Environmental Branch, Division of Highways of NCDOT indicate that this road may be relocated as part of I-305. Orange County requests that this road be designed with 12' wide travel lanes and 4' wide bicycle lanes for a total paved width of 32'. h. Old NC 10 (SR 1710) -Preliminary plans by the Planning & Environmental Branch, Division of Highways of NCDOT indicate that this road may also be relocated as part of I-305. Orange County requests that this road be designed with 12' wide travel lanes and 4' wide bicycle lanes for a total paved width of 32'. 4. Additional Infrastructure Improvements Orange County also requests the following infrastructure improvements regarding two structures: a. NC 86 -The 2-lane NC 86 overpass of I-85 is inadequate for increased traffic volumes resulting from development in the adjacent Economic Development District. Orange County requests that the NC 86 overpass be widened, and include bicycle and pedestrian facilities. b. Cates Creek -Orange County requests that the interstate be designed to allow safe passage of wildlife and pedestrians along Cates Creek under I-85. 8 IV. Comments On Other TIP Projects A. U-0624, NC 86 (South Columbia Street Chapel Hill): From SR 1906 (Purefoy Road) to SR 1902 (Manning Drive), upgrade corridor to include bicycle lanes. The Draft 2006-2012 STIP shows construction completion has been delayed two years (from FY 07 to FY 09.). This project is categorized as Regionally Significant. Note that the DCHC 2030 Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) Conformity Analysis Determination Report was approved by the DCHC TAC in April 2005 and that the DCHC 2030 LRTP indicates this project will be completed by 2010. The project must be operational by 2010 to avoid the requirement for a new air quality analysis to be executed to determine if the MTIP will meet air quality requirements. B. E-4779, St. Mary's Road (Orange County): Acquire scenic easements. The Draft 2006-2012 STIP lists this as a Hillsborough project for streetscaping on NC 86 (Churton Street) from King Street to Margaret Lane. Please correct the location and description of this project to indicate it is an Orange County project. C. U-4728, Orange and Durham County Emissions. This project is not listed in the Draft 2006-2012 STIP. It was not completed in 2005 as indicated in the 2004- 2010 STIP, and will carried over in the FY 06 Unified Planning Work Program for the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization. Please make this adjustment in the STIP. 9 ORANGE COUNTY PROJECTS OUTSIDE THE DURHAM-CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO METROPOLITAN AREA BOUNDARY Projects Requested By Orange County I. Buckhorn Road (SR 1114) Widening• Widen from US 70 to West Ten Road (SR 1144) to a multilane facility with bicycle and pedestrian facilities. This stretch of roadway borders the western boundary of the I-85/Buckhorn Road Economic Development District (EDD), and the improvements are needed to support plans for development of proposed uses within the EDD. This area is the focus of a growing problem of traffic backing up on the northbound exit ramps of I-85 caused by northbound traffic exiting I-85 onto southbound Buckhorn Road and turning left into a nonconforming business use just south of the interchange.. With increased interest in extending water and sewer and reconsidering proposed uses within the EDD, improvements to the transportation system to support plans for that district are necessary to attract the desired planned development. II. Efland Cedar Grove Road (SR 1004 SR 1357)• straighten and make turn lane improvements: make more direct connection to Interstate 85 Orange County requests that this project be included in the 2006-2012 TIP, although this project was not included in Orange County's Priority List for the 2006-2010 Transportation Improvement Program. Orange County has included this project in the Priority List for the 2007-2013 TIP. Traffic has increased approximately 170% over the past ten years on Efland-Cedar Grove Road just north of US 70, with the greatest increase between 1997 and 1999 when average annual daily traffic (AADT) increased from 2000 to 4200, a 110% increase over the two year period. The most recent AADT counts show a 14% over the period from 1999 to 2001. Much of that traffic "dog-legs" through Efland on Forrest Avenue to Mt. Willing Road to access Interstate 85. Mt. Willing Road provides an at grade crossing of the North Carolina Railroad corridor, the only access across the railroad tracks between Hillsborough and Buckhorn Road. (The I-85/US 70 Connector just east of Efland is not accessible to traffic on eastbound US 70.) III. Park and Ride Lot in the Buckhorn Economic Development District: Orange County requests a park and .ride facility (from the adopted Orange County Economic Development District Design IVlanual) be funded in the Community Transportation Improvement Plan for Orange Public Transportation. This project is clearly justified, as it would provide an opportunity for coordination of public transportation efforts between two growing regions in North Carolina, the Triad and Triangle. Orange County recognizes this project as a priority with development of the EDD and expansion of rural/regional public transportation services.