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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2011-053 Resolution Endorsing Priority Transportation Projects for Metropolitan Planning Org Regional Priority List 2014-2020 Transportation Improvement Programjllo , ~!!-a,, 3 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS A RESOLUTION ENDORSING ORANGE COUNTY'S PRIORITY TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS FOR THE DURHAM-CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION REGIONAL PRIORITY LIST FOR THE 2014 - 2020 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM WHEREAS, the North Carolina Board of Transportation, every two years, prepares a Transportation Improvement Program that identifies transportation projects scheduled for State and Federal funding over the next seven years; and WHEREAS, the North Carolina Board of Transportation solicits input for identifying transportation projects of local and regional importance to be included in the FY 2014-2020 Transportation Improvement Program; and WHEREAS, the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Transportation Advisory Committee is charged with the development of the Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program; and WHEREAS, Orange County is a member jurisdiction of the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro (DCHC) Metropolitan Planning Organization; and 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 strongly encourages the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to design all highway projects, where appropriate, to accommodate bicycle and pedestrian traffic to provide alternative means of transportation that may result in reduced automobile traffic and related air and water impacts; and WHEREAS, Orange County encourages the NCDOT to design all new or replacement bridges with sufficient clearance to allow wildlife to cross safely under them, and to allow pedestrian passage along any existing or planned trail-system connectors; and WHEREAS, Orange County has outlined its transportation needs in an attachment to this resolution; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Orange County Board of Commissioners the Board endorses the following prioritized list of transportation projects to be considered for the FY 2014-2020 Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program. 1 TIP Project No. EB-4980, SR 1006 (Orange Grove Road) at Interstate 40: Construct a pedestrian bridge over I-40; construct sidewalk along the north side of Orange Grove Road from the bridge to Timbers Drive. This project is submitted as a Pedestrian project. 2 TIP Project No R-2825 SR 1009 (South Churton Street) Improvements: Develop congestion management, limited access, aesthetic and capacity improvements including bicycle and pedestrian improvements between US 70 Business and Interstate 40. This project is scheduled for reprioritization as a Highway Mobility project. 3 Hillsborough Train Station: Construct Hillsborough train station for passenger rail stop as designated iti Hillsborough's Rail Station Small Area Plan. This project is submitted as a Rail Project. 4 Park and Ride Lot in the Buckhorn Economic Development District. This project is submitted as a Transit project. The Draft 2012-2018 MTIP includes a park and ride lot in this area with a transit project for five park and ride lots. 5 US 70 East-Interstate 85 Connector: Modify I-85 Connector interchange at US 70 to provide access from all directions. This project is scheduled for reprioritization as a Highway Mobility project. 6 SR 1009 (Old NC 86) Bicycle Facilities: Construct bicycle facilities on Old NC 86 from Hillsborough Road in Carrboro to I-40 in Hillsborough. This project is submitted as a new Highway Modernization project. 7 SR 1006 (Orange Grove Road) Extension: Extend Orange Grove Road from the east side of Churton Street (SR 1009) to US 70 business. This project is scheduled for reprioritization as a Highway Mobility project. 8 Tip Project No U-3436 SR 1148 (Eno Mountain Road) and SR 1192 (Mayo Street) at SR 1006 (Orange Grove Road): realign intersection and make safety improvements. This project is scheduled for reprioritization as a Highway Modernization project. 9 U-2805 SR 1777 (Homestead Road) Improvements: Improve Homestead Road from Old NC 86 (SR 1009) to NC 86 to include bicycle lanes and sidewalks in sections of the corridor where those facilities do not exist. This project is scheduled for reprioritization as a Highway Modernization project. 10 SR 1727 (Eubanks Road) bicycle lanes: Construct bicycle lanes on Eubanks Road from Old NC 86 (SR 1009) to NC 86. This project is submitted as a Bicycle project. 11 Dairyland Road bicycle facilities Construct 4-foot paved shoulders on Dairyland Road (SR 1112, SR 1113, SR 1177) from Union Grove Church Road (SR 1111) to Orange Grove Road (SR 1006). This project is submitted as a new Highway Modernization project. 12 NC 86 (North of Hillsborough Improvements Widen NC 86 from US 70 bypass to north of NC 57 to four lanes with intersection improvements at US 70 bypass and NC 57. This project is submitted as a new Highway Mobility project. Upon motion of Commissioner ,seconded by Commissioner the foregoing resolution wa adopted this the 17 day of May, 2011. 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, 2011, 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 , 2011. Clerk to the oard of Commissioners ORANGE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION PRIORITY LIST 2014 - 2020 DURHAM-CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM TIP Project No. EB-4980 SR 1006 (Orange Grove Road) at Interstate 40: Construct a pedestrian bridge over I-40; construct sidewalk along the north side of Orange Grove Road from the bridge to Timbers Drive. This pedestrian bridge is the central element in the Safe Routes to School plan for Grady A. Brown Elementary School and for Cedar Ridge High School. Without the bridge, the SRTS plan cannot move forward. Construction of 0.14 mile (approx.) sidewalk on the north side of the bridge extending from the bridge to Timbers Avenue will provide connectivity from the bridge to three high- density neighborhoods: Patriot's Point, Colonial Estates, and the Timbers. To improve the pedestrian access to the south of the bridge, the Orange County School System has committed to constructing a safe and comfortable path from the pedestrian bridge to the Cedar Ridge entrance. Interstate 40 separates two schools, Grady Brown Elementary and Cedar Ridge High School, from residential areas north of the interstate. The Orange County school system estimates that over 262 students live within one mile of the schools. Most of these students live in the high-density Timbers, Patriot's Pointe, and Colonial Estates neighborhoods. The "Access Management and Awareness Project and Report for Orange Grove Road" recommends this project. 2. TIP Project No. R-2825. SR 1009 (South Churton Street) Improvements Develop congestion management, limited access, aesthetic and capacity improvements including bicycle and pedestrian improvements between US 70 Business and Interstate 40. 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 by NCDOT in February 2002 recommends a 4-lane divided curb and gutter cross section, with 16-foot median, for the entire corridor from I-40 to the 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. 3. Hillsborough Train Station: Construct a train station in Hillsborough as designated in Hillsborough's Rail Station Small Area Plan, and implement AMTRAK service to Orange County. The train station can also serve future commuter rail operations and anchor a multimodal transportation hub in Hillsborough. A revenue and ridership study conducted by the North Carolina Department of Transportation Rail Division and AMTRAK has indicated that there is enough potential ridership to make a stop in Hillsborough financially feasible. ORANGE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION PRIORITY LIST 2014 - 2020 DURHAM-CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM 4. Park and Ride Lot in the Buckhorn Economic Development District: Orange County requests funding for a park and ride facility (from the adopted Orange County Economic Development District Design Manual) to be located in the I-85/Buckhorn Road Economic Development District. This project would provide an opportunity for coordination of public transportation efforts between two growing regions in North Carolina, the Triad and Triangle. 5. US 70 East-Interstate 85 Connector: Modify the I-85 Connector interchange at US 70 to provide access from all directions. This project would enable traffic from northwest Orange County to access Interstate 85 more easily without risking the many points of traffic conflict through Efland. The Interstate 85/US 70 Connector just east of Efland is not accessible to traffic on eastbound US 70 and there is no access to westbound US 70 from the connector. Traffic has increased through northwestern Orange County on Efland Cedar Grove Road as an alternative to NC 86. Much of that traffic "dog-legs" through Efland via 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. 6. SR 1009 (Old NC 86) Bicycle Facilities: Construct bicycle facilities on Old NC 86 from Hillsborough Road in Carrboro to I-40 in Hillsborough. This route along Old NC 86, from Carrboro's Transition Area just north of Eubanks Road (SR 1727) to Rippy Lane (SR 1224), is priority 6 of the primary bicycle routes listed in the Orange County Bicycle Transportation Plan. This project would extend bicycle accommodations requested in TIP Project R-2825 (South Churton Street bicycle lanes from Interstate 40 to the Eno River) to Hillsborough Road in Carrboro and provide a connection between proposed bicycle facilities in Carrboro along Old Fayetteville Road, Homestead Road and Eubanks Road. 7. SR 1006 (Orange Grove Road) Extension: Extend Orange Grove Road from the east side of Churton Street (SR 1009) to US 70 business. This project is scheduled for reprioritization. The "EDD Transportation Work Group Recommendations" and the "Access Management and Awareness Project and Report for Orange Grove Road" recommend this project as an alternative access to the US 70 Business/NC 86 corridor to alleviate congestion on Churton Street. This project could also provide access to a potential site for Orange County's priority rail project, AMTRAK service and train station in Hillsborough, although the site for such rail station has not been determined. 8. Tip Project No U-3436 SR 1148 (Eno Mountain Road) and SR 1192 (Mayo Street) at SR 1006 (Orange Grove Road): realign intersection and make safety improvements. This project is not included in the Draft 2012 - 2018 TIP, and is scheduled for reprioritization. The Hillsborough Town Board and Orange County Board of Commissioners have endorsed this project in two joint studies that included commissioners from both jurisdictions. The "EDD Transportation Work Group Recommendations" and the "Access Management and Awareness Project and Report for Orange Grove Road" recommend this project for improved traffic flow and safety. ORANGE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION PRIORITY LIST 2014 - 2020 DURHAM-CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM 9. U-2805, SR 1777 (Homestead Road) Improvements: Improve Homestead Road from Old NC 86 (SR 1009) to NC 86 to include bicycle lanes and sidewalks in sections of the corridor where those facilities do not exist. This project is not in included in the Draft 2012-2020 TIP ,and is scheduled for reprioritization. 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 10. SR 1727 (Eubanks Road) bicycle lanes: Construct bicycle lanes on Eubanks Road from Old NC 86 (SR 1009) to Rogers Road (SR 1729). The project would provide bicycle access to the new Morris Grove Elementary School off Eubanks Road. Increased traffic on Eubanks from the solid waste convenience center and Chapel Hill Public Works Facility and Transportation Facility on Millhouse Road off of Eubanks presents conflicts with bicycle transportation on the facility. 11. Dairyland Road bicycle facilities: Construct 4-foot paved shoulders on Dairyland Road (SR 1112, SR 1113, SR 1177) from Union Grove Church Road (SR 1111) to Orange Grove Road (SR 1006). This project is one segment of a route providing connection from Carrboro to the Efland/Mebane area via Orange Grove Road and Buckhorn Road (SR 1114) to West Ten Road (SR 1144). The complete route would extend bicycle facilities proposed with highway improvements on Buckhorn Road in the Buckhorn Road Economic Development District. This project was submitted for the 2011-2017 TIP through the Triangle Rural (TARPO) Planning Organization. The Dairyland segment ranked #3 in the Strategic Planning Office of Transportation (SPOT) ranking of bicycle projects in the TARPO. 12. NC 86 (North of Hillsborough) Improvements: Widen NC 86 from US 70 bypass to north of NC 57 to four lanes with intersection improvements at US 70 bypass and NC 57. Improvements at the NC 86/US 70 intersection should include extending the queuing lane for traffic turning east onto US 70 Bypass from northbound Churton Street/NC 86. Improvements at the NC 86/NC 57 intersection should include a crosswalk and provide a safe crossing for pedestrians with sidewalk connecting the intersection of NC 86 and NC 57 to Rencher Street. Improvements at the NC 86/NC 57 intersection are identified in the developing Safe Routes to School Action Plan for Stanford Middle School as a major need to provide a safe access for students living north of US 70 and west of NC 86 to walk or bike to school. NC 86 is the major north-south route through Orange County and is designated in North Carolina's Long-Range Statewide Multimodal Transportation Plan as a Strategic Highway Corridor. 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. OTHER PROJECTS Orange County has submitted several priority projects for previous updates to the Transportation Improvement Program that the County has omitted from this priority list for the following reasons: 1. The projects are bicycle projects with estimated costs greater than $1,000,000, and will be prioritized as new highway modernization projects and Orange County complies with the Metropolitan Planning Organization's request to limit requests to 3 new highway projects; or 2. The projects are highway projects that are not included in the 2035 DCHC Long Range Transportation Plan. These projects will be important for future mobility. Orange County requests the following projects be considered for funding in future updates to transportation plans and programs as traffic and congestion conditions warrant: • SR 1114 (Buckhorn Road) Widenina: Widen Buckhorn Road from US 70 to West Ten Road (SR 1144) to a multi-lanes with bicycle and pedestrian facilities. This stretch of roadway borders the western boundary of the I-85/Buckhorn Road Economic Development District EDD). Orange County has extended water and sewer to this area to serve the Gravelly Hill Middle School on West Ten Road and to increase the attractiveness of the Economic Development District. .Improvements to the transportation system to support plans for that district will be necessary to efficiently and safely accommodate anticipated traffic. The Gravelly Hill Middle School and soccer fields on the north side of West Ten Road also increase traffic on this segment of Buckhorn Road. SR 1008 (Mt. Carmel Church Road) bicycle lanes Construct bicycle lanes on Mt. Carmel Church Road from US 15-501 to the Orange/Chatham County line. This project is a segment of the Mountains to Seas Bicycle Route. Mt. Carmel Church Road, from Chapel Hill's extraterritorial planning jurisdiction (ETJ) to the Orange/Chatham County line is priority 8 of the primary priority bicycle routes on the Orange County Bicycle Transportation Plan. Increased traffic on Mt. Carmel Church has worsened travel conditions in this corridor that has many blind curves; making this popular bicycle route unsafe for bicycling. US 70 B ass Widenin :Widen US 70 Bypass, from the Orange/Durham County line to the I-85-US 70 Connector east of Efland, to a four-lane divided section with bike and pedestrian improvements. This project should be phased to address traffic counts and existing congestion. Two segments of this corridor are of particular interest. The first segment is the one through northern Hillsborough because of the economic development potential of this segment (as referenced in the US 70/Cornelious Street Corridor Strategic Plan) and proximity to C.W. Stanford Middle School and Orange High School. The second segment is the segment through the Eno Economic Development District that includes the interchange of Interstate 85 and US 70, and should be contemporaneous with TIP Project I-0305, Interstate 85 widening from I-40 to the Orange/Durham County line. NC 86, Bicycle Facilities: Construct bicycle facilities (4-foot paved shoulders) from Chapel Hill (Whitfield Road, SR 1730, SR 1731) to Hillsborough (US 70 Business). This project will extend bicycle facilities on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard (NC86) in Chapel Hill to US 70 Business in Hillsborough. NC 86 from Chapel Hill to Hillsborough is experiencing increasing numbers of bicyclists using this route and there are also two schools along this route, A.L. Stanback Middle School and New Hope Elementary School (just off NC 86 on New Hope Church Road, SR 1723). This route is listed as priority I of the primary bicycle routes proposed in the Orange County Bicycle Transportation Plan.