HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2003-070 Division 7 Resolutions Endorsing Orange County Transportation Priority List for 2006-2012 TIP~~' s --2vo 3 ~d ~'6
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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
A RESOLUTION CONCERNING PROJECTS TO BE CONSIDERED FOR INCLUSION IN
THE 2006 - 2012 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM DIVISION 7
PROJECTS IN ORANGE COUNTY
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 2006-2012
Transportation Improvement Program; 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
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Orange County Board of
Commissioners that:
The Board of County Commissioners endorses the attached project priority list of
transportation projects to be considered for inclusion in the FY 2006-2012 Transportation
Improvement Program; and
2. The Board of County Commissioners provides the attached comments concerning local
transportation projects contained in the 2004-2010 Transportation Improvement Program.
Upon motion of Commissioner , seconded~y Com ssioner
,the foregoing resolution was adopted this the ~ day of~~, 2003
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 October 21, 2003, 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 , 2003.
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ORANGE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION PRIORITY LIST
FOR CONSIDERATION OF FUNDING IN
THE 2006 - 2012 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Our transportation needs list is divided into two sections. The first section deals
with. selected projects within the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro metropolitan
planning area. The second section deals with projects in the .remaining portions
of Orange County, which lie outside of the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro
metropolitan planning area.
ORANGE. COUNTY PROJECTS WITHIN
THE DURHAM-CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO
METROPOLITAN PLANNING AREA
1. SR 1006 Orange Grove Road, at Interstate 40: Construct a pedestrian bridge
over I-40. New 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. U-2805• Homestead Road (SR 1777) Improvements: Improve Homestead
Road from SR 1834, High School Road, to NC 86. This project should
include bicycle and pedestrian facilities. 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.
This project should also include appropriate safety improvements to the
intersection of Homestead Road with High School Road and the intersection
of Homestead Road with Seawell School Road. Both of those intersections
are near public schools.
3. NC 86 Bicycle Lanes: Construct bicycle lanes (4-foot paved shoulders) from
Chapel Hill (Whitfield Road) to Hillsborough (US 70 Business). This project
will extend bicycle lanes on Airport Road (NC86) in Chapel Hill to US 70
Business in Hillsborough. Bicycle lanes have recently been completed along
NC 86-from UNC to Whitfield Road (SR 1731) in Orange County. NC 86 from
ORANGE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION PRIORITY LIST
2006 - 2012 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Chapel Hill to Hillsborough is experiencing increasing numbers of bicyclists
using this route and there. are also two schools along this route. 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.
4. Old NC 86 (SR 1009) Bicycle Lanes: Construct bicycle lanes (4-foot paved
shoulders) from Carrboro (Eubanks Road) to Hillsborough (I-40). This
project, from the Carrboro Transition area (Hickory Forest Road) to Lafayette
Drive, is priority 6 of the primary bicycle routes listed in the Orange County
Bicycle Transportation Plan, and would extend bicycle accommodations
requested in TIP Project R-2825 to Carrboro, where its 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.
The feasibility study for TIP Project R-2825, improvements to South Churton
Street, recommends afour-lane divided section for Old NC 86 (S. Churton
St.) from I-40 to Lafayette Drive. That study also anticipates accommodations
for bicycles (wide outside lanes) from I-40 to I-85. This project would connect
bicycle facilities proposed in the South Churton Street project to Carrboro.
Carrboro's Transportation Advisory Committee has recommended bicycle
lanes along Old NC 86 in two separate requests for Carrboro's Priority List for
the 2006-2012 TIP:
from Old Fayetteville Road to Homestead Road; and
• from Homestead Road to Eubanks Road.
5. R-2825 Improvements to South Churton Street: .Develop congestion
management, limited access, aesthetic and capacity 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 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.
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ORANGE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION PRIORITY LIST
2006 - 2012 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
6. 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. Orange County
requests that this project be identified as a need and included in the 2006-
2012 STI P.
7. 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 lanes with intersection improvements at US 70 Bypass.. 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 pressures in this area will
exacerbate traffic congestion and accident proliferation.
ORANGE COUNTY PROJECTS OUTSIDE
THE DURHAM-CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO
METROPOLITAN PLANNING AREA
1) Buckhorn Road (SR 1114) Widening: Widen from US 70 to West Ten Road
(SR 1144) to a multilane facility. This stretch of roadway borders the western
boundary of the I-85/Buckhorn Road Economic Development District 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.
2) 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 Manual) 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.
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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
COMMENTS REGARDING THE
2004 -2010 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
1. Comments on Project U-3808. Elizabeth Brady Road Extension
A. The Orange County Board of Commissioners is pleased that bicycle and
pedestrian facilities have been included in the Elizabeth Brady Road Extension
project connecting US 70 Business with US 70 Bypass. The Board requests that
the 2004- 2010 DCHC Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program use
.the following alignment and cross section for the project.
1. An alignment that has the least impact on the Eno River, the natural
environment and cultural sites.
2. An alignment that does not cross the Eno River, but. is aligned along the ridge
south of the river (if that alignment has the least impact on the natural
environment and cultural sites). This recommendation is in accordance with
the Economic Development District Transportation Work Group priority order
by preference of options to be studied for environmental analysis.
3. A road configuration of two lanes with right-of-way reserved for four lanes
(four lanes if necessary).
The Board further stresses that it does not endorse the alternative for this project
that proposes a western bypass of Hillsborough with an interchange at I-40/1-85
that would impact the critical area of the Upper. Eno Watershed.
B. An Economic Development District (EDD) Transportation Work Group made up
of Orange County and Town of Hillsborough elected officials, planning staff;
developers .and community groups was established to address transportation
issues. regarding the Hillsborough area EDD. That group's recommendations
and comments regarding the planning and design of this, project were submitted
on December 3, 2001, as part of Orange County's Transportation Priority List for
Consideration of Funding in the 2004 -2010 Transportation Improvement
Program.
2. Comments On Other Tip Projects Initiated By NCDOT
A. I-3306 Section A: widening of I-40 to six lanes from I-85 in Orange County to NC
147 (Buck Dean Freeway) in Durham County.
The Orange County portion of this project is currently listed in the TIP as an
unfunded project; however, this project is nearing completion (scheduled for
2004) 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. 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
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS
2004 -2010 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
lanes. 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 Wake County.
Orange County requests that, if funding cannot be secured through other
transportation programs, 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 Orange Grove Road Study recently
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.
Orange County also requests that NCDOT landscape interchanges for this
project in an aesthetic manner.
B. I-305: widening of I-85 to six lanes and reconstruction of interchanges from
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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.
This project is programmed for planning in FFY 04, design in FFY 06 with
construction to start in FFY 10. Orange County requests the following
infrastructure improvements as they relate to the I-85/US 70 Economic
Development District.
1. Erosion Control Measures -Orange County requests that permanent erosion
control measures be included in the project.
2. Landscaping of Interchanges -Orange County requests that NCDOT
landscape all reconstructed interchanges in an aesthetic manner.
3. Pedestrian and BicLrcle 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.
4. 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
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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS
2004 -2010 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
presented in the "The New Hope Corridor Open Space Master Plan:
Proposals for Linking Duke Forest and Eno River State Park." Orange
County also-requests that NCDOT consult county staff in designing the
interchange at US 70 to provide a pedestrian trail under I-85 linking New
Hope Creek and the Eno River (New Hope Rustic Woodland Trail proposed
as an element of the Lands Legacy Program).
- 5. 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.
6. US 70 from NC 751 to University Station Road (SR 1712) -Due to the needs
of the Pleasant Green Road\US 70 intersection, Orange County requests that
US 70, from NC 751 to University Station Road, be upgraded to provide for a
suitable transition from/to I-85. An example of the need for this project is the
intersection of US 70 with Old No.10 (SR 1715), which currently operates at
level of service "F".
7. 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'.
8. 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'.
9. NC 86 - NCDOT has expressed concern that the width (2-lane) of the NC 86
overpass is inadequate for increased traffic volumes that would result from
proposed development in the adjacent Economic Development District.
Orange County requests that the NC 86 overpass be widened.
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