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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 09-02-1997 - 10a 1, i ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: September 2, 1997 Action Agenda Item# 16-4 SUBJECT: 1997 Orange County Transportation Priorities List DEPARTMENT: Planning& Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: Yes_X—No BUDGET AMENDMENT REQUIRED: Yes_X—No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Slade McCalip - Transportation Planning Boundaries Map Extension 2595 - 1996 Transportation Priorities List - Status of the 1996 Transportation Priorities List - Direct Allocation Funds Issue Paper TELEPHONE NUMBERS: (to be distributed under separate cover) Hillsborough - 732-8181 Durham - 688-7331 Mebane - 227-2031 Chapel Hill - 967-9251 PURPOSE: To receive a report on the annual process to develop Orange County's Transportation Priorities List and the possible uses of Direct Allocation Funds to finance transportation projects in Orange County. BACKGROUND: Every year the N.C. Board of Transportation (BOT) adopts a multi-year State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) that specifies needed transportation improvements across the state. In addition to the STIP, the Durham-Chapel Hill- Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (DCHC MPO) also develops a multi-year Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program (MTIP) that specifies needed transportation improvements in the urban area. Each year the Orange County Transportation Priorities List is sent to both the BOT and the DCHC MPO to identify projects that are both endorsed and requested by Orange County. The BOT and the DCHC MPO then develop their respective Transportation Improvement Programs using this information. At the August 7, 1997 Commissioners Work Session, Dr. Gordon requested that more research be done on the possible uses of Direct Allocation Funds to finance transportation projects in Orange County. An issue paper on this topic is being prepared and will be distributed under separate cover. RECOMMENDATION: Receive information on the annual STIP and MTIP development process and on possible uses of Direct Allocation Funds to finance transportation projects in Orange County. Begin to consider and identify possible transportation needs for inclusion in this year's Orange County Transportation Priorities List for possible adoption at the September 16, 1997 Commissioner's meeting. The last possible date for adoption is at the October 6, 1997 Commissioner's meeting. O TIM, t w W 6 ' _ 14 11 SO1 1 �• c:n���.�� � '+�� 11sa�.4.x.11 1 �� �ywc�. as r�®�� MAN v V �M.� . 3 . ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS P.O. Box 8181 200 S. Cameron Street Hillsborougb, N.C. 27278 Moses Carey,Jr. 919.732.8181 WtUiam L Crowther 919.9684301 Alice M.Gordon 919.688.7331 Stephen H.HaUtiods 910-227-2031 Don Wdlboit October 24, 1996 (Fax)919.644-3004 Dr. Gorman Gilbert DIVISION 7, At-Large Member NC Board of Transportation P.O. Box 25201 1 South Wilmington Street Raleigh, NC 27611 Dear Dr. Gilbert : Enclosed with this letter, you will find this years "Orange County Transportation Priority List for Consideration of Funding in The North Carolina Transportation Improvement Program. " Our number one priority continues to be improvements to Homestead Road to address school safety issues. Thanks to your efforts in the last TIP cycle, this project advanced from 2002 to 2001. We realize that there are many projects competing for limited funds, but hope that further advancement of Homestead Road might be possible. Please consider the reasons listed below. In 1999, the widening of Airport Road will approximately double its capacity and provide increased access to the land served by Homestead Road. Airport Road improvements coupled with development pressures in Chapel Hill will result in a dramatic increase in traffic on this segment of Homestead Road. In addition, Orange County recently broke ground for a new human services center on the south side of Homestead Road with completion expected in the spring of 1998 . The County is, of course, concerned about the safety of its clients as they travel on Homestead Road between the center and Airport Road. There are severe safety problems associated with turning movements and sight distance along this section of road. We are very grateful for your assistance in advancing Homestead Road improvements in the 1997-2003 TIP. Unfortunately, there is still a period of approximately two years during which Chapel Hill High School students and teachers and human services center clients will be exposed to a much higher accident probability than if Homestead Road were improved at the same time as Airport Road. YOU COUNT IN ORANGE CO U=1 4 . t Dr. Gorman Gilbert > Page 2 October 24, 1996 Therefore, because of the high potential for accidents at the entrances to Chapel Hill High School and along other sections of Homestead Road, the Orange County Commissioners again request that NCDOT make improvements to Homestead Road, Project U-2805, concurrent (during 1998) with the improvements to Airport Road. Thank you for your time and consideration of Orange County's transportation needs. If you would like to discuss this matter in detail, please contact Beverly Blythe, Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners at (919) 732-8181, extension 2130 . ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSI NERS Sincerely: 't Stephen H. Halkiotis, Vice Chair v ORANGE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION PRIORITY LIST FOR CONSIDERATION OF FUNDING IN THE NORTH CAROLINA TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM PRESENTED AT THE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM PUBLIC HEARING ON OCTOBER 24, 1996 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. We would also like to commend the North Carolina Department of Transportation's Division 7 staff, with special appreciation to the Division Engineer, Mr. John Watkins and Division Traffic Engineer, Mr. Vance Barham. Orange County would also like to recognize Mr. T. J. Dyer, District Engineer, whose office has been responsive and has interacted exceedingly well with Orange County staff . We are very appreciative of their efforts and are. looking forward to working with them in the future. 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 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 a complete list of project priorities for the portion of Orange County that lies inside the urbanized area boundary. However, there are selected projects in , Orange County which we would like to address now because they have been the subject of discussions between the TAC and the Department of Transportation or because there are other special concerns . I) U-2805 • Homestead Road Widening - This project remains Orange County' s top priority for new road projects requested from TIP funds. Orange County requests that the construction of this project be concurrent with the improvements to Airport Road (Project U-2302) . This requested project continues to include bicycle and pedestrian facilities . Homestead Road (SR 1777) continues to be a priority project because it: - is a connector facility between Carrboro and Chapel Hill, - provides primary access to Chapel Hill High School, - has safety problems associated with turning movements along its total length, 1 6 . - has sight distance problems at major intersections, and - has forecasts of substantial increases in traffic. In the year 1999 the completed widening of Airport Road (Project U-2302) will approximately double the capacity of Airport Road and provide increased access to the land served by Homestead Road. As a result of the improvements to Airport Road and the development pressures in Chapel Hill, this segment of road will experience a dramatic increase in traffic almost immediately upon the completion of the improvements to Airport Road. In addition, Orange County broke ground on October 1 for a new human services center on the south side of Homestead Road; the center is scheduled for completion in the spring of 1998 . Orange County is concerned about the safety of its clients as they travel on Homestead Road between the center and Airport Road. There are severe safety problems associated with turning movements and sight distance along this section of road. As a result of last year' s TIP request, scheduled improvements to Homestead Road were moved from 2002 to 2001. Orange County is very appreciative that the project has been advanced. However, there will still be approximately two years during which the students and teachers of Chapel Hill High School and the clients of the new human services center will be exposed to a much higher probability of an accident than if Homestead Road had been improved at the same time as Airport Road. Therefore, Orange County strongly urges, and respectfully requests, the North Carolina Board of Transportation to continue to include this project in the 1998-2004 TIP and to accelerate construction to the year 1998, because of the high potential for accidents at the entrances to Chapel Hill High School or along other sections of the road. II) I-305 : widening of I-85 to six lanes and reconstruction of interchanges from Orange Grove Road to Durham County Line - Even though this project remains an "IDENTIFIED FUTURE NEED", Orange County requests that its staff be allowed to participate in the planning of the facility. The County is specifically interested in 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) 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 2 7 Durham and Orange Counties) and adequate guardrails on overpasses . c) Wildlife Corridor Under I-85 - Orange County requests that its staff be allowed to participate during this part of 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. " d) Intersection of Pleasant Green Road (SR 1567) & Mt Herman Church Road (SR 1713) - This intersection was studied by the NCDOT Division 7 Traffic Engineers last year. They 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 needs to be realigned so that Pleasant Green Road can intersect US 70 at a 90 degree angle. e) 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 is currently operating at level of service "F" . f) 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 41 wide bicycle lanes for a total paved width of 321 . g) 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 also be designed with 121 wide travel lanes and 41 wide bicycle lanes for a total paved width of 321 . h) Park and Ride 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. III) 1-3306 SECTION A• widening of I-40 to six lanes from I-85 in Orange County to US 15-501 in Durham County - Project planning for this facility is scheduled to begin in 1997. Orange County requests that it be included in the development of the Major Investment Study and Environmental Impact Statement for this project to insure that there are no detrimental land use impacts to the Orange County Comprehensive Plan. 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. 3 8 . IV) R-2630 DURHAM NORTHWEST LOOP (ENO DRIVE) : new multi-lane route from I-85 in Orancre County to I-85 in Durham County - Orange County is strongly opposed to having this facility within Orange County and is also very concerned about the environmental impacts to the Eno River State Park. Orange County requests that this facility be relocated outside of Orange County. V) NC 86 • construct bicycle lanes - from Chapel Hill (Whitfield Road) to Hillsborough (US 70) . Scheduled improvements to Airport Road (NC 86) in Chapel Hill will extend bicycle facilities 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 and there are also two new schools along this _ route. Orange County requests that bicycle lanes be constructed. ORANGE COUNTY PROJECTS OUTSIDE THE DURHAM-CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO METROPOLITAN PLANNING AREA Orange County would like to give priority to identified safety needs on existing roads and bridges and to other transportation projects which foster alternatives to automobile travel . The County also endorses environmentally responsible construction of all transportation projects . Finally, the . County supports adequate maintenance for existing transportation facilities. I) I-304 • widening of I-85 to eight lanes and reconstruction of interchanges from NC 54 (in Alamance County) to Dimmocks Mill Road - Orange County requests that the following infrastructure improvements be made to the I-85/Buckhorn Road Economic Development District: a) NCDOT has installed temporary erosion control measures according to NCDOT standards. NCDOT currently has no plans for erosion control measures after completion of construction. Orange County requests that permanent erosion control measures be included in the 1998-2004 TIP as a line item to ensure optimal protection of the Sevenmile Creek watershed. The Upper Eno watershed, of which Sevenmile Creek is a sub-basin, has been designated a WS-II watershed; thus the County is committed to protect the water quality by working with NCDOT to implement the strongest protection measures available. b) Widen Buckhorn Road to 24 feet (two 12' travel lanes) . c) Improve the Southern Railway / Buckhorn Road (SR 1114) railroad crossing. d) Improve the Intersection of Buckhorn Road and US 70 to include turn lanes and improved turning radii. 4 II) Transit Improvements - It is increasingly evident, through the 9 . Triangle Fixed Guideway Study and other research, that Orange County needs to begin Transit Planning to include a Twenty Year Transit Development Plan for Orange County that would coordinate local transit planning with the Triangle Fixed Guideway Study recommendations . Orange County again requests that the NCDOT Public Transportation and Rail Division develop a Twenty Year Transit Development Plan for Orange County. III) Orange County Bicycle Route Map - This item was requested last year and we are pleased to see it included as Project E-3606 in the 1997-2003 TIP. We would like to take this opportunity to re- iterate our support for it as a project to be addressed in Federal Fiscal Year 1998 . Thank you for your consideration of these requests . Submitted this 24th day of October, 1996 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS by Stephen H. Halkiotis, vice Chair 5 10 . STATUS (as of August 19, 1997) OF ORANGE COUNTY'S TIP PRIORITY LIST PRESENTED TO THE NC BOARD OF TRANSPORTATION ON OCTOBER 24, 1996 PROJECTS WITHIN THE DCHC PLANNING AREA: I. U-2805: Homestead Road Widening - Project construction is scheduled for the middle of 2001. SOURCE: 1998-2004 STIP. II. I-305: widening_of I-85 to six lanes and reconstruction of interchanges from Orange rove Road to Durham County Line- This project is still listed as an "Identified Future Need" with no scheduled dates for planning or construction. SOURCE: 1998-2004 STIP. III. I-3306 SECTION A: construct additional lanes on 1-40 from I-85 in Orange County to US 15-501 in Durham County- Project listed as an "Identified Future Need" with no scheduled dates for planning or construction. SECTION B: US 15-501 to NC 147 is scheduled for construction to begin in 2001. SOURCE: 1998-2004 STIP. IV. R-2630 DURHAM NORTHWEST LOOP (ENO DRIVE): new multi-lane route from I- 85 in Orange County to 1-85 in Durham County- This project is listed as an "Identified Future Need" with no scheduled dates for planning or construction. Also, a Final (or revised) Environmental Impact Statement(FEIS) must be developed because of possible impacts on Eno State Park. The FEIS is due to be completed approximately 6 months after a final corridor is selected for this highway. The final corridor was supposed to be selected in May of this year, but has not been selected to date. SOURCE: 1998-2004 STIP and Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro MPO planning staff. V. NC 86: construct bicycle lanes-This project is not currently scheduled for planning or construction. Project is listed in the 1998-2004 STIP as an "Incidental Bicycle Need", this means that if NC 86 is ever widened,then bicycle lanes will be built as part of the improvements. PROJECTS OUTSIDE THE DCHC AREA: 1. I-304: widening of I-85 to eight lanes and reconstruction of interchanges from NC 54 (in Alamance County)to Dimmocks Mill Road -This project is under construction and should be completed soon. The only enhancement requested by Orange County to be constructed is the widening of Buckhom Road from south of the bridge over I-40\85 to the rail road tracks south of US 70. SOURCE: 1998-2004 STIP II. Transit Improvements- a) Twenty Year Transit Development Plan for Orange County - This project is not currently scheduled for funding. Transit planning funds have been received to develop a Transit Oriented Development(TOD) study of possible residential densities that would be conducive to transit ridership for the I-40\Old NC 86 EDD. The TOD study should be completed next month. SOURCE: Slade McCalip, Orange County Planning ! 11 . i II. Transit Improvements Continued- b) Park and Ride Lot north of the Town of Hillsborough on NC 86 - This project is on "hold"until the BOCC approves the designation of this lot as a"regional park and ride lot". After the Board approves the designation, then NC DOT may pave the parking lot and TTA may provide signs and market this lot as a regional park and ride lot for the triangle region. c) Bus Turn Outs on both sides of NC 86 at the Orange County Northern Human Services Center-This project would not be funded if the parking lot at the Northern Human Services Center is paved by NC DOT. SOURCE: Carol Carter,NCDOT. III. Bicycle Improvements- a) Orange County Bicycle Route Map -Project scheduled to begin after October 1, 1997. SOURCE: 1998-2004 STIP b) Bicycle Safe Bridge Railings This project must be requested as individual bridge projects and prioritized by need. SOURCE: Pat Puglisi,NCDOT. NEW PROJECTS SUGGESTED WITHIN THE DCHC PLANNING AREA: I) I-40\Old NC 86 EDD: Widen Old NC 86 to a multilane facility from I-40 to I-85. II) Bicycle Improvements: a) Bicycle Parking Racks- for Orange County Government Buildings. b) Bicyle Route Signing-After Bicycle Mapping Project is completed. NEW PROJECTS SUGGESTED OUTSIDE THE DCHC PLANNING AREA: I) I-85\Buckhorn Road EDD: Request that a Park and Ride Lot be constructed. 12. r II. Transit Improvements Continued- b) Park and Ride Lot north of the Town of Hillsborough on NC 86 - This project is on"hold" until the BOCC approves the designation of this lot as a"regional park and ride lot". After the Board approves the designation, then NC DOT may pave the parking lot and TTA may provide signs and market this lot as a regional park and ride lot for the triangle region. c) Bus Turn Outs on both sides of NC 86 at the Orange County Northern Human Services Center-This project would not be funded if the parking lot at the Northern Human Services Center is paved by NC DOT. SOURCE: Carol Carter,NCDOT. III. Bicycle Improvements- a) Orange County Bicycle Route Map-Project scheduled to begin after October 1, 1997. SOURCE: 1998-2004 STIP b) Bicycle Safe Bridge Railings-This project must be requested as individual bridge projects and prioritized by need. SOURCE: Pat Puglisi,NCDOT. NEW PROJECTS SUGGESTED WITHIN THE DCHC PLANNING AREA: I) Bicycle Improvements: a) Bicycle Parking Racks- for Orange County Government Buildings. Suggested by: Orange County Transportation Planner Suggested because: An Orange County employee that bikes to work at the Planning Department has no place to lock up his bicycle and requested this improvement. b)Bicyle Route Signing-After Bicycle Mapping Project is completed. Suggested by: Orange County Transportation Planner Suggested because: This is recommended as part of the implementation of the 1993 DCHC Regional Bicycle Plan. NEW PROJECTS SUGGESTED OUTSIDE THE DCHC PLANNING AREA: I) I-85\Buckhom Road EDD: Request that a Park and Ride Lot be constructed. Suggested by: Orange County Transportation Planner Suggested because: This is a good location to site a Park and Ride Lot to encourage carpools and vanpools for destinations inside the Triangle and\or Triad Regions. Also proposed on page 2.1.3a of the Economic Development District Design Manual.