Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 09-17-2013 - 5jORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: September 17, 2013 Action Agenda Item No. 5 -j SUBJECT: Resolution to Endorse Orange County's Priority Transportation Projects within the Burlington- Graham Metropolitan Planning Organization ( BGMPO) Planning Area DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N) No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: 1. Resolution Endorsing Projects for the Bret Martin, Transportation Planner, 245 - BGMPO Regional Priority List 2582 2. Draft BGMPO Priority Project Tom Altieri, Comprehensive, Planning Descriptions and Staff Supervisor, 245 -2579 Recommendations Abigaile Pittman, Transportation /Land 3. BGMPO Project List Map Use Planner, 245 -2567 PURPOSE: To consider a resolution endorsing a priority list of new transportation projects within the Burlington- Graham Metropolitan Planning Organization ( BGMPO) planning area for consideration of inclusion in the 2016 -2022 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). BACKGROUND: Biennially, the North Carolina Board of Transportation (BOT) adopts a multi -year Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) containing funding and scheduling information for transportation projects throughout the state including those for highways, aviation facilities, public transportation, ferry travel, freight rail, and bicycle and pedestrian facilities. The STIP is the major tool the State uses for the implementation of locally and regionally adopted transportation plans from which projects are conceived for programming consideration. In 2011 and 2012, the State, in conjunction with the metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) and regional planning organizations (RPOs) throughout the state, completed the prioritization process for the 2014 -2020 STIP, which was scheduled to be finalized and adopted in July 2013. In May 2011, Orange County participated in this last iteration of the STIP development process by submitting lists of priority transportation projects within the County's respective MPO /RPO planning areas to be considered for final inclusion in the STIP. However, a completely new Federal transportation authorization, the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21St Century (MAP -21) legislation, and pending State legislation, the Strategic Transportation Investments (STI) Act, forced the cancellation of the 2014 -2020 STIP process. Consequently, none of the projects the County submitted in 2011 for consideration of inclusion in the STIP were incorporated into the State's final STIP. The State is once again beginning the process of developing the 2016 -2022 STIP, which is scheduled to be finalized and adopted in July 2015, and will be requesting local input for transportation project priorities to be submitted through each local government's respective MPO or 1 RPO. Implicit in this process is the application of a new Strategic Mobility Formula (SMF) developed as part of the STI legislation as well as a revised /updated scoring methodology that institutes major changes to the inputs and weights used to rank projects for consideration and inclusion in the STIP. It is important to note that these changes have significant implications for many of the projects Orange County has previously submitted and will likely be submitting in this next iteration of priorities. Further information on the SMF is accessible using the following weblink: http: / /www.ncdot.gov/ download/ strategictransportationinvestments /Strategic Mobility Formula Fact Sheet.pdf Further information on the new BOT- recommended scoring /ranking methodology (SPOT 3.0) is accessible using the following weblink: http: / /www. ncdot.gov/ download/ strategictransportationinvestments /Prioritization. pdf Further information on NCDOT's previous scoring /ranking methodology (SPOT 2.0) is accessible using the following weblink: http: / /www.ncdot.gov/ download / performance /prioritization2 man 2012. Pdf In preparation for the State's new ranking and programming process, Orange County will be asked to submit a priority list of projects and their respective rankings to the Durham - Chapel Hill - Carrboro (DCHC) MPO, BGMPO, and the Triangle Area Regional Planning Organization ( TARPO) for proposed projects contained within each organization's respective planning area. The schedule for submitting projects to each organization differs based on each organization's regular meeting frequencies. Based on the State's timeline for the adoption of its final 2016 -2022 STIP, staff foresees that Orange County's project priority lists for TARPO and the DCHC MPO will need to be submitted to each by late November 2013. As such, the Orange Unified Transportation Board (OUTBoard) is scheduled to consider and recommend to the BOCC a priority list for TARPO and the DCHC MPO at the OUTBoard's September 18th meeting and then forwarded to the BOCC for consideration at Board's October 15th meeting. Alternatively, BGMPO's schedule for submission of priority projects is such that Orange County projects proposed for consideration in its planning area will need to be submitted to the MPO by the end of September. This is the first time Orange County will submit a priority list of projects to the BGMPO. The projects to be considered by the BOCC are completely new projects with no prior history of scoring or ranking through BGMPO; however, some of the projects proposed for submission have previously been scored and ranked through the DCHC MPO. A total of ten (10) projects may be submitted by each local government represented in the BGMPO planning area. Given the constrained size of BGMPO's planning area within Orange County, only a very limited number of needed projects can be conceived and proposed. A total of six (6) projects have been developed and /or identified and ranked for submission for consideration. OUTBoard- Recommended Prioritv List for BGMPO The OUTBoard considered and recommended approval /endorsement of the Orange County project priority list for the BGMPO planning area at its August 21St meeting for the BOCC to consider and approve /endorse at its September 17th meeting. The OUTBoard made no changes to the staff- recommended priority list for BGMPO and provided no major comments regarding the submission of the provided projects. 3 The County Manager subsequently suggested staff investigate the feasibility of incorporating an additional project (project priority #3) into the project priority list for submission to the BGMPO based on his knowledge of economic development initiatives in the portion of Orange County within the BGMPO planning area. After further investigation, planning staff agrees that the project suggested by the Manager is a viable project to submit in Orange County's project priority list for BGMPO. This project was added to Attachments 1, 2 and 3 and is set apart from the rest of the text in Attachments 1 and 2 in italics. This project was not considered by the OUTBoard and was not included in its recommended list for approval /endorsement. Attachment 1 is a draft resolution for the BOCC to approve /endorse the OUTBoard- approved project priority list as well as the project suggested by the Manager to submit to the BGMPO for scoring /ranking and for consideration of inclusion in BGMPO's Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program (MTIP), and by extension, the STIR Attachment 2 contains a more detailed description of each project, each project's history of previous consideration or ranking, and staff's prioritization recommendation for projects proposed within BGMPO's planning area. Attachment 3 is a map depicting the locations of these projects within the portion of the BGMPO planning area within Orange County. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no immediate financial impact associated with this item. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve /endorse the resolution (Attachment 1) to submit priority transportation projects to the BGMPO. 0 RES- 2013 -068 Attachment 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS A RESOLUTION ENDORSING ORANGE COUNTY'S PRIORITY TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS FOR THE BURLINGTON - GRAHAM METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION ( BGMPO) REGIONAL PRIORITY LIST FOR THE 2016 — 2022 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM WHEREAS, the North Carolina Board of Transportation (BOT), every two years, prepares a Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) that identifies transportation projects to be implemented over the next seven years with State and Federal funding; and WHEREAS, the North Carolina BOT solicits input for identifying transportation projects of local and regional importance to be included in the FY 2016 -2022 STIP; and WHEREAS, the BGMPO Transportation Advisory Committee is charged with the development of a Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program (MTIP); and WHEREAS, Orange County is a member jurisdiction of the BGMPO; and WHEREAS, Orange County gives priority to identified safety needs on existing roads and bridges, to 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 County's 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 within the BGMPO planning area in an attachment to this resolution; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Orange County Board of Commissioners that the Board endorses the following prioritized list of transportation projects to be considered for the FY 2016 -2022 BGMPO MTIP. 1 New 1 -85 Frontage Road: Construct a two (2) -lane frontage road on the south side of 1 -85 from Ben Wilson Road to Mattress Factory/West Ten Road. This project will be submitted as a new highway project to be considered for inclusion in the BGMPO long -range transportation plan (LRTP) and MTIP as well as the 2016 -2022 STIP. 0 2 Mattress Factory Road Interchange: Construct a new interchange at the existing grade - separated crossing of Mattress Factory Road and 1- 40/1 -85. This project was previously submitted by the City of Mebane for prioritization as a Highway Mobility project and will be submitted by Orange County for reprioritization and consideration for inclusion the BGMPO MTIP and 2016 -2022 STIP. 3 Mattress Factory Road Extension to U.S. 70: Extend Mattress Factory Road northward across East Washington Street and the NCRR/Norfo/k Southern railroad right -of -way to intersect U.S. 70 and close the existing railroad crossover road connecting East Washington Street and U.S. 70 approximately 240 feet to the east of the intersection of Mattress Factory Road and East Washington Street. This project will be submitted as a new highway project to be considered for inclusion in the BGMPO LRTP and MTIP as well as the 2016 -2022 STIP. 4 Park - and -Ride Lot in the Buckhorn Economic Development District (EDD) /Mebane area: Construct a park- and -ride facility to be located in the Buckhorn EDD /Mebane area to serve a cross - county bus route from Mebane to Durham to collect ridership in eastern Alamance and western Orange Counties as indicated in the Orange County Bus and Rail Investment Plan (OCBRIP). This project will be submitted as a new transit project for consideration of inclusion in the BGMPO LRTP and MTIP as well as the 2016 -2022 STIP. The project was previously submitted through the Durham - Chapel Hill - Carrboro (DCHC) MPO as a park- and -ride facility to be specifically located in the Buckhorn EDD. 5 Buckhorn Road (SR 1114) Widening: Widen Buckhorn Road from U.S. 70 to West Ten Road (SR1144) to multiple lanes with bicycle and pedestrian facilities. This project was previously submitted as a highway project and will be reprioritized and submitted as a highway project for consideration of inclusion in the BGMPO LRTP and MTIP as well as the 2016 -2022 STIP. 6 Lebanon Road bicycle and pedestrian improvements: Construct four (4) -foot bicycle lanes from N. Frazier Road to Stagecoach Road with pedestrian /sidewalk facilities from Saddle Club Road to Stagecoach Road. This project will be submitted as a new highway project for consideration of inclusion in the BGMPO LRTP and MTIP as well as the 2016 -2022 STIP. Upon motion of Commissioner , seconded by Commissioner the foregoing resolution was adopted this the 17`h day of September, 2013. 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 September 17, 2013, 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 12013. Clerk to the Board of Commissioners Attachment 2: Draft Burlington- Graham MPO Priority Project Descriptions and Staff Recommendations Map ID Project Project Description New /Existing Previous Project Score/ Staff Recommendation #* Project Rank -85 Frontage Construct two(2) -lane frontage road on south side of 1 -85 from Ben Wilson Road to Mattress Factory/West Ten Road to New Highway Submit to BGMPO for SPOT 3.0 scoring and consideration of inclusion Road provide localized access to properties planned for future economic development and to improve local connectivity and Project N/A as a highway in the BGMPO LRTP circulation between interchanges south of -85. and TIP as Promect Priority #1. Construct new interchange at existing grade- separated crossing of Mattress Factory Road and 1- 40/1 -85 to relieve existing and /or future expected congestion on projected under - capacity existing interchanges at 1- 40/1 -85 and Mebane Oaks Road and 1- 40/1 -85 and Buckhorn Road and to serve existing and future growth in the specific area around the proposed interchange. The proposed interchange would address both traffic capacity deficiencies and reduce crashes related to congestion on parallel thoroughfares. The new interchange would also be an opportunity to provide pedestrian and biking facilities across 1- 40/1 -85 that do not currently exist in the Mebane area. Existing Highway Scored in SPOT 2.0 prioritization as a project Mobility Project within the BGMPO planning area as a Submit to BGMPO for SPOT 3.0 Mattress Specific improvements associated with the interchange include: submitted through Subregional Highway Mobility project. Ranked ring and consideration of inclusion scoring 2 Factory Road the BGMPO for 378/382 for all Subregional Highway Mobility highway project in the BGMPO Interchange Modified diamond interchange with a loop ramp in the southeast quadrant for I -40 eastbound exiting vehicles; scoring in SPOT projects scored in the state Project is . TIP as proiect priority #2. Five (5) -lane roadway section on Mattress Factory Road at the proposed interchange; 2.0 by other anticipated to rank very low again for SPOT One bridge structure with a five (5) -lane section and bike /ped accommodations; jurisdiction 3.0. • Traffic signals installed on Mattress Factory Road at the ramp intersection and Oakwood Street with coordinated signals; and • Industrial Drive realignment to intersect Mattress factory Road either across from Oakwood Street or further north. Extend Mattress Factory Road northward a distance of approximately 240 feet across East Washington Street and the Mattress NCRRiNorfolk Southern railroad right -of -way to intersect U.S. 70 at a 90 degree angle. The project would also call for the Submit to BGMPO for SPO T 3.0 Factory Road closure of the existing railroad crossover road connecting East Washington Street and U.S. 70 approximately 240 feet to New Highway scoring and consideration of inclusion 3 extension to the east that currently provides access across the railroad right -of -way to U.S. 70. The project would decrease travel time Project NIA as a highway project in the BGMPO U.S. 70 from points along Mattress Factory Road to access U.S. 70, would provide more direct north -south access across the TIP as proiect priority #3. existing railroad right -of -way, and eliminate inconvenient turning movements for motorists and trucks serving existing and future industrial uses south of U.S. 70 and along Mattress Factory Road. Park - and -Ride New Transit Lot in the Buckhorn Orange County requests funding for a park- and -ride facility to be located in the Buckhorn Economic Development District Project" (Submitted Ranked 10/17 among all DCHC MPO transit projects scored. Final rank with MPO scores Submit to BGMPO for SPOT 3.0 Economic (EDD) /Mebane area for a cross - county bus route from Mebane to Durham to collect ridership in eastern Alamance and previously as a Transportation and Ttation Advisory Committee (TAC)- scoring and consideration of inclusion 4 Development western Orange Counties as indicated in the Orange County Bus and Rail Investment Plan (OCBRIP). The park- and -ride park- and -ride assigned points was 14/17. Project received no in the BGMPO LRTP and TIP District facility will provide a transit connection to an area with a growing commuting presence to and from the Triangle Region. A facility project points from the TAC for the DCHC MPO draft as proiect priority #4 as a transit (EDD) /Mebane variation of this project was previously submitted through the Durham - Chapel Hill- Carrboro DCHC MPO for scoring. specifically in the 2014 -2020 TIP priority list. capital facilities project. area Buckhorn EDD) DCHC bike project ranked 19/20 among all DCHC MPO bike projects scored and 19/20 in Widen Buckhorn Road from U.S. 70 to West Ten Road (SR 1144) to multi -lanes with bicycle and pedestrian facilities. final ranking for the DCHC MPO draft 2014 - 2020 TIP priority list. This segment of roadway is over 95% within the BGMPO planning area and borders the western boundary of the 1 -40/1- Existing Highway Submit to BGMPO for SPOT 3.0 Buckhorn Road 85- Buckhorn Road EDD. This area is the focus of a growing problem of traffic backing upon the northbound exit ramps o f Mobility project to Scored in SPOT 2.0 prioritization as a project scoring and consideration of inclusion 5 (SR 1114) I- 40/I -85 onto southbound Buckhorn Road and at a left turn into a nonconforming business use just south of the be resubmitted within the BGMPO planning area as a as a highway project in the BGMPO Widening interchange. Orange County has extended water and sewer to this area to serve public facilities and to increase the through BGMPO Subregional Highway Mobility project. Ranked LRTP (amend project limits) and TIP attractiveness of the EDD for development. The project was previously submitted through the DCHC MPO as a bike 272/382 for all Subregional Highway Mobility as proiect priority #5. project requesting four (4) -foot paved bike lanes when Buckhorn Road was located within that MPO's planning area. projects scored in the state. Project is anticipated to rank lower (313/382) for SPOT 3.0. Submit to BGMPO for SPOT 3.0 Construct four (4) -foot bicycle lanes from N. Frazier Road to Stagecoach Road with pedestrian /sidewalk facilities from New Highway scoring and consideration of inclusion Saddle Club Road to Stagecoach Road. At its eastern terminus, the bicycle improvements would connect to future Bik ct t c project in the BGMPO LRTP (amend project 6 Lebanon Road planned bicycle improvements indicated in the DCHC MPO MTP on Lebanon Road. Both the bicycle lanes and sidewalk depending on Pend N/A limits) TIP as proiect priority #6. The improvements would provide multi -modal mobility and access to existing and future planned origins and destinations cost project will be submitted as either a along Lebanon Road. highway project or bike /ped project depending on cost.— *Map ID Number corresponds to the general location of each project on Attachment 3: Burlington- Graham MPO Project List Map. No transit projects previously submitted will be scored automatically in the SPOT 3.0 process. All transit projects will be considered new projects. " *Bike /ped projects that are greater than $1,000,000 in cost are submitted as highway projects and are scored using the highway scoring methodology. Project will likely exceed $1,000,000. Attachment 3: Burlington- Graham MPO Project List Map 7 m y�� � y U R- R 00 o OAN�E p �O 0 4e N y pC Q K � N v Q fr LL STAG- E-COACH RD Z LEBANON RD rn Z .- � O Z pAYLOR S � \ NZ. Q u OW m RED G9TE RD z CREEKR,) F o 0 W � Clt�y /� Of m �TON 70 Mebane ) ST O � k O OApOD ST O INDUSTRIAL DR F O REST ..�� SOU�TM OR PR o J m WEST TEN RD 2 m G) z TO,y N RD ON c o v 2 = � -A _ m z N � 1 in = 3,000 feet B MPO Boundary Mebane City Limits RO o mFeet Buckhorn EDD (FLUM) Mebane ETJ Orange County Planning and Inspections Brian Carson (9/5/2013)