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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 10-15-1996 - 9d 1 r ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: October 15, 1996 Action Agenda Item# S-d SUBJECT: ANNUAL TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS(STIP & MTIP) DEPARTMENT: PLANNING PUBLIC HEARING: Yes_X—No BUDGET AMENDMENT REQUIRED: Yes_X No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Gene Bell, Planner III, Ext. 2589 • Draft Cover Letter for Transportation Priority List • Draft Orange County Transportation Priority List TELEPHONE NUMBERS: • List of Non-TIP Transportation Needs(Updated) Hillsborough- 732-8181 Durham- 688-7331 Mebane - 227-2031 Chapel Hill - 967-9251 PURPOSE: To consider endorsement of the Draft Orange County Transportation Priority List. The list will be used by the N.C. Department of Transportation(NCDOT) and the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (DCHC MPO) in the development of the 1998-2004 State (STIP)and Metropolitan(MTIP)Transportation Improvement Programs. BACKGROUND: In the development of the STIP, local elected officials present.their transportation priorities at a series of public hearings conducted by NCDOT in each of the State's highway divisions. The Division 7 public hearing will be held in Chapel Hill on October 24 at 2:00 PM. The MTIP is developed through a series of meetings held by the DCHC MPO to develop regional transportation priorities based upon member jurisdictions' local transportation priorities lists. Preparation of this year's list began with a presentation to the Planning Board on August 7 followed by a report to the County Commissioners on September 17. As was the case last year,the top priority is the advancement of scheduled 2 improvements to Homestead Road. Staff developed this year's list in cooperation with Dr. Alice Gordon,the Board's representative to, and Chair of,the DCHC MPO. Also included as an informational item is a list of non-TIP transportation improvement needs prepared for the Board last year and recently updated. This list was used to guide discussion at a very productive meeting in February between NCDOT and County officials. The list(or an updated version thereof) could serve as the starting point for a similar meeting early in calendar year 1997. RECOMMENDATION: The Administration recommends that the Board endorse the Orange County Transportation Priority List and authorize the Chair to sign it and the cover letter to Dr. Gorman Gilbert. 3 D ILM October 24, 1996 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 year's "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. 4 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 COMMISSIONERS Sincerely: Moses Carey, Jr. , Chair 5 ` 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-23.02) . 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 years 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 1 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 'IF" . 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 4' 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 12' wide travel lanes and 4 ' wide bicycle lanes for a total paved width of 321 . h) Park and Ride Facilities - Orange County requests that its staff be al-lowed to participate in the determination of where and what type of facilities are to be included in this project . III) I-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 Orange 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 121 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 9 II) Transit Improvements - It is increasingly evident, through the 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 May - 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: Moses Carey, Jr. , Chair i 5 10 ORANGE COUNTY NON-TIP TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS LIST ' REVIEWED BY THE ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ON OCTOBER 2, 1995 Updated October 9, 1996 1) NC 86 / NC 57 - Request that this intersection be signalized and have left turn lanes constructed on all approaches . Status: Under construction. 2) NC 86 / US 70 Bypass - Request that the traffic signal be upgraded from existing three phase to an eight phase operation to provide for a protected left turn on each approach. Status: Completed. 3) NC 86 and New Hope Church Road (SR 1723) - Request that left turn lanes be constructed on NC 86 . Status: Cost estimates prepared; exceed spot-safety limits and lack of other funds. 4) I-85 / Old NC 86 (SR 1009) - Request that the I-85 Northbound ramps at Churton Street be signalized ahead of the widening of I-85, (now an Identified Future Need and postponed till after 2002) . Status: No change. 5) NC 54 / Southern Drive (SR 2016) - Request that a left turn lane be constructed on NC 54 . Status: No change. 6) Smith Level Road (SR 1919) / BPW Club Road (SR 1967) - Request that a traffic signal warrant analysis be conducted. Status: Analysis done; signal recommended and funded; installation to be in next few weeks. 7) NC 86 / Coleman LP (SR 1332) - Request that a left turn lane on NC 86 be constructed. Status: Study done; lane desirable, but traffic volumes and accident history don' t justify expenditure presently. 8) US 70 / Miller Road (SR 1555) - Request that left turn lanes be constructed on US 70 . Status: Lanes studied at same time signals installed; cost considerable due to fill work required; no funding currently. 9) US 70 / Lawrence Road (SR 1561) - Request that left turn lanes be constructed on US 70. Status: Under review now for signal analysis. 10) Carr Store Road (SR 1352) / Efland Cedar Grove Road (SR 1004) - Request that rumble strips installed on both Efland Cedar Grove Road approaches to intersection. Status: Flashing lights installed in-lieu of rumble strips. 11) NC 57 / NC 157 (GUESS RD) - Request that both roads be repaved and that rumble strips redone and more added. Status: Rumble strips re-done and 45 MPH advisory signs installed on NC 57; re-paving not warranted at this time. 12) US 70 /Old NC 10 (SR 1715) - Request that intersection be studied for improvements. Status: Study done; traffic volumes and accident history indicate nothing unusual at this time; will continue to monitor.