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Home My WebLink AboutAgenda - 05-17-2016 - 8-a - North-South Corridor Study Update – Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: May 17, 2016 Action Agenda Item No. 8-a SUBJECT: North-South Corridor Study Update — Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: 1. LPA Recommendation Max Bushell, Transportation Planner, 2. LPA Powerpoint Orange County, 919-245-2582 Mila Vega, Transit Service Planner, Chapel Hill Transit, 919-969-4916 PURPOSE: To receive an update on the North-South Corridor Study and provide comment as appropriate. BACKGROUND: The study corridor runs along Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard (Historic Airport Road/NC Hwy 86), South Columbia Street (including the portion of Pittsboro Street along the one-way pairing in this corridor through the UNC campus), and US 15-501 South. This corridor, which is approximately 7.3 miles long, has its northern terminus at Eubanks Road and Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and its southern terminus at US 15-501 near the Southern Village mixed-use development. The North-South Corridor study, funded through a combination of federal (Federal Transit Administration [FTA]) and local funds, identifies and evaluates a series of transit investment alternatives for implementation within the study corridor. It is managed by Chapel Hill Transit and guided by a Policy Committee, Technical Committee, Transit Partners Committee and a substantial public involvement process. The Technical Committee includes a representative from Orange County Planning. The study expands on previous planning work to identify a locally-preferred transit investment alternative that facilitates safe, efficient and expanded levels of mobility within the increasingly busy study corridor, and to improve connectivity between the corridor and the Research Triangle region. Additional reasons for this study include improving connections with other local and regional transit routes (including the planned Durham-Orange Light Rail line), supporting future development within the corridor, and increasing transit mode share and ridership to the UNC campus/hospital. The Orange County Bus Rail Investment Plan (OCBRIP) has this project identified in its adopted 2012 plan, including some assumed local funding from the mobility tax. The study process was guided by strategic and comprehensive public involvement process that included three rounds of public meetings that were well attended. The process also included 2 web-based outreach via project website (www.nscstudy.org), Facebook, Twitter and email. The project website provides valuable resources such as study documents, materials from all public meetings, presentations and a visualization video showing a range of potential improvements for the corridor. Following a multi-phased alternative development and evaluation process, a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) recommendation, consisting of three (3) variations (i.e. Alternatives 6-1, 6-2, and 6-3), was developed by the Study Technical and Policy Committee and the Transit Partners Committee to be carried forward for more study (LPA recommendation is provided in Attachment 1). The LPA is the transit investment alternative that best meets the purpose and need for the project and is potentially competitive for funding through the FTA's New Starts/Small Starts capital funding program. The LPA developed for this corridor comprises Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service. A draft report on the alternatives is available on the project website: http://nscstudy.orq/wp-content/uploads/Chapel-Hill-Detailed-Evaluation-of-Alternatives- v3-DRAFT-2016-04-report-on ly.pdf. The Chapel Hill Town Council adopted the LPA on April 27th and authorized staff to submit the LPA to the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (DCHC MPO) for adoption and integration into the 2040 Metropolitan Transportation Plan. Chapel Hill Transit Planner Mila Vega will provide more detail at the meeting using a powerpoint presentation (Attachment 2) and will respond to any questions the BOCC may have. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with receiving this update. The North-South Corridor Project will be financed in part by 1/2 cent sales tax revenues from Orange County. Initial estimates of the project costs vary from the conceptual project costs and extents within the OCBRIP and, if the LPA is approved, financial modification to the OCBRIP is required to be approved by the BOCC. SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Social Justice Goals are applicable to this item: • GOAL: FOSTER A COMMUNITY CULTURE THAT REJECTS OPPRESSION AND INEQUITY The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race or color; religious or philosophical beliefs; sex, gender or sexual orientation; national origin or ethnic background; age; military service; disability; and familial, residential or economic status. • GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their dependents. • GOAL: CREATE A SAFE COMMUNITY The reduction of risks from vehicle/traffic accidents, childhood and senior injuries, gang activity, substance abuse and domestic violence. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board: 1. Receive the update; and 2. Provide comment as appropriate. Attachment 1: Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Alternatives The Recommended Locally Preferred Alternative I March 2016 3 IMixed Traffic I Dedicated Curb I Dedicated Center I Dedicated Curb with TSP Lane-Construct Lane-Construct Lane-Convert Alternative 6-1 Alternative 6-2 Alternative 6-3 Eubanks P+R Eubanks P+R Eubanks P+R A Weaver Dairy Road Weaver Dairy Road Weaver Dairy Road New Parkside New Parkside New Parkside Homestead Northfield Northfield Northfield B Piney Mountain Piney Mountain Piney Mountain Estes •Estes Estes Estes c Hillsborough Hillsborough Hillsborough North Franklin Franklin Franklin c c c 2= Cameron a°= Cameron a° Dn = Cameron E-S Carrington Hall a S Carrington Hall a S Carrington Hall 0 0 0 Manning Manning/East Manning/East Manning/East Jackson Circle/ Jackson Circle/ Jackson Circle/ Mason Farm Mason Farm Mason Farm Ds Purefoy Purefoy Purefoy NC 54 Culbreth ICulbreth Culbreth E Southern Village P+R Southern Village P+R Southern Village P+R 45/2/2016 Attachment 2 North-South Corridor Study Update Date: May 17, 2016 Board of County Commissioners Orange County Agenda • Welcome and Introductions • Project Status and Schedule • The Need for Transit Investment • The Alternatives • Public Engagement Activities and Results • The Recommended Locally-Preferred Alternative • Next Steps IR?Ds1t 1 6 5/2/2016 Federal Project Implementation Process WE ARE HERE FTA Project North-South Development/ Engineering Construction Corridor Study Environmental Review Indicates required FTA approval CIt el Hill transit LOCALLY PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE SPRIN 2016 LPA) 2016 Study Process FINAL EVALUATION WINTER/ Z SPRING 2015/ 2016 DETAILED EVALUATION SPRING/ UJ WINTER PAN...,,.•.„ 2015 • WINTER 2015 W° CONCEPTUAL -J 3RD RLIOU D EETING SCREENING O SUMMER/ y FALL > 2014 Z 2ND ROUND �`w•`•,�,,,,,•'°p°°„,,"r°°a ALTERNATIVES DEVELOPMENT SPRING 2014 Col 1ST ROUND co.e wro.� watic pr sdpe�se. - �[tpGS Cwmw•M1 vqN ASSESS EXISTING CONDITIONS J AND DEFINE PROJECT CO PURPOSE AND NEED. I Ransil 3 75/2/2016 Decision-Making Process Dt Process guided by: Town of• Adopts the LPA The Technical Committee •Review of the technical analysis GET Partners Recommends the IPA) The Policy Committee •k`tM' t •Review of milestone deliverables PM,Piann ng,and Pubbc l InvoMernent f •Provide policy guidance MEM Committees Members of the public •Provide input and feedback Provide I throughout the study process Input VIII if12�♦II�� ff( Slf STUDY CORRIDOR 40 • r F�nar�ca.d:.a Na.tn Ixres�am .. lJ�� ffr^(II,S Chapel Hdl - t Town of Carrbdro'- Jy,y� •UNC-CH 8 l UNC Hos pitala 7 J Mai, v,II OI v Soulfnrn Villanee I Milt 4 85/2/2016 Purpose and Needs Identified by Study Committees & the Public ✓ Make transit more efficient and attractive ✓ Improve connectivity along the corridor ✓ Improve connectivity of the corridor to the region ✓ Support planned land uses ✓ Contribute to regional equity, sustainability, and quality of life ✓ Develop a community-supported project trdii"sit Alternatives: Transit Modes L No Build-PASS , BRT Low-PASS BRT High-PASS 1171:11016.,. ... ;11011071 ' Streetcar-DEFER LRT-DEFER Commuter Rail-DEFER. 0111 5 95/2/2016 Dedicated Center Lane - Convert a Lane UK- ,44. ,,..400.... - - _ __ _ ___.,.. - . lerr..,, \ _ ,,,_,,,,,„ --44111111P. '-' - r //// 'rt sip' - . 5 � • ttonsh Dedicated Center Lane - Construct a Lane -"-. _ /: _. i ` '.2 . II I 6 105/2/2016 Dedicated Curb Lane - Convert a Lane ... � =. p'�= / - � sue, - T� _ ;� 7" '-'-- -- - 4 _ _...., 1�T - ♦.. / `— J- 1 '"�,lj//// trthisit Dedicated Curb Lane - Construct a Lane . � �\• � a •. / .' ... ' - 7. Crtol el Hill 7 115/2/2016 The Detailed Alternatives 5551.*5 iUl•. 5 N1rr11..• .Ibr•a.• 511.rn•1hs5 •Y....... �. rem .•__.• • Mr... . "NNW rgrNY81 ream ream ier •••• M. 1r■4 .....°"a ..i....p �1.T 1N+.nP my C MOO A 185•105 h 14=— • ..—.r 11 er•N•- I e aF1Y• - Mm4 .1.•./•r ary/•r 11115158/5851 M �. / / a� w IbN1555 05 5558 34 .RN MON Medd Cu RN .ern. Dana err. ■ Sr........ —".n.• .rrr•._N. Nr.•.rp••• rrrl••••• w•••.•rn• it Public Input If ily F The public input is the foundation of the process. The public outreach is comprehensive and strategic. I In-person-three rounds of meetings: � - - • March 2014 • October 2014 • January 2016 Web-based k Project website www.nscstudy.org(presentations,reports, w.a meeting materials) er • Facebook • Twitter • Email Locally Preferred Alternative fray"slit 8 . ., The Recommended Locally Preferred Alternative I April 2016 125/2/2016 , -----,---, A.......11rAr it=I r - .... -- ........ --- .. ■ A me Dory b. v....7.... .../..0.1..0 Dedicated Curb Lane-Construct a New Lane ...1.1.16 W.Panale• Mew Parlaide Mambo/ N.M. 11.1.11.1 illedell. -.......17.••■•-. .' • OW. CY Estm .... ........ i2••-..^.-"." 11,........... 110-'-'"•"" ...... , .....,,,... • Mama./E. ,• gr./ Idama nom Color OW Ds Dedicated Center Lane-Construct a New Lane MC It■ NC MI NC•V . •• -or "mg PI" E ,--' _ ......,_ ■-::.- - 1,- -' ...own 1/4.0 NR IMMIwge.11.01. 11....•Map.. Dedicated Curb Lane-Convert Lane from Existing Use --- era LPA Summary 6-1 6-2 6-3 Capital Cost $96.8 M $105.9 M $ 105.4 M Federal $77.4 M $84.7M $84.3 M Non-Federal $19.4 M $21.2M $21.1 M O&M Cost $3.4 M Travel Time 33:10 _._ Travel Times Savings 03:51 Draft Ridership-subject to change 8,575 Average Peak-Hour Traffic Delay 02:28 00:23 00:49 5:00 am-11:00 pm during the week Hours of operation 8:00 am-11:00 pm on the weekend - Days of operation 7 days a week Every 7.5 minutes during the day Frequency of service Every 10-20 minutes early morning and at night e 1 ?Alt 9 135/2/2016 Next Phase - Project Development The LPA is refined during environmental documentation and engineering: • Refine ridership • Refine costs • Refine impacts • Identify community preference CM el Hill trdosit Potential Outcomes of BRT Investment Local capital investment: $19 M - $22 M Leverage federal funds: $77 M - $85 M Annual operating investment: $3.4 M Increase corridor ridership: up to 50% Minimize traffic delays: < 3 minutes Init 10 145/2/2016 Benefits of North-South Corridor BRT Provides regional connections • Improves reliability of the whole L� system . 11.41 existing routes can also use the lanes,improving system-wide reliability and efficiency Reduces CHT fleet age Asa provides access to capital funds for buses currently not available Funds bike/pedestrian investments T i provides non-Town resources to build bike lanes and improve pedestrian ,_ access 4 +1.) Designed for expansion may be the first investment in a future BRT network trdnS11 Without BRT Investment in the North-South Corridor... • Transit trips will take up to 9 minutes longer - and will likely get worse as congestion increases • Traffic congestion will increase - driving through the corridor will take longer • Buses will become more crowded and less reliable as they're stuck in traffic • Additional parking spaces will be necessary throughout the corridor • Development patterns will be less transit-supportive Milt 11 155/2/2016 Chapel Hill Town Council Action • On April 27th, 2016 the Council adopted the North-South Corridor Study Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) as recommended by the Chapel Hill Transit Public Transit Committee and the Study's Technical and Policy Committees, and authorized staff to submit the LPA to the Durham - Chapel Hill - Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (DCHC). trdii"sit Questions, Comments, Discussion M I LA VEGA Transit Service Planner Chapel Hill Transit 6900 Millhouse Road Chapel Hill, NC 27516-8175 (919) 969-4916 Phone mvega @townofchapelhill.org www.nscstudy.org tfiit 12