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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 10-18-94-IX-E ORANGE C O U N T Y 1 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: October 18, 1994 Action A enda Item # (-E SUBJECT: REVISED ORANGE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION PRIORITIES LIST DEPARTMENT: PLANNING PUBLIC HEARING Yes x No ATTACHMENT(S) : INFORMATION CONTACT: Slade McCalip Extension 2595 - EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF LIST TELEPHONE NUMBERS: - DRAFT COVER LETTER FOR LIST Hillsborough-732-8181 - 28 JUNE, 1994 BOCC I-40 RESOLUTION Durham -688-7331 - ORANGE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION PRIORITIES Mebane -227-2031 LIST (October 11, 1994 ) Chapel Hill -967-9251 PURPOSE: To receive a report on the Draft Orange County Transportation Priorities List and endorse the attached projects list. The Draft List will be used by NCDOT and the DCHC in the development of the 1996-2002 State (STIP) and Local (LTIP) Transportation Improvement Programs. BACKGROUND: In the development of the STIP, local elected officials present their Local Transportation Priorities List of proposed and existing projects for the next STIP ( 1996- 2002 ) . The LTIP is developed through a series of meetings held by the DCHC TAC and TCC to develop regional transportation priorities based upon the member jurisdiction's Local Transportation Priorities Lists. This year's Orange County's Draft Local Transportation Priorities List has been developed by staff in close cooperation with. County Commissioner Alice Gordon, the Board's representative on the DCHC TAC. The Planning Board endorsed the attached list at its October 11th meeting. RECOMMENDATION: The Administration recommends that the Commissioners endorse the Orange County Local Transportation Priorities List and authorize the Chair to sign the Cover Letter (with attachments) , as endorsed by the Planning Board, to be used by NCDOT and the DCHC in the development of the 1996-2002 STIP and LTIP. 2. DRAFT 11 OCT 94 DRAFT 11 OCT 94 DRAFT 11 OCT 94 DRAFT 11 OCT 94 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF THE OCTOBER 11, 1994 ORANGE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION PRIORITY LIST The list is introduced by commending NCDOT Division 7 staff that have been very responsive to requested intersection improvements. The transportation needs list is divided into three sections; 1) projects within the DCHC planning area, 2) projects outside of the DCHC planning area, and 3) projects countywide. PROJECTS WITHIN THE DCHC PLANNING AREA: I) U-2805: Homestead Road Widening - This project remains Orange County's top priority for new road projects requested from TIP funds (includes bicycle and pedestrian facilities) . II) 1-305: widening of 1-85 to six lanes and reconstruction of interchanges from Orange Grove Road to Durham County Line - Two types of requests; a) requests made last year that have not been addressed (three) , and b) specific infrastructure improvements to support the I-85/US 70 Economic Development District (five) . III) 1-3306 : widening of 1-40 to six lanes from 1-85 in Orange County to NC 147 (Buck Dean Freeway) in Durham County - Orange County requests that this project be removed from the 1996-2002 TIP or reduced to a feasibility study. PROJECTS OUTSIDE THE DCHC PLANNING AREA: I) 1-304 : widening of 1-85 to eight lanes and reconstruction of interchanges from NC 54 (in Alamance County) to Dimmocks Mill Road - Two types of requests; a) requests made last year that have not been addressed (one) , and b) specific infrastructure improvements to support the I-85/Buckhorn Road Economic Development District (three) . PROJECTS COUNTYWIDE: I) Intersection Improvements - Twelve requests; intersections that have been identified by NCDOT as having high accident rates (includes those identified last year and have not yet been improved and those identified this year) . II) Railroad Improvements - Three types of requests; a) at-grade railroad crossings countywide (plus three specific locations) , b) a Feasibility Study for an AMTRAK Station in Hillsborough, and c) improvements to rail facilities in the I-85/Buckhorn and I-85/US 70 Economic Development Districts. III) Transit Improvements - One request; a Twenty Year Transit Development Plan for Orange County. IV) Bridge Improvements - Two types of requests; a) bridge maintenance, and b) support of bridge replacement projects (six) . 3. DRAFT 12 OCT 94 DRAFT 12 OCT 94 DRAFT 12 OCT 94 DRAFT 12 OCT 94 October 25, 1994 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. Also enclosed is a copy of a resolution (dated June 28, 1994) by the Orange County Board of County Commissioners concerning the 1995- 2001 STIP project 1-3306 (widening of 1-40 to six lanes from 1-85 in Orange County to NC 147 in Durham County) . As you will notice in both the Orange County Transportation Priority List and the 1995-2001 TIP Resolution there is strong opposition to project 1-3306. With this letter the Board of County Commissioners for Orange County request that you convey this to the Board of Transportation and also request that this project be removed from the 1996-2002 TIP or reduced in scope to a feasibility study for HOV lanes. 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 4. RESOLUTION REQUESTING RECONCILIATION OF THE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS ACCORDING TO THE ADOPTED DCHC REGIONAL PRIORITY LIST OF JANUARY 1994 WHEREAS, the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro (DCHC) Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is a designated TranspOrtation Management Area, by the Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation; and WHEREAS, the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) of Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization is comprised of the designated elected representatives of the local government jurisdictions within the boundaries of the DCHC MPO and a member of the North Carolina Board of Transportation; and WHEREAS, Section 23 USC 134 (i) (4 ) of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA, PUBLIC LAW 102-240, DECEMBER 18, 1991) , states that "Projects undertaken within the boundaries of a transportation management area on the National Highway System . . . shall be selected by the State in cooperation with the metropolitan planning organization designated for such area and shall be in conformance with the transportation improvement program for such area" ; and WHEREAS, 1-40 is a part of the National Highway System; and __WHEREAS, the TAC requested that funding be provided to complete previously programmed projects before committing significant funding to major new projects; and WHEREAS, the TAC requested a study to examine the feasibility of adding high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes on 1-40 from NC 86 to NC 147 as its 41st priority within the 1995-2001 DCHC Regional Project Priority List, adopted on January 12, 1994; and WHEREAS, the North Carolina Board of Transportation adopted a State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) that is inconsistent with the DCHC Regional Project Priority List, because of the inclusion of $30, 000, 000 in new funds to widen 1-40 to six lanes; and WHEREAS, the programming of this project was not in cooperation with the DCHC MPO as per ISTEA in that it was never proposed to or discussed with the DCHC TAC; and WHEREAS, the public comments received at the June 21, 1994 DCHC public hearing held on the Local Transportation Improvement Program (LTIP) were strongly against the 1-40 project. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Orange County Board of Commissioners that the North Carolina Secretary of Transportation be requested to reconcile the State Transportation Improvement Program adopted on June 3; 1994 and Draft Local Transportaticn Improvement Program according to the adopted DCHC Regional Priority List of January 1994 . This the 28th day of June, 1994 . 5. DRAFT 11 OCT 94 DRAFT 11 OCT 94 DRAFT 11 OCT 94 DRAFT 11 OCT 94 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 25, 1994 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. Although our needs are extensive, we have concentrated on those projects we feel are most critical to all in Orange County. We would also like to commend the North Carolina Department of Transportation's Division 7 staff to include specifically 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. Mr. Dyer's office has been very responsive and has performed 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 three 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. And the third section is concerned with Countywide transportation improvement issues. 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. I) U-2805 : Homestead Road Widening - This project remains Orange County's top priority for new road projects requested from TIP funds. The County appreciates the fact that project limits were expanded in the 1995-2001 TIP from Seawell School Road (SR 1843) east to Airport Road (NC 86) so that the project scope now includes Homestead Road from High School Road (SR 1834) to Airport Road. This requested project continues to include bicycle and pedestrian facilities. 1 6. DRAFT 11 OCT 94 DRAFT 11 OCT 94 DRAFT 11 OCT 94 DRAFT 11 OCT 94 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, - has sight distance problems at major intersections, and - has forecasts of substantial increases in traffic. Orange County urges the North Carolina Board of Transportation to continue to include this prOject in the 1996-2002 TIP. II) 1-305: widening of 1-85 to six lanes and reconstruction of interchanges from Orange Grove Road to Durham County Line - Orange County requests that the following infrastructure improvements be made to the I-85/US 70 Economic Development District: a) Erosion Control Measures - At this time the erosion control measures for this project are to be designed in 2001. Orange County requests that permanent erosion control measures be included in the 1996-2002 TIP as a line item. b) Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities - Project planning for this facility is scheduled to begin in April, 1998. 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) and adequate guardrails on overpasses. c) Wildlife Corridor Under 1-85 - 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 has recently been studied by the NCDOT Division 7 Traffic Engineers. The NCDOT Traffic Engineers recommend that this intersection be included as a part of 1-305 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. 2 7. DRAFT 11 OCT 94 DRAFT 11 OCT 94 DRAFT 11 OCT 94 DRAFT 11 OCT 94 f) Mt Herman Church Road (SR 1713) - Preliminary plans by the Planning & Environmental Branch, Division of Highways of NCDOT indicate that this road is to be relocated as part of 1-305. Orange County requests that this road be designed with 12 ' wide travel lanes and 4 ' wide bicycle lanes, total paved width of 32 ' . g) Old NC 10 (SR 1710) - Preliminary plans by the Planning & Environmental Branch, Division of Highways of NCDOT indicate that this road is to be relocated as part of 1-305. Orange County requests that this road be designed with 12 ' wide travel lanes and 4 ' wide bicycle lanes, total paved width of 32 ' . h) Park and Ride Facilities - Project planning for this facility is scheduled to begin in April, 1998. 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: widening of 1-40 to six lanes from 1-85 in Orange County to NC 147 (Buck Dean Freeway) in Durham County - Orange County requests that this project be removed from the 1996-2002 TIP or reduced to a feasibility study. Orange County cannot support this project because of the following: - It was not programmed cooperatively with the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro (DCHC) Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) as required by the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991, - The TAC requested only a study to examine the feasibility of adding high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes on 1-40 from NC 86 to NC 147 and this project's priority listing (41st) is below that of the top two DCHC Regional Priorities, US 15-501 and 1-85, and - There were no preliminary corridor studies performed or traffic forecasts developed to support this study (if there were, they weren't disseminated to the DCHC or local governments) . 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. 3 8. DRAFT 11 OCT 94 DRAFT 11 OCT 94 DRAFT 11 OCT 94 DRAFT 11 OCT 94 I) 1-304 : widenin. of 1-85 to eisht lanes and reconstruction of interchanses from NC 54 in Alamance Count 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 1996-2002 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. COUNTYWIDE TRANSPORTATION ISSUES I) Intersection Improvements - Orange County recognizes that intersection improvements provide immediate safety benefits without the environmental impact of cost of full roadway improvements. a) We request the following intersections be programmed either through Transportation Improvement Program funding or Safety Program funding for improvements as soon as possible. 1) NC 86 / NC 57, and 2) US 15-501 / Mt Carmel Church Road (SR 1008) . b) The following intersections are listed on the NCDOT 1993 HIGH ACCIDENT LOCATION ANALYSIS (from last year's request) for Orange County. NCDOT has studied these intersections and improvements are recommended; Orange County requests that funding be made available for: 1) NC 54 / Southern Drive (SR 2016) , 2) NC 86 / US 70 Bypass, and 3) Carr Store Road (SR 1352) / Efland Cedar Grove Road (SR 1004) . 4 9. DRAFT 11 OCT 94 DRAFT 11 OCT 94 DRAFT 11 OCT 94 DRAFT 11 OCT 94 c) These intersections are listed on the NCDOT 1994 POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS LOCATIONS INVENTORY for Orange County and are currently scheduled to have traffic safety analyses performed. Orange County requests that funding be made available for the improvements recommended as determined by the completed traffic safety studies for: 1) 1-40 / NC 86, 2) 1-40 / Old NC 86 (SR 1009) , 3) 1-85 / Old NC 86 (SR 1009) , 4) NC 86 / Coleman LP (SR 1332) , 5) Smith Level Road (SR 1919) / BPW Club Road (SR 1967 ) , 6) US 70 / Miller Road (SR 1555) , and 7 ) US 70 / Lawrence Road (SR 1561) . II) Railroad Improvements - There are several at-grade railroad crossings throughout the County which are in need of improvements, from track crossings to grade work on the roadway facility. The main line of the Southern Railway traverses the entire County. Motorists travelling roadway facilities which cross the railway encounter a multitude of signs warning of dangerous grade crossings. An inspection of existing crossings Countywide indicates sight-distance problems, potential "bottoming out" grade problems, intersection grade problems, and substandard warning devices. a) Orange County requests railroad crossings Countywide be improved to provide for safer travel conditions. Improvements are again requested for the following railroad crossings: 1) Southern Railway / Buckhorn Road (SR 1114 ) , 2) Southern Railway / Mt. Willing Road (SR 1120) , and 3) Southern Railway / Mt. Herman Church Road (SR 1713) . b) Orange County requests, as a result of preliminary findings of the Triangle Fixed Guideway Study, a Feasibility Study for an AMTRAK Station in Hillsborough. c) Orange County also requests that County staff be involved in the planning of improvements to rail facilities in the I- 85/Buckhorn and I-85/US 70 Economic Development Districts. III) 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 requests that the NCDOT Public , Transportation and Rail Division develop a Twenty Year Transit Development Plan for Orange County. 5 DRAFT 11 OCT 94 DRAFT 11 OCT 94 DRAFT 11 OCT 94 DRAFT 11 OCT 94 10, IV) Bridge Improvements - Orange County recognizes that currently NCDOT has a "tremendous backlog" regarding the painting of bridges caused by the lead content in bridge paints previously used. Orange County requests that the removal of the lead based paints, a hazardous material, become a priority bridge maintenance project. The Orange County Board of Commissioners continue to support the following TIP projects programmed in our jurisdiction. We hope to see them completed in a timely manner. 1) B-2598 - NC 157 Bridge Replacement - FY 1995, 2) B-2852 - SR 1734 Bridge Replacement - FY 1997, 3) B-3010 - SR 1352 Bridge Replacement - FY 1998, 4) B-3218 - SR 1538 Bridge Replacement - FY 2000, 5) B-3219 - SR 1540 Bridge Replacement - FY 2000, 6) B-3359 - SR 1538 Bridge Replacement - FY 2001. Thank you for your consideration of these requests. Submitted this 25th day of October, 1994 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS by: Moses Carey, Jr. , Chair 6 ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS P.O. Box 8181 HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. 27278 Moses Carey,Jr. 732-8181 Alice M.Gordon 968-4501 Stephen H.Halkiotis 688-7331 Verla I.Insko 227-2031 Don Willhoit 644-3004 (Fax) October 25, 1994 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 last for Consideration of Funding in The North Carolina Transportation Improvement Program. Also enclosed is a copy of a resolution' (dated June 28, 1994) by the Orange County Board of County Commissioners concerning the 1995- 2001 STIP project 1-3306 (widening of 1-40 to six lanes from 1-85 in Orange County to NC 147 in Durham. County) . As you will notice in both' the Orange County Transportation Priority List and the 1995-2001 TIP Resolution there is strong opposition to project 1-3306. With this letter the Board of County Commissioners for Orange County request that you convey this to the Board of Transportation and also request that this project be removed from the 1996-2002 TIP or reduced in scope to a feasibility study for HOV lanes, 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 Sincerel y7,--///1/6446 - • Moses Carey, Jr. , ha YOU COUNT IN ORANGE COUNTY I EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF THE OCTOBER 25, 1994 ORANGE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION PRIORITY LIST The list is introduced by commending NCDOT Division 7 staff that have been very responsive to requested intersection improvements. The transportation needs list is divided into three sections; 1) projects within the DCHC planning area, 2) projects outside of the DCHC planning area, and 3) projects countywide. PROJECTS WITHIN THE DCHC PLANNING AREA: I) U-2805: Homestead Road Widening - This project remains Orange County's top priority for new road projects requested from TIP funds (includes bicycle and pedestrian facilities) . II) 1-305: widening of 1-85 to six lanes and reconstruction of interchanges from Orange Grove Road to Durham County Line - Two types of requests; a) requests made last year that have not been addressed (three) , and b) specific infrastructure improvements to support the I-85/US 70 Economic Development District (five) . III) 1-3306: widening of 1-40 to six lanes from 1-85 in Orange County to NC 147 (Buck Dean Freeway) in Durham County - Orange County requests that this project be removed from the 1996-2002 TIP or reduced to a feasibility study for HOV lanes. PROJECTS OUTSIDE THE DCHC PLANNING AREA: I) 1-304 : widening of 1-85 to eight lanes and reconstruction of interchanges from NC 54 (in Alamance County) to Dimmocks Mill Road - Two types of requests; a) requests made last year that have not been addressed (one) , and b) specific infrastructure improvements to support the I-85/Buckhorn Road Economic Development District (three) . PROJECTS COUNTYWIDE: I) Intersection Improvements - Twelve requests; intersections that have been identified by NCDOT as having high accident rates (includes those identified last year and have not yet been improved and those identified this year) . II) Railroad Improvements - Three types of requests; a) at-grade railroad crossings countywide (plus three specific locations) , b) a Feasibility Study for an AMTRAK Station in Hillsborough, and c) improvements to rail facilities in the I-85/Buckhorn and I-85/US 70 Economic Development Districts. III) Transit Improvements - One request; a Twenty Year Transit Development Plan for Orange County. IV) Bridge Improvements - Two types of requests; a) bridge maintenance, and b) support of bridge replacement projects (six) . ORANGE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION PRIORITY LIST FOR CONSIDERATION OF FUNDING IN THE NORTH CAROLINA TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM PRESENTED AT THE TRANSPORTATION RTATIONBIMPROVEME9T PROGRAM PUBLIC HEARING 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 concentrated those Although our feel are extensive, con c all we have con in Orange County. We would also like to commend the North Carolina Department of Transportation's Division 7 staff to include specifically 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. Mr. Dyer's office has been very responsive and has performed 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 three 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. And the third section is concerned with Countywide transportation improvement issues. 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. I) U-2805: Homestead Road Widening - This project remains Orange County's top priority for new road projects requested from TIP funds. The County appreciates the fact that' project limits were expanded in the 1995-2001 TIP from Seawell School Road (SR 1843) east to Airport Road (NC 86) so that the project scope now includes Homestead Road from High School Road (SR 1834 ) to Airport Road. This requested project continues to include bicycle and pedestrian facilities. 1 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, - has sight distance problems at major intersections, and - has forecasts of substantial increases in traffic. Orange County urges the North Carolina Board of Transportation to continue to include this project in the 1996-2002 TIP. II) 1-305: widening of 1-85 to six lanes and reconstruction of interchanges from Orange Grove Road to Durham County Line - Orange County requests that the following infrastructure improvements be made to the I-85/US 70 Economic Development District: a) Erosion Control Measures - At this time the erosion control measures for this project are to be designed in 2001 . Orange County requests that permanent erosion control measures be included in the 1996-2002 TIP as a line item. b) Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities - Project planning for this facility is scheduled to begin in April, 1998. 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) and adequate guardrails on overpasses. c) Wildlife Corridor Under 1-85 - 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 has recently been studied by the NCDOT Division 7 Traffic Engineers. The NCDOT Traffic Engineers recommend that this intersection be included as a part of 1-305 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 . 2 f) Mt Herman Church Road (SR 1713) - Preliminary plans by the Planning & Environmental Branch, Division of Highways of NCDOT indicate that this road is to be relocated as part of 1-305. Orange County requests that this road be designed with 12 ' wide travel lanes and 4' wide bicycle lanes, total paved width of 32 ' . g) Old NC 10 (SR 1710) - Preliminary plans by the Planning & Environmental Branch, Division of Highways of NCDOT indicate that this road is to be relocated as part of 1-305 . Orange County requests that this road be designed with 12 ' wide travel lanes and 4 ' wide bicycle lanes, total paved width of 32' . h) Park and Ride Facilities - Project planning for this facility is scheduled to begin in April, 1998. 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: widening of 1-40 to six lanes from 1-85 in Orange County to NC 147 (Buck Dean Freeway) in Durham County - Orange County requests that this project be removed from the 1996-2002 TIP or reduced to a feasibility study. Orange County cannot support this project because of the following: It was not programmed cooperatively with the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro (DCHC) Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) as required by the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991, The TAC requested only a study to examine the feasibility of adding high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes on 1-40 from NC 86 to NC 147 and this project's priority listing (41st) is below that of the top two DCHC Regional Priorities, US 15-501 and 1-85, and There were no preliminary corridor studies performed or traffic forecasts developed to support this study (if there were, they weren't disseminated to the DCHC or local governments) . 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. 3 I) 1-304: widening of 1-85 to eight lanes and reconstruction of interchanges from NC 54 (in Alamance Countyl 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 1996-2002 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. COUNTYWIDE TRANSPORTATION ISSUES I) Intersection Improvements - Orange County recognizes that intersection improvements provide immediate safety benefits without the environmental impact of cost of full roadway improvements. a) We request the following intersections be programmed either through Transportation Improvement Program funding or Safety Program funding for improvements as soon as possible. 1) NC 86 / NC 57 , and 2) US 15-501 / Mt Carmel Church Road (SR 1008) . b) The following intersections are listed on the NCDOT 1993 HIGH ACCIDENT LOCATION ANALYSIS (from last year's request) for Orange County. NCDOT has studied these intersections and improvements are recommended; Orange County requests that funding be made available for: 1) NC 54 / Southern Drive (SR 2016) , 2 ) NC 86 / US 70 Bypass, and 3) Carr Store Road (SR 1352) / Efland Cedar Grove Road (SR 1004) . 4 c) These intersections are listed on the NCDOT 1994 POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS LOCATIONS INVENTORY for Orange County and are currently scheduled to have traffic safety analyses performed. Orange County requests that funding be made available for the improvements recommended as determined by the completed traffic safety studies for: 1) 1-40 / NC 86, 2) 1-40 / Old NC 86 (SR 1009) , 3) 1-85 / Old NC 86 (SR 1009) , 4) NC 86 / Coleman LP (SR 1332) , 5) Smith Level Road (SR 1919) / BPW Club Road (SR 1967 ) , 6) US 70 / Miller Road (SR 1555) , and 7 ) US 70 / Lawrence Road (SR 1561) . II) Railroad Improvements - There are several at-grade railroad crossings throughout the County which are in need of improvements, from track crossings to grade work on the roadway facility. The main line of the Southern Railway traverses the entire County. Motorists travelling roadway facilities which cross the railway encounter a multitude of signs warning of dangerous grade crossings. An inspection of existing crossings Countywide indicates sight-distance problems, potential "bottoming out" grade problems, intersection grade problems, and substandard warning devices. a) Orange County requests railroad crossings Countywide be improved to provide for safer travel conditions. Improvements are again requested for the following railroad crossings: 1) Southern Railway / Buckhorn Road (SR 1114 ) , 2) Southern Railway / Mt. Willing Road (SR 1120) , and 3) Southern Railway / Mt. Herman Church Road (SR 1713) . b) Orange County requests, as a result of preliminary findings of the Triangle Fixed Guideway Study, a Feasibility Study for an AMTRAK Station in Hillsborough. c) Orange County also requests that County staff be involved in the planning of improvements to rail facilities in the I- 85/Buckhorn and I-85/US 70 Economic Development Districts. III) 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 requests that the NCDOT Public Transportation and Rail Division develop a Twenty Year Transit Development Plan for Orange County. 5 IV) Bridge Improvements - Orange County has several bridges that clearly need painting. Orange County requests that NCDOT paint those bridges in the County that are clearly rusting. The Orange County Board of Commissioners continue to support the following TIP projects programmed in our jurisdiction. We hope to see them completed in a timely manner. 1) B-2598 - NC 157 Bridge Replacement - FY 1995, 2) B-2852 - SR 1734 Bridge Replacement - FY 1997, 3) B-3010 - SR 1352 Bridge Replacement - FY 1998, 4) B-3218 - SR 1538 Bridge Replacement - FY 2000, 5) B-3219 - SR 1540 Bridge Replacement - FY 2000, 6) B-3359 - SR 1538 Bridge Replacement - FY 2001. Thank you for your consideration of these requests. Submitted this 25th day of October, 1994 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD • COMMISSIONERS by: Al /t . d Moses Carey, Jr. 'lair 6 RESOLUTION REQUESTING RECONCILIATION OF THE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS ACCORDING TO THE ADOPTED DCHC REGIONAL PRIORITY LIST OF JANUARY 1994 WHEREAS, the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro (DCHC) Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is a designated Transportation Management Area, by the Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation; and WHEREAS, the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) of Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization is comprised of the designated elected representatives of the local government jurisdictions within the boundaries of the DCHC MPO and a member of the North Carolina Board of Transportation; and WHEREAS, Section 23 USC 134 (i) (4) of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA, PUBLIC LAW 102-240, DECEMBER 18, 1991) , states that "Projects undertaken within the boundaries of a transportation management area on the National Highway System . . . shall be selected by the State in cooperation with the metropolitan planning organization designated for such area and shall be in conformance with the transportation improvement program for such area" ; and WHEREAS, 1-40 is a part of the National Highway System; and WHEREAS, the TAC requested that funding be provided to complete previously programmed projects before committing significant funding to major new projects; and WHEREAS, the TAC requested a study to examine the feasibility of adding high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes on 1-40 from NC 86 to NC 147 as its 41st priority within the 1995-2001 DCHC Regional Project Priority List, adopted on January 12, 1994; and WHEREAS, the North Carolina Board of Transportation adopted a State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) that is inconsistent with the DCHC Regional Project Priority List, because of the inclusion of $30,000,000 in new funds to widen 1-40 to six lanes; and WHEREAS, the programming of this project was not in cooperation with the DCHC MPO as per ISTEA in that it was never proposed to or discussed with the DCHC TAC; and WHEREAS, the public comments received at the June 21, 1994 DCHC public hearing held on the Local Transportation Improvement Program (LTIP) were strongly against the 1-40 project. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Orange County Board of Commissioners that the North Carolina Secretary of Transportation be requested to reconcile the State Transportation Improvement Program adopted on June 3, 1994 and Draft Local Transportation Improvement Program according to the adopted DCHC Regional Priority List of January 1994 . This the 28th day of June, 1994.