HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-29-1993 - VII-C 1
ORANGE C O U N T Y
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: June 29, 1993
Action Agenda
Item #
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON THE WIDENING OF I-85 AND CLOSING OF ACCESS BETWEEN
WEST TEN ROAD AND BEN JOHNSTON ROAD
DEPARTMENT: PLANNING PUBLIC HEARING Yes x No
ATTACHMENT(S) : INFORMATION CONTACT: Gene Bell
- Aerial Photo of Project 1-304 Ext. 2589
- Excerpt from Orange County's
11-13-92 TIP Request
- 6-18-93 Letter to Tom Norman TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
of NCDOT Bicycle Program Hillsborough - 732-8181
Durham - 688-7331
Mebane - 227-2031
Chapel Hill - 967-9251
PURPOSE: To receive a report on the current status of planned
interchange modifications in the West Ten Road/Ben
Johnston Road area.
BACKGROUND: Project I-304, widening I-85 to eight lanes, calls for
removal of overpasses which carry I-85 over West Ten
Road (SR 1144 ) west of Hillsborough. The section of
West Ten Road under I-85 is gravel and carries low
traffic volumes. The road is significant locally in
that it provides the only low-volume traffic link
between Hillsborough and Efland. It is important in
the draft Regional Bicycle Plan because it provides a
continuous east-west route from Mebane to Hillsborough
via West Ten Road and Ben Johnston Road.
To offset the closing of the road, DOT plans to extend
Ben Johnston Road west to the 70 connector and extend
the connector south to West Ten Road. The County has
opposed closing of the road since early 1990. DOT's
position has been that keeping access open under I-85
is not cost-effective and that such an improvement
would have to be funded by the County.
In its TIP request for areas outside the Durham-Chapel
Hill-Carrboro (DCHC) Urban Area last November, Orange
County requested that access be kept open under I-85.
The request further stated that if continued access
was not possible, then bike lanes at least four feet
wide (as opposed to two feet) be provided along the 70
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connector. In recent DCHC discussions, DOT has
proposed the provision of paved shoulders four feet
wide along the 70 connector.
Additional comment on this issue has been solicited by
Planning staff. The NCDOT Bicycle Program has been
asked to review the adequacy of the proposed paved
shoulder along the 70 connector. Their response will
be reported at the meeting unless documentation is
received in time for inclusion in the agenda. The
Bicycle Plan consultant has also been contacted about
the advisability of some type of barrier to separate
cyclists from traffic along the 70 connector. The
consultant does not recommend physical separation of
bicycles and automobiles in such a setting unless
traffic speeds are 55 MPH or greater. Finally, the
Town of Hillsborough has been contacted regarding this
issue. They may be considering it further, but it is
not known presently if this will take place before
June 29.
RECOMMENDATION: Discussion on this report could result in the Board of
County Commissioners pursuing further communication
with DOT based on the following:
1) NCDOT Bicycle Program or the Bicycle Plan
consultant determination that the DOT proposed
shoulder for bicycle access along the Highway 70
connector is not sufficient; or
2) If the BOCC wishes to maintain its previous
position on closing of West Ten Road irregardless
of DOT's proposal for bicycle connector.
DK15:WTEN6-29 .DOC
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Excerpt From Orange County' s TIP Request Presented at Division Seven Public
Hearing in Wentworth on November 13, 1992 4
this project from just west of University Station
Road to the Durham County line is in the Durham-
Chapel Hill-Carrboro (DCHC) Urban Area. The DCHC
Transportation Advisory Committee has requested that
this project include bicycle and pedestrian
facilities on streets that cross I-85 and design for
bikeways/greenways that cross 1-85 . The potential
funding source for this is Interstate and National
Highway System funds. Orange County requests that
the same facilities be considered for the portion of
I-305 west of the DCHC Urban Area.
B. Project I-304
The eight-laning of I-85 through the Sevenmile Creek
basin (project I-304 ) in Orange County has been a
long-standing concern. The County wishes to request
that "transportation enhancement funds" provided
under the Surface Transportation Program of the
Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act
(ISTEA) be allocated to address two areas of
particular concern; continued access under I-85 and
the provision of best management practices (BMPs) to
address highway run-off.
1 . Continued Access Under I-85 and Related Concerns
A component of eight-laning I-85 is the
construction of a multi-directional interchange
east of Efland at the US 70 connector. Existing
overpasses to the east will be removed and access
between West Ten Road and Ben Johnson Road will be
severed. To offset this disruption, Ben Johnson
Road is to be extended to the US 70 connector.
The connector will be extended through the new
interchange to tie in with West Ten Road to the
south.
Continued access under I-85 between Ben Johnson
Road and West Ten Road is a recommendation in the
Regional Bicycle Plan for Durham and Orange
Counties. The Town of Hillsborough has also
passed a resolution requesting ISTEA enhancement
funds to maintain non-motorized access under I-85
through the provision of a culvert. Orange County
concurs with the Town and requests that
enhancement funds be allocated for continued
access under I-85 .
If the provision of a culvert is not deemed
feasible, the provision of wider lanes for
bicycles on the extended US 70 connector between
Ben Johnson Road extension and West Ten Road is
requested. Previous discussions between DOT and
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County officials indicate two foot bike lanes
would be provided on this road. Lanes a minimum
of four feet wide as recommended in the
Regional Bicycle Plan are requested since they
would provide greater safety for cyclists
traversing the 1, 500 feet of US 70 connector
between Ben Johnson Road and West Ten Road.
2 . Best Management Practices for the Sevenmile Creek
Basin
Widening I-85 to eight lanes through the Sevenmile
Creek basin has raised concerns about the
degradation of water quality due to run-off from
additional pavement as well as possible spills .
The Sevenmile Creek basin has been identified as a
possible future water supply and Orange County
desires that the strongest protective measures
possible be implemented. The Upper Eno Watershed,
of which Sevenmile Creek is a sub-basin, has been
designated WS-II . In that " . . .mitigation of water
pollution due to highway runoff . . . " is a purpose
for which enhancement funds can be allocated,
Orange County requests that structural BMPs, as
necessary, be provided on the tributaries of
Sevenmile Creek affected by I-85 widening.
III. Endorsement of Previously Requested Projects
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.
A. Safety Improvements to Dangerous Intersections
Based on the number and severity of accidents during
the period January 1986 - June 1989 , the County
recommends that the following intersections be
improved.
1 . I-85 / SR 1120 (Mt. Willing Road)
2 . I-85 / NC 86
3 . US 70 / SR 1002 (St. Mary's Road)
4 . NC 57 / NC 86
5 . US 15 / SR 1008 (Mt . Carmel Church Road)
6 . I-85 / SR 1009 (South Churton Street)
B . Improvements to Deficient Bridges (the County
endorses the following projects listed in the 1992-98
TIP)
1 . B-2598 (North Fork Little River; replace Bridge
#54 )
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ORANGE COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT
306F REVERE ROAD
HILLSBOROUGH, NORTH CAROLINA 27278
June 18, 1993
Mr. Tom Norman
NCDOT Bicycle Program
P.O. Box 25201
Raleigh, N.C. 252201
SUBJECT: IMPACTS OF I-85 WIDENING ON BICYCLE ACCESS
• Dear Mr. Norman:
As follow-up to our phone conversation this morning, I 'm
FAXING you documentation relative to on-going discussions the
County has been having with the Division. of Highways
concerning I-85 widening in the Efland area. I will also
mail you copies of everything I 'm FAXING.
Project I-304E, widening I-85 to eight lanes, calls for
removal of overpasses which carry 1-85 over West Ten Road (SR
1144 ) west of Hillsborough. The section of West Ten Road
under I-85 is gravel and carries low traffic volumes (Map one
shows the current road configuration in the area) . It is
important in the draft Regional Bicycle Plan in that it
provides a continuous east-west route from Mebane to
Hillsborough via West Ten Road and Ben Johnston Road. Page
41 of the draft plan addresses access concerns in this area.
To offset the closing of the road, DOT is planning to
extend Ben Johnston Road west to the 70 connector and extend
the 70 connector south to West Ten Road (this is depicted on
Map 2 which is made from an aerial photo of the area - I hope
it FAXES legibly) . It is my current understanding that the
70 connector will pass under I-85 and take the form of
TYPICAL SECTION NO. 17 which is attached.
I have several questions related to the 70 connector and
bicycle considerations that I hope you can help me with:
1) Does the proposed 70 connector provide adequate and
safe access between West Ten and Ben Johnston Roads?
2 ) Can the Bicycle. Program support this as a component
of the Regional Bicycle Plan?
3 ) Is some type of physical barrier separating
bicyclists and traffic on the 70 connector needed?
If so, what form should it take?
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4 ) Are there safety concerns for cyclists turning left
onto the 70 connector from Ben Johnston?
I realize you have priorities, but would appreciate the
quickest turn-around time you can give on this request. I
plan to report on this item to the County Commissioners on
June 29 and would like to be able to include your comments in
the agenda package. FAXED comments would certainly be
acceptable.
Thank you for your review of these materials. Please
call if you have questions or if clarification is needed.
My business card is enclosed.
Sincerely,
R. Eugene Bell, AICP
Planner III
DK11 :T-NORMAN.DOC
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