HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 02-21-2017 - 7-c - Durham Chapel Hill Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization Comprehensive Transportation Plan – Comments and Endorsement 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: February 21, 2017
Action Agenda
Item No. 7-c
SUBJECT: Durham Chapel Hill Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization
Comprehensive Transportation Plan — Comments and Endorsement
DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
1. Hillsborough and Northern Orange Max Bushell, Transportation Planner, 919-
County Key CTP Highway 245-2582
Recommendations Tom Altieri, Comprehensive Planning
2. Carrboro, Chapel Hill, Southern Orange Supervisor, 919-245-2579
County and Northeast Chatham County Craig Benedict, Planning Director,
Key CTP Highway and Non-Highway 919-245-2592
Recommendations
3. OUTBoard Comments on the
Comprehensive Transportation Plan
PURPOSE: To receive and review the Orange Unified Transportation Board (OUTBoard)
comments on the Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) document and the associated draft
bicycle, pedestrian, transit, and highway maps for the Durham Chapel Hill Carrboro Metropolitan
Planning Organization (DCHC MPO), provide any additional comments, and consider
endorsement.
BACKGROUND: The Orange County Board of County Commissioners received a report on the
CTP at the February 7, 2017 meeting. This report provided detail about the purpose of the CTP,
its relationship to other transportation plans, and the products of the CTP.
CTP Definition
The CTP is a document prepared at the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) level and
identifies roadway, transit, bicycle, and pedestrian infrastructure improvements for future
implementation. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) requires MPOs to
produce a CTP; these plans are often the product of a joint planning effort between MPO
planning staff, NCDOT Transportation Planning Branch staff, and local planners. The CTP is,
by definition, not fiscally constrained and is the longest range transportation plan.
Key Projects
The NCDOT Transportation Planning Branch, in coordination with the DCHC MPO, prepared
two summary documents indicating key projects in the DCHC MPO area. The first (Attachment
1) provides information on the key projects around Hillsborough and in northern Orange County,
while the second (Attachment 2) provides information on the key projects in and around Chapel
Hill, Carrboro, southern Orange County, and northern Chatham County. The complete CTP
2
document and associated maps can be found at this link, http://bit.ly/2bv3RQV, while interactive
online maps can be found at this link, http://www.dchcmpo.org/programs/ctp/default.asp.
February 15 Orange Unified Transportation Board (OUTBoard) Comments
At the February 15 meeting of the OUTBoard, the OUTBoard convened without a quorum.
However, individual members provided specific comments on CTP alignments. These
comments are summarized in Attachment 3. OUTBoard members also provided the following
general comments on the CTP, which are detailed below.
• Consider adding a project to address congestion on South Churton Street through
Downtown Hillsborough.
• Consider alternative methods for reducing traffic congestion as opposed to roadway
widening, such as congestion charging schemes, dynamic tolling, reserved bus and
carpool lanes, and additional bicycle and walking facilities.
• Consider adding paved shoulders to all rural roads to facilitate the safe use by bicyclists
and pedestrians.
The OUTBoard endorsed the CTP in principle at its January 18, 2017 meeting.
Next Steps
During the month of February, each jurisdiction in the DCHC MPO area will have the opportunity
to comment on the CTP. Once these outreach processes are complete, the DCHC MPO
Technical Committee (DCHC MPO TC) will review the comments and make changes to create a
final draft CTP. The DCHC MPO Board will hear a presentation on the proposed changes to the
CTP on March 8 and will assess these changes. On March 22, the DCHC MPO TC will forward
the final CTP to the MPO Board, which will formally consider the final CTP on April 12. More
information about the public input sessions for the DCHC MPO CTP can be found at this
link: http://www.dchcmpo.org/programs/ctp/default.asp.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no immediate financial impact associated with this item.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goal is applicable to
this agenda item:
• 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.
Efforts to review and recommend approval of the CTP will result in positive outcomes related to
the above Goal.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board:
1. Receive the OUTBoard's comments;
2. Review the comments and provide any additional comments; and
3. Endorse the draft CTP.
Attachment 1 3
Hillsborough & Northern Orange County DRAFT
Key CTP Highway Recommendations
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No. Facility Project Location Status Recommendation
1 1-40 1-85 to NC 86 Needs Imp. Widen freeway to 6 general purpose
lanes.
2 1-85 1-40 to Durham Needs Imp. Widen freeway to 6 general purpose lanes
County with a raised median.
3 US 70 1-85/US 70 Needs Imp. Widen to a 4-lane divided cross section
Connector to US 70 with 5-foot bike lanes and 5-foot
Alt sidewalks separate from travel lanes.
4 1-85/ 1-85 to US 70 Needs Imp. Improve existing 1-85/US 70 Connector
US 70 interchange with US 70 to a full-
Connector movement interchange.
5 S Churton St Eno River Bridge to Needs Imp. Widen to a 4-lane divided cross section
(US 70/NC 86/ 1-40 with a raised median with bike lanes and
SR 1009) sidewalks.
6 Orange Grove New Location-- Recomm. Construct a new 4-lane divided boulevard
Rd Extension S Churton St to US New Facility facility with bicycle, pedestrian and bus
70 Bus accommodations.
7 NC 86 US 70 Bus to Old Needs Imp. Widen to a 4-lane divided cross section
NC 10 with a raised median with bike lanes and
sidewalks.
8 NC 86 US 70 Byp Needs Imp. Improvements are needed to
(Cornelius St)to accommodate projected traffic and to
north of the NC improve pedestrian safety. Further study
86/NC 57 split is needed for specific improvements.
9 Eno Mountain Eno Mountain Rd Recomm. Realignment of Eno Mountain Rd at the
Rd (SR 1148) to intersection of New Facility intersection of Mayo St and Orange Grove
Realignment, Mayo St and Rd with on-road bicycle, pedestrian and
TIP#U-3436 Orange Grove Rd bus accommodations.
10 New Collector Orange Grove Rd Recomm. Construct new minor thoroughfare with
Rd (1) Extension to New Facility bicycle and pedestrian accommodations.
Millstone Dr Further study is needed for cross section.
11 New Collector Intersection of Recomm. Construct new minor thoroughfare with
Rd (2) Mayo St and S New Facility bicycle and pedestrian accommodations.
Churton St to New Further study is needed for cross section.
Collector Rd (1)
Note: This map and table shows only key highway 1 of 1 1/6/17 DRAFT
Projects. See the draft CTP highway map for all projects.
Attachment 2 4
Carrboro,Chapel Hill,S Orange County&NE Chatham County DRAFT
Key CTP Highway&Non-Highway Recommendations
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KEY CTP HIGHWAY PROJECTS
No. Facility Project Location Status Recommendation
1 1-40 15-501 to NC 86 Needs Imp. Widen freeway to 8 lanes. With 6 to 8 General
purpose and 2 to 4 managed lanes.
2 1-40 NC 86 to 1-85 Needs Imp. Widen freeway to 6 general purpose lanes.
3 US NC 86 (S Columbia St) Needs Imp. - NC 86 (S Columbia St)to E Franklin St:Widen to a 6
15-501 to 1-40 lane boulevard with new/improve interchanges at
needed locations with improved bus, bicycle and
pedestrian accommodations.
- E Franklin St to 1-40: Improve facility to better
accommodate bus, bicycle and pedestrian traffic.
4 US Smith Level Rd to Needs Imp. Improve access management along US 15-501 in
15-501 south of Andrews accordance with the 2014 Corridor Study
Store Rd recommendations.
5 NC 54 US 15-501 to Needs Imp. - Barbee Chapel Rd to NC 55: Add travel lanes.
NC 55 - US 15-501 to 1-40: Improve to superstreet with
interchanges.
-Throughout corridor: Improved bicycle, pedestrian
and light rail transit accommodation.
6 NC 54 Old Fayetteville Rd to Needs Imp. Provide operational improvements;further study is
Bethel Hickory Grove needed to determine specific long-term improvements.
Church Rd
7 NC 751 NC 54 to Martha's Needs Imp. Improve to a boulevard facility. Further study is
Chapel Road (in needed for cross section.
Chatham County)
8 Eubanks NC 86 to Rogers Rd Needs Imp. Widen to a 4 lane divided boulevard.
Rd
*This Key CTP list and map has been updated since CTP release for public comment,so may not match the released CTP.
Note: This map and table shows only draft key 1 of 2 1/6/17 DRAFT
highway or non-highway projects. See the draft CTP Web Sites: http://tinyurl.com/DCHC-CTP
CTP on the CTP web sites for all projects. &http://www.bit.ly/DCHCMPO-Draft-CTP
5
Carrboro,Chapel Hill,S Orange County&NE Chatham County DRAFT
Key CTP Highway&Non-Highway Recommendations
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Key Transit Projects Key Bicycle & Multiuse Projects Key Pedestrian & Multiuse Projects
KEY CTP NON-HIGHWAY PROJECTS
No. Facility Project Location Type Status Recommendation
1 Durham-Orange Chapel Hill to Light Rail Recomm. Light rail tracks running from UNC
Light Rail Transit Durham Transit New Facility Hospitals in Chapel Hill to NCCU
(D-O LRT) in Durham.
2 CHT BRT: N-S Eubanks Park& Bus Rapid Recomm. Bus Rapid Transit route along NC
Corridor Ride to Southern Transit New Route 86 (MLK Jr Blvd to S Columbia St)
Village and US 15-501.
3 Estes Dr N Greensboro St to Bicycle, Needs Imp. - N Greensboro St to NC 86:
Granville Rd Sidewalk& & Recomm. Bicycle lanes and sidewalks.
Multiuse New Facility - NC 86 to Granville Rd:
Combination of bicycle lanes,
sidewalks and multi-use paths.
4 Homestead Rd NC 86 to Old NC Bicycle& Needs Imp. Construct new or improve existing
86 Sidewalk bicycle lanes and sidewalks.
5 Old NC 86 Farmhouse Rd to Bicycle Needs Imp. - Farmhouse Rd to Homestead
New Hope Church Rd: Bicycle lanes.
Rd - Homestead Rd to New Hope
Church Rd: Improve to 4 foot
paved shoulder.
6 Seawell School Estes Dr to Bicycle Needs Imp. Bicycle lanes.
Rd Homestead Rd
7 Downtown N Greensboro St to Multiuse Recomm. Construct new multiuse path.
Connector Lloyd St New Facility
8 Jones Creek Lake Hogan Farms Multiuse Recomm. Construct new paved
Greenway Rd to existing New Facility Greenway/Multiuse path.
multiuse path
9 Morgan Creek University Lake Rd Multiuse Recomm. Construct new paved
Greenway to Morgan Creek New Facility Greenway/Multiuse path.
Rd & Ext/Spurs
10 Campus to Carolina North Bicycle, Needs Imp. Combination of bicycle lanes,
Campus Campus to UNC Sidewalk& & Recomm. sidewalks and multi-use paths.
Main Campus Multiuse New Facility
*This Key CTP list and map has been updated since CTP release for public comment,so may not match the released CTP.
Note: This map and table shows only draft key 2 of 2 1/6/17 DRAFT
highway or non-highway projects. See the draft CTP Web Sites: http://tinyurl.com/DCHC-CTP
CTP on the CTP web sites for all projects. &http://www.bit.ly/DCHCMPO-Draft-CTP
6
Attachment 3
COMMENTS ON THE DCHC MPO CTP
BOCC COMMENTS
• Refine Minimum Project Statements
o 1-85 (1-40 to Durham County Line) — Revise to state that congestion
already exists
o South Churton Street— provide vehicle count
o Eno Mountain Road/Mayo Street/Orange Grove Road Intersection —
revise to include information about development on the corner
(townhouses); also refer to Collins Ridge
o Eubanks Road — make mention of Duke Forest for conservation purposes
o NC 54 (Old Fayetteville Road to Bethel Hickory Church Road) — remove
mention of NC 54 widening
o NC 86 —Add mention of bus service on NC 86 north to Cedar Grove
OUTBOARD COMMENTS
- THESE COMMENTS ARE A SUMMARY OF THE OUTBOARD'S COMMENTS. COMPLETE
COMMENTS ARE PROVIDED LATER IN THIS DOCUMENT.
• Consider adding a project to address congestion on South Churton Street
through Downtown Hillsborough.
o Explore an eastern bypass route including improvements along US 70A,
Lawrence Road, and Baldwin Road.
o Explore a western bypass route including improvements along Oakdale
Drive, Orange Grove Road, Eno Mountain Road, Dimmocks Mill Road,
and W Hill Ave.
• Consider alternative methods for reducing traffic congestion as opposed to
roadway widening, such as congestion charging schemes, dynamic tolling,
reserved bus and carpool lanes, and additional bicycle and walking facilities.
• Bolin Creek Greenway isn't on the CTP and should be added.
• Shoulders should be added to rural roads which are heavily traveled by cyclists,
or on rural roads in general.
• Add separated multi-use path along Old NC 86 between Carrboro (Hillsborough
Road) and Hillsborough (Eno River).
• Lower speed limit on North Greensboro Street in Carrboro from Estes Drive
Extension to East Main Street.
• Extend bicycle lanes on Rosemary Street from Roberson Street to Main Street
and Main Street to Weaver Street in Carrboro.
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Attachment 3
OUTBOARD CHAIR COMMENTS
Comments on the Comprehensive Transportation Plan for the DCHC-MPO
GENERAL
In looking over the recommendations of the CTP, it appears the presumption is that the best way to deal
with motor vehicle traffic congestion is by adding more road capacity. While more capacity relieves
congestion temporarily, it also attracts more vehicles. If more cars on the road is NOT the solution
being sought, either from an air quality viewpoint or as a sustainability view, then other ways of dealing
with congestion should be explored.
Has NCDOT looked at other methods of finding relief for crowded roads? Congestion charges (which limit
traffic in crowded areas), dynamic tolling (which can encourage people to drive outside rush hours, lanes
reserved for buses or carpools (which can discourage personal driving and improve traffic flow), and bike
facilities and pedestrian facilities (that encourage the use of alternative forms of transportation) are all
options to look at before adding traffic lanes.
Another reason to look to other solutions is the problem of cost. Adding lanes—especially to interstate
highways—is an extremely costly road "improvement." Congestion charges or dynamic tolling, on the
other hand, collect money.
NCDOT's Mission, according to its website, is: Connecting people, products and places safely and
efficiently with customer focus, accountability and environmental sensitivity to enhance the economy and
vitality of North Carolina. It says nothing about one mode of travel being more important than another, but
by having a scoring system that scores highly when adding travel lanes not designated for buses or high-
occupancy vehicles, it seems to be giving single occupancy vehicles and their drivers an advantage over
other modes of transport, thereby promoting their use. Would not the mission of the NCDOT be easier to
achieve if there were fewer cars on the roads?
One more consideration: maintenance. NCDOT already has over 80,000 miles of roadways they must
maintain. The maintenance of these roads is important but again, it is costly, and, time-consuming. Bridge
maintenance is also crucial and needs to be prioritized. We have roads that are behind on maintenance
now, adding more pavement will only add more dollars and more maintenance.
When roads are re-paved, resist the urge to widen the car lanes, and instead add wide shoulders that can
serve more than one purpose (eg., safe pull-off for a disabled car, space for an emergency vehicle, or a
space for bikes to use)
Please consider the addition of road lanes for car capacity only after all other options are explored. If
additional lanes are necessary, they should be prioritized for HOV and Bus travel.
8
Attachment 3
ORANGE COUNTY
OLD 86
Old NC 86 from Hillsborough to the Carrboro Town Limits is identified as "needing bike lanes and safety
improvements," which are described as 4' shoulders. Old 86 offers a beautiful scenic connector between
Carrboro and Hillsborough. It could be a wonderful cycling experience, but in its current state, it is not
safe for bike or pedestrian travel. That is a shame, because there is a school located near Old 86 at
Eubanks, there is Twin Creeks Park, and Blackwood Farm Park is just down New Hope Church Road. In
addition, there are attractions in both towns that would serve as destinations for those visiting our
communities.
Adding 4' biking shoulders to Old 86 would only serve the most confident cyclists. However, a separated
bikeway or greenway that would stretch from Carrboro to Hillsborough would serve a larger purpose. It
would provide a cycling attraction and destination that would not only serve the growing developments in
Hillsborough and Carrboro, but it would also bring bicycling tourism and tourism dollars into Orange
County. It would give the less confident cyclists as well as cycling families a way to travel between the two
towns, both for recreation and for transportation. Many articles exist about money brought in by bicycle
tourism. It brings $133 billion annually into the outdoor recreation economy. The North Carolina Outer
Banks have realized $60 million a year from its $6 million dollars in original bicycle facility investment.
Please evaluate this road for the possibility of a separated multi-use path for the reasons stated above.
CARRBORO
NORTH GREENSBORO ST. (SR 1772) FROM ESTES DRIVE EXTENSION TO EAST MAIN ST.
(SR1010)
The intersection at Estes Drive Extension and N. Greensboro is scheduled to receive an improvement
(TIP U-5846). The speed limit in the commercial district is 20 mph. It would be good to lower the speed
limit from the commercial district all the way to the North Greensboro-Estes Drive intersection. This is an
area of heavy pedestrian activity and contains a large curve, a hill, bus stops and crosswalks.
EAST MAIN ST FROM ROBERSON ST. TO ROSEMARY ST., and ROSEMARY ST. FROM MAIN ST.
TO THE CARRBORO TOWN LIMITS
Recently, the Town of Chapel Hill added bike lanes along Rosemary St. Unfortunately, the bike lanes end
at the Carrboro Town limits. It would be good to extend those bike lanes from the Carrboro Town limit on
Rosemary to Main St., and then along Main St. from Rosemary to Weaver St. This could be achieved with
removal of one of the lanes on Main St and with better signaling. Please consider adding this to the CTP.
9
North Churton St in Hillsborough currently has a capacity of 11,000, a traffic count of 13,000, and
projected 2040 count of 16,200. Widening is impossible. An eastern bypass plan was rejected several
years ago.
On the other hand, a defacto bypass is available using signage on existing roadways,not unlike the NC86
Truck Route,
Bypass by signage
A. From I-85/NC 86 interchange to US70/NC86 intersection
1. NC 86 from I-85 to US70A
a. CTP calls for expansion to a boulevard
b. At NC 86 &US70A signs would point east reading "To US70 East&West," "To NC86
North," and,maybe "To NC57 North."
2. US70A to Lawrence Road
a. Existing other major thoroughfare with 12,400 capacity
b. At Lawrence Road and US70A, signs would point north reading"To US70 West," "To
NC86 North," and,maybe "To NC57 North."
3. Lawrence Road from US70A to US70
a. Existing minor thoroughfare with 12.400 capacity
b. Signage would read" "To NC86 North,"pointing west on US70, and,maybe "To NC57
North"pointing north up Lawrence.
4. US70 to NC86/N. Churton St.intersection
a. Draft CTP calls for improvement to boulevard
5. NC86 to NC57
a. Draft CTP calls for improvement to other major thoroughfare
B. From South Churton St to US70A East
1. CTP calls for new construction of the Orange Grove Road Extension as a 4 lane boulevard
a. Signage would point east reading "To US70 East&West," "To NC86 North alternate
and South,"and,maybe "To NC57 North."
C. US70A to NC57 North
1. Lawrence Road from US70A to St, Mary's Road
a. Existing minor thoroughfare with 12.400 capacity
b. Signage pointing left on St. Mary's
2. St. Mary's Road from Lawrence to Baldwin
a. Existing minor thoroughfare with 12.400 capacity
10
b. Signage pointing right up Baldwin
3. Baldwin/Miller from St. Mary's Road to Walker Road(582)
a. Existing minor thoroughfare with 12.400 capacity
b. Signage pointing left on to Walker
4. Walker Road to NC 57
11
hi Max
- Bolin Creek Greenway isn't on the CTP, unless I am mistaken and didn't see it.
-Addition of shoulders to rural roads which are heavily traveled by cyclists, or on rural roads in general.
Best
Alyson