HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 04-28-2005-1b1j r
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TOWN OF CARRBORO
NORTH CAROLINA
MEMORANDUM
TO: Orange County Assembly of Governments Participants
FROM: Dale McKeel, Transportation Planner, Town of Carrboro
DATE: April 22, 2005
SIIB.IECT: Update of the Smith Level Road Project
PURPOSE
For several years there have been discussions between NCDOT and the Town of
Cazrboro regarding the scope of the proposed widening of Smith Level Road between
Morgan Creek and Rock Haven Road. On April 18, 2005, the N.C.. Department of
Transportation proposed two options for consideration by the Town Of Cazrbom. The
purpose of this agenda item is to discuss the two options proposed by NCDOT.
INFORMATION
Attachment A provides a map of the project limits, Attachments B and C provide a
compazison of the two options proposed by NCDOT. The two options are as follows:
^ Option A -construct the project using Moving Ahead funds..
^ Option B -construct the project through the Transportation Improvement Program
process.
Attachment D is the resolution adopted by the Board of Aldermen on March 18, 200.3
requesting that NCDOT consider a more modest design for the Smith Level Road project.
BACKGROUND
The N.C. Department of Transportation held a public hearing on the proposed widening
of Smith Level Road on October 25, 2001. The plan presented to the public showed
Smith Level Road being widened to four lanes with an 18-foot median, curb and gutter,
and bike lanes and sidewalks on both sides of the road.
Approximately 50 persons attended the open house and public hearing in addition to
NCDOT and Town of Carrboro staff. Many of those present expressed support for the
Planning Department • Planning Division
301 West Main Slreet, Carrboro, NC 2751Q • (919) 918-7329 • FAX (979) 960-9450 • TDD 1-800-735-2962
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
bike lanes, sidewalks, and crosswalks, but there were major points of'contention, Several
residents questioned the need for the project and stated that the focus should be on
addressing current problems on Smith Level Road, including timing of signals, speeding,
ingress/egress problems at Frank Porter Graham School, and the need for better
pedestrian and bike connections to the school and across Morgan Creek,
In response to citizen and Town comments during and following the public hearing,
NCDOT prepared additional information on the project. There were also several
meetings between NCDOT staff; Town staff, and Board of Aldermen members to discuss
the project..
On March 18, 2003, the Board of Aldermen adopted a resolution requesting that the N.C.
Department of Transportation consider an alternative design far the proposed
modifications to Smith Level Road between Morgan Creek and Rock Haven Road
(Attachment B). The adoption of this resolution followed a joint worksession that was
held on October 15, 2002 with the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) to meet with
NCDOT staff and review the information that has been compiled,
On January 5, 2005, there was a meeting between town officials, NCDOT staff; and
Board Member Doug Galyon to discuss the project. NCDOT staff stated that their
continued support for afour-lane, median divided design, but proposed the following
alternative design to be funded with Moving Ahead funds:
We propose to widen the existing pavement to provide 12' lanes with a 2'
paved shoulder on the east side; a 4' bike lane with curb and gutter on the
west side; right turn lanes NB at Culbreth Road and SB at Rock Haven
Road and a left turn lane on NB Smith Level at Rock Haven Road. A
sidewalk could also be constructed on the west side adjacent to the curb
and gutter, Additional right of way and utility relocation will be required
throughout the limits of this project.
The Carrboro Board of Aldermen conducted an extensive review of the Moving Ahead
proposal at its meetings on January 18, February 8, March 1, and March 15. Town staff'
also spentrnany hours discussing aspects of the proposal with Division Engineer Mike
Mills as well as John Hunsinger and Tim Jackson of the Division 7 staff.
On March 15, the Board of Aldermen voted unanimously to request that NCDOT build
the scaled-down TIP project U-280.3 as specified in the March 18, 200.3 resolution rather
than the Moving Ahead project.. The Board of Aldermen expressed concern that the right-
of=way and utility relocation costs for the Moving Ahead project could be much higher than
estimated and therefore have a negative impact on the Town's financial standing.
Planning Department • Planning Division
301 West Main Street, Carrboro. NC 27510 • (919) 918-7329 • FAX (919) 960-9450 • TDD 1-800-735-2962
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Attachment A
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Attachment B
Comparison of Options
Option A -Moving Ahead Option B -TIP Project
Roadway Two lanes with curb and gutter on Three lanes (one lane in each direction
Cross-Section one side and intersection and a center turn lane) with curb and
improvements gutter on both sides and intersection
im rovements
PedesU ian Sidewalk on west side of Smith Sidewalk on both sides of Smith Level
Faeilities Level Road. Road.
Bicycle Bike lane on west side of Smith Standard 4-foot bike lanes on both sides
Facilities Level Road; some pavement of Smith Level Road.
widening on the east side (not a
standard 4-foot bike lane).
Cost Estimate Right-of--way: $320,000 No cost estimate available. The draft
Utilities relocation: Not known 2006-2012 TIP lists the following funds
Construction: $1..7 million as available funds for the 4-lane design:
Mitigation: $1..354 million
Right-of--way and utilities: $600,000
Construction: $2.75 million
Cost to Town $300,000 over afive-year period for Approx. $66,300 (30 percent of cost of
ri ht-of--way and utili relocation sidewalks)
Anticipated 1 to 2 years 3 % to 5 years
Beginning of
Construction
Enrergetrcy Bike lane and wide pavement will In addition to bike lanes on both sides of
Services provide space for' vehicles to pull the road which provide space for
over, allowing emergency vehicles vehicles to pull to the curb, center turn
to proceed through the center. lane will facilitate safe passage of
emer enc vehicles.
Coordination Maybe possible to complete Construction will not begin prior to
with Carrboro construction prior to school opening school opening in August 2007.
Hi h School in Au ust 2007
Impact orr If the Moving Ahead funds are used Not applicable.
Other Projects for Smith Level Road, these funds
will not be available to build curb
and gutter and a sidewalk on
Homestead Road between High
School and Ro ers roads
Attachment C
Option A - Movin;; Ahead Protect
Two-Lane Section With Bike Lane, Curb and
Gutter, and Sidewalk on West Side Only
~ 12 „ .,F.12ft _.~~
/ I /
/ I T
Some pavement widening; i 4 ft bike lane
Not a standard 4-foot bike lane
Centerline
plus 2 ft gutter
5 ft sidewalk on
west side only
The proposed cross-section is similar to some sections of Old Fayetteville Road in Carrboro.
Attachment C
Oation B -TIP Proiect
Three-lane Section With Curb and Gutter,
Bike Lanes, and Sidewalks on Both Sides
I-tz
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5 ti sidewalk on
both sides of the road
I
Centerline
4 a bike lanes plus 2 ft gutter
on boot sides of the road
Illustration of a three-lane street in another community.
E~; 4'r,~'ip 1'i~l
TOWN OF CARRBORO
NORTH CAROLINA
WWW TOW NOFOAR RBORO OftG
The following resolution was introduced by Alderman Joal Hall Broun and duly seconded by
Alderman Alex Zaffron..
A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT THE N.C, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
CONSIDER AN ALTERNATNE DESIGN FOR THE PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS
TO SMITH LEVEL ROAD BETWEEN MORGAN CREEK AND ROCK. HAVEN ROAD
Resolution No. 123/2003-04
WHEREAS, the N.C, Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has proposed to widen a portion
of Smith Level Road, from the Morgan Creek Bridge to Rock Haven Road (TIP Project U-2803);
and
WHEREAS, it is the Board's desire to modify Smith Level Road to the extent that it can safely
and effectively accommodate existing and future pedestrian, bicycle, and vehiculaz traffic; and
WHEREAS, it is important to the Board that such modifications be designed and constructed to
minimize disturbance of adjacent properties and maximize the mobility, safety, and access of
transit users, pedestrians, and bicyclists; and
WHEREAS, the Boazd believes that the principles and procedures of Context-Sensitive Design
should be incorporated into the development of the project; and
WHEREAS, the Boazd believes that the principles of Transportation Demand Management
should be utilized to reduce the amount of traffic on Smith Level Road; and
WHEREAS, the project proposed by the N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) includes
construction of a four-lane, median-divided roadway with two travel lanes in each direction, a
raised center median, curb and gutter, bike lanes, sidewalks, and bus pull-offs; and
WHEREAS, the Board believes that a more modest project design could meet the objectives of
the Town and the State with regard to Smith Level Road, at a lower cost than the State's
proposed option, and with less disturbance of adjacent properties;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Carrboro Board of Aldermen that the Boazd
proposes a project design for Smith Level Road that would consist of two travel lanes (one lane
in each direction) with intersection improvements, turn lanes, pedestrian crosswalks, and bus
pull-offs where necessary; that sidewalks, bike lanes, and curb and gutter be provided on both
sides of the roadway; and that a median on portions of the project could provide aesthetic and
safety benefits and should be considered.
301 WEST MAIN STREET CARRRO RO NC 275 i0 !9191 942-8541 FA% 1919) 9164456 TDD (6001 8267653
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER
Page 2
Town of Canboro
Resolution No. 123/2003-04
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board understands that the State acquire right-of--way on
the basis of a four-lane median divided cross-section to facilitate the design and construction of
the project.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board requests that the State reallocate any surplus
project funds, which may accrue as a result of a more modest project design to additional
pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular safety and efficiency improvements in the vicinity of Smith
Level Road.
The foregoing resolution having been submitted to a vote, received the following vote and was
duly adopted this 18th day of March, 2003:
Ayes: Joal Hall Broun, Jacquelyn Gist, John Herrera, Michael Nelson, Alex Zaffron
Noes: None
Absent or Excused: Mazk Dorosin, Diana McDuffee
I, Sarah C. Williamson, Town Clerk of the Town of Carrboro, do hereby certify that the
foregoing is a true and correct copy of a resolution adopted by the Carrboro Board of Aldermen
at its meeting on March 18, 2003.
Town Clerk