HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2019-008 Resolution opposing I-40 widening effect on Eubanks Road RES-2019-008
A RESOLUTION OPPOSING ALTERNATIVE 4A AS A DESIGN FOR MODIFICATIONS TO EUBANKS
ROAD AND NC 86 AS PART OF NCDOT PROJECT 1-3306A FOR PROPOSED WIDENING OF 1-40 FROM
1-85 TO DURHAM COUNTY LINE
WHEREAS, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has initiated a project for widening 1-40 in
Orange County, which includes proposed modifications to Eubanks Road as part of reconstruction of the 1-40 / NC
86 interchange; and
WHEREAS, NCDOT has developed alternative designs for modifications to Eubanks Road and has shared them
with the public for feedback in January of 2019; and
WHEREAS, alternative 4A and precursor designs depicted a realignment of Eubanks Road through the
Northwood neighborhood that would necessitate the demolition of multiple homes and would create substantial
negative impacts to the neighborhood fabric;and
WHEREAS, residents of the Northwood neighborhood submitted a petition to Orange County urging a design
solution that does not endanger homes, property values, well and septic infrastructure, or neighborhood
character;and
WHEREAS, NCDOT has been exploring additional alternatives such as the one shown on Map 4B which align
Eubanks Road in a way that reduces impacts to the Northwood neighborhood.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Orange County Board of Commissioners that the Board hereby
states its opposition to the alternative 4A realignment of Eubanks Road, as depicted on NCDOT Public Meeting
Map 4A, for this portion of the design for NCDOT Project 1-3306A.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board supports a design that does not significantly alter the alignment of
Eubanks Road, and strongly encourages NCDOT to continue refining design options in order to meet the
following criteria:
• Minimize and mitigate adverse impacts on neighborhoods surrounding the project
• Support alternative modes of travel, specifically bicycle and pedestrian
• Contribute positively to the character of Chapel Hill
• Stagger construction of improvements on Old NC 86 and NC 86 so that construction occurs
on each road at different times, thereby optimizing vehicular access to 1-40
• Protect the feasibility of future improvements to Eubanks Road and NC 86 for the North South
BRT project, as planned by Chapel Hill Transit
• Ensure design that allows for sufficient emergency response
• Maintain left turn movements from Eubanks Rd onto northbound NC 86 as much as possible,
potentially as a short-term measure until traffic levels exceed certain thresholds
• Widen the eastbound 1-40 exit ramp to create an additional lane of traffic exiting onto NC 86. This
would be in addition to the proposed slip lane from the exit ramp onto Eubanks Road
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Orange County Commissioners requests that this resolution be
transmitted to the Orange County Legislative Delegation.
This the 5th day of February, 2019
U
Penny Rich, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners