HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Item 2 - Durham-Orange Light Rail Project Update 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: March 12, 2019
Action Agenda
Item No. 2
SUBJECT: Durham-Orange Light Rail Project Update
DEPARTMENT: County Manager's Office
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Travis Myren, 919-245-2300
GoTriangle Presentation John Tallmadge, 919-485-7430
PURPOSE: To receive an update from GoTriangle on recent developments with the Durham-
Orange Light Rail Project. The update will not include proposed changes to the Interlocal Cost
Sharing Agreement or the Orange County Transit Plan as project financing and feasibility
conditions evolve. Any proposed changes will be presented and considered by the Board at
future meetings.
BACKGROUND: On April 27, 2017, the Board of Orange County Commissioners adopted the
Interlocal Cost Sharing Agreement for the Durham-Orange Light Rail Transit Project as well as
the Orange County Transit Plan. These agreements allowed GoTriangle to provide updated
financial information to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) in support of GoTriangle's
application to enter the engineering phase of the Durham-Orange Light Rail Project. On July
28, 2017, GoTriangle received approval from the FTA to enter the New Starts Engineering
phase of the Capital Investment Grant Program.
Since the adoption of these agreements, several new developments will require changes to the
Interlocal Cost Sharing Agreement between Orange County, Durham County, and GoTriangle
as well as to the Orange County Transit Plan. This presentation is intended to describe the
changes that have occurred. Any proposed amendments to the Interlocal Cost Sharing
Agreement and/or the Orange County Transit Plan will be presented and considered at future
meetings of the Board of Orange County Commissioners. The presentation from GoTriangle
will offer the most recent information regarding:
• Negotiations with Duke University to participate in a Cooperative Agreement and
contribute land to accommodate the light rail alignment;
• Negotiations with the North Carolina Railroad on a lease agreement and other
considerations to accommodate the light rail alignment;
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• Financial requirements resulting from the Federal Transit Administration's Risk
Assessment Report;
• Environmental analysis requirements for the engineering changes in downtown Durham;
and
• Schedule for future consideration of any proposed changes to the Interlocal Cost Sharing
Agreement and the Orange County Transit Plan.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: A new financial plan for the project has not been finalized. However,
Orange County's contribution to the project is capped at $149.5 million.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable
to this item:
• GOAL: FOSTER A COMMUNITY CULTURE THAT REJECTS OPPRESSION AND
INEQUITY
The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race or color;
religious or philosophical beliefs; sex, gender or sexual orientation; national origin or
ethnic background; age; military service; disability; and familial, residential or economic
status.
• 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.
Public Transportation provides opportunity for access to jobs and services to many individuals.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board receive the project update and
request additional information to inform future consideration of any proposed changes to the
Interlocal Cost Sharing Agreement or the Orange County Transit Plan;
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ACOMMUNITY INVESTMENT IN TRANSIT
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Light Rail Project Update
• Recent Accomplishments
o Execution of nine critical agreements
o $190 million of State funding in draft
STI P
• Recent Updates
o Letter from Duke University president
o Letter from NCRR Board Chair
o Draft Risk Assessment Report from
Federal Transit Administration
o Environmental analysis requirements
for downtown Durham changes
o Transit Plan Update in development
CONNECTIVITY, OPPORTUNITY
& JOB CREATION
Provides direct connection to three major
universities.
Serves three major hospitals: UNC Hospital, Duke
Hospital, VA Medical Center.
Directly connects three of the top 10 employers in
the State.
Creates tens of thousands of new jobs and infuses
$ billions into the local and state economy.
GOFORWARD
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DUKE/VA
MEDICAL CENTERS' NINTH STREET
LASALLE BUCHANAN DURHAM
STREETBOULEVARD
BLACKWELL/MANGUM STREETS
Ar- -�-A LLT'il—i
DILLARD STREET
DURI-tAI
,� ALSTON AVENUE
1 L
M NCCU
MARTIN LUTHER -
KING JR PARKWAY+ '
y SOUTH SQUARE
PATTERSON PLACE
GATEWAY
1
( MAP KEY
ICHAPEL� ALIGNMENT
HILL FRIDAY
CENTER LEIGH VILLAGE AERIAL SEGMENTS
DRIVE
O STATIONS
MASON FARM ROAD
WOODMONT The Blackwell/Mangum Station
Y is currently under study.
Map last updated Sept.2017.
UNC HOSPITALS HAMILTONN ROAD
GO VORWARQ
A COMMUNITY INVESTMENT IN TRANSIT
Project Funding
• Project remains eligible for
approximately $1.25 billion in federal
funding ( Full Funding Grant Agreement
anticipated Fall 2019) .
• Durham County confirmed its intent to
provide an additional $57.6 million in
dedicated transit revenue.
• Impacts of FTA Risk Assessment Report
under evaluation
• Updated cost-sharing agreement and
transit plan anticipated March-April
2019.
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A COMMUNITY INVESTMENT IN TRANSIT
Durham-Orange
TimelineTransit Project
- Light Rail
S'ervice Begins!
GO Triangle
We Are Here!
r;n-III",-sign&Engineering
2017-2020
■ Complete final design
and engineering
6- Finalise state and local
funding Commitments
► Apply for FTA FuU
Funding Grant
. Agreement
Project Development
2014-2M
....Construction
■ Evaluated alternatives 2020-2028
► Identified preferred No, Receive Full Funding Grant Agreement(FFGA)
alternative ► Complete property negotiations and acquisitions
ii. Completed the EI5
► Begin construction
■ Began preliminary
engineering 0- Order vehicles and equipment
► Begin testing vehicles
GOPORWARD
A COMMUNITY INVESTMENT IN TRANSIT
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ACOMMUNITY INVESTMENT IN TRANSIT