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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-07-2005-5ffORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: .June 7, 2005 Action Agenda Item No. ~_-F-~ SUBJECT: NCDOT Issues -Funding far Homestead Road Sidewalks and Smith Level Road Improvements DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: 1, Resolution Karen Lincoln, ext. 2594 2, Letter to Douglas Galyon 3, April 11, 2005, Homestead & High School Roads TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Safety Task Force Meeting Notes Hillsborough 732-8181 4, Letter to J, Douglas Galyon from Town of Carrboro Chapel Hill 968-4501 5, Resolution by Chapel Hill Town Ccuncil Durham 688-7331 Mebane (3361227-2031 PURPOSE: To consider comments supporting two transportation projects related to schools: 1. A resolution requesting the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to transfer funding in the Moving Ahead program allocated for improvements to Smith Level Road to bicycle and pedestrian improvements on Homestead Road and Rogers Road; and 2. A letter to the North Carolina Department of Transportation supporting the position of the Carrboro Board of Aldermen regarding Smith Level Road. BACKGROUND: Local officials at the April 28, 2005, Assembly of Governments meeting received an update on the progress of two transportation projects: 1. The Homestead and High School Roads Safety Task Force efforts to attain sidewalk along the north side of Homestead Road from Camden Road to Rogers Road and a short extension of the existing sidewalk on the east side of Rogers Road to Homestead Road; and 2, The Tawn of Carrboro's efforts regarding the scope of the proposed widening of Smith Level Road between Morgan Creek and Rock Haven Road. Homestead and Rogers Roads Sidewalks The NCDOT, at a Homestead and High School Roads Safety Task Force meeting in February 2005, informed the task farce that the Homestead Road sidewalk project was not included in the Moving Ahead program, as NCDOT had indicated at a meeting of the task force on June 2004, Furthermore, because of budget issues, the NC Moving Ahead program had been extended another year and many projects were being delayed. Mike Mills, Division 7 Engineer, met with the task force on April 11, 2005, and outlined actions to get this project funded in the Moving Ahead program. (Please refer to the attachment of the April 11, 2005, Homestead & High School Roads Safety Task Farce Meeting Notes,) 2 One action was that the three local Carrboro Board of Aldermen and thi Engineer and the Division 7 Board c portion of the Moving Ahead fund: improvements on Smith Level Road Homestead Road and Rogers Road. governments (Orange County Board of Commissioners, the Chapel Hill Town Council) provide letters to the Division 7 ~f Transportation Member requesting that NCDOT transfer a (approximately $1,3 million) that had been allocated for Moving Ahead project) for the requested improvements on The funds would be used for the following: To provide for additional pavement, curb and gutter, right-of-way acquisition, and utility relocation on Homestead Road between Camden Lane and Rogers Road, and on a portion of Rogers Road north of Homestead Road. • To provide a traffic signal at the intersection of Homestead and High School Roads, This work would allow for NCDOT to construct sidewalks on Homestead Road and Rogers Road, using a different pot of Moving Ahead funds, and would accommodate the provision of bicycle lanes on Homestead Road in the future, Smith Level Road The Town of Carrboro has had on-going discussions for several years with the NCDOT regarding the scope of the proposed widening of Smith Level Road between Morgan Creek and Rock Haven Road, with Carrboro requesting a more modest cross-section. Carrboro officials, staff, N,C, General Assembly members and others met on April 18, 2005, with the NCDOT to discuss the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Project U-2803, Smith Level Road. At that meeting, NCDOT staff proposed two options far Smith Level Road: 1) construct a more modest cross- section using Moving Ahead funds originally allocated for improvements on Jones Ferry Road; and 2) construct amulti-lane project through the TIP process. NCDOT staff proposed athree-lane cross-section for the TIP project that would include one travel lane in each direction with a center turn lane, curb and gutter, bike lanes, and sidewalks on both sides of the road, with intersection improvements. Actions The Town of Carrboro sent a letter, dated May 3, 2005, to J, Douglas Galyon, the N.C. Board of Transportation member for Division7, requesting "that the 'Moving Ahead' funds that had been set aside for Smith Level Road instead be used for Homestead Road to improve pedestrian safety and access to Chapel Hill High School", In that same letter, the Board of Aldermen acknowledged a vote of support far the three-lane crass-section far the U-2803 TIP project as proposed by NCDOT staff (with curb and gutter, bike lanes, and sidewalks on both sides of the road and intersection improvements). The transfer of Moving Ahead funds to the Homestead Road improvements does not affect the time schedule for the Smith Level Road TIP project, The Chapel Hill Town Council has, similarly, endorsed a Resolution Requesting That the North Carolina Department of Transportation Allocate funding from the Moving Ahead Program For Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements Along Homestead Road, FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this agenda item, 3 RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board: 1, Endorse the resolution requesting the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to transfer funding in the Moving Ahead program allocated for improvements to Smith Level Road to bicycle and pedestrian improvements on Homestead Road and Rogers Road; and 2. Authorize the chair to sign a letter to the North Carolina Department of Transportation supporting the Carrboro Board of Aldermen's position regarding the cross-section proposed by NCDOT staff for the Smith Level Road TIP project, U-2803. 4 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ALLOCATE FUNDING FROM THE MOVING AHEAD PROGRAM FOR BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS ALONG HOMESTEAD ROAD WHEREAS, Orange County, in response to citizens' concerns about the safety of school children that walk or bicycle to Chapel Hill High School, Smith Middle School or Seawell Elementary School from neighborhoods to the north and west of Homestead Road, established the Homestead and High School Safety Task Force in December 2003 to develop recommendations for bicycle and pedestrian facilities that would provide safe bicycle and pedestrian access from the surrounding neighborhoods to the schools; and WHEREAS, the Homestead and High School Roads Safety Task Farce has recommended that, with existing and planned pedestrian and bicycle facilities, an additional section of sidewalk along the north side of Homestead Road from Camden Road to Rogers Raad and a short extension of the existing sidewalk on the east side of Rogers Road would complete a safe pedestrian access from the surrounding neighborhoods to High School Road; and WHEREAS, the North Carolina Department of Transportation had allocated $1.3 million in Moving Ahead funding for proposed improvements along Smith Level Road in Carrboro; and WHEREAS, bicycle and pedestrian improvements along Homestead Road are high priorities for Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Orange County; and WHEREAS, the Town of Carrboro has requested that the Moving Ahead funds set aside for improvements on Smith Level Road instead be used on Homestead Road and Rogers Road to improve pedestrian safety and access to Chapel Hill High School; and WHEREAS, we believe the proposed improvements along Homestead Road are consistent with the goals of the Moving Ahead Program and eligible far Moving Ahead funds; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Orange County Commissioners (the Board) requests that the North Carolina Department of Transportation allocate Moving Ahead funds previously allocated to the Smith Level Road project to the bicycle and pedestrian improvements along Homestead Road consistent with the recommendations of the Homestead Road and High Schcol Road Safety Task Force; and 5 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board supports the use of Moving Ahead funding for the purchase of right-of-way as necessary; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board requests that any Moving Ahead funds not needed for the Homestead and Rogers Roads improvements be used for other bicycle, pedestrian, and vehicular safety and efficiency improvements at other locations in Orange County jurisdictions. Upon motion of Commissioner ~, and seconded by Commissioner the foregoing resolution was adopted this the 7th day of .tune, 2005, I, Donna Baker, Clerk to the Board of Commissioners for the County of Orange, North Carolina, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true copy of so much of the proceedings of said Board at a meeting held on June 7, 2005, as relates in any way to the adoption of the foregoing and that said proceedings are recorded in the minutes of said Board. WITNESS my hand and the seal of said County, this day of 2005, June 7, 2005 Mr. J. Douglas Galyon, Chairman North Carolina Board of Transportation Post Office Box 26969 Greensboro, North Carolina 27419 Re: TIP Project U-2803, Smith Level Road in Carrboro Dear Mr. Galyon: The Orange County Board of Commissioners appreciates your continuing assistance in working with local jurisdictions to incorporate context sensitive solutions in transportation improvements in accordance with needs and desires of the area. Orange County would like to support the position of the Carrboro Board of Aldermen regarding the design of Transportation Improvement Project U-2803, Smith Level Road, The Carrboro Board of Aldermen voted to support the three-lane cross-section for the U-2803 TIP project as proposed by North Carolina Department of Transportation staff at the meeting held on April 18, 2005, to discuss that project. The NCDOT~ staff proposed a three-lane cross-section consisting of one travel lane in each direction with a center turn lane, curb and gutter, bicycle lanes, and sidewalks on both sides of the road, The Board of Aldermen also requested that NCDOT use 11-foot lane widths in the project, and that NCDOT reallocate any surplus funds that may accrue due to the more modest project design to additional pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular safety and efficiency improvements in the vicinity of Smith Level Road, The Orange County Board of Commissioners has also endorsed the enclosed resolution requesting that the North Carolina Department of Transportation move funding from the Moving Ahead program allocated for the Smith Level Road project to bicycle and pedestrian improvements along Homestead Road and sidewalk on a short segment of Rogers Road. Orange County gives top priority to transportation projects that promote safety around schools, The Towns of Carrboro and Chapel Hill have also endorsed the Homestead Road and Rogers Road sidewalks via letter or resolution, Thank you for your interest and assistance in helping Orange County and its jurisdictions obtain transportation projects that accommodate the social, economic and environmental goals of Orange County and its municipalities, Sincerely, Moses Carey, .Jr,, Chair Orange County Board of County Commissioners Cc: Orange County Board of Commissioners Donna Baker, Clerk to the Board ' Mike Mills, Division Engineer Mayor Bill Beli, TAC Chair, Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro MPO Mark Ahrendsen, TCC Chair, Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro MPO 7 Meeting Notes Homestead -High School Road Safety Task Force April 11, 2005 The Task Force met on April 11, 2005. Those in attendance included the following: Task Force Members: Sharon Cook, Orange County Community Representative Chuck Edwards - N.C. Department of Transportation Alice Gordon, Orange County Board of Commissioners Mary Rabinowitz, Carrboro Community Representative ,lim Ward, Chapel Hill Town Council Alex Zaffron, Carrboro Board of Aldermen Others in Attendance: Mike Mills, NCDOT Division 7 Engineer Mike Cowan, NCDOT Deputy Division Engineer Eric Chupt, Winmore Development Beth Velaiquette, Chapel Hill Herald Patrick Winn, Chapel Hill News Karen Lincoln, Orange County Dale McKeel, Town of Carrboro Gordon Sutherland, Town of Chapel Hill After introductions, Karen Lincoln stated that Mike Mills, NCDOT Division 7 Engineer, was present to clarify confusion from the meeting on February 21St regarding the status of the project to constnact sidewalks along the north side of Homestead Road from High School Road to Rogers Road and along Rogers Road from Homestead Road to the existing sidewalk at the Glenbrooke subdivision. Mike Mills, NCDOT Division 7 Engineer, gave an overview of the NC Moving Ahead program and explained that the two-year program was intended for projects that could be completed within a short timeframe and did not require lengthy processes for obtaining additional right-of-way or environmental mitigation. He reviewed criteria for selecting projects for the Moving Ahead program. Homestead Road was included in the Moving Ahead program's projects (year one) for improvements within in the right-of-way (2-foot paved shoulders, some intersection improvements and resurfacing), and those improvements have been completed. Mr. Mills stated that NCDOT, in January 2005, faced a budget issue that forced NCDOT to start delaying some projects, Although the money is available to complete approved programs, NCDOT does not have the spending authority to complete some transactions. NCDOT has, therefore, extended the Moving Ahead program to three years. Completion dates for year-two projects are not certain. NCDOT was confident that, after the Moving Ahead year-two projects were completed, there would be money left over for more projects (such as the Homestead Road 8 sidewalk project). Until the year-two program is completed, NCDOT will not know if there will be any money left over. The Homestead Road sidewalk project is not currently in the NC Moving Ahead program, nor has funding been identified for project construction. Division 7 Moving Ahead funds, if funding is continued beyond the original program period, can be used for the roadway improvements (widened outside lane for bicycle traffic and curb and gutter), but money for sidewalks must be obtained through David King, who is in charge of the Moving Ahead funds set aside for public transportation. NCDOT still considers it to be a worthy project, but it would be difficult to implement in 2005, Sharon Cook asked if there were any funds to address specific school needs. She referenced the NCDOT Regional Traffic Engineer's comment (at the March 2003 task force meeting) that the proposed traffic signal at the intersection of Homestead and High School Roads met NCDOT warrants for a light because of the location's proximity to the schools. Mr. Mills responded that the intersection met warrants for pedestrian traffic, but not for vehicular traffic, and that spot safety funds and small construction funds were other sources available for such projects, There was discussion about the requirement for the developer of Winmore to constn~ct a turn lane at High School Road and a sidewalk from the Winmore entrance to Camden Road; now NCDOT is constructing the sidewalk from High School Road to Rogers Road (that includes the part between High School Road and Camden Road), It was noted that those improvements would be in place if that project had gone according to schedule, but the time line has changed. The original developer sold the project and that dialogue with NCDOT fell through. However, the Conditional Use Permit is still valid and the current owner/developer is still responsible for providing those improvements, District Engineer Chuck Edwards noted that he and Dale McKeel are having discussions with the new developer regarding required improvements. If NCDOT can obtain the right-of-way, NCDOT will construct the turn lane on Homestead Road at High School Road. Sharon Cook asked how much right-of-way is needed and how much the right-of-way would cost? Chuck Edwards answered that the project would require approximately 10 feet of additional right-of-way and the cost is unknown. Mike Mills suggested that money could be moved from the second year Moving Ahead project to install guardrail, provide 2-foot paved shoulders and resurface Jones Ferry Road. (That project is being delayed until Carrboro decides whether to use money programmed for Jones Ferry Road for Smith Level Road improvements, if Carrboro decides to downgrade the TIP project for Smith Level Road to a Moving Ahead project,) There was same discussion about how the Jones Ferry Road Moving Ahead project was chosen. Neither Orange County nor Carrboro requested the project. 9 Jim Ward said that the group's understanding last June (2004) was that NCDOT had moved with incredible speed to make the project happen and now, he would like to hear something from NCDOT that it is committed to doing the project. Discussion ensued referencing the June 22, 2004, meeting of the task force in which NCDOT reported that NCDOT would provide funds in the NC Moving Ahead program to construct the sidewalk from Camden Road to Rogers Road and the section of sidewalk on the east side of Rogers Road, and that NCDOT must obtain 10 feet of right-of-way to construct the sidewalks in a manner to accommodate the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) project on Homestead Road anticipated for future construction, Mike Mills stated that NCDOT is committed, but it will take more time. After discussion regarding how to get this project on the Moving Ahead list, Mr. Mills outlined the following actions and persons responsible to move the project forward, 1. The Division 7 Engineer will write David King's Office to request money to construct sidewalks on the north side of Homestead Road from Camden Road to Rogers Road and on the east side of Rogers Road to connect the existing sidewalk to Homestead Road. 2. The Division 7 Engineer will include a project in the NC Moving Ahead program for Orange County for improvements to provide for additional pavement, curb and gutter, right-of-way acquisition, and utility relocation on Homestead Road between Camden Lane and Rogers Road, and on a portion of Rogers Road north of Homestead Road. 3. The Orange County Board of Commissioners, the Carrboro Board of Aldermen and the Chapel Hill Town Council will provide letters to the Division 7 Engineer and copies to the Division 7 Board of Transportation Member requesting that NCDOT transfer a portion of the Moving Ahead funds that have been set aside for ,)ones Ferry Road/Smith Level Road to use for the following: • To provide for additional pavement, curb and gutter, right-of-way acquisition, and utility relocation on Homestead Road between Camden Lane and Rogers Road, and on a portion of Rogers Road north of Homestead Road, • To provide a traffic signal at the intersection of Homestead and High School Roads. This work would allow for NCDOT to construct sidewalks on Homestead Road and Rogers Road, using a different pot of Moving Ahead funds, and would accommodate the provision of bicycle lanes on Homestead Road in the future. 4. The NCDOT District Office will, within the next few weeks, begin to investigate plats to determine specific right-of-way needs, and then proceed to survey and stake the required right-of•-way along Homestead Road and contact property owners regarding obtaining the right-of-way. 1Q The next steps for local jurisdictions are to request that NCDOT transfer a portion of the Moving Ahead funds that have been set aside for Jones Ferry Road/Smith Level Road to the Homestead Road project, and to alert the neighborhoods that NCDOT will be surveying and staking the right-of-way needed for the project. The group will reconvene later in the year (in about four months) to assess progress. An optimistic timeframe for completion of the project, if all goes well, is sometime in FY Q6, TOWN OF CARR~ORO NORTH CAROLINA WWW.TOWNOPCARRBORO.ORG ~i May .3, 2005 Mr. J. Douglas Galyon, Chairman N.C, Board of Transportation PO Box 26969 Greensboro, NC 27419 Re: TII' Project U-2803, Smith Level Road in Canboro Dear Mr. Galyon: On April 18, a meeting was held with NCDOT and Carrboro officials, town staff; and N C. General Assembly members to discuss TIP Project U-2803, Smith Level Road. At this meeting, NCDOT staff proposed athree-lane cross-section for the TII' project, which would consist of one travel lane in each direction with a center turn lane, as well as curb and gutter, bike lanes, and sidewalks on both sides of the road, and intersection improvements. The Carrboro Boazd of Aldermen discussed project U-2803 on April 26 and voted to support the three-lane cross-section for the U-2803 TIP project as proposed by NCDOT staff (with curb and gutter, bike lanes, and sidewallcs on both sides of the road and intersection improvements). The Boazd of Aldermen requested that NCDOT use 1 t- foot lane widths for the project. As there will be a new high school opening near Smith Level Road in 2007, the Boazd of Aldermen desires that the TiP project be completed as soon as possible. The Board of Aldermen requests that the State reallocate any surplus project funds (including mitigation funds) which may accrue as a result of the more modest project design to additional pedestrian, bicycle, and vehiaulaz safety and efficiency improvements in the vicinity of Smith Level Road. During the same meeting, the Carrboro Boazd of Aldermen also requested that the "Moving Ahead" funds that had been set aside for Smith Level Road instead be used on Homestead Road to improve pedestrian safety and access to Chapel Hill High School, The funds would be used to purchase right-of=way, relocate utilities, and constnrct improvements on Homestead Road and Rogers Road as discussed by the Homestead- High School Road Safety Task Force on April 11, ZOOS. Improvements include a traffic signal with pedestrian signals and crosswalks at the intersection of Homestead Road and High School Road; curb and gutter and sidewalk on Homestead Road between Camden Lane and Rogers Roads; and a sidewalk on Rogers Road from the intersection with Homestead Road to the existing sidewalk. These improvements should be constructed to allow for bike lanes to be provided on Homestead Road in the future. Every effort should be made to construct the improvements on Homestead and Rogers roads in 2005 3tl7 WEST MAIN STREET. GAR RBDRD. NC 27570 19791 942-6547 • FAX (9191 9 7 6-4456 TDD (BOO) 826-7653 AN EQUAL. OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER 12 as originally discussed with the Task Force. The Board of Aldermen requests that any "Moving Ahead" funds not needed for the Homestead Road improvements be used to make pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular safety and efficiency improvements at other locations in Carrboro (or if not in Carrboro, in Orange County), The Town of Carrboro looks forwazd to working with NCDOT staff on these projects. Carrboro highly values environmental quality and the joint use of transportation corridors by pedestrians, cyclists, public transportation vehicles, and motorists.. A thoughtful design process will ensure that the facilities on Smith Level Road and Homestead Road provide comfort, safety, and convenience for pedestrians, bicyclists and transit users in harmony with the environment.. Thank. you for your assistance with these important projects. Sincerely, ~-, .~,~,t`` Steve Stewart Town Manager cc: Mayor and Board of Aldermen Mike Mills, NCDOT Division Engineer Mayor Bill Bell, Chair, Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro MPO TAC Mazk Ahrendsen, Chair, Durham-Chapel Hill-Canboro MPO TCC Resolution of the Chapel Hill Town Council 13 A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ALLOCATE FUNDING FROM THE MOVING AHEAD PROGRAM FOR BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS ALONG HOMESTEAD ROAD (2005-05-09/R-20) WHEREAS, representatives from Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Orange County have been developing recommendations for bicycle and pedestrian improvements along Homestead Road as part of the Homestead Road and High School Road Safety Task Force; and WHEREAS, the North Carolina Department of Transportation had allocated $1.3 million in Moving Ahead funding for proposed improvements along Smith Level Road in Carrboro; and WHEREAS, the Town of Carrboro and the Department of Transportation have concluded that they will not use Moving Ahead funds for the Smith Level Road project; and WHEREAS, bicycle and pedestrian improvements along Homestead Road are high priorities for Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Orange County; and WHEREAS, we believe the proposed improvements along Homestead Road are consistent with the goals of the Moving Ahead Program and eligible for Moving Ahead funds; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council requests that the North Carolina Department of Transportation allocate Moving Ahead funds previously allocated to the Smith Level Road project to the bicycle and pedestrian improvements along Homestead Road consistent with the recommendations of the Homestead Road and High School Road Safety Task Force. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council supports the use of Moving Ahead funding far the purchase of right-of-way as necessary. This the 9~' day of May, 2005.