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Home My WebLink AboutAgenda - 03-10-20; 8-o - Greater Triangle Commuter Rail Study - Next Steps 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: March 10, 2020 Action Agenda Item No. 8-o SUBJECT: Greater Triangle Commuter Rail Study — Next Steps DEPARTMENT: County Manager, Transportation, Planning ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Travis Myren, Deputy County Manager, 1. Resolution 919-245-2130 2. PowerPoint Craig Benedict, Planning & Inspections Director, 919- 245-2575 Theo Letman, OCT Transit Director, 919-245-2007 PURPOSE: To adopt a resolution receiving the results of the Greater Triangle Commuter Rail (GTCR) study and deferring additional study for Orange county sections. BACKGROUND: The Board of Orange County Commissioners approved $75,000 in the FY2019-20 transit work plan to participate in the initial feasibility phase of the GTCR study. The attached PowerPoint illustrates the extent of the GTCR along with other transit initiatives. The PowerPoint also projects the ranking of certain service scenarios, capital and operating cost, and range of ridership as federal funding would likely be scored. Page 5 of the PowerPoint illustrates, at the bottom, the cost and ridership to extend to Hillsborough — $200-300 million capital with $7 million annual operating with projected ridership of 150-250 people. From a cost benefit analysis and limitations in the Article 43 Transit Tax financial plan (in the short- and mid-term), this extension into Orange County is not warranted or feasible at this time. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Durham County, Wake County, GoTriangle, the North Carolina Railroad, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), and Metropolitan Planning Organizations is being considered by these parties to outline the next steps in project development of the GTCR segment from Durham to Garner. Based on the findings of the initial feasibility study, this abstract approves a resolution to suspend Orange County's participation in future project development at this time. The initial feasibility study and transit model was valuable in accenting the continued need to develop transit corridors with other modes of transit and to continue to concentrate growth through Transit Oriented Development (TOD) where possible. Orange County will continue to participate in other regional projects that improve transit mobility in the region, including 2 programmed funding for the Hillsborough Amtrak station which could have dual use in the future. These investments will be included in the update to the Orange County Transit Plan which is currently underway. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Orange County contributed $75,000 towards the initial feasibility study from Article 43 transit funds. This item does not include any future financial commitments. SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable to this 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. • GOAL: CREATE A SAFE COMMUNITY The reduction of risks from vehicle/traffic accidents, childhood and senior injuries, gang activity, substance abuse and domestic violence ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: The following Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal impact is applicable to this item: • CLEAN OR AVOIDED TRANSPORTATION Implement programs that monitor and improve local and regional air quality by: 1) promoting public transportation options; 2) decreasing dependence on single-occupancy vehicles, and 3) otherwise minimizing the need for travel. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board adopt a resolution (Attachment 1) receiving the results of the Greater Triangle Commuter Rail (GTCR) study and deferring additional study for Orange county sections until later phases. 3 RES-2020-015 Attachment 1 RESOLUTION RECEIVING THE RESULTS OF THE GREATER TRIANGLE COMMUTER RAIL STUDY AND DEFERRING ADDITIONAL STUDY OF SCENARIOS EXTENDING SERVICE TO HILLSBOROUGH AND POINTS WEST TO A FUTURE STUDY EFFORT FOR A POTENTIAL LATER PHASE OF COMMUTER RAIL March 10, 2020 A motion was made by Commissioner and seconded by Commissioner for the adoption of the following resolution, and upon being put to a vote,was duly adopted. WHEREAS,the Metropolitan Transportation Plan,the long range,fiscally constrained transportation plan, for portions of Orange County located within the Durham—Chapel Hill census-defined urbanized area was adopted on March 14, 2018 by the Board of the Durham—Chapel Hill—Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization; and WHEREAS, commuter rail between Durham and Garner is included in the 2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan with a horizon period of 2025-2035; and WHEREAS, commuter rail between Hillsborough and Durham, is included in the 2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan with a horizon period of 2035-2045; and WHEREAS,the Greater Triangle Commuter Rail Study evaluated the feasibility and potential eligibility for federal funding of scenarios that include service to Hillsborough and points west; and WHEREAS,the commuter rail project management partners have drafted a Memorandum of Understanding in support of continued project development of the first phase of the Greater Triangle Commuter Rail Project, a commuter rail project with service originating in West Durham and continuing east to Raleigh and points east; BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Orange Board of County Commissioners hereby receives the results of the Greater Triangle Commuter Rail Study and defers participation in additional study of scenarios extending service to Hillsborough and points west to a future study effort for a potential later phase of commuter rail, consistent with the adopted 2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan on this,the 101" Day of March, 2020. Penny Rich, Chair Orange County Board of Commissioners Orange County, North Carolina I certify that Penny Rich personally appeared before me this day acknowledging to me that she signed the forgoing document. Date: March 10, 2020 Notary Public My commission expires: Attachment 3 Orange Board of County Commissioners March COMM T Ri U D AT GO FORWAR A COMMUNITY INVESTMENT IN TRANSIT 5 a� J� Q O� ,OprO` 0�� Jr 0 P ■ cGJ ■ ��6i 1y O. r ��ti s a�` � �O ■ Kr S J any�a yr G� o�IrNOTE: �s ,?. v This map highlights major41 r sa Qua'' ¢yam regional transit investments, J�`e •� S Jc\aF a including bus rapid transit, ,,y ``ate t •� • commuter rail and key regional p� bus connections. Not shown are substantial increases in bus ■ a�� coverage and route frequency + ■ eC within Raleigh, Durham,Chapel ■ Hill and Cary. •QQ �+ 6� �!AP yQ``* • �a� ''. C�a� Bus - ,�t` Bus rapid transit _ �� ■ Commuter rail Proposed commuter rail extension * Future airport connector LEGEND 6 PROPOSED COMMUTER RAIL INCLUDED IN THE CURRENT WAKE M AND DURHAM COUNTY PLANS y Hillsborough } EXISTING NORTH CAROLINA * RAILROAD COMPANY CORRIDOR i� WHERE EXTENSIONS COULD GO 4 _ vo . * CITY BOUNDARIES 401 501 ++� 70 Mor-' ville Raleigh " 264 64 G 3 11 �4., on ` ar • � 401 70r ,a Ii�' STUDY FINDINGS 1 ' 1 y 1 1 ' � Durham-Garner 20 MEDIUM $1 .413 - $1 .813 $29M 7.5K - 10K Durham-Garner 12 WEAK MEDIUM * * * $1 .413 - $1 .813 $20M 5K - 7.5K Durham-Garner 7 WEAK MEDIUM * * * $1 .4B - $1 .7B $13M 4.5K - 6K Mebane-Selma 20 MEDIUM - LOW $2.513 - $3.2B $57M 8K - 11 .5K Mebane-Selma 12 MEDIUM - LOW $2.513 - $3.2B $40M 6K - 9K Mebane-Selma 7 MEDIUM - LOW $2.3B - $3.1B $26M 5K - 7.5K Hillsb. -Clayton 20 WEAK MEDIUM * * * $1 .8B - $2.46 $44M 8K - 11 .5K Durham-Clayton 20 MEDIUM $1 .6B - $2.1B $37M 7.5K - 10K TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR FEDERAL FUNDING , PROJECT MUST SCORE A MEDIUM RATING *Cost: Year-of- Expenditure Dollars (YOE$) **Daily Ridership: Average of Base Year (2018) and Horizon Year Forecast (2040) ***Scenarios rated as "Weak Medium" are projected to score at the bottom of the medium range, meaning that a drop in any single sub-score could cause the project to be ineligible for funding • STUDY FINDINGS Durham-Garner 20 $1 .413 - $1 .813 $29M 7.5K - 10K Durham-Garner 12 WEAK MEDIUM * * * $1 .413 - $1 .813 $20M 5K - 7.5K Durham-Garner 7 WEAK MEDIUM * * * $1 .4B - $1 .7B $13M 4.5K - 6K Mebane-Selma 20 MEDIUM - LOW $2.513 - $3.2B $57M 8K - 11 .5K Mebane-Selma 12 MEDIUM - LOW $2.513 - $3.2B $40M 6K - 9K Mebane-Selma 7 MEDIUM - LOW $2.3B - $3.1B $26M 5K - 7.5K Hillsb. -Clayton 20 WEAK MEDIUM * * * $1 .8B - $2.413 $44M 8K - 11 .5K Durham-Clayton 20 MEDIUM $1 .6B - $2.1B $37M 7.5K - 10K Hillsborough - 20 NA $200M - $300M $7M 150 - 250 West Durham 9 ' COMMENDATION Adopt a Resolution receiving the results of the Greater Triangle Commuter Rail Study and deferring additional study of scenarios �+ extending service to Hillsborough and points west to a future study effort for a potential later phase of commuter rail, consistent with the adopted 2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan GC - IRWA Questions an • Comments ACOMMUNITY INVESTMENT IN TRANSIT