HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-06-2002 - 1 JOINT MEETING
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS/
HILLSBOROUGH BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: May 6.2002
Action Agenda
Item No. �-
SUBJECT: Emerging Transportation Issues
DEPARTMENT: Planning PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) Ng
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Craig Benedict, ext 2592
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 7324181
Chapel HIII 968-0501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 336427-2031
PURPOSE: To discuss emerging issues related to mnsportatlan Issues and concerns along
Orange Grove Road and at the intersection of US 70 1NO 57/NG 86.
BACKGROUND;
Orange County and I Town of Hillsborough recently have made strides in the collaboration on
mutual transportation issues:
First, the EDD Transportation Work Group met regularly over approximately seven
months (February through August, 2001) and developed consensus around a number of
recommended traffic improvements in and around Hillsborough, including extending
existing roads to provide increased connectivity, creating new road alignments to serve
as additional connectors, and improving circulation via Win lanes and improved lane
configurations.
Second, on January 17, 2002,the Chair,Vice Chair, and Manager met with the Mayor,
Mayor Pro-Tem, and Manager for Hillsborough to discuss items of mutual interest.
During that discussion, transportation projects of mutual 'Interest(Orange Grove Road,
Intersection of US 70/NC 57/NC86)were discussed. A Specific point of discussion
focused on working more closely with the District and Division Engineers of NCDOT.
Third, the managers met recently and reinforced the idea of working together with
NGDOT officials, Chair, Mayor, etc.on items that are mutual priorities for both beards.
a) Orange Grove Road
Orange Grave Road (SR 1006) is rated as a major thoroughfare in the adopted Hilllsborough
Thoroughfare Plan (adopted by the Town of Hillsborough on July 23, 1996 and the NCDOT on
October 4, 1996). This roadway also includes a joint pedestrian/bicycla route. Orange Grove
Road is functionally noted as a minor arterial,(Hillsborough area)and collector(Orange County
coral area)in Orange Coun6Js Comprehensive Plan.
The potential for traffic growth in this corridor is being realized by various projects in process
and progress in both Hillsborough and Orange County. To ameliorate substantiated present
and future traffic congestion,traffic planning is paramount in development permit decisions.
Approaches to reduce diminished traffic levels of service include:
• Dedication of appropriate right of way(80"wide)for a planned readwaycross.
section by developers during proposal review.
• Construction of additional lanes, Including a third lane, fight and left turn lanes, by
the developer and/or with coordination with NCDOT and the Town of Hillsborough.
• Alignment of intersections as noted in the Town Of Hillsborough (Thoroughfare Plan)
such as Eno Mountain Road and Mayo Street,which then could potentially warrant a
traffic light as well as promote the only other north —south alternative acmes the Eno
River.
• installation of traffic lights.
• Pedestrian and bikeways to ensure safety of the non-motoring public.
These approaches and orhers are common and meet Me objectives of providing for orderly
development with lower overall casts to the public as well as enable private Interests b plan their
actions, improvements,and development w0h the knowledge of public interests.
b) Intarmadion of US TO I NO 061 NC57
The intersection of US 70/ NO 86 and NO 86/NC57 and the NO 86 link between the
intersections, are approaching inadequate levels of service (LOS). Approved development and
natural increases in traffic volume will, In a short pert overburden these areas. Even though
some improvements to the US 7O I NO 86 intersection and NO 86 madway north to the future
northern loop were requested an the local TIP priority list, the project typically does not
maMCOlate is the regional priority list In a shaft dare faced, which could extend such a project
schedule to five or more years. Other creative methods to begin planning for these roadway
constructon Improvements, should be considered.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There Is no financial impact associated with discussion of these issues.
RECOMMENDATION(Sh The Manager recommends that the Besot discuss these issues and
condoms and provitle any necessary comments to staff.