HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 12-09-2025; 12-5 - Information Item - Memorandum - Update on Orange County Bike and Pedestrian Plan �1
ORANGE ORANGE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION SERVICES P09L,CT8ANSiT y
COUNTY SARAH WILLIAMSON, DEPUTY DIRECTOR
NOR I 4,°illi?LlN
MEMORANDUM
TO: Travis Myren, County Manager
FROM: Sarah Williamson, Interim Transportation Director
DATE: December 9, 2025
SUBJECT: Update on Orange County Bike and Pedestrian Plan
This memorandum is intended to provide an update on the Orange County Bike and
Pedestrian Plan project.
In fall 2024, Orange County, Triangle West Transportation Planning Organization
(TWTPO) and project consultant Stantec began work on the creation of Orange
County's Countywide Bike and Pedestrian Plan. The project is supported by the
Project Working Group (PWG) and the Core Technical Team (CTT). The Orange
County Unified Transportation Board (OUTBoard) has been updated on this project
periodically, and provided feedback on both the Bike and Pedestrian Plan process
and key elements of the plan. Together, these teams include staff, community
partners, municipal representatives, and stakeholders who have been providing
guidance at key milestones throughout plan development.
Work on the project began with examining existing related plans — such as the
County's Transportation Multimodal Plan, and TWTPO's Vision Zero Action Plan —
and project management tools, followed by early engagement and plan development
activities. Initial tasks included the creation of foundational project materials, review
and summarization of previous local and regional plans and policies, and the
facilitation of several early engagement events including a public community event in
December 2024, the first public open house in March 2025, and multiple stakeholder
listening sessions held throughout the spring. A draft report format and initial
introduction chapter were developed as part of this initial phase, and membership for
the PWG was established along with introductory communications.
Project team coordination and engagement have continued throughout 2025. The
PWG held meetings in July and August, providing direction for prioritization, project
refinement, anticipated impact on the project goals and project feasibility. CTT
Meeting three was also held during this period to review technical analyses and draft
project lists. Two meetings were held with the County's Trail's Plan staff and
consultant to ensure coordination between the plans, as well as check-ins with
partner teams.
Orange County Transportation Department
PO Box 8181, Hillsborough, NC 27278
Phone:(919)245-2008
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ORANGE ORANGE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION SERVICES ANSiT y
COUNTY SARAH WILLIAMSON, DEPUTY DIRECTOR
ti;CaH 1 E i 4-AROLi N,
Throughout fall, Stantec facilitated additional public engagement, including a public
workshop on September 24 held concurrently with the Countywide Trails Plan.
Feedback from this workshop and earlier outreach helped refine the draft project list
and refine community priorities. A set of priority bicycle and pedestrian projects was
identified based on the results of the PWG which served as the basis for concept
level design and implementation planning.
Drafts of Chapters 1 through 3 of the Plan have shared with County staff for review,
and will guide the development of the implementation recommendations and
strategies. We are in discussions about recommendations and approach for Chapters
4 and 5 that will include policy guidance, and implementation and funding strategies.
Thematically, the Plan framework focuses on improving safety and accessibility for all
users, building a more connected multimodal network throughout the county, and
expanding walking and biking access for both rural areas and historically underserved
communities. These themes reflect alignment with the County's adopted
Transportation Multimodal Plan, current trails planning efforts, and the Orange
County Strategic Plan.
During the latter stages of the process, the project leads at both Orange County and
Stantec departed. Despite these transitions, we have maintained project continuity
through updated work planning, documentation, and regular coordination.
Next steps for the project involve continuing through the completion of the draft Bike
and Pedestrian Plan, including a CTT meeting, development of draft Chapters 4 and
5, and preparation of the final plan materials. The final draft Bike and Pedestrian Plan,
complete with prioritized projects, policy recommendations, implementation
strategies, and supporting documentation, is planned to be presented to the Board at
a work session in February. Before moving to this step, we wanted to share the work
to date with the Board and receive any feedback or direction as the draft Plan is
created.
Please let me know if I, or members of the project team, may provide any additional
information.
Copies: Caitlin Fenhagen, Deputy County Manager
Katy Shackelford, Stantec
Madeline Galliano, Triangle West Transportation Planning Organization
Orange County Transportation Department
PO Box 8181, Hillsborough, NC 27278
Phone:(919)245-2008