HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-05-2003-1tr, ~ ftiAc •"~
Joint Orange Grove Road Transportation Group Recommendations
The Joint Orange Grove Road Transportation Group recommends the following actions to alleviate
unsafe conditions and to manage potential congestion from future development in the Orange Grove
Road corridor. The recommendations address five basic issues: 1. obtaining funding for
improvements to enhance safety for all modes of traffic; 2. providing pedestrian facilities (sidewalks)
in the corridor; 3. implementation of recommendations into local plans and regulations; 4.
recommendations for future studies; and 5. distribute the report to community groups for comments.
1. Pursue funding to implement recommendations in this study.
The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), Spot Safety funds and Small Urban Funds are
potential funding sources for roadway improvements. Small Urban Funds maybe used for projects
within 1-mile outside city limits. Both Small Urban and Spot Safety funding sources are subject to
the discretion of the Division's Board of Transportation (BOT) member, and are generally
requested for projects in the $50,000 to $200,000 range. The local jurisdiction(s) must request
those funds from the BOT member. Transportation Improvement Program, in general, is used to
fund projects that cost $300,000 or more. There are also some contingency funds that maybe
requested through the area's representatives to the State legislature.
The local jurisdictions should pursue funding to advance the following improvements in the Orange
Grove Road corridor.
Pursue funding to widen the bridge on Orange Grove Road over Interstate 40 to include bicycle and
pedestrian facilities. North Carolina Department of Transportation estimates the cost to add bicycle
and pedestrian facilities to the bridge is approximately $750,000.
Pursue funding and work with NCDOT to install a crosswalk with a flashing light to warn vehicles of
the pedestrian crossing at the bus driveway entrance at Grady Brown Elementary School.
Pursue funding and work with NCDOT to investigate installing a traffic light at the intersection of
Oakdale Drive and Orange Grove Road, and to provide right turn lanes on both Oakdale Drive and
Orange Grove Road to assist traffic flow through the intersection.
2. Provide pedestrian facilities along Orange Grove Road.
- Research actual right-of--way along Orange Grove Road throughout the corridor study area
through land records and pursue feasibility of obtaining the recommended 80' right-of--way
through dedication or acquiring easements.
Investigate installing sidewalks along the north side of Orange Grove Road in the corridor study area
including determining the feasibility of construction with respect to changes in elevation along the road
and with respect to cost.
After technical report has been received by both the Hillsborough Town Board and the Orange County
Board of Commissioners, if the data indicates that construction of a sidewalk on the north side of
Orange Grove Road is not financially feasible, pursue widening Orange Grove Road to 12' lanes with,
at a minimum, 4' paved shoulders and preferably with 6' or 8' paved shoulders to allow for a shared
bicycle/pedestrian facility.
Coordinate with the School Board to pursue installation of sidewalks along Orange Grove Road
adjacent to the school property, along New Grady Brown School Road and from the proposed cross
walk on New Grady Brown School Road to the Grady Brown School and to Cedar Ridge High School.
3. Implement recommendations into local plans and regulations.
Include recommendations in this study in the development of Multi-modal Transportation Plans for
Orange County and the Town of Hillsborough.
Adopt recommended cross section for Orange Grove Road into Orange County and Town of
Hillsborough zoning ordinances and subdivision regulations.
Amend each jurisdictions respective land use regulations to support and/or implement
recommendations in this study including a provision that any development having ingress/egress off
Orange Grove Road in the study area either construct its fair share of recommended improvements or
provide payment in lieu of for such improvements.
Support TIP Project R2825, South Churton Street improvements, by continuing to assign a high
priority to that project as a transportation need in the biennial update of the TIP.
4. The following items are recommended for Future Studies.
Work with the business community through the Economic Development Commission and the Orange
County/Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce to implement the recommendations in the Feasibility
Study for South Churton Street concerning Daniel Boone Village and to develop access management
for other businesses in the South Churton Street corridor.
Pursue a future study for the Oakdale Drive corridor.
5. Distribute Orange Grove Road Study and Access Management Plan to community groups for
comments.