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Home My WebLink AboutAgenda - 12-01-2008 - 6bORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: December 1, 2008 Action Agenda Item No. (p — b SUBJECT: Resolution Submitting Comments Regarding Options for the Durham - Chapel Hill - Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization's Draft 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N) No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: 1. Resolution 2. OUTBoard Recommendation Karen Lincoln, 245 -2594 3. Table of Four (4) Transportation Craig Benedict, 245 -2592 Options 4. Maps of Transportation Projects 5. 2035 LRTP Transportation Options Report (Previously Provided Under Separate Cover) PURPOSE: To consider a resolution submitting comments to the Durham - Chapel Hill - Carrboro (DCHC) Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) regarding transportation systems proposed for the Preferred Option for the Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). BACKGROUND: Every four years the DCHC MPO updates the LRTP. The 2035 LRTP will list the highway, transit, bicycle, and other transportation projects and services to be implemented between 2008 through the year 2035 to best meet the expected transportation demand in the region. The LRTP is fiscally constrained, and includes revenue sources to pay for the projects and services. Transportation projects and services must be in the LRTP in order to receive state and federal funding. The Board of Commissioners, at its meeting on September 22, 2008, received a presentation and endorsed comments regarding the Triangle Regional Model results /analysis for combinations of various transportation alternatives and land use alternatives being studied to assess the effect those scenarios would have on future traffic and congestion. The MPO staff reviewed comments received from the local jurisdictions and the public and has prepared four (4) transit options and one (1) option each for highway, bicycle, and other transportation modes for further study. The four (4) options look at each of the four (4) transit options paired with the projects proposed for the highway, bicycle, and other modes. Attachment 3 lists the four (4) options followed by maps (Attachment 4) of each transit option, the highway option, and the on- road and off -road bicycle /pedestrian options. The full transportation options report also includes cost and traditional revenue forecasts for each of the four (4) options and revenue forecasts for two local revenue sources, '/2 cent sales 2 tax and an extra $10 vehicle registration fee, based on comments submitted on the Alternatives Analysis. The full report, which was previously provided under separate cover, can be downloaded under 2035 LRTP Options at www.dchcmpo.org. Orange Unified Transportation Board Recommended Comments The Orange Unified Transportation Board (OUTBoard), at its meeting on November 19, 2008, received a presentation on the options being considered for the Draft 2035 LRTP and recommended the following transportation approaches: • Support rail transportation including commuter rail service between Burlington and Raleigh that would serve Orange County, as well as light rail to serve the triangle area; • Consider extending light rail from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to connect to potential commuter rail (University Station) ending in Carrboro; • Consider using existing power grids (utility easements) for light rail lines; • Support enhanced local bus and express bus service with shorter delays; • Ensure good connectivity of services that feed larger transit systems; • Include private transportation providers in the process, especially with respect to provision of services to transportation terminals and areas on fringe of service routes; • Concentrate limited resources on transit and not on expanding highway capacity; and • Invest in roadway "hotspots" /intersection improvements instead of overall roadway widening. Next Steps The MPO Transportation Advisory Committee and technical staff will evaluate the four (4) transportation options and consider public input to develop the Preferred Option, which the TAC will adopt as the Draft 2035 LRTP. The TAC expects to approve the Draft 2035 LRTP in early December and the Draft 2035 LRTP will then go through an evaluation and public input process to ensure that the plan meets air quality conformity regulations. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no direct financial impact associated with this item, although implementation of many of the alternatives will require new local and state funding. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board: 1. Receive the information and OUTBoard comments; and 2. Endorse the resolution submitting those comments to the DCHC MPO TAC. Attachment 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS A RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE COMMENTS TO THE DURHAM - CHAPEL HILL - CARRBORO METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE REGARDING OPTIONS FOR DEVELOPING THE DRAFT 2035 LONG -RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN 3 WHEREAS, Orange County has participated in regional transportation planning as a member of the Durham - Chapel Hill - Carrboro (DCHC) Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO); and WHEREAS, the Durham - Chapel Hill- Carrboro Transportation Advisory Committee is preparing a Long -Range Transportation Plan, and has released the Options for developing the Preferred Option for the Draft DCHC 2035 Long -Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) for public comment; and WHEREAS, Orange County seeks ample opportunities to review and comment on regional transportation plans and policies; and WHEREAS, the Orange Unified Transportation Board has submitted comments regarding the Preferred Option for the Draft 2035 LRTP; and WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of Commissioners has submitted comments regarding the Alternatives Analysis for the 2035 LRTP and has reviewed the Options for the Preferred Option for the Draft 2035 LRTP; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Orange County Board of Commissioners recommends to the Transportation Advisory Committee that the 2035 Durham - Chapel Hill- Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization Long Range Transportation Plan give priority to projects that encourage alternatives to automobile travel, minimize adverse impacts on the natural environment and cultural sites, and foster economic development in designated economic development districts. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Orange County Board of Commissioners recommends that the following approaches be considered in the Draft 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan: • Support rail transportation including commuter rail service between Burlington and Raleigh that would serve Orange County, as well as light rail to serve the Triangle area; • Consider extending light rail from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to connect to potential commuter rail (University Station) ending in Carrboro; • Consider using existing power grids (utility easements) for light rail lines; • Support enhanced local bus and express bus service with shorter delays; • Ensure good connectivity of services that feed larger transit systems; • Include private transportation providers in the process, especially with respect to provision of services to transportation terminals and areas on fringe of service routes; • Concentrate limited resources on transit and not on expanding highway capacity; and Attachment 1 4 • Invest in roadway "hotspots" /intersection improvements instead of overall roadway widening. Upon motion of Commissioner , seconded by Commissioner 2008. the foregoing resolution was adopted this the day of , 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 September 16, 2008, 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 , 2008 Clerk to the Board of Commissioners Attachment 2 OUTBoard Comments Regarding Options for the DCHC MPO Draft 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan Orange Unifie4 Transportation Board PO Box 8181 Hillsborough, NC 27278 Memorandum Date: November 19, 2008 To: Orange County Board of County Commissioners From: Sam Lasris, Chair Orange Unified Transportation Board Subject: Comments Regarding Options for the Durham - Chapel Hill- Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization Draft 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan 5 The Orange Unified Transportation Board (OUTBoard) met Wednesday, November 19, 2008, to discuss transportation options considered for the Durham - Chapel Hill - Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization Draft 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan, and endorsed the following comments to recommend for Orange County to submit to the Transportation Advisory Committee. The OUTBoard does not support any one transit option, and recommends transportation approaches that include: • Support rail transportation including commuter rail service between Burlington and Raleigh that would serve Orange County, as well as light rail to serve the Triangle area; • Consider extending light rail from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to connect to potential commuter rail (University Station) ending in Carrboro; • Consider using existing power grids (utility easements) for light rail lines; • Support enhanced local bus and express bus service with shorter delays; • Ensure good connectivity of services that feed larger transit systems; • Include private transportation providers in the process, especially with respect to provision of services to transportation terminals and areas on fringe of service routes; • Concentrate limited resources on transit and not on expanding highway capacity; and • Invest in roadway " "hotspots" /intersection improvements instead of overall roadway widening. Summary of Preferred Options(1) Section 1 -- Introduction Preferred Option Highway Bus Transit Fixed Guideway Bus Transit • HOV /HOT on I -40 (from Wake Co. • Local bus expansion • No fixed guideway service (from Bus Intensive Alternative) to NC 86) o Peak headways 10 -20 minutes • Triangle Parkway (toll) o Off -Peak headways 15 -30 minutes • US 15 -501 freeway • Express bus expansion • 7 Highway Trust Fund "loop" • Regional bus expansion (to outlying projects (including East End communities) Connector) • Employment center circulators Commuter Rail • Same as above • Same with addition of bus feeder service • Commuter Rail — Hillsborough to (from Moderate multi -modal to commuter stations Downtown Durham to RTP to alternative) Downtown Raleigh to Clayton • Commuter Rail — Downtown Durham to Carrboro via Carolina North • Bus Rapid Transit — Downtown Durham to UNC- Chapel Hill STAG —DMU • Same as above • Same with addition of bus feeder service • Rail Transit -- Duke to Downtown ((from Fixed Guideway to rail transit stations Raleigh using Diesel Multiple Units alternative) (DMU) starting in 2019 • Light Rail Transit — Duke to UNC - Chapel Hill using electric rail cars starting in 2025 STAC — Electric • Same as above ; • Same with addition of bus feeder service • Light Rail Transit — UNC- Chapel Hill to (New alternative —the only Preferred to rail transit stations Duke to Downtown Durham starting in Option not evaluated as part the 2019, then to NCCU to RTP to Alternatives Analysis Downtown Raleigh using electric rail cars starting in 2025 ti) ) Sutne netprtu uenmuons: by v inO t = High Occupancy vehicle /toll; lanes that can only be used by vehicles that pay a toll or have at least a specified number of passengers. Headway = minutes to wait before next bus arrives. Peak = period of highest travel, generally 7am -9am and 4pm -6pm. BRT = Bus Rapid Transit, which are buses on a separate roadway. Fixed Guideway = transit vehicles on traveling on separate track or roadway. STAC = Special Transit Advisory Commission, which was a regional commission that recommended major transit investments. Highway Trust Fund "loop' = Highway projects designated in state legislation to receive special funding, in DCHC MPO these include: a) East End Connector; b) US 70 widening and freeway upgrade between Wake County and East End Connector; c) I -85 widening in Durham County; d) all three section of the Northern Durham Parkway; and, e) North Roxboro Road widening. DMU = Diesel Multiple Unit; each car carries own propulsion capacity and thus trains can be scaled more easily to meet demand. However, the DMUs are relatively large and heavy, and cannot be mixed on streets with regular traffic. Electric = Using electric rail cars (often called light rail transit) that can be, to some extent, mixed on streets with regular traffic. Commuter Rail = Locomotive passenger trains running on mainline rail tracks that have stations relatively far apart and typically only run during peak commute hours. 1 -4 Section 3 -- Highway Projects DURHAM CHAPEL HILL CARRBORO METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION Roadway Improvements in Preferred Option if hapel Hill ,rboro 4 507 6-Lane Divided Improvement US and NC Highways Upgrade to Freeway Preferred Option Projects _� New Freeway /Expressway 2 -3 Lane New Location Upgrade Existing Freeway - 2 -3 Lane Improvement �f Interstates 6-Lane Divided Improvement US and NC Highways Upgrade to Freeway Preferred Option Projects _� New Freeway /Expressway 2 -3 Lane New Location Upgrade Existing Freeway - 2 -3 Lane Improvement O Intersection Improvements • • • • 45 Lane Divided New Location HOV Projects 45 Lane Divided Improvement Carrboro ,.'� =,!. MPO Boundary Chapel Hill L _ -J County Boundaries Durham Hillsborough Other Municipalities Research Triangle Park 3 -4 7 2036 The Louis Berger Group, Inc. 8.6.2008 MNee 0 1.25 2.5 5 3 -4 7 DURHAM CHASPEL SILL CARRBORO METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION Transit Preferred Option -Bus Transit d 0 J MEIROPOLIiAN 10232008 , ,r j, "'iur !ake. Interstates Transit In Bus Intensive Scenario Carrboro US and NC Highways - - -- Local Bus Chapel Hill MPO Boundary Express Bus Durham County Boundaries Hillsborough Other Municipalities Research Triangle Park TO L: MEIROPOLIiAN 10232008 L: DURHAM CHASPELnILL CARRBORO METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION Transit Preferred Option- Commuter Rail rx - -_ -- - - - -- ate' 15 x ' ,� o lb/ b J�,r Jun 1 ua,e_ Intorslales Transit in Modified Scenario Carrbwo US and NC Highways Local Bus Chapal Hit MPO Boundary Express Bus Duft_ �- -- -J County Boundaries C—.LA r Rell Higsborough OBaa MunicipaNlies Resear h Tdangle Park r_ v► ' DCHC II� METROPOLITAN R rl• ows I DURHAM CHASPELIILL CARRBORO METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION Transit Preferred Option -Rail Transit 0 501 ; This fixed guideway corridor will be light 157 uy rail to the west of the Durham Muultimodal, Center, and will be Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) to the east , , ' A `1':„. Y' is ORail Transit Stations Transit In Fixed Guideway Scenario Carrbom era < 501 � Y Chapel Hill US and NC Highways Express Durham " "f�"� Jorda�l Luke Qfi/ S Hillsborough j County Boundaries ORail Transit Stations Transit In Fixed Guideway Scenario Carrbom Interstates Local Bus Chapel Hill US and NC Highways Express Durham #; a MPO Boundary Rail Transit Hillsborough j County Boundaries Other Municipalities Research Triangle Park V IJ Eill ' DCHC /1i MEiRO;C L! r rr: N DURHAM CHAPEL HILL CARRBORO METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION Transit Preferred Option -Light Rail Transit Light Rail Stations Transit in Fixed Guideway Scenario Carrboro Interstates Local Bus Chapel Hill US and NC Highways - Express Durham MPO Boundary Electric Light Rail Hillsborough County Boundaries Electric Light Rail Deviation to NCCU Other Municipalities Research Triangle Park ' DCHC i11 METROPOLITAN A 50, w; r Jo, l aka Light Rail Stations Transit in Fixed Guideway Scenario Carrboro Interstates Local Bus Chapel Hill US and NC Highways - Express Durham MPO Boundary Electric Light Rail Hillsborough County Boundaries Electric Light Rail Deviation to NCCU Other Municipalities Research Triangle Park ' DCHC i11 METROPOLITAN 1 11: DURHAM GIiAPELP ILQL GARRBORO METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION On -Road Bicycle Facilities IMN V& 7-7=1� -- - -= - -- ' The 2 Y b r `5507 ', _., l 1 8.6.2008 Mies 0 0.5 1 2 5 -3 n B Ere hp J... r�n _ Of fi Labe Interstates Regional Bicycle Facilities Camboro US and NC Highways On -Road Bicycle Facilities Chapel Hill •. MPO Boundary Durham County Boundaries Hillsborough Other Municipalities Research Triangle Park v► �a Louts 0 3 5 The 2 Berger Group, Inc. 8.6.2008 Mies 0 0.5 1 2 5 -3 �a Section 5 -- Bicycle and Pedestrian Projects DURHAM CHAPEL HILL CARRBORO METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION Off -Road Bicycle Facilities = k; v► 3 Off-Road Bicycle Facilities Carrbom Interstates Chapel Hill US and NC Highways Durham MPO Boundary Hillsborough County Boundaries Other Municipalities Research Triangle Park v► 3 2 0 5 The Louis Berger Group, Inc. 8.6.2008 Miks o 1.25 z.s s 5 -4 r3