Agenda - 10-13-2009 - 3 - Laserfiche WebLink

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14 Sidewalks do not exist anywhere in the planning area and it was only very recently that Highway 70 was widened enough to accommodate bicycles along the route. Broadening transportation alternatives beyond the passenger car is important. "Alternative" transportation modes such as pedestrian, bicycle, and mass transit aze part of an intermodal transportation system. The following are recommendations pertaining to transportation: 1. Road volumes and capacities on Brookhollow, Richmond, and Efland-Cedaz Grove Roads need to be further studied before significant additional development that will utilize these roads is allowed. Improvements to these roads may be necessary to efficiently accommodate growing traffic volumes. 2. The Efland-Cedaz Grove/Forrest Avenue/Mt. Willing road corridor should be realigned.. A vehiculaz underpass under the railroad should be considered and the at-grade crossing should be eliminated if an alternative is implemented. (See Map 28 for possible alignment). Additionally, an alternative to a traffic signal should be considered to efficiently manage traffic; specifically, traffic circles should be considered to more effectively move peak hour traffic through this azea. Route re-alignment should also endeavor to maintain community connectivity between areas south of the railroad track and the core azea of Efland. If an underpass proves not to be feasible, then the county should work with NCDOT for a solution to more effectively route traffic through this azea. 3. A connection from Highway 70 east to the Interstate connector should be identified and constructed (i.e., eastbound Highway 70 to southbound connector to Interstate which could reduce traffic volumes on Mt. Willing Road and Forrest Avenue). Mitigation measures to address any identified adverse impacts due to constructing the connection would also need to be implemented. 4. A pazk-n-ride lot should be located in the planning area. The exact location should be determined in conjunction with transportation planning professionals and an advisory committee but a location near the Interstate and walkable to the Efland village core should be considered. (See Map 28 for the general location of the Efland village core). 5. Bicycle lanes should be provided along all major roadways. Major roadways in the planning area include Brookhollow Road, Efland-Cedar Grove Road, Richmond Road, Frazier Road, Buckhorn Road, Lebanon Road, Forrest Avenue, Mt. Willing Road, West Ten Road, Bowman Road, and Ben Wilson Road. 6. Sidewalks are necessary for safe pedestrian travel. Sidewalks should be required in new developments and a sidewalk plan to retrofit developed areas so that sidewalks can serve as connectors between residential, commercial, and civic uses should be completed and implemented along with mechanism for handling liability and maintenance of the sidewalks. Constructing a sidewalk along Highway 70 from Tinnen Road to Lloyd Dairy Road should be a priority. Additionally, sidewalk and/or trail privileges should be 72