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4 <br />A. The proposed corridor, discussed for many years, would require a crossing of the <br />Eno River and impact .natural areas, the river corridor and several historic <br />properties. The Orange County Board of Commissioners stresses that the <br />alignment and cross section for the project must be one that has the least impact <br />on the Eno River, the natural environment and cultural sites. <br />B. The Board would not support the option for an alignment along the ridge south of <br />the Eno River (Poplar Ridge) that creates no new crossing of the river if, of the <br />three alignments being studied, it would have the worst impact on biological and <br />hydrological environments and on cultural sites. <br />C. The Orange County Board of Commissioners supports a design that includes <br />bicycle and pedestrian facilities for the Elizabeth Brady Road Extension project <br />connecting US 70 Business. with US 70 Bypass. The Board prefers a road <br />configuration of two lanes with right-of-way reserved for four lanes (four lanes if <br />.necessary). <br />III. Comments On Two TIP Projects Initiated By NCDOT <br />A. I-3306 Section A: widening of I-40 to six lanes from I-85 in Orange Countv to NC <br />147 (Buck Dean Freeway) in Durham Countv. <br />The Orange County portion of this project is currently listed in the TIP as an <br />unfunded project; however, this project is nearing completion (estimated <br />completion in 2005) in Durham County. Project planning and design for this <br />facility was completed for both phases of the project and the environmental <br />studies rendered a Categorical Exclusion (CE) in 2000. <br />1. HOV Lanes <br />The studies for the project in Orange County should be reviewed prior to <br />construction, especially with respect to the recently completed study <br />concerning high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. <br />Orange County is opposed to any widening of I-40 through Orange County <br />unless there is a commitment by NCDOT to provide HOV and/or dedicated <br />bus lanes (from NC 86 westward). Transportation modeling studies indicate <br />that the existing four-lane section from I-85 to NC 86 may be adequate to <br />handle projected future traffic, but HOV lanes, along with widening to a six- <br />lane section for general traffic, will be needed to help alleviate congestion <br />from NC 86 to US 1/64 in Wake County. <br />2. Design Features <br />Orange County also requests that NCDOT consider the following design <br />features for this project: <br />a. Use native plants in landscaping at interchanges for this project; <br />b. Include noise walls or other means to reduce the effects of traffic noise on <br />residential and other uses located. along the corridor; <br />c. Include any available wildlife mitigation measures, particularly at bridges; <br />and <br />