RES-2011-053 Resolution Endorsing Priority Transportation Projects for Metropolitan Planning Org Regional Priority List 2014-2020 Transportation Improvement Program

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ORANGE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION PRIORITY LIST 2014 - 2020 DURHAM-CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM TIP Project No. EB-4980 SR 1006 (Orange Grove Road) at Interstate 40: Construct a pedestrian bridge over I-40; construct sidewalk along the north side of Orange Grove Road from the bridge to Timbers Drive. This pedestrian bridge is the central element in the Safe Routes to School plan for Grady A. Brown Elementary School and for Cedar Ridge High School. Without the bridge, the SRTS plan cannot move forward. Construction of 0.14 mile (approx.) sidewalk on the north side of the bridge extending from the bridge to Timbers Avenue will provide connectivity from the bridge to three high- density neighborhoods: Patriot's Point, Colonial Estates, and the Timbers. To improve the pedestrian access to the south of the bridge, the Orange County School System has committed to constructing a safe and comfortable path from the pedestrian bridge to the Cedar Ridge entrance. Interstate 40 separates two schools, Grady Brown Elementary and Cedar Ridge High School, from residential areas north of the interstate. The Orange County school system estimates that over 262 students live within one mile of the schools. Most of these students live in the high-density Timbers, Patriot's Pointe, and Colonial Estates neighborhoods. The "Access Management and Awareness Project and Report for Orange Grove Road" recommends this project. 2. TIP Project No. R-2825. SR 1009 (South Churton Street) Improvements Develop congestion management, limited access, aesthetic and capacity improvements including bicycle and pedestrian improvements between US 70 Business and Interstate 40. The portion between Interstates 40 and 85 will conform to the design criteria of the Economic Development District Design Manual (4-lane divided section with bike and pedestrian improvements). The feasibility study completed by NCDOT in February 2002 recommends a 4-lane divided curb and gutter cross section, with 16-foot median, for the entire corridor from I-40 to the Eno River. Orange County stresses the need to study improvements within the current right-of-way for the segment north of Interstate 85. Improved capacity through widening is not the County's first choice because of significant constraints between Interstate 85 and US 70 Business and the proximity of the historic district north of the project limits. Orange County requests that, where conditions do not prevent the addition of frontage roads, the feasibility study include the addition of frontage roads with limited access from the corridor. 3. Hillsborough Train Station: Construct a train station in Hillsborough as designated in Hillsborough's Rail Station Small Area Plan, and implement AMTRAK service to Orange County. The train station can also serve future commuter rail operations and anchor a multimodal transportation hub in Hillsborough. A revenue and ridership study conducted by the North Carolina Department of Transportation Rail Division and AMTRAK has indicated that there is enough potential ridership to make a stop in Hillsborough financially feasible.