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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />COMMENTS REGARDING THE <br />2004 -2010 DURHAM-CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO <br />METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZION <br />TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM <br />1. Comments on Proiect U-3808 Elizabeth Brady Road Extension <br />A. The Orange County Board of Commissioners is pleased that bicycle and <br />pedestrian facilities have been included in the Elizabeth Brady Road Extension <br />project connecting US 70 Business with US 70 Bypass. The Board requests that <br />the 2004- 2010 DCHC Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program use <br />the following alignment and cross section for the project. <br />1. An alignment that has the least impact on the Eno River, the natural <br />environment and cultural sites. <br />2. An alignment that does not cross the Eno River, but is aligned along the ridge <br />south of the river (if that alignment has the least impact on the natural <br />environment and cultural sites). This recommendation is in accordance with <br />the Economic Development District Transportation Work Group priority order <br />by preference of options to be studied for environmental analysis. <br />3. A road configuration of two lanes with right-of-way reserved for four lanes <br />(four lanes if necessary). <br />The Board further stresses that it does not endorse the alternative for this project <br />that proposes a western bypass of Hillsborough with an interchange at I-40/I-85 <br />that would impact the critical area of the Upper Eno Watershed. <br />B. An Economic Development District (EDD) Transportation Work Group made up <br />of Orange County and Town of Hillsborough elected officials, planning staff, <br />developers and community groups was established to address transportation <br />issues regarding the Hillsborough area EDD. That group's recommendations <br />and comments regarding the planning and design of this project were submitted <br />on December 3, 2001, as part of Orange County's Transportation Priority List for <br />Consideration of Funding in the 2004 -2010 Transportation Improvement <br />Program. <br />2. Comments On Other Tip Projects Initiated By NCDOT <br />A. I-3306 Section A: widening of I-40 to six lanes from I-85 in Orange County to NC <br />147 (Buck Dean Freeway) in Durham County. <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 (scheduled for <br />.2004) in Durham County. Project planning and design for this facility was <br />completed for both phases of the project and the environmental studies rendered <br />a Categorical Exclusion (CE) in 2000. The studies for the project in Orange <br />County should be reviewed prior to construction, especially with respect to the <br />recently completed study concerning high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. <br />