Agenda - 02-21-2012 - 9a - Laserfiche WebLink

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NC 54 f I-40 CORRIDOR STUDY TRANSPORTATION-LAND USE MASTER PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Study Objectives In that context, the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro and future transportation needs. They address the Metropolitan Planning Organization (DCHC MPO) functional design for specific geometric improvements at initiated the NC 54/1-40 Corridor Study to develop a intersections along NC 54 and at the interchanges with land use — transportation blueprint for this regionally 1-40 and US 15-501, the expansion and integration of significant corridor. With its development potential and various types of transit services to help more people the plan to construct a regional light rail system that reach their destinations as an alternative to driving, would serve this corridor,the goal of the study is to define an interconnected network of bicycle and pedestrian complementary land use and transportation strategies facilities to provide a more comfortable environment that will guide public and private actions, investments with safe access along the corridor for walking and and capital project priorities to improve mobility,safety cycling, and a phased implementation plan for capital and access for all modes. The dynamic nature of this projects and service improvements. critical corridor requires a bold vision supported by practical, achievable strategies in the near term and These transportation recommendations support a land set the right foundation for longer term improvements use strategy designed to create more opportunities through the 2035 horizon year. for location-efficient housing and transportation in the corridor to improve livability and regional mobility. The Through a planning process that examined future land corridor is becoming increasingly employment-oriented, use-transportation scenarios, the NC 54/1-40 Corridor and more proximate housing choices—particularly for a Study seeks to build upon various transportation and range of income levels—will create shorter trip distances land use plans and engage corridor stakeholders and and help make the use of non-auto travel options more the public in finding solutions that are effective and find viable.The report includes design guidelines to provide the right balance between mobility and accessibility further support for implementing the recommended land for all users. Study recommendations in the final report use and transportation strategies. offer a multimodal approach to meeting existing Study Partners and Process The DCHC MPO led the study, serving as the project While the NC 54 corridor study limits are from 1-40 to US manager in partnership with the consultant team hired for 15-501, the study did not just focus on the linear right- the project, Renaissance Planning Group, in association of-way along NC 54. It captured a regional context, with ICF International and Michael Baker Corporation. including growth patterns, transportation plans and the The MPO coordinated the active involvement of a broad planned regional light rail system anticipated to connect group of study partners that include the North Carolina this corridor to other points in the Triangle Region.The study Department of Transportation (NCDOT), Triangle Transit area boundaries encompass surrounding neighborhoods Authority (TTA), the City of Durham, Durham County, the and the existing and planned street networks, including Town of Chapel Hill, the University of North Carolina Ephesus Church Road, Barbee Chapel Road, Farrington at Chapel Hill (UNC), Chapel Hill Transit (CHT) and the Road, NC 751 and others providing parallel routes or Durham Area Transit Authority (DATA).The MPO,the City interconnecting with NC 54. of Durham, Durham County, and the Town of Chapel Hill funded the study. The study partners formed a steering Public engagement is critically important to the study. committee that met monthly to guide the process,provide A part of the corridor's complexity is the multitude input at key milestones, and review study work products. of interested stakeholders with diverse expectations about the future of the NC 54 corridor. These include landowners, institutions, businesses, neighborhood �I DECEMBER 201 1 E-2