Agenda - 05-01-2012 - 5a - Laserfiche WebLink

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18 In late August, 2011, as a result of ongoing technical evaluation, public involvement and discussions with government agencies, the MPOs and other key stakeholders, an Addendum was prepared for each of the Detailed Definition of Alternatives Technical Reports. This additional information is also posted on the aforementioned project web site. Triangle Transit has stated that the LPA must be approved by the Durham Chapel Hill Carrboro (DCHC) Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) by mid-February 2012 to make the deadline for federal New Starts applications (mid-August 2012). At its November 15. 2011 meeting the BOCC received a presentation on the Triangle Regional Transit Program —Alternatives Analysis (AA) and the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) and the BOCC identified additional information for upcoming work sessions. Since the December 8t' 2011 Special Transit Work Session, county staff has met with a majority of the Commissioners and compiled a list of questions concerning the Alternatives Analysis and the Locally Preferred Alternative. The questions are organized into general categories including ridership, commuting patterns, the preferred corridor (including Orange County economic development potential) and technology (i.e. LRT vs. BRT) and submitted to TTA on Friday afternoon, January 20, 2012 for their responses for the January 24, 2012 regular BOCC meeting. TTA was not able to respond in writing at that time but pledged to have answers by noon on Thursday, February 2, 2012. In the absence of a response, Orange County staff makes the following comments: Attachment A, Questions Regarding the Orange County Transit Plan as it Relates to the Alternatives Analysis and Locally Preferred Alternative and TTA responses received Thursday 2/2/12 at 5:OOpm. Staff will comment on this latter information prior to the meeting. NEW BUSINESS The agenda item relates to the following: Transitional Analysis Report of 9/24/10 Purpose and Need Report of 12/9/10 Volume1: Detailed Definition of Alternatives Technical Report of July 2011 prepared by consultant URS prepared for Triangle Transit The Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) and AA include intertwined 3 facets that are specific to the Durham-Orange County Corridor and Study Area: The end points of the corridor The approximate alignment within the study corridor The technology of the fixed guideway meaning light rapid transit (LRT) or bus rapid transit (BRT high or low) and/or in some cases commuter rail (e.g. between Durham and Wake) Staff comments are as follows regarding the 3 aspects which are linked by number to the aspects: End points The suggested corridor is known as Durham-Orange Alternate 4 (D-O A4) which is a 17.4 mile length between UNC Hospitals and Alston Avenue which is east of Duke and Durham downtown. The approximate cost is $1.4 billion or over$80 million a mile. The other alternates are shown in Attachment B, all with mobility, socio-economic, land use and financial rankings. Staff believes these end points of D-O A4 are appropriate because of the strong employment anchor UNC hospital and university at the southern terminus within Orange County.