Minutes 02-07-2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Last year (May 19, June 7, Nov 15 and Dec 8) the BOCC held meetings (both work session and regular meetings) regarding the Triangle Regional Transit Program (TRTP) and the localized Orange County Transit Plan (OCTP), which is also known as the Orange County Bus and Rail Investment Plan (OCBARIP). The Alternatives Analysis (AA) for the Triangle Regional Transit Program projects in the Durham- Orange, Durham-Wake and Wake County Corridors were completed in July 2011. The findings and recommendations developed through the AA process are contained in three reports: (1) Transitional Analysis - 9/24/10, (2) Purpose and Need Report - 12/9/10, and (3) Volume 1: Detailed Definition of Alternatives Technical Report - 7/2011. Each report covers an alignment plan and profile information about the attributes of different technologies [i.e. Light Rail (LRT), Bus Rail Transit High and Low (i.e. BRT-H & BRT-L)], cost estimates, travel time, traffic analyses, and assessment of station's capacity for potential transit oriented development. A recommendation from Triangle Transit and their consultant URS for the most appropriate initial fixed guideway transit investment, known as the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) for each corridor, is also included on Page 3-46 of the last report. In July 2011, the multivolume reports for each of the corridors (i.e. Durham-Orange and Durham-Wake) were posted along with all of the other information generated through the AA process: www.ourtransitfuture.com. 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 meetinq 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 8th 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: