Agenda - 06-05-2012 - 7a - Laserfiche WebLink

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E. New Light Rail Service 11 The Orange County Bus and Rail Investment plan provides funding for a fixed guideway transit system that would connect Durham and Orange counties using Light Rail technology (LRT). The 17.3 -mile alignment extends from the University of North Carolina (UNC) Hospitals to Alston Avenue /NCCU in East Durham. A total of 17 stations have been proposed including a station at Mason Farm Road, Hamilton Road, the UNC Friday Center, as well as a potential station at Woodmont /Hillmont or Meadowmont in Chapel Hill. Stations in Durham include Patterson Place along US 15 -501, the South Square area, at Duke Medical Center, Ninth Street, and downtown Durham, with convenient access to nearby bus and Amtrak intercity rail connections. Due to the light rail vehicle's capabilities and the requirements of the activity centers and neighborhoods being served along the corridor, light rail stations are routinely spaced between % mile and 2 miles apart. Light Rail vehicles are electrically powered and travel at speeds up to 55 mph. The total travel time for the 17.3 -mile alignment is about 35 minutes, including stops. The vehicles are approximately 90 feet long and can operate in both directions. Additional cars can be added as the demand increases. Recent 2035 projections indicate that ridership will exceed approximately 14,000 boardings per day. These projections are subject to change as the demand model is refined and as development, population and employment changes are recognized. Light rail vehicles can operate in exclusive right of way, as well as along urban streets, and characteristically serve accessible low platforms (14 inches high) at each station. The operations plan for the 17.3 -mile alignment includes train frequencies (headways/ e.g. time between each train) of 10 minutes during the morning and evening peak and 20 minutes during the off -peak hours and on weekends. Vehicles will operate on an 18 -hour schedule each weekday. Several potential light rail vehicle maintenance facility locations are being evaluated. Detailed alignment and station location decisions will be made at the end of Preliminary Engineering. The total capital cost for the Durham and Orange Light Rail Project is approximately $1.378 billion (2011 dollars). Orange County's share is $316.2 million in 2011 dollars, which is the same as $418.3 million in Year -Of- Expenditure (YOE) dollars. Operations and Maintenance costs are estimated at $14.44 million /year (2011 dollars). Orange County's share of the Operations and Maintenance costs are $3.46 million /year (2011 dollars). For Orange County's share of the capital cost of the Light Rail project the total cost allocation is Orange County 25 %, and an assumed State participation of 25% and Federal Participation of 50 %. Cost estimates for the light rail project have been developed with multiple conservative assumptions. Included in the $1.378 billion total project cost are the following contingencies: • 30% contingency on all civil engineering construction costs (stations, sitework, track, yard & shop) • 20% contingency on systems (signals, electricity, communications) 5/23/2012 - Page 111