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a. State Transportation Improvement Priority List -Consideration of needed transportation improvements for inclusion in StatelMetropolitan Transportation Improvement Program. Craig Benedict said that there are three categories: projects that are prioritized within the Durham-Chapel Hill-Orange County MPO, projects outside of that MPO, and issues that are ongoing. Karen Lincoln said that the purpose of this item is to start discussions for determining Orange County's priority list for the 2007-2013 Transportation Improvement Program. This is a 7-year program that schedules and funds transportation projects in the State and is updated every two years. This year's update is a one-year period because last July the Board of Transportation decided to change the years of the TIP from even-numbered years to odd- numbered years. She has been working with three advisory boards to get some input on this process -Economic Development Commission, Commission for the Environment, and the Planning Board. The comments from these boards are in the agenda packet. Also in the packets is what was submitted for the 2006-2012 priority list. NCDOT has not yet released the draft 2006-2012 TIP for public comment. The pedestrian bridge on Orange Grove Road going aver I-40 was recommended and supported by all of the advisory boards. This was the first priority in the last submittal. Homestead Road improvements were the second priority. The improvements to South Churton Street were moved to number three. The bicycle projects were next in the previous list. The Old NC $6 bicycle lanes were fourth, followed by NC 86 improvements north of Hillsborough, with intersection improvements at US 70 Bypass and extending the lane for traffic turning east onto US 70 Bypass from northbound Churton Street. The US 70 Bypass widening was also in the last list. She added two projects, which were suggested by the Planning Board. The first was Eno Mountain and Maya Street realignment. This was also recommended by the EDD Transportation Work Group and the Joint Orange Grove Road Transportation Work Group. It is still in the TIP as an unfunded project. If the Board is interested in this project, there will have to be collaboration with Hillsborough. The second project was the extension of Orange Grove Road east to US 70 Business. This was also recommended by the EDD Transportation Work Group and the Access Management Awareness Project and Report far Orange Grave Road. Commissioner Gordon said that it would be extremely important to work with Hillsborough in setting priorities for projects within Hillsborough's planning jurisdiction. Commissioner Jacobs agreed with the way the priorities were changed. He thinks the Elizabeth Brady Road extension will have to be dealt with. He would like to invite people to come and argue the issue. Hillsborough is going to want the County to embrace this priority. Commissioner Gordon said that now that the Hillsborough Town Board is different, there might be some change in priorities and they might endorse the two projects. However, it is her understanding that they have not yet developed their list of priorities. Commissioner Halkiotis made reference to the joint meeting with Hillsborough recently on February 17t" and wondered why this issue was not discussed at that time. He said that something is getting lost in transition because the County Commissioners seem to remember what the groups came up with as a recommendation to the respective boards, but it gets lost when it comes to Hillsborough. He asked for a list to be generated on issues that need to be discussed jointly. He is tired of studying things. Karen Lincoln asked if it was the desire to include Elizabeth Brady Road in the priority list and the Board said no, not at this time. Karen Lincoln made reference to the blue sheet entitled, "Orange County Transportation Priority List for Areas Within the Triangle Area Rural Planning Organization for Consideration of Funding in the 2007-2013 Transportation Improvement Program." The first item is Buckhorn Road widening. The Economic Development Commission stressed the importance of this