Orange County NC Website
Crossing Safety Initiative (PCSI) report (2003 /updated 2009). That report proposes safety <br />improvements along the Raleigh to Charlotte "Sealed Corridor" that close private road crossings <br />where feasible and protect the remaining open private crossings with crossbucks, automatic <br />flashers and gates, signals and /or locking gates. <br />In early November 2012 the Planning Director sent a comment letter to the NCDOT Rail <br />Division regarding the three proposed private crossing closures. All comments provided by the <br />BOCC at its October 16 meeting were included in the letter. A response letter from the NCDOT <br />Rail Division was received by the Planning staff in December 2012 (Attachment 3). <br />Citizens Informational Workshops were held by the NCDOT Rail Division and its consultant, <br />Florence &Hutcheson, on January 7 and 14, 2013 for all three proposed private railroad <br />crossing closures. Revised Project Study Maps for all three locations were introduced at the <br />Workshops (Attachment 2). A summary of public comments received from the Workshop <br />process has been provided to Planning staff (Attachment 4). <br />Planning staff has reviewed NCDOT's response to the County's comment letter of November 5, <br />2012, the Revised Project Study Maps, and the public comments from the Citizens <br />Informational Meetings. Overall, greater clarity is needed with regard to which alternate access <br />roads will be publicly improved and /or constructed roads accepted into the state system for <br />maintenance, the proposed site specific right -of -way and pavement widths, storm drainage <br />details, and pavement standards for these roads. Also needed, when available, is the <br />anticipated schedule for required right -of -way acquisition (or easements ?), relocation of <br />property structures and buildings where necessary, and construction dates. Similar clarifying <br />detail is needed with regard to improvements to alternate access which is to remain as private <br />roads or drives. A second set of draft comments for NCDOT Rail Division has been drafted to <br />reflect remaining concerns (Attachment 5). <br />Background information about the three proposed private crossing closures can be found online <br />at: <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed private railway crossings are described in the State's <br />Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) as part of various passenger rail projects <br />comprising a private crossing safety initiative to close or enhance protection at railroad <br />crossings between Raleigh and Charlotte. These three projects are specifically identified as P- <br />44051, P- 4405J, and P- 4405K, to be funded with Stimulus High Speed Rail Funds. The projects <br />are to be performed during the State's FY 2012- FY2016 Work Program. <br />RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board: <br />1) Receive the information on the NCDOT proposal to close private NCRR /NS Railway <br />crossings at Gordon Thomas Drive, Greenbriar Drive and Byrdsville Road in Orange <br />County; <br />2) Provide any additional comments the Board may have to be added to the attached letter <br />(Attachment 5) submitting a second set of scoping comments to NCDOT; and <br />3) Authorize Planning staff to send the letter to NCDOT. <br />