Agenda - 03-07-2013 - 6b - Laserfiche WebLink

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Attachment 2 OUTBoard Recommended Revisions A. CTP Map Recommendations 1. Highway Map a. The dashed line legends for Minor Thoroughfares are very difficult to read on the map. It is suggested that the dashed lines for `Needs Improvement' and `Recommended' be made a bolder color that would be more visible. b. Extend the Minor Thoroughfare `Needs Improvement' line on Efland -Cedar Grove Road north from Carr Store Road to the northern property line of the U.S. Post Office. Staff Note: This minor extension of the project to include the U.S. Post Office is recommended because the Post Office is one of the larger trip generators in the area (1300 AADT, 2011 per NCDOT), and the frontage has wide open access and needs improvements that enhance safety. 2. Public Transportation and Rail Map — No change recommended. 3. Bicycle Map - No change recommended unless it is determined by the BOCC that an off - road bicycle path would be a desirable option for Old NC 86 between Arthur Minnis Road and Ode Turner Road. Such a change would need to be coordinated with the Durham - Chapel Hill - Carrboro (DCHC) Metropolitan Organization (MPO). Background: The section of Old NC 86 between Arthur Minnis Road and Ode Turner Road is on the boundary between the jurisdictions of the Triangle Area Rural Planning Organization (TARPO) and the DCHC MPO. Although not as far along in the planning process, the MPO is also working on a draft CTP, which presently includes the widening of Old NC 86 from a 22 -foot to a 24 -foot cross section, with 4 -foot wide shoulders, as part of its bicycle plan. This would not be consistent with Orange County's Bicycle Map, which shows no improvements to this section of Old NC 86 as currently proposed in the draft CTP. OUTBoard Discussion: The OUTBoard commented that this section of Old NC 86 is not suitable for bike paths because the road is hilly, curvy and very dangerous for bicyclists. Bicyclists avoid Old NC 86 for this reason. It wouldn't make sense to invest in any widening for the purpose of bike paths unless the route can be straightened and the elevation issues addressed. If bike paths are desired on Old NC 86 then they should be off -road to ensure safety and usage. Or alternatively, the much safer new NC 86 should be solely used for a commuter bike path. Coordination will be needed with the DCHC MPO to establish consistency. OUTBoard Options for BOCC Consideration: Option 1 — Make no change to the Bicycle Map, which shows no improvements to the aforementioned section of Old NC 86, and request for consistency that no improvements are reflected in the draft CTP bicycle plan for the DCHC MPO. OR Option 2 - Add an off -road bicycle path to the Bicycle Map along the aforementioned section of Old NC 86 and request for consistency that the draft CTP for the DCHC MPO reflect the same.