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Town Commissioner Lowen said that many of these sidewalks will benefit all schools <br /> because of proximity to one another. <br /> Craig Benedict said there are some implementation actions that the Board can identify. <br /> Abigaile Pittman said she heard from DOT that the projects given priority are the projects <br /> that serve multiple sites. <br /> Craig Benedict said that Orange High and CW Stanford have that proximity and should <br /> move up the priority list. <br /> Commissioner Price said that there was also more concern with younger children, many <br /> of whom walk, getting to school, whereas most high school students were driving. <br /> Chair Jacobs said it would be an enhancement to incorporate the mention of the high <br /> schools into discussion of the routes. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said the staff needs to find out from DOT why this project is <br /> handled in this way. <br /> Abigaile Pittman said that the locations chosen all had some common deficiencies such <br /> as high speed traffic, no sidewalk connectivity to neighborhoods, incidents of bicycle crashes <br /> and pedestrian accidents in the area, and extensive planned residential growth. <br /> Chair Jacobs asked for feedback on their request. <br /> d. North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Rail Crossings Plans in <br /> and near Hillsborough <br /> Abigaile Pittman, citing primarily from page three of the meeting abstract, said <br /> in September 2012 the Planning Department received a solicitation for comments from the <br /> NCDOT Rail Division with regard to proposed private crossing closures with the North Carolina <br /> Railroad (NCRR)/Norfolk Southern (NS) Railway crossings at Gordon Thomas Drive, Greenbriar <br /> Drive, and Byrdsville Road in Orange County. This railroad track is part of the SE High Speed <br /> Rail corridor, which when complete, will provide high speed passenger rail service between <br /> Washington, D.C. and Charlotte, NC. NCDOT requested that the County provide scoping <br /> comments to be used in the preparation of a proposed Environmental Assessment (EA). <br /> Initial comments were sent to the NCDOT Rail Division in November 2012, and a <br /> response letter was received in December 2012. Citizens Informational Workshops were held <br /> by the NCDOT Rail Division in January for all three proposed private railroad crossing closures, <br /> and a summary of public comments is available. The BOCC discussed and added comments at <br /> its meeting on February 19th and a second comment letter was approved and sent to NCDOT. <br /> Abigail Pittman said the primary comments expressed a need for greater clarity regarding, 1. <br /> Which alternate access roads will be improved and/or constructed roads accepted into the state <br /> system, 2. More specific details regarding proposed right of way and pavement widths, 3. Storm <br /> drain details and pavement standards and 4. The anticipated schedule for required right of way <br /> or easement apposition for relocation of property structures. <br /> Margaret Hauth said the Town of Hillsborough has been engaged with the State to co- <br /> sponsor a traffic separation study of crossing closures in west Hillsborough. She said there has <br /> been one meeting, at which the town and North Carolina Railroad (NCRR) has requested <br /> scoping changes that have delayed this project. She said the town has committed to fund the <br /> data items it requested on traffic counts and actual numbers, and NCRR has not yet committed <br /> to fund the study items it was interested in, so the project is at an indefinite standstill until <br /> funding is in place. <br /> Commissioner McKee asked if any crossing closings were planned in the areas inside <br /> the town proper and if so, how many. <br /> Margaret Hauth designated the two in West Hillsborough. <br />