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2 7 . <br /> sidewalks are not feasible on a three-lane shoulder roadway. NCDOT's policy is to <br /> construct sidewalks only on a curb and gutter facility,where curb separates pedestrian <br /> traffic from vehicular traffic. With the positive separation provided by the curb, <br /> pedestrian safety is enhanced. Therefore, the five-lane curb and gutter alternative is <br /> advantageous in that it allows for the provision of sidewalks. <br /> Projected traffic volumes for the year 2020 on the subject section of Homestead <br /> Road range from 9800 vehicles per day(vpd) at High School Road to 17,000 vpd at <br /> NC 86 without the Weaver Dairy Road connector in place. With the connector in place, <br /> traffic volumes in the year 2020 range from 11,100 vpd at High School Road to 20,100 <br /> vpd east of Seawell School Road. Based on these volumes, a five-lane curb and gutter <br /> facility is decidedly justified at the east end of the project (between Seawell School Road <br /> and NC 86) and nominally justified at the west end of the project(between High School <br /> Road and Seawell School Road). <br /> It is NCDOT's recommendation that a five-lane curb and gutter facility be <br /> constructed with 4.2-meter(14-foot) outside lanes for bicycles and with sidewalks on <br /> both sides. Such a cross-section would provide bicycle and pedestrian facilities along the <br /> project, accommodate projected automotive traffic, and eliminate the possible need for <br /> further widening in the future. <br /> NCDOT is requesting that the Town of Chapel Hill adopt a resolution supporting <br /> either a three-lane shoulder or a five-lane curb and gutter cross-section. In order to <br /> maintain the current TIP schedule, it is important that we receive your recommendation in <br /> writing by October 1, 1997. <br /> If you have questions, please contact Missy Dickens, P.E., Project Planning <br /> Engineer, at (919) 733-7844, ext. 223. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> H. Franklin Vick, P.E., Manager <br /> Planning and Environmental Branch <br /> HFV/plr <br /> cc: W. Calvin Horton, Manger,Town of Chapel Hill <br /> Doug Galyon,Member,NC Board of Transportation <br /> Calvin Leggett,P.E., Director of Programming and Planning;NCDOT <br />