Minutes 06-18-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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6. Public Hearings a. Proposed 2012-2013 Secondary Road (SR) Construction Program for Orange County The Board held a public hearing to receive public comment and discuss the North Carolina Department of Transportation's Proposed 2012-2013 Secondary Roads Construction Program for Orange County. Chair Jacobs noted that Mike Mills and Chuck Edwards from DOT were present. Mike Mills noted that Brad Wall, a division maintenance engineer, was also present. Mike Mills said that the proposal in front of the Commissioners is a proposal for $700,080 for the construction program. He said there is no more paving of unpaved roads. He noted there are only 5 unpaved roads left, with only 3 houses on those roads; therefore the money is being allocated to other areas of safety improvement in the County. He referenced the second page and said the money is proposed as funding for two existing paved secondary roads in Orange County, including New Sharon Church Road, which needs to be re-surfaced and widened by 2 feet on each side. He said this road services about 1500 cars per day in the rural part of the county. He said the second road is Lebanon Road, which extends from Stagecoach to Efland Cedar Grove Road and is proposed for re-surfacing and widening. He said this road carries about 1800 cars per day. He said these two roads account for $650,000 of the secondary roads construction program, which leaves the balance at $50,080. This will be used to survey other roads and areas of need. Commissioner Dorosin asked how widening the road helps and eases congestion. Mike Mills said this is not done to ease congestion, but it helps with safety. Widening prevents large tires, such as those on trucks and buses, from being close to the edge. He noted that these rural roads are commonly used by bicyclists, and this increases safety for them as well. Commissioner Price asked about the other parts of New Sharon and if there are 2 foot shoulders on these areas. Mike Mills said the south side has already been done. NO PUBLIC COMMENT Chair Jacobs said Mike Mills and another DOT representative attended the Burlington MPO, where the strategic mobility formula was presented. He said this included the process of normalization with regard to funding. He suggested that after this is passed and the state Board of Transportation votes in August, perhaps Mike Mills could come back to exchange the forthcoming changes. Commissioner McKee said he appreciates the widening on Highway 57, as well as the area of New Sharon that has already been done. He said it is a great safety improvement. He asked if there was any way that the future widening could be 3 feet instead of 2 feet. Mike Mills said the unpaved roads have been reduced to almost nothing. He said that there are some rural roads that still have safety issues, and the shoulders are intended to address this. Commissioner Gordon thanked the DOT for coming A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner McKee to close the public hearing and adopt the North Carolina Department of Transportation's Proposed 2012- 2013 Secondary Roads Construction Program for Orange County.