Agenda - 02-03-2015-13 (4) - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 Dimmocks Mill Road — The railroad bridge over the roadway has substandard horizontal and vertical clearance. Roadway curves and the close proximity to an intersection on each side of the bridge limit sight distances. A public involvement program was established as part of this study. Stakeholders who met to provide input during the course of the study included the Orange County Rural Fire Department, Orange County Emergency Services Department, and Orange County Planning Department. In the review of improvement concepts, Planning staff provided the following comment: The design of future improvements of the West Hill, Bellevue and Dimmocks Mill rail crossings are encouraged to include planning considerations of future needs for road connectivity along the western side of Hillsborough and into unincorporated areas of the County. We recognize that there are limitations with respect to topography, limited existing right -of -way widths, environmental constraints, and the historic integrity of the West Hillsborough neighborhood; however, we feel the regional connectivity possibilities of this project should be explored and weighed within the scope of these limitations. STUDY RECOMMENDATIONS The West Hill Avenue South and South Bellvue Avenue crossings were considered for potential closure or improvement. The Dimmocks Mill Road grade separation was considered for replacement. Two improvement concepts were considered (Attachment 2): • Concept 1 replaces the Dimmocks Mill Road grade separation, closes the South Bellvue Avenue crossing, and improves the West Hill Avenue South crossing. • Concept 2 replaces the Dimmocks Mill Road grade separation and closes both the South Bellvue Avenue and the West Hill Avenue South crossings. Mid -term (three to seven years) recommendations are to conduct environmental and design studies for replacing the Dimmocks Mill Road grade separation and minor resurfacing of West Hill Avenue South roadway approaches to flatten the roadway crossing surface. Long -term recommendations (more than seven years) include replacing the Dimmocks Mill Road grade separation, improving adjacent intersections, extending sidewalk and bicycle improvements between Nash Street and Gold Park, closing the South Bellvue Avenue crossing, and improving safety at the West Hill Avenue crossing. The Traffic Separation Study prepared by ICA Engineering, Inc. can be viewed in its entirety at the following link: http: / /www.co. orange. nc .us /planning /transportation. asp As described in a September 8, 2014 Resolution (Attachment 3), the Town of Hillsborough prefers Concept 1 but remains open to other options that may be developed upon further study. Concept 2 offers the highest level of railroad crossing safety and the highest benefit - cost ratio by closing both at -grade crossings. Conclusion Planning staff will continue to monitor the progress on this project and report back to the Manager and the Board of County Commissioners.