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INFORMATION ITEM 1 <br /> PLANNING & INSPECTIONS DEPARTMENT <br /> Craig N. Benedict, AICP, Director <br /> Administration 131 W. Margaret Lane <br /> (919) 245-2575 Suite 101 <br /> (919) 644-3002 (FAX) 0 Rx A NIG- COUN-Y P. O. Box 8181 <br /> vvww.orangecountync.gov NORTH H -AR01- Hillsborough, NC 27278 <br /> MEMORANDUM <br /> TO: Board of County Commissioners <br /> Bonnie B. Hammersley, County Manager <br /> FROM: Abigaile Pittman, Transportation/Land Use Planner <br /> Craig Benedict, Planning Director <br /> DATE: September 1, 2015 <br /> SUBJECT: INFORMATION ITEM - Orange County Planning staff comments on <br /> the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) <br /> Environmental Assessment (EA) for Proposed Private Crossing <br /> Closures with North Carolina Railroad (NCRR)/Norfolk Southern (NS) <br /> Railway at Gordon Thomas Drive, Greenbriar Drive, and Byrdsville <br /> Road, Orange County, NC. <br /> BACKGROUND: The NCDOT, in coordination with the Federal Railroad Administration <br /> (FRA), has proposed this rail crossing closure project, which consists of three distinct <br /> sub-projects. FRA is providing the funding for the project and is the Lead Federal <br /> Agency. As the proposed action is supported by federal funds, FRA must comply with <br /> the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). A Draft Environmental <br /> Assessment (EA) has been developed pursuant to NEPA. <br /> On May 28 NCDOT mailed a copy of the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the above <br /> referenced project to the Orange County Manager, which was subsequently forwarded <br /> to the Planning Department for review. The EA, as well as the preliminary plans and <br /> maps of the project areas have been made available for public review at the Planning <br /> Department, and they have also been posted on the County website at the following <br /> link: <br /> http://www.orangecountync.gov/departments/pIanning and inspections/transportation <br /> planning.phn <br /> The proposed private railway crossings are described in the State's Transportation <br /> Improvement Program (TIP) as part of various passenger rail projects comprising a <br /> private crossing safety initiative to close or enhance protection at railroad crossings <br /> between Raleigh and Charlotte. These three projects are specifically identified as P- <br /> 44051, P-4405J, and P-4405K, to be funded with Stimulus High Speed Rail Funds The <br /> projects are to be performed during the State's FY 2012-FY2016 Work Program. <br />