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58 <br /> E. New Light Rail Service <br /> The Orange County Bus and Rail Investment plan provides funding for a fixed guideway <br /> transit system that would connect Durham and Orange counties using Light Rail <br /> technology (LRT). The 17.3-mile alignment extends from the University of North Carolina <br /> (UNC) Hospitals to Alston Avenue/NCCU in East Durham. A total of 17 stations have been <br /> proposed including a station at Mason Farm Road, Hamilton Road, the UNC Friday Center, <br /> as well as a potential station at Woodmont/Hillmont or Meadowmont in Chapel Hill. <br /> Stations in Durham include Patterson Place along US 15-501, the South Square area, at <br /> Duke Medical Center, Ninth Street, and downtown Durham,with convenient access to <br /> nearby bus and Amtrak intercity rail connections. Due to the light rail vehicle's <br /> capabilities and the requirements of the activity centers and neighborhoods being served <br /> along the corridor, light rail stations are routinely spaced between 1/4 mile and 2 miles <br /> apart. <br /> Light Rail vehicles are electrically powered and travel at speeds up to 55 mph. The total <br /> travel time for the 17.3-mile alignment is about 35 minutes, including stops. The vehicles <br /> are approximately 90 feet long and can operate in both directions. Additional cars can be <br /> added as the demand increases. Recent 2035 projections indicate that ridership will <br /> exceed approximately 14,000 boardings per day. These projections are subject to change <br /> as the demand model is refined and as development, population and employment <br /> changes are recognized. <br /> Light rail vehicles can operate in exclusive right of way, as well as along urban streets, and <br /> characteristically serve accessible low platforms (14 inches high) at each station. The <br /> operations plan for the 17.3-mile alignment includes train frequencies (headways/e.g. <br /> time between each train) of 10 minutes during the morning and evening peak and 20 <br /> minutes during the off-peak hours and on weekends. Vehicles will operate on an 18-hour <br /> schedule each weekday. Several potential light rail vehicle maintenance facility locations <br /> are being evaluated. Detailed alignment and station location decisions will be made at the <br /> end of Preliminary Engineering. <br /> The total capital cost for the Durham and Orange Light Rail Project is approximately <br /> $1.378 billion (2011 dollars). Orange County's share is $316.2 million in 2011 dollars, <br /> which is the same as $418.3 million in Year-Of-Expenditure (YOE) dollars. Operations and <br /> Maintenance costs are estimated at $14.44 million/year (2011 dollars). Orange County's <br /> share of the Operations and Maintenance costs are$3.46 million/year (2011 dollars). For <br /> Orange County's share of the capital cost of the Light Rail project the total cost allocation <br /> is Orange County 25%, and an assumed State participation of 25%and Federal <br /> Participation of 50%. <br /> Cost estimates for the light rail project have been developed with multiple conservative <br /> assumptions. Included in the $1.378 billion total project cost are the following <br /> contingencies: <br /> • 30%contingency on all civil engineering construction costs (stations, sitework, <br /> track, yard & shop) <br /> • 20%contingency on systems(signals, electricity, communications) <br /> 9/ //,,01 1. - Page 111 <br />