Agenda - 05-05-1986 - Laserfiche WebLink

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He asked 'Watkins to comment on these recommendations and 0 on4 the broader traffic Issues. He suggested that NCDOT was simply tinkering the issues in their recommendations for turning lanes. He inquired who will pay for the Hillsborough bypass and the widening of US 70. He inquired how traffic would be handled around Cameron Park School . Watkins responded that given the 17-18.000 ADT safe capacity on US 70 NCDOT would have to address critical points only and later consider multi•- laning US 70. He noted that the safe capacity for St. Mary's Road Is 11-12,000 ADT. Kramer expressed concern that planning for these improvements was shortsighted given the problems and concerns cited by the Town of Hillsborough. Watkins responded that St. Mary 's Road is of the approved thoroughfare plan for Hillsborough. Hertcontinued that it is a function of NCDOT to construct roads included on a thoroughfare plan•. He noted that improvements to US 70 needed to get on the TIP (Transportation Improvement Program) for Orange County and be approved by the Board of Transportation. Chris Best, Planning Board member, asked what the service level would be for US 70 at full capacity. Watkins responded level C which would mean minor traffic delays. Best inquired about St. Mary 's Road. Watkins responded that intersections are the critical points. He noted that a two lane road with a turn lane carries as much traffic as a four lane road with out much additional capacity. He added that a five lane road was preferable to a four lane road given the minimum additional capacity of a four lane road. Best inquired if NCDOT had investigated the need for a traffic light at the intersection of US 70 and St. Mary 's Road. Watkins responded that an investigation had conducted and It was determined that a traffic light was bnot warranted. Best noted that NCDOT had labeled US 70 as a thoroughfare and emphasized the need to maintain the continuity of the road as a travelway and now was suggesting the need to install two traffic lights along this road. Watkins responded that when Scotswood is fully developed two traffic lights will likely be needed. He noted that with the installation of a traffic light at an intersection the incidence of angle accidents decreases the incidence of rear end collisions increases. He added that a turn lane reduces the Iikelihood of rear end collisions by establishing a protected area for turning traffic. Pilkey inquired about- the desireable spacing between traffic lights on a main highway. Watkins responded 700-750 feet to allow for storage and coordination of the signals. Pilkey inquired if NCDOT considered anythin bes number of cars Ie. hills, narrowness r ides the classifying roads . Watkins resp that the rotc' id road