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