Agenda - 05-19-1987 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Existing Thoroughfare Plans One of the chief advantages of using travel forecasting models is the ability to logically test new roadway schemes for their ability to reduce traffic on existing thoroughfares. Assuming that the municipalities' existing thoroughfare plans were completely implemented, an analysis of projected traffic for the years 2000 and 2010 was made to determine the adequacy of these plans. Figures 5.2 (four different maps of the area divided into quadrants with the existing thoroughfare plans as currently adopted) graphically illustrate the conclusions of this research. As the figures illustrate, the existing thoroughfare plans do contain sufficient recommended improvements to deal with most of the projected travel within the areas they cover. The problems lie primarily on the fringes of these plans and in the areas which are not covered at all, especially southwest Durham, southeast Durham, northeast Durham, northwest Durham, and central Orange County. Of immediate concern is the adequacy of the roads near I-40. Each interchange will be the subject of intense development pressure while creating radical shifts in travel demand on what are generally two-lane rural roads. Attention to this feeder system is vital. The radial facilities serving north Durham will become critically deficient before the turn of the century. New avenues of access to the interstate system both east and west of Durham could do much to address these deficiencies. The thoroughfare plan for Chapel Hill and Carrboro is significantly different from that of Durham. Durham's gridiron-based street system includes a variety of ways (albeit confusing to the occasional visitor) to drive across town. As such. motorists can avoid traffic tie-ups and thereby balance out demand on the network. The Chapel Hill-Carrboro system contains more cul-de-sacs and fewer collector streets and major thoroughfares. For this reason, the inadequacies of the major thoroughfare system are less avoidable and more demanding of sufficient attention. Table 5.1 lists all projects which are currently programmed for construction by the NCDOT. These projects total nearly $335 Million. Table 5.2 lists those projects which are needed immediately, but unprogrammed. These projects total over $180 Million. Table 5.3 lists those projects which are anticipated to be needed before the year 2000. These projects total 5334 Million. These combined unmet needs, totalling over a half billion dollars include only the areas covered within the existing thoroughfare plans. The needs associated with the uncovered areas will be developed during this study's next phase. 5.4