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22 <br /> 1 The Board considered: 1. Receiving the presentation from GoTriangle; and 2. Endorsing <br /> 2 or providing comments on the Durham- Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning <br /> 3 Organization (DCHC MPO) amendments: a. to the definition of its Locally Preferred Alternative <br /> 4 (LPA) for the D-O LRT project; and b. to the 2040 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP)for <br /> 5 the D-O LRT project or provide comments. <br /> 6 Jeff Mann, General Manager, said there is a financial gap that they will walk the Board <br /> 7 through, and he reviewed the following information: <br /> 8 <br /> 9 BACKGROUND: <br /> 10 In February 2016, GoTriangle received a Combined Final Environmental Impact Statement <br /> 11 (FEIS)/Record of Decision (ROD)for the Durham-Orange Light Rail Transit (D-O LRT) project <br /> 12 from UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill to Alston Avenue in Durham. In response to comments <br /> 13 received during that process, GoTriangle started to evaluate the option to extend the project <br /> 14 south on Alston Avenue to a station near North Carolina Central University (NCCU). <br /> 15 Preliminary engineering and ridership forecasts found the station to be feasible and capable of <br /> 16 generating high ridership. GoTriangle is currently studying the natural environment and <br /> 17 community impacts. <br /> 18 <br /> 19 Recent guidance from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) indicates that the D-O LRT <br /> 20 project must enter the Final Design phase by February 2017. In order to meet this milestone, <br /> 21 allow the NCCU station to advance into the engineering phase along with the other parts of the <br /> 22 project, and ensure that the entire new alignment qualifies for the 50% Federal match, two <br /> 23 separate DCHC MPO actions must occur: 1) The extension needs to be included in its Locally <br /> 24 Preferred Alternative (LPA) and 2) The extension needs to be included in its 2040 Metropolitan <br /> 25 Transportation Plan (MTP). See Attachments 1 and 2. <br /> 26 City of Durham, Durham County, and DCHC MPO Board Actions —While the City and County <br /> 27 Boards do not have a role in approving the LPA or 2040 MTP amendments beyond their <br /> 28 representation on the MPO Board, GoTriangle requested their "endorsement" before MPO <br /> 29 Board consideration. The Durham City Council and Durham Board of County Commissioners, <br /> 30 on September 22, and on October 4, 2016, respectively, voted to recommend that the DCHC <br /> 31 MPO amend the LPA and 2040 MTP for the D-O LRT project. At its October 19 meeting, the <br /> 32 MPO Board agreed to release the amendments for public comment to take place through <br /> 33 November 29. The MPO has scheduled a public hearing on November 9, 2016, 9AM, in the <br /> 34 Committee Room, located on the 2nd floor of Durham City Hall. A link to the amendment and <br /> 35 information on submitting comments and requesting printed copies can be found on the MPO <br /> 36 website at www.dchcmpo.org. Questions regarding the MPO process or submittal of public <br /> 37 comments can be directed to Andy Henry, andrew.henry@durhamnc.gov, (919) 560-4366, <br /> 38 extension 36419. <br /> 39 <br /> 40 Orange County BOCC History - The BOCC received its last update on the D-O LRT project at <br /> 41 its April 14, 2015 meeting. Its last discussion, specific to the LPA for the project, occurred <br /> 42 February 14, 2012. Links to previous BOCC materials: <br /> 43 June 2, 2015 - http://bit.ly/2dTKt2O <br /> 44 February 14, 2012 - http://bit.lv/2eCIGSo <br /> 45 <br /> 46 Orange County Bus and Rail Investment Plan (OCBRIP)Amendments — Discussions are <br /> 47 currently ongoing with a Staff Working Group to review and update the OCBRIP financial <br /> 48 assumptions and associated services. GoTriangle is also working with a Funding and <br /> 49 Community Collaborative to help identify revenue sources to close the state funding gap. The <br />