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8 <br /> BIKEWAYS AND GREENWAYS <br /> Comments:Several speakers at the public meetings encouraged that bikeways be included <br /> in thoroughfare planning since bicycles are an efficient and viable mode of transportation. <br /> Response: The typical cross-sections for right-of-way and construction for the various <br /> types of thoroughfares include adequate width for both on-road and off-road bikeways. <br /> Bicycles and other non-motorized vehicles are not allowed on interstate highways, and <br /> are discouraged on all high speed roads due to safety hazards. <br /> PROTECTION OF CRITICAL WATERSHED AREAS <br /> Comments: The construction of roads in critical watershed areas will lower the water <br /> quality in several ways: the danger of hazardous chemical spills will be present; pressures <br /> for development will become a constant problem to elected officials; construction will <br /> cause sedimentation and siltation in streams and lakes; the run-off will be increased and <br /> will result in petroleum and other pollutants in the water. <br /> Response: Road or other construction in the watershed area could cause temporary and <br /> long-range degradation of the water quality if careful construction methods are not <br /> employed; however, techniques are available to mitigate such impacts and the <br /> sedimentation and erosion control ordinance requires their use. The risk of hazardous <br /> spills within the watershed areas is also increased as the miles of road in the critical areas • <br /> are increased., In addition, the likelihood of trucks carrying chemicals, petroleum <br /> products, and other pollutants will increase with industrial development.- However, the <br /> risk of an. accident resulting ins a hazardous spill is far lower on a freeway than it would <br /> be on a narrow two lane road. In addition, both air pollution and petroleum spillages <br /> are dramatically less on a free-flowing, safe,limited access road than on a congested road <br /> with stop and go movements. It is also easier to incorporate spill containment into the <br /> design of a freeway due to higher design standards and control of access. <br /> • Since growth is a fact in this prosperous area, and since industrial development is <br /> important to the economy, we must plan the road network to accommodate that growth <br /> and development in the safest possible manner. When it is possible, roads are designed <br /> to avoid a water quality critical area, but when residential and other development exists • <br /> up to the edge of the watershed, as it does in eastern Durham, the decision has to be <br /> made whether the homes should be taken or the watershed should be traversed. The <br /> roads will be designed to avoid watersheds to the greatest extent possible; and when the <br /> watershed has to be traversed, high quality limited access roads are proposed to reduce <br /> the dangers to a minimum. <br /> 2.3 <br />