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11 <br /> SPECIFIC ISSUES <br /> This report will now address the issues raised regarding specific proposed facilities. <br /> SOUTHWEST QUADRANT <br /> FARRINGTON ROAD - NC 54 TO US 15-501, I-40 INTERCHANGE <br /> Background: The alignment of Laurel Hill Parkway north of NC 54 as shown on the <br /> adopted Thoroughfare Plan for Chapel Hill-Carrboro parallels the county line just inside <br /> . Durham County. It intersects with Pope Road just north of Ephesus Church Road and <br /> then follows the Pope Road alignment to the intersection of US 15-501, Pope Road, and <br /> Mount Moriah Road just east of the 1-40 interchange. No interchange with 140 and the <br /> Laurel Hill Parkway would be possible at this location. A section of right-of-way south <br /> of Ephesus Church Road and west of George King Road, through the Oaks III subdivision, <br /> has been dedicated by the developer for this alignment. <br /> The traffic projections for. 2010 show that the Parkway would provide relief to the <br /> congested US 15-501 (Chapel Hill Boulevard) and be a valuable alternate route between <br /> Durham .and Chapel Hill. Based on projected demand, it was determined that an <br /> interchange should be constructed with US 15-501 and the Parkway. The existing Mt. <br /> Moriah Road/15-501 intersection is in too close proximity to the 1-40 interchange to be <br /> the site of another interchange. Therefore, the interchange location was moved to the <br /> east. several hundred yards to meet minimum spacing requirements. This required that <br /> Laurel Hill Parkway south.of US 15-501 be realigned to the east. It was determined that <br /> Watkins Road and Farrington Road provided a better alignment for the Parkway,with the <br /> added benefit that the Farrington Road bridge over 140 physically permitted a future <br /> interchange between the two thoroughfares. The interchange of Laurel Hill Parkway <br /> (Farrington Road). and 1-40 would relieve congestion at the two neighboring I-40 <br /> interchanges, and would provide an additional access point for residents of the area. The <br /> recommended plan showed abandonment of the old Laurel Hill Parkway alignment in <br /> favor of a new alignment that included utilizing a portion of George King Road. <br /> Comments: Numerous residents of the George King Road - Farrington Road area have <br /> voiced concern and criticism of the proposed new alignment of Laurel Hill Parkway <br /> between NC 54 and US 15-501 and the proposed interchange at 1-40. These residents <br /> wish to maintain the low density residential and rural character of the area and strongly <br /> feel that this alignment of the road, and especially the 1-40 interchange, would increase <br /> traffic and encourage intense development. They are concerned that the area near the <br /> interchange would be rezoned to permit high density residential or commercial <br /> 2.6 <br /> girmansenwee <br />