Minutes 02-21-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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22 planning staff, NCDOT Transportation Planning Branch staff, and local planners. The CTP is, by definition, not fiscally constrained and is the longest range transportation plan. Key Projects The NCDOT Transportation Planning Branch, in coordination with the DCHC MPO, prepared two summary documents indicating key projects in the DCHC MPO area. The first (Attachment 1) provides information on the key projects around Hillsborough and in northern Orange County, while the second (Attachment 2) provides information on the key projects in and around Chapel Hill, Carrboro, southern Orange County, and northern Chatham County. The complete CTP document and associated maps can be found at this link, http://bit.ly/2bv3RQV, while interactive online maps can be found at this link, http://www.dchcmpo.org/programs/ctp/default.asp. February 15 Orange Unified Transportation Board (OUTBoard) Comments At the February 15 meeting of the OUTBoard, the OUTBoard convened without a quorum. However, individual members provided specific comments on CTP alignments. These comments are summarized in Attachment 3. OUTBoard members also provided the following general comments on the CTP, which are detailed below. • Consider adding a project to address congestion on South Churton Street through Downtown Hillsborough. • Consider alternative methods for reducing traffic congestion as opposed to roadway widening, such as congestion charging schemes, dynamic tolling, reserved bus and carpool lanes, and additional bicycle and walking facilities. • Consider adding paved shoulders to all rural roads to facilitate the safe use by bicyclists and pedestrians. The OUTBoard endorsed the CTP in principle at its January 18, 2017 meeting. Next Steps During the month of February, each jurisdiction in the DCHC MPO area will have the opportunity to comment on the CTP. Once these outreach processes are complete, the DCHC MPO Technical Committee (DCHC MPO TC) will review the comments and make changes to create a final draft CTP. The DCHC MPO Board will hear a presentation on the proposed changes to the CTP on March 8 and will assess these changes. On March 22, the DCHC MPO TC will forward the final CTP to the MPO Board, which will formally consider the final CTP on April 12. Commissioner Jacobs asked if Old 86 and New 86 could be differentiated. Commissioner Jacobs asked if it is Chapel Hill's or the Department of Transportation's (DOT) preference to widen South Columbia Street to six lanes. He said he thinks Chapel Hill is against this change, and he would want to check with the Town before endorsing something that DOT has been trying to force for years. Commissioner Jacobs referred to the widening of the bypass in Hillsborough, and said the Town of Hillsborough does not want to mark it as a bypass. He said it could be labeled a southern bypass. He suggested creating a map that follows this route, and the problem with getting through west Hillsborough is rail crossings. He said it is unclear which crossings would be left open, and which would be closed. Commissioner Jacobs referred to page 11, and said it looks like a bit of a string that needs to be clipped off. Commissioner Rich said endorsing the widening of Columbia Street seems odd knowing that Chapel Hill has always pushed back against it. Commissioner Jacobs said he is unsure about the Town's feelings towards Columbia Street, but does know feelings about 1-40 have changed.