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2 <br /> 2. A connection with S. Frazier Road will provide a more direct route around the <br /> western side of Efland. Buckhorn Road is one of the main interchanges being <br /> used by truckers to avoid the truck scales at the NCDOT weigh station on I-85/I- <br /> 40. This alignment will help with the problem of truckers using primary and <br /> secondary streets in Efland to avoid the weigh station, and/or headed to Virginia. <br /> 3. The elevated rail crossing will help with school bus traffic in the area. <br /> 4. Option 2 intersects US 70 in locations that will promote future traffic lights which <br /> will be necessary in the Buckhorn 1-85/1-40 area. Buckhorn Road will likely be a <br /> four-lane divided roadway between US 70 and West Ten Road based on our <br /> studies and adopted land use map (Attachment 4). The other alternatives do not <br /> intersect US 70 in locations that will promote these future traffic lights. <br /> 5. There is substantial concern however about the proposed round-about depicted <br /> at Buckhorn Road and Industrial Drive due to a limited distance of approximately <br /> 600 feet from the interchange ramps, the high volume of traffic forecasted and <br /> the heavy truck traffic. An Orange County transportation consultant has recently <br /> completed a technical study that indicates very high future 2025 traffic <br /> projections on Buckhorn Road (north of 1-85/1-40, south of US 70) with a Level of <br /> Service (LOS) of F. This analysis was based on a fairly detailed build-out <br /> analysis for the area, performed with the designation and examination of <br /> eighteen development pods. For reference, a Development Pod map is provided <br /> with the approximate future square footage of development in those pods <br /> impacting Buckhorn Road (Attachment 5). A cross intersection with turn lanes is <br /> recommended by Orange County to address these issues. The intersection at <br /> Industrial Drive will need to accommodate a high volume of traffic and trucks, and <br /> quickly move them away from the interstate interchange. <br /> No improvements were recommended by the TSS for Mattress Factory Road due to the <br /> short distance between roads adjacent to the rail line. <br /> If you have questions, please contact Abigaile Pittman, Transportation/Land Use Planner, <br /> by phone at (919) 245-2567 or by e-mail at ab WWtm ne oran -ecouurt a c. -ov or Craig <br /> Benedict, Orange County Planning Director, by phone at (919) 245-2575 or by e-mail <br /> at cbenedict oran recount nc. 3ov. <br /> Next Steps <br /> Planning staff will attend the City of Mebane Council hearing on September 11 to provide <br /> these comments on the Final Draft Mebane TSS, which pertain to the three options <br /> provided for the Buckhorn Road rail-highway crossing. Staff will report back to the <br /> Manager and the Commissioners regarding Mebane's actions at the public hearing. <br /> Following adoption by the City of Mebane the TSS will be used for municipal planning and <br /> NCDOT funding purposes. <br /> 2 <br />