Agenda - 02-05-1990 - Laserfiche WebLink

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9 • not brought us any choices,except a big bill for more highways." Sandy Ogburn. a Durham City. Council member,agreed. "Highway construction tends to be reactive. You can't build until the need is there,"she said."But this is taking a look down the road and is proactive." Continued from page 1C Raleigh and Durham are exam- To attract commuters, the sys- . ining proposals to build Outer tem might have communication Loops around their northern bor- Ex- cars wilh cellular phones and fax dcrs. The Northern Wake Ex- machines that would operate from pressway would cost 5x14 million 6 a.m.to 6 p.m. during the week. to 5433 million,while the Durham Under Mr.Clark's proposal,the Outer Loop would cost about 5350 rail system would be funded with million. Both projects are funded state transportation money and in a multibillion-dollar highway support from local governments, program approved this year by Operating costs would come from the o gram General Asseed ssembly. • the cities and towns it would Both the proposed roads cross serve. He gave no estimates for or are near watersheds and drink- the annual operating cost. ing water supplies, .11r. Clark Mr. Clark said the rail system said. "The highways would only could be developed in much less benefit the northern areas, which time than the proposed loops and happen to be in the most ecologi- could be in operation as soon as tally-sensitive areas we have."he the early 1990s. The only new said. track that would have to be built would be between Durham and As is currently proposed. the Chapel Hill. Durham loop would run near the The proposal has been sent to little River Reservoir, one of state Transportation Secretary Durham's major drinking water James E. Harrington for study. resources. It also would came But a spokesman for the Depart- close to Falls Lake. P.aleigh's ment of Transportation said Fri- matn water source. day that Mr. Harrington had not Designed to handle the area's •had an opportunity to review it. traffic needs through the year "We'll be happy to take a look at it 2010, both loop plans have been as we do with thousands of sug. criticized by neighborhood groups gestions from other citizens,"said and environmentalists, while James T. Sughrue, special assis- highway planners say the roads tans for public affairs. would relieve growing traffic con- Durham County Commissioner gestion. Rebecca Heron. who attended In Raleigh.the loop has become Friday's announcement, said the a campaign issue in the race for proposal was worth studying. mayor. Raleigh City Council "For the first time,we have an member Charles C. Meeker has alternative to move people," said questioned the need for the road, Mrs.Heron,who is also chairman while Mayor Avery C. Upchurch, of the Triangle J Council of who is seeking re-election, says Governments. "The Department the loop would ease traffic woes of Transportation certainly has for commuters in North Raleigh.