Agenda - 02-05-1990 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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4 northern parts of Wake and Durham counties. The cost for this system would be about 1/2 of the 750 million projected for the loops; the drinking water supply and air supply would not be affected. Federal law requires that D.O.T. do environmental studies and that they study "all reasonable alternatives". This has been presented as a reasonable alternative. He indicated that the newly formed Triangle Transit Authority was being encouraged to undertake its own feasibility study. In response to a question from Commissioner Marshall , Mr. Clark indicated that although it may be necessary to expand the existing right-of-way, that would be much preferred to purchasing right- of-way through existing neighborhoods which is what D.O.T. will need to do for the proposed loops. In answer to a question from Commissioner Halkiotis about inducements to encourage people to ride the rail and the number of riders that would be needed daily to make it cost effective, Clark stated that the funding threshold by the Urban Mass Transit Authority was 50,000 trips a day which was close to what it is now. A first class system with secure stations and coordinating fleets of vans and taxi 's that would shuttle people to their destination would be needed. A motion was made by Commissioner Hartwell , seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis, to adopt the resolution as stated below and forward it to the N.C. Secretary of Transportation. VOTE: UNANIMOUS RESOLUTION WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of Commissioners supports the development and promotion of public transportation to supplement the continued construction of highways and improvement of North Carolina's transportation system. WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of Commissioners recognizes that the increasingly urbanized and integrated nature of this Region requires regional cooperation in order to provide an adequate and efficient transportation system for Triangle residents; WHEREAS, the North Carolina Board of Transportation has approved plans for the development of outer loops for the Raleigh and Durham metropolitan areas; and, WHEREAS, the North Carolina General Assembly acknowledged the need for the development of high occupancy vehicle and mass transportation alternatives such as rail service and allows for NCDOT to spend up to $5 million from the Highway Trust Fund each year for this purpose; NOW THEREFORE, the Orange County Board of Commissioners recommends that: - The Secretary of Transportation consider the Triangle Express Rail Proposal a reasonable alternative to be studied and evaluated as part of the legally required Environmental Impact Statement on the programmed Raleigh and Durham Outer Loop projects; - AND, that the Triangle J Council of Governments Regional Transportation Committee and the Research Triangle Regional Public Transportation Authority work together to evaluate the Triangle Express Proposal ; -- AND, that the Governor's Rail Passenger Task Force also review this proposal as an integral part of future rail passenger service in North Carolina.