Agenda - 05-15-1990 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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This report will now address the issues raised regarding specific proposed facilities. k: 0 w 1170 Z r r FARRINGTON ROAD - NC 54 TO US 15 -501, I-40 INTERCHANGE Backed: The alignment of Laurel Hill Parkway north of NC 54 as shown on the adopted Thoroughfare Plan for Chapel Hill- Carrboro parallels the county line just inside Durham County. It intersects with Pope Road just north of Ephesus Church Road and then follows the Pope Road alignment to the intersection of US 15 -501, Pope Road, and Mount Moriah Road just east of the 1-40 interchange. No interchange with 1-40 and the Laurel Hill Parkway would be possible at this location. A section of right-of-way south of Ephesus Church Road and west of George King Road, through the Oaks III subdivision, has been dedicated by the developer for this alignment. The traffic projections for 2010 show that the Parkway would provide relief to the congested US 15 -501 (Chapel Hill Boulevard) and be a valuable alternate route between Durham and Chapel Hill. Based on projected demand, it was determined that an interchange should be constructed with US 15 -501 and the Parkway. The existing Mt. Moriah R.oad/15 -501 intersection is in too close proximity to the I-46 interchange to be the site of another interchange. Therefore, the interchange location was moved to the east several hundred yards to meet minimum spacing requirements. This required that Laurel Hill Parkway south of US 15 -501 be realigned to the east. It was determined that Watkins Road and Farrington Road provided a better alignment for the Parkway, with the added benefit that the Farrington Road bridge over I-40 physically permitted a future interchange between the two thoroughfares. The interchange of Laurel Hill Parkway (Farrington Road) and 1-40 would relieve congestion at the two neighboring I.40 interchanges, and would provide an additional access point for residents of the area. The recommended plan showed abandonment of the old Laurel Hill Parkway alignment in favor of a new alignment that included utilizing a portion of George King Road. Comments: Numerous residents of the George King Road - Farrington Road area have voiced concern and criticism of the proposed new alignment of Laurel Hill Parkway between NC 54 and US 15 -501 and the proposed i. -- .- I ange at I-40. These residents wish to maintain the low density residential and rural character of the area and strongly feel that this alignment of the road, and especially the I-40 interchange, would increase traffic and encourage intense development. They are concerned that the area near the interchange would be rezoned to permit high density residential or commercial 2.6