Agenda - 10-22-1991 - Laserfiche WebLink

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W September 10, 1991 Page 2 Potential project impacts to be addressed include the following: social and economic; relocation; air quality; traffic noise; water resources, stream modification or impoundment; wetlands; flood hazards; natural resources including protected species, natural land forms, wildlife habitat, groundwater, and prime and unique farmlands; land use planning; historic and cultural resources; construction; and visual impacts. Need for the Project .The proposed project is needed to reduce existing traffic congestion in and around the urban areas of north and east Durham and increase the overall system capacity of the existing traffic network based on future projected travel demand. The proposed Durham Northwest Loop and Northeast Loop would provide a more direct route for commuter traffic originating in northwest and northeast Durham and destined for Research Triangle Park and the Raleigh Durham International Airport. The proposed roadway would provide an additional east /west facility in northern Durham and a north /south facility in eastern Durham for through traffic to bypass portions of the City of Durham. General Description Proposed Improvements The preliminary build alternative would consist of constructing a multi —lane roadway on new and existing alignments. The western terminus would interchange with I -85 approximately 1000 feet west of the Orange /Durham county line. The proposed roadway would circle portions of northwest and northeast Durham utilize the Glen School Road /I -85 Interchange and terminate along US 70 between Miami Boulevard and the Du -rham /Wake county line. Description_of General Area Durham County is located in the piedmont physiographic province of north central North Carolina. The topography of the area -is slightly rolling with creek and river valleys incising the landscape. These valleys generally confine the associated flood plain and wetlands to the stream channels. Major water bodies in the project area include the Eno River and its associated tributaries, Ellerbee Creek, Little Lick Creek, Panther Creek, and Chunky Pipe Creek. Each of these water bodies flows into Falls Lake, an impoundment of the Neuse River constructed to provide drinking water to neighboring Wake County and the City of Raleigh. Falls Lake is located northeast of the project study area. The project area is located along the northwest and northeast portions of the Durham urban area that includes portions of the City of Durham and Durham County. There are four north /south oriented roadways from the City of Durham that traverse the Eno River. Along these roadway corridors exist a mix of residential and commercial land uses. Between the developed roadway corridors, open space and agricultural land uses occur. Along the Eno River, a system of State and local parks have been established. Also located within the study corridor are small pockets of light industrial land uses and a gravel quarry. North of the Eno River, residential development is the dominant land use.