Agenda - 03-24-1992 - Laserfiche WebLink

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INTRODUCTION The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is undertaking an engineering and environmental study of a new circumferential roadway through portions of northern and eastern Durham. The study began in July of 1991, and progress to date includes data collection, the first Citizens Informational Workshop, initial field investigations, evaluation of transportation needs, and preliminary corridors identification. Upcoming steps include the selection of corridors for detailed study, environmental evaluations, engineering studies, and the production of a State Environmental Impact Statement. The map on the following page indicates the preliminary corridors within the study area under consideration for this project. The new highway would extend from 1-85 near the Orange/Durham county line to U.S. Route 70 between Mineral Springs Road and the Durham/Wake county line. The study area includes northwest, north, northeast, and east sections of the Durham urban area. The approximate length of the study corridor is twenty miles. PROJECT NEED The need for transportation improvements within the Durham Urban Area is based on a combination of transportation demands, social demands, and economic considerations. The 1964, 1980, 1985, and current ]Durham Urban Area Thoroughfare Plans have all included a new roadway corridor in the study area to accommodate increased travel demand associated with projected growth in the area. Traffic demand studies indicate that the existing transportation facilities will be inadequate to accommodate the forecasted traffic volumes for the design year of 2015. Without additional roadway capacity in the transportation System, further reduced speeds, restricted maneuverability, inefficient traffic operations, and increased accidents will result. Current and planned outward growth of the Durham urban area along existing radial routes requires additional access to major travel centers. The Northwest and Northeast Loop would serve as an additional east -west roadway in the northern portion of Durham and a more direct north -south roadway in the eastern portion of the urban area. This roadway would provide improved access to many areas in the Durham area including Research Triangle Park and the Raleigh- Durham Airport to the east, as well as Duke University and Medical Center to the west. Planned industrial areas along Hamlin Road would also benefit from improved roadway access for workers, raw materials, supplies, and distribution of finished products. "cIVED FROM $71 0454 P. 4