Agenda - 12-12-2017-12-2 - Information Item - Memo Regarding NC-86 (N. Churton Street) at US-70 (Cornelius St) Intersection Improvements

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INFORMATION ITEM 1 PLANNING & INSPECTIONS DEPARTMENT Craig N. Benedict, AICP, Director Administration 131 W. Margaret Lane (919)(919) 644-3002 (FAX) °) 0G Box 201 � � P. O. Box 8181 www.orangecountync.gov Non,ill cAnoi..I Hillsborough, NC 27278 MEMORANDUM TO: Board of County Commissioners FROM: Craig Benedict, Orange County Planning Director Tom Altieri, Comprehensive Planning Supervisor Nishith Trivedi, Orange County Transportation Planner DATE: November 22, 2017 SUBJECT: NC-86 (N. Churton Street) at US-70 (Cornelius St) Intersection Improvements This memorandum informs the County that North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) will be improving the NC-86 at US-70 intersection, see attached map. This project was selected as part of NCDOT's Low Cost/High Impact program. This project will extend the northbound right turn lane onto eastbound US 70. As this project is solely in the Town of Hillsborough's jurisdiction and is estimated to cost over $250,000, Hillsborough will be submitting a Support Resolution to NCDOT in December. This will bring the project before the State's Board of Transportation (BOT) in January for approval. NCDOT will have one year from BOT approval to get this project under contract or implemented. They anticipate completing this project within the existing right-of-way. NCDOT Division 7 is allocated $3.4 million over the next two years in Low Cost/High Impact projects. These are small projects typically under $250,000 that can have great impact with very little work, oftentimes associated with Strategic Prioritization Office (SPOT) Safety. Projects such as small intersection improvements, paving two feet of shoulder, or installing crosswalks are evaluated based on seven quantitative factors: • Traffic Volume • Traffic Restrictions • Safety • Roadway Characteristics • Level of Service • Multimodal Benefits • Other Funding Availability In coordination with The Town of Hillsborough, four potential projects were submitted for NCDOT's consideration: 1) Safety Improvements - N. Churton Street — Add high visibility crosswalks at 3 intersections (Queen, Union, and Orange). The necessary handicap ramp corners are already designed. These crossings will make the intersections ADA compliant and were supposed to be part of the downtown project. They were delayed due to cost overruns on the larger project. The estimate is about $100,000. It would be ideal if this work could be done before Churton is resurfaced (which is reasonably imminent).