Agenda - 12-12-2017 - 8-e - Right of Way Encroachment Agreement for Non-Utility Encroachments on Primary and Secondary Highways

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1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: December 12, 2017 Action Agenda Item No. 8-e SUBJECT: Right of Way Encroachment Agreement for Non-Utility Encroachments on Primary and Secondary Highways DEPARTMENT: Orange County Public Transportation (OCPT) ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: (919) 1. NCDOT Right of Way (EA16-1A) Theo Letman, OPT Transit Director, 245- 2. Roadway Maps 2007 3. Location of Proposed Encroachments 4. AARP Bus Stop Proposal 5. Passmore Senior Center Installation Photo PURPOSE: To approve a Right of Way Encroachment Agreement for Non-Utility Encroachments on Primary and Secondary Highways authorizing the applicant to enter into an agreement with North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). BACKGROUND: The Orange County Department on Aging, in cooperation with the Public Transportation Department, has received a grant to improve its bus ridership in the more rural parts of Orange County. Over the past five years, additional bus routes have been created to serve the older, rural population. However, few stops have adequate shelters, benches or even flat areas to wait for the buses. This has created a barrier to bus ridership. The grant funds have been used to purchase and install 15 Simme-Seats at strategic locations visited by older adults in the area. Simme-Seats provide space for two persons to sit comfortably while waiting for the bus. There may be need for grading, concrete pads, or easements at some of the sites to make sure that bus users can easily transit from the bus stop to the street to board a bus. This project will benefit all of Orange County, as the targeted bus stop improvements will facilitate travel throughout the County. The new bus seats will be installed primarily in the Town of Hillsborough, on its Circulator Route, and along the major bus routes between Hillsborough, Chapel Hill and Efland. The key benefit of this project to make Orange County more of an "age friendly community" is to make bus use more accessible and comfortable to all persons, especially those who are older. Although the general location of the bus stops are known, multi-departmental staff is working with NCDOT and Hillsborough and, in some cases, private property owners to locate these `encroachments' in a safe and suitable manner and location. This agenda item details approval of the encroachment in NCDOT right of way and notes County maintenance responsibility.