Orange County NC Website
Draft 09-09-2013 <br />20 | Page <br />Interstate Interchange <br />The I-85/US 70 interchange is lo cated within the north/central part of the Study Area. <br />Because interchanges invite development and traffic, it is essential to have <br />requirements in place that address issues of compatibility and function. Access <br />management plans and regulations help to preserve the safety and efficiency of <br />interchange areas as development occurs. <br />NCDOT has long range plans to redesign t he I-85/US 70 interchange and designed a <br />concept plan for the redesign in 2009. T he conceptual design will impact access <br />management concepts for the E no EDD area, particularly th e potential location of <br />frontage roads and the spacing of access points from interchange ramps. The redesign <br />of the interchange is currently included with a multi-phase pr oject for the widening of I- <br />85 from I-40 to the Durham County line. The projects have been entered in the State’s <br />Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for implementation in the future <br />developmental program (post 2020); however, t he State’s new project Strategic Mobility <br />Formula prioritization process may allow the project to be funded sooner. <br />The Eno EDD – NCDOT Draft Interchange Concept Map follows on page 22. <br />Rail <br />Although rail traffic has decreased considerably in North Carolina, the NCRR/Norfolk <br />Southern (NS) Railway, which is the southerly boundary of the Study Area, is still used <br />for general rail transport and intrastate co mmuter service provided by Amtrak. <br />Additionally, there is a rail spur line to Cha pel Hill in the western portion of the Study <br />Area, east of University Station Road that is still used for deliveries to the UNC campus. <br />There is also a rail spur that is in private use, east of Herman Church Road. <br />The North Carolina Railroad’s (NCRR) Long Range Capital Plan identifies a corridor <br />beginning east of Old NC Highway 10 stretchi ng until approximately University Station <br />Road to be double tracked to increase freight capacities. This is currently an unfunded <br />project. <br />The Triangle Transit Authority (TTA) complet ed final plans for Phas e I of its regional <br />commuter rail service in the Triangle and a ttempted to procure Federal funding to <br />implement Phase I service that would link Raleigh, Cary and Durham. However, due to <br />changes in federal cost-effect iveness guidelines, the project has been shelved for the <br />near future. At this time, the future of Tr iangle commuter rail service is uncertain due to <br />funding considerations. <br />Historically, University Station was located near the spur rail line th at reaches to Chapel <br />Hill. UNC students, faculty, and visitors would have used Un iversity Station in their <br />travels to and from campus and other areas. If the Region pursues commuter rail in the <br />future, the spur line to Chapel Hill would likely become an important connector within <br />the rail network. Triangle Transit Authority has identified a recommended location for a <br />future passenger rail stop within the Study Area (west of Greenbriar Drive). <br />92