Agenda - 01-24-2005-9c - Laserfiche WebLink

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10 ' - although NCDOT had previously declined interest, the site was briefly considered. NCDOT continues to decline interest in participating in this project due to space and fuel type Issues, but the District Engineer did participate fully in the Work Group effort The concept of a South Churton Street location, between 1 -85 and 1 -40 interchanges, was attractive because of its location and considered a positive asset for the grant proposal. In April, NCDOT staff were asked about their interest in a joint venture for locating the CNG station at their 23 -acre property but declined, citing lack of space and the department's likely interest in propane as an alternative fuel (NCDOT currently has no vehicles that run on CNG, although the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources) has a number of CNG vehicles. In August, NCDOT staff confirmed again that they were not interested in locating the station on their property. This left the OCS Maintenance Yard and Orange County Public Works as alternatives. In considering these two sites, the Work Group considered a number of factors, with two primary considerations: 1. Adequate space for the installation of infrastructure and movement of fueling vehicles, and 2. Location of the site to possible users, both governmental and public A site visit to the OCS Maintenance Yard (adjacent to the NCDOT site) by the Work Group found that lack of space would likely be a major consideration. The property is 1.7 acres in size, and includes several storage buildings, as well as the maintenance shop. The Work Group felt that insufficient space existed at this site, as it exists. The option of asking the adjoining property owner (a vacant property in an adjacent office park) to sell additional land was briefly considered but deemed too complicated to pursue, given the short timeframe for station construction / expenditure of grant funds. By contrast, the Work Group felt that 25 -acre Orange County Public Works site does appear to have sufficient room for locating the needed infrastructure. Among the possible locations at this site is one immediately across from the existing fueling station (please see adjoining map on next page),. The Public Works site does not have the benefit of close access to 1 -85 and 1 -40 interchanges, but it is proximate to Exit 161 (US 70 Connector) for the joined 1- 85/40. The site is 7 minutes and 41 miles from this Interstate interchange (from the Churton Street 1 -85 Exit 165, it is 7 minutes and 2.5 miles). While not as immediate and close as the other sites, this is probably close enough to the Interstates for potential future use by CNG vehicles traveling on the Interstates. It is anticipated that the CNG station infrastructure will need approximately 2000 square feet, which could have a number of different configurations as the site allows.