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on-road bicycle improvement project, but rather a note was added to the existing bicycle lane project along this section of Old NC 86 indicating that a multi-use path could be another option in the unconstrained CTP to accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians along Old NC 86 (see Attachment 1). 2013 OUTBoard Discussion As part of the process to create the Orange County CTP, the plan that addresses transportation needs in the rural areas of Orange County, the OUTBoard was asked to make a comprehensive review of the recommendations for bicycle, pedestrian, and automobile transportation. Only a small portion of Old NC 86 between Arthur Minnis Road and Davis Road is addressed through the Orange County CTP (the TARPO area of Orange County); the bulk of the roadway is situated in the DCHC MPO area. At their January 16, 2013 meeting, Orange County Transportation Planning staff recommended that the segment of Old NC 86 between Arthur Minnis Road and Davis Road include 4’ paved shoulders, a suggestion that met with general consensus from the group. At the February 20, 2013 meeting (see Attachment 2), however, an OUTBoard member stated that Old NC 86 would never be a good commuter bike route due to sight line issues and high vehicle speeds, which make Old NC 86 particularly dangerous for bicyclists. The OUTBoard member continued by stating that other routes, such as new 86, serve commuting and recreational bicyclists much better. Ultimately, the OUTBoard recommended that the investment in wide shoulders on Old NC 86 be removed from the Orange County CTP, unless the project is needed for vehicle safety, and that the primary bicycle commuting route in Orange County should fall on new NC 86. The OUTBoard agreed that if a bike route is included on Old NC 86, it should be an off-road facility. These comments were forwarded to the BOCC for consideration. BOCC Discussion The BOCC received a presentation on the Orange County CTP at its January 24, 2013 meeting, which provided background and information on the development of the CTP. On March 7, 2013, the BOCC received the OUTBoard’s comments, which prompted questions about the proposed off-road path along Old NC 86 (See Attachment 3). At the meeting, Orange County Transportation Planning staff indicated that staff had not discussed the Old NC 86 off-road multi-use path proposal and that, if the project did move forward, it would be the first trail in the state to be constructed outside of NCDOT’s right-of-way. Commissioner McKee mentioned that constructing the multi-use path would require access to and purchase of rights-of-way from landowners and NCDOT, which might not be favorably received along the corridor. Commissioner Jacobs asked about accommodations for bicyclists on other roads that are already used by bicyclists and stated his preference for providing bicycle accommodations on those facilities. Other commissioners petitioned to see additional bicycle facilities on roads with less traffic, particularly in the absence of funding for bikes from the Orange County government. Commissioner Rich indicated that she wanted to start a conversation about safety and would like to explore this option. The County Commission elected to not include the Old NC 86 off-road multi-use trail in the Orange CTP by a vote of 5-1 with Commissioner Rich dissenting. 30