Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
PLANNING & INSPECTIONS DEPARTMENT <br />Craig N. Benedict, AICP, Director <br />Administration <br />(919) 245-2575 <br />(919) 644-3002 (FAX) <br />www.orangecountync.gov <br />131 W. Margaret Lane <br />Suite 201 <br />P. O. Box 8181 <br />Hillsborough, NC 27278 <br />MEMORANDUM <br /> TO:Orange Unified Transportation Board <br /> FROM:Max Bushell, AICP, Orange County Transportation Planner <br /> DATE:November 16, 2016 <br /> SUBJECT: Hillsborough Train Station Update <br />The Hillsborough Train Station is currently funded in the adopted 2016-2025 State <br />Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) with construction slated to begin in 2019 <br />at a cost of approximately $7 – 8 million. <br />Funding Challenges <br />Recent language in the 2016 Appropriations Act under Section 35.12.(c) <br />(http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2015/Bills/House/PDF/H1030v6.pdf) capped State <br />funding for light rail, intercity rail, and commuter rail transit projects at only 10 percent of <br />the total project cost. With initial concern about the funding for the Hillsborough Train <br />Station project, Orange County Transportation Planning staff has been given to <br />understand that this cap will not have an effect on the committed funds in the STIP for <br />this project. This is based on the fact that this project is funded through rail project <br />funds, as opposed to transit funds, which are subject to the State funding cap. <br />Funding History <br />A train station (Amtrak) in the Town of Hillsborough was proposed in 2009. Town of <br />Hillsborough staff, the Rail Station Small Area Plan Task Force, and other contributors <br />prepared the Hillsborough Rail Station Small Area Plan and considered a number of <br />funding options, including applying for a 2010 American Reinvestment and Recovery <br />Act (ARRA) grant. This grant was not awarded to the Station project. <br />Consideration was also given to the Hillsborough Train Station project during the <br />development of the Orange County Bus Rail Investment Plans (OCBRIP). This led to <br />discussion about making an application to the Transportation Investment Generating <br />Economic Recovery (TIGER) competitive grant program, based on the familiarity of the <br />North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Rail Division with these grants <br />and the likelihood of receiving a grant in Hillsborough. The OCBRIP provided a <br />breakdown of the cost split in the case of receiving a TIGER grant. Under this funding <br />scenario, 80 percent of the total project cost would be covered by federal funds, 10 <br />percent by state funds, and 10 percent by local funds. Local funds for the project were <br />anticipated to be generated from the ½ cent sales tax. <br />,WHPE <br />57