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10 <br />- although NCDOT had previously declined interest, the site was briefly considered NCDOT continues to decline interest <br />in participating in this project due to space and fuel type issues, but the District Engineer did participate fully in the Work <br />Group effort. <br />The concept of a South Churton Street location, between 1-85 and 1-40 <br />interchanges, was attractive because of its location and considered a positive <br />asset for the grant proposal. In April, NCDOT staff were asked about their <br />interest in a joint venture for locating the CNG station at their 23-acre property <br />but declined, citing lack of space and the department's likely interest in propane <br />as an alternative fuel (NCDOT currently has no vehicles that run on CNG, <br />although the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources) has a <br />number of CNG vehicles.. In August, NCDOT staff confirmed again that they were <br />not interested in locating the station on their property. <br />This left the OCS Maintenance Yard and Orange County Public Works as <br />alternatives. In considering these two sites, the Work Group considered a <br />number of factors, with two primary considerations: <br />1. Adequate space for the installation of infrastructure and movement of <br />fueling vehicles, and <br />2. Location of the site to possible users, both governmental and public <br />A site visit to the OCS Maintenance Yard (adjacent to the NCDOT site) by the <br />Work Group found that lack of space would likely be a major consideration. The <br />property is 1,7 acres in size, and includes several storage buildings, as well as <br />the maintenance shop. The Work Group felt that insufficient space existed at this <br />site, as it exists. The option of asking the adjoining property owner (a vacant <br />property in an adjacent office park) to sell additional land was briefly considered <br />but deemed too complicated to pursue, given the short timeframe for station <br />construction / expenditure of grant funds. <br />By contrast, the Work Group felt that 25-acre Orange County Public Works site <br />does appear to have sufficient room for locating the needed infrastructure. <br />Among the possible locations at this site is one immediately across from the <br />existing fueling station (please see adjoining map on next page). <br />The Public Works site does not have the benefit of close access to 1-85 and 1-40 <br />interchanges, but it is proximate to Exit 161 (US 70 Connector) for the joined 1- <br />85/40. The site is 7 minutes and 4.1 miles from this Interstate interchange (from <br />the Churton Street 1-85 Exit 165, it is 7 minutes and 2.5 miles). While not as <br />immediate and close as the other sites, this is probably close enough to the <br />Interstates for potential future use by CNG vehicles traveling on the Interstates. <br />It is anticipated that the CNG station infrastructure will need approximately 2000 <br />square feet, which could have a number of different configurations as the site <br />allows.