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<br />13 <br />COMMENTS REGARDING THE <br />DRAFT 2002-20D8 NORTH CAROLINA <br />TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM <br />FOR ORANGE COUNTY PROJECTS OUTSIDE <br />THE DURHAM-CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO METROPOLITAN PLANNING AREA <br />Orange County would like to give priority to identified safety needs on existing roads <br />and bridges and to other transportation projects which foster alternatives to automobile <br />travel. The County also endorses environmentally responsible construction of all <br />transportation projects. Finally, the County supports adequate maintenance far existing <br />transportation facilities. <br />Infrastructure Improvements, - In previous years Orange County has made TIP requests related <br />to project I-304. Because I-304 has been completed without these requested projects, Orange <br />County is now asking that the following infrastructure improvements be made to the I- <br />85/Buckhom Road Economic Development District: <br />a) Ca ac' Im rovements -Widen Buckhom Road (SR 1114) from US 70 to West Ten <br />Rd. (SR 1144) to 24 feet (two 12' travel lanes) and improve the Intersection of <br />Buckhom Road and US 70 to include turn lanes and improved turning radii. <br />b) Rail Road Crossin Im rovements -Improve the Southern Railway /Buckhom Road <br />(SR 1114) railroad crossing. <br />2) Transit Im rovements - It is increasingly evident, through the Triangle Fixed Guideway <br />Study and other research, that Orange County should begin Transit Planning to <br />coordinate local transit planning with the Triangle f=ixed Guideway Study <br />recommendations. In order to support transit in Orange County, the following <br />improvements have been requested: <br />a) Twenty_ Year Transit Development Plan for Oranae County -Funding is requested to <br />develop a long range transit plan that would integrate local transit systems with the <br />planned long range transit improvements of the Triangle Region (i.e., Triangle <br />Transit Authority's Triangle Fined Guideway System) and the state ~(i.e.-, Governor <br />Hunt's Transit 2001 Plan); <br />Orange County staff is working with transit providers to determine which providers <br />will provide what types of services in Orange County and how to best handle this <br />issue. <br />b) Park and Ride Lot in the Buckhom Economic Development District -Orange County <br />requests that a park and ride facility (from the adopted Orange County Economic <br />Development District Design Manual) be constructed as a demonstration project with <br />Transit 2001 Funds. This project is clearly justified as it meets the warrants for a <br />park and ride lot far two growing regions in North Carolina, the Triad and Triangle. <br />Orange County staff is working with transit providers to determine which providers <br />will provide what types of services in Orange County and how to best handle this <br />issue. <br />