Agenda - 11-13-2018 8-a - Minutes

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19 • It also understands future improvements will be needed as traffic continues increasing 1 along the corridor. These improvements are anticipated over the next 20 years and 2 beyond and in future SPOT processes as presented. 3 • Transit may help address the increasing traffic. Coordination between the two current 4 providers – PART and Chapel Hill Transit – along the corridor will need to be improved 5 in the future. 6 • Town acknowledges NCDOT does not fund Shared Use Paths due to its current bicycle 7 and pedestrian policy as well as complete streets policy, even if it is NCDOT right-of-8 way. This is something local jurisdictions must address. 9 10 OUTBoard Comments: 11 • The OUTBoard opposes widening NC-54, based on the rationale: increase lanes results 12 in more cars on the road, this escalates negative impacts on air quality and subsequent 13 impacts on climate change. 14 o Recommends making intersection improvements first. 15 o Adding passing lanes second. 16 • Provide a dedicated transit lane and improve transit services between all service 17 providers along the corridor, this includes: 18 o Better coordinated currently provided services by PART and Chapel Hill Transit. 19 o Adding additional services by Go Triangle and Orange County Public Transit. 20 o Include Bus Rapid Transit as a preferred recommendation to widening. 21 • Incorporate recent advancements in Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) 22 technologies at intersections. 23 24 Requested Action 25 The Manager recommends to BOCC: 26 • Receive the presentation (Attachment 1); 27 • Discuss as appropriate; and 28 • Identify any comments the Board may have for staff to convey to DCHC MPO. 29 30 Commissioner Marcoplos said Park and Ride lots were heavily discussed at the 31 Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), but he does not see them strongly recommended 32 here. He urged the Board of County Commissioners to make the Park and Ride lots a priority. 33 He said there is a UNC facility on Hwy 54, with a lot of land around it, and suggesting work ing 34 with them. He said it could be a gravel lot, and does not need to be fancy. 35 Commissioner Marcoplos referred to the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) idea, and said, if it is 36 going to be done, it should be done soon since a lot of transit projects are planned for the 37 future, but are almost too little too late once finally completed. 38 Commissioner McKee endorsed Commissioner Marcoplos comments, and said the key 39 is to get ahead of the curve, as growth will only increase. 40 Commissioner Price agreed with Commissioner Marcoplos and Commissioner McKee. 41 She asked if bikes will be included in this plan. 42 Nishith Trivedi said yes. 43 Commissioner Price asked if there is a plan for stormwater. 44 Craig Benedict said if there is curb and gutter, it is piped to areas where there are 45 existing streams. He said before it is released into a stream, stormwater devices must be put 46 in. He said it is a major engineering endeavor, and would greatly increase the project cost. 47 Commissioner Price clarified that the numbers presented do not include these costs. 48 Craig Benedict said the numbers probably include a middle of the road cost estimate, 49 and real costs will likely be higher. 50