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34 <br /> two lanes was in the area of the New Hope Creek, and the bridge across it was to be one lane, <br /> not the entire track. He said the trains could be timed to not need to cross the bridge at the <br /> same time. He said these examples of creativity should earn GoTriangle credit, not criticism. <br /> He said the weighted voting did not impede the purchase of buses, or the BRT funding. He said <br /> the weighted voting was based on population. <br /> Commissioner Price said she will not blame anyone, and it is important to review what <br /> happened, but also be ready to move ahead with a regional transportation plan. She said it is <br /> also important to take seriously the needs of local Orange County residents. She said she took <br /> issue with the LRT plan focusing so greatly on getting to Durham, and lacking focus on Chapel <br /> Hill and other Orange County locations. <br /> Commissioner McKee agreed with the need for regional transit planning, and believes <br /> there is enough funding to create regional and local service. He said those residents lacking <br /> any transportation options cannot be left behind, and the LRT would have done exactly that. He <br /> said the Board cannot work with partners to the detriment of Orange County's interests, as the <br /> BOCC is responsible to Orange County first, and there must be cooperation. <br /> Commissioner Greene said she does not want to leave the rural residents of Orange <br /> County behind, and she is eager to further conversations about on-demand services. She said <br /> all these needs are important, but they are different. <br /> Chair Rich said there are 25,000 people that work on the UNC campus, and need to get <br /> there every day. She said a regional plan is important, as well as cooperation with partners. <br /> She said she is hopeful that commuter rail in Durham and Hillsborough will help, but there are <br /> still many people who need to move around the region. She said the younger generation does <br /> not want to be in a car, and wants public transportation. <br /> Chair Rich said every vote at the MPOs is weighted, and based on the population of the <br /> area. She said accordingly, Durham has more votes on every single vote that takes place. She <br /> said usually there is agreement, and the weighting is not noticed. <br /> Chair Rich said she has some concerns about the County's economic development <br /> challenges, which will only increase due to a lack of the LRT. She said the gateway station <br /> would have provided taxes for affordable housing and schools. <br /> Chair Rich agreed that this must be a regional transportation system, as well as <br /> satisfying local needs. She said it will take 12-18 months to rebuild the transportation plan, and <br /> all those who were working on the LRT will now lose their jobs. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Marcoplos, seconded by Commissioner Price for <br /> the Board to: <br /> 1) Discontinue the Durham-Orange Light Rail Transit Project; and <br /> 2) Authorize staff to begin developing a process to amend the Orange County Transit Plan <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> 7. Reports <br /> NONE <br /> 8. Consent Agenda <br /> • Removal of Any Items from Consent Agenda <br /> • Approval of Remaining Consent Agenda <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Dorosin, seconded by Commissioner Bedford for <br /> the Board to approve the remaining items on the Consent Agenda. <br />