Agenda 12-02-19 Item 12-5 - Information Item - Memorandum-FY 19-20 Orange County Budget Appropriation for Sidewalk Study – Orange Grove Road Corridor and Pedestrian Safety

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4 Minor safety improvements that have been completed include the installation of fencing along the bridge over 1-40 and a reduction in the speed limit along the Orange Grove Road corridor from 45-MPH to 40-MPH. NCDOT, at the request of the County, has also studied the Oakdale Drive/Orange Grove Road intersection for congestion and safety improvements. In 2015, NCDOT conducted a test, placing temporary All-way stop signs at the intersection. As a result, it was determined that an All-way stop treatment was not viable for this location and a signalized intersection would be needed. Requests to consider the inclusion of sidewalks on the Cedar Ridge High School campus, as part of its classroom wing expansion project, were heard but unsuccessful due to funding limitations. Pedestrian Struck by Vehicle: On Monday, September 9, 2019, a pedestrian with an age-17 restricted driver's license, was struck by a motor vehicle on Orange Grove Road. The accident occurred at 2:13 pm at a location 160' toward 1-40 from Oakdale Drive, in the vicinity of the bridge over 1-40. The pedestrian is a student at Cedar Ridge High School and suffered a broken arm, while walking home from school, as a result of the accident. Subsequently, the School Principal issued a message strongly encouraging students to refrain from walking to and from school as there is not a safe area for them to do so (Attachment 1). County Budget and Next Steps: In response to the Planning Department's budget request and the County Manager's recommended budget (Attachment 2), the BOCC approved up to $50,000 for consulting services to complete a sidewalk study of Orange Grove and New Brady School Roads to help devise a strategy to mitigate pedestrian safety concerns. Since the budget was passed in June 2019, County staff has received additional information from Town of Hillsborough staff stating its inability to maintain sidewalks outside of its incorporated area based on State law. Planning staff received direction to develop a scope of services and initiate the consultant procurement process in September 2019. Over the course of the next few weeks, Orange County staff will be meeting with staff representatives from NCDOT, Orange County Schools, and the Town of Hillsborough to discuss the Orange Grove Road corridor and safety concerns to help inform the development of a Scope of Services for a consultant. County Transportation Planning staff is also coordinating with the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization to establish a financial and planning partnership for the study. At this time, staff anticipates that the study may include but not necessarily be limited to: • Study area along Orange Grove Road from Patriots Point Drive to New Grady Brown School Road intersection and along New Grady Brown School Road to capture the school properties • Data collection and analysis • Collection and summary of existing reports, studies, plans and recommendations • Short and long-term recommendations, including cross-sections, for on and off-road improvements to improve pedestrian safety • Cost estimates, feasibility, and recommendations for funding implementation • Public involvement at early stages and when a draft is available • Presentations to the Orange County BOCC and School Board RECOMMENDATION(S): Staff recommends the OUTBoard receive the information and offer any suggestions on items to be addressed through a Scope of Work for consulting services.