Agenda 12-02-19 Item 8-a - Minutes

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16 1 Donald Bryson said the study shows there are around 700 to 1,400 people employed by 2 UNC or the Hospital who live in this region, which is not a lot for public transit. He resumed the 3 presentation: h b. 5 Commissioner Price said the studies seem to focus on increasing the number of cars, 6 but TARPO and the MPO have had discussions about how to reduce the number of cars and 7 increase public transit. She said these seem be in conflict, and asked if this was looked into via 8 the study. 9 Donald Bryson said this was reviewed as best as it could be, but in a rural area there is 10 not much dense development and it is difficult to get enough people to use alternative 11 transportation. 12 Commissioner Price asked if providing a Park-and-Ride from Alamance would be 13 helpful. 14 Donald Bryson said it would be helpful, but there are many different destinations in the 15 area, and it does not look like it would be enough to do this in the time frame being considered. 16 Commissioner Price said it sounds like widening the road will lead to people using it 17 more. 18 Donald Bryson said it is not about creating trips, but rather is about helping trips use this 19 corridor instead of finding alternative rural routes. He said, in terms of safety, a four-lane road 20 is much safer. He said some of the intersection improvements will help the side roads, and 21 relieve some of the congestion, but the traffic is just a shift. 22 Commissioner Marcoplos said there are several populated areas in White Cross and, in 23 thinking about Park-and-Ride, it may be worth a pilot project by Dodson's Crossroads or White 24 Cross. He said there may not be enough ridership to utilize buses, but possibly carpooling, 25 especially on Carolina game days, would be beneficial. He said a bus may actually be 26 warranted on game days, as so many people travel that direction. 27 Donald Bryson said an inexpensive Park-and-Ride could be put out there, but a bus 28 service would be expensive due to the distance being 10 miles, and the majority of the 29 population being on the lower end. He said there is a breakpoint in the numbers where it 30 makes sense, and perhaps at a trailhead in the future. 31 Commissioner Marcoplos said he appreciates the Orange Grove Road improvements, 32 which have helped with the congestion. 33 Commissioner Dorosin referred to the slide about cross sections, which includes a 34 median that help to cut down on access, and if there will be left turn lanes to make U-turns. 35 Donald Bryson said the major intersections would have U-turns, as well as breaks 36 between the major intersections, which would not have to be signalized. 37 Commissioner Dorosin asked if the turn lane would be taken out of the median. 38 Donald Bryson said yes. 39 Commissioner Dorosin asked if there is a bike/ped path on one side or on both sides.