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16 <br /> <br />Commissioner Price said the studies seem to focus on increasing the number of cars, <br />but TARPO and the MPO have had discussions about how to reduce the number of cars and <br />increase public transit. She said these seem be in conflict, and asked if this was looked into via <br />the study. <br />Donald Bryson said this was reviewed as best as it could be, but in a rural area there is <br />not much dense development and it is difficult to get enough people to use alternative <br />transportation. <br />Commissioner Price asked if providing a Park-and-Ride from Alamance would be <br />helpful. <br />Donald Bryson said it would be helpful, but there are many different destinations in the <br />area, and it does not look like it would be enough to do this in the time frame being considered. <br />Commissioner Price said it sounds like widening the road will lead to people using it <br />more. <br />Donald Bryson said it is not about creating trips, but rather is about helping trips use this <br />corridor instead of finding alternative rural routes. He said, in terms of safety, a four-lane road is <br />much safer. He said some of the intersection improvements will help the side roads, and relieve <br />some of the congestion, but the traffic is just a shift. <br />Commissioner Marcoplos said there are several populated areas in White Cross and, in <br />thinking about Park-and-Ride, it may be worth a pilot project by Dodson’s Crossroads or White <br />Cross. He said there may not be enough ridership to utilize buses, but possibly carpooling, <br />especially on Carolina game days, would be beneficial. He said a bus may actually be <br />warranted on game days, as so many people travel that direction. <br />Donald Bryson said an inexpensive Park-and-Ride could be put out there, but a bus <br />service would be expensive due to the distance being 10 miles, and the majority of the <br />population being on the lower end. He said there is a breakpoint in the numbers where it makes <br />sense, and perhaps at a trailhead in the future. <br />Commissioner Marcoplos said he appreciates the Orange Grove Road improvements, <br />which have helped with the congestion. <br />Commissioner Dorosin referred to the slide about cross sections, which includes a <br />median that help to cut down on access, and if there will be left turn lanes to make U-turns. <br />Donald Bryson said the major intersections would have U-turns, as well as breaks <br />between the major intersections, which would not have to be signalized. <br />Commissioner Dorosin asked if the turn lane would be taken out of the median. <br />Donald Bryson said yes. <br />Commissioner Dorosin asked if there is a bike/ped path on one side or on both sides. <br />Donald Bryson said this is hard to do and expensive, and probably unwarranted to put <br />on both sides. He said it seems to work better on the north side for Orange County, and shift to <br />the south side in Alamance County. <br />Commissioner Dorosin clarified that one would need to be able to safely cross 54. <br />Commissioner Greene asked if there are reasons to justify curb and gutter. <br />Donald Bryson said there are some areas that already have clusters of parking near the <br />road, and curb and gutter helps save the parking. <br />Commissioner Greene said she does not want to introduce curb and gutter in rural <br />areas. <br />Donald Bryson said it would only be in the areas where there are already businesses <br />with parking. <br />Chair Rich asked if changing the road will affect stormwater flow with pervious versus <br />impervious surfaces. <br />Donald Bryson said that is a problem, and one of the tradeoffs to consider. <br />Chair Rich asked if there is a method for people to cross the street currently.