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18 <br /> <br />1. Receive the presentation, Draft NC 54 West Study Final Report and Phase 2 outlined in <br />Attachment 1;and <br />2. Endorse the DCHC-MPO Technical Committee recommendation that the DCHC-MPO <br />Board receive the study, proceed with safety improvements along the corridor using <br />information from the study, and that the local jurisdictions (including participation by <br />TARPO) work together with DCHC-MPO to identify future roadway improvements <br /> <br />Commissioner Dorosin asked if widening is still on the table. <br />Damon Seils said Carrboro’s recommendation is that the BOCC receive the report, but <br />not adopt it. He said widening is still being considered, and the study offers a ton of <br />information. He said Carrboro is not rejecting the work that was done, just rejecting the <br />recommendation of widening the road. He said there needs to be more conversation between <br />jurisdictions, as this involves significant resources. He said there are several safety <br />improvements that can be made at this time. <br />Commissioner Dorosin clarified that the report is not being rejected. <br />Damon Seils said that is correct, and Carrboro is rejecting the recommendation to widen <br />the road. <br />Chair Rich said the importance of receiving, but not adopting, the report is that the safety <br />changes can proceed, while further discussions take place about the other aspects of the <br />report. <br />Commissioner Dorosin asked if there are timelines in place. <br />Damon Seils said the MPO Board will hold a public hearing next week. <br />Aaron Cain, DCHC-MPO, said the next step is that the MPO staff will have information, <br />and be able to evaluate if projects should be put forward for state funding. He said if the report <br />is adopted, MPO staff would pursue funding to widen the road; but if the report is just received, <br />MPO staff can await further direction in March or April 2020. <br />Commissioner Dorosin clarified that decisions will be made in March or April 2020, as to <br />whether to pursue funding or not. <br />Aaron Cain said there is already funding for the intersection and safety improvements, <br />but the decision about widening would be made in the spring. He said funds are scheduled for <br />Right-of-Ways in the next budget year, with construction start in a few years. <br />Nishith Trivedi said this only relates to the section between Orange Grove Road and Old <br />Fayetteville Road. <br />Commissioner Price asked if the Burlington Graham MPO is involved. <br />Wannetta Mallette, Burlington Graham MPO (BGMPO), said Phase 1 of this plan was <br />presented a year ago. She said the BGMPO received the study, but did not take any action at <br />that time. She said there were a number of concerns about safety improvements from NC119 <br />to Hwy 54, and the BGMPO is interested in looking into ideas of surrounding MPOs. <br />Matt Day, Triangle Area Regional Planning Organization (TARPO), said TARPO’s <br />decision schedule is a bit different that the MPO, with decisions being made in February. He <br />said widening NC 54 is on TARPO’s draft list of projects to submit for funding. He said this draft <br />list is open for public comment now until January 16, 2020. <br />Commissioner Price asked if the Burlington Graham MPO needs to be included in item <br />#3. <br />Aaron Cain said it can be; the DCHC-MPO has no objection. <br />Commissioner Greene said she likes the idea of collaboration, instead of making <br />decisions now. She said to make sure rumble strips are in the plan for safety improvements. <br />Aaron Cain said yes, that would take place in the engineering phase. <br />Commissioner Bedford asked if the impending I-40 improvements were incorporated into <br />this study. <br />Nishith Trivedi said yes, these improvements have been considered.