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8 <br /> The exit will be combined with existing Exit 161 (US Highway 70/1-85 Connector Road). <br /> As staff understands it, signage will be added indicating Exit 161 allows access to `Efland' <br /> and `Mt Willing Road'. To access Mt. Willing Road from west bound 1-85/40, travelers will <br /> be required to: <br /> a. Exit the Interstate at Exit 161; <br /> b. Stop at the proposed new stoplight; <br /> c. Go straight through the intersection, driving onto the existing Interstate 85/40 <br /> on/off ramp; <br /> d. Travel approximately 3,200 ft. west arriving at Mt. Willing Road. <br /> STAFF COMMENT. The current configuration (i.e., Exits 161 and 160) of the <br /> interchange is commonly referred to as a "braided ramp interchange" where <br /> entrance/exit points overlap. Vehicular traffic utilizes shared access roadways <br /> resulting in weaving conflicts between traffic attempting to exit and access the <br /> Interstate using these same travel lanes. <br /> The current interchange configuration was designed approximately 25 years ago <br /> using traffic volumes based on anticipated land use and traffic growth/distributions <br /> assumptions in place at that time. <br /> In reviewing the matter with NC DOT, the current layout is not particularly desirable <br /> due to inherent operational and safety problems associated with the traffic movement <br /> conflicts and relatively short distance provided for deceleration/acceleration for <br /> motorists'. Current traffic weaving maneuvers result in potentially unsafe conditions <br /> which would be significantly exacerbated by increases in traffic volumes. <br /> While it is fair to say this Project has accelerated the need to consider revising the <br /> existing interchange, Planning staff have been informed by NC DOT that <br /> improvement(s) to the interchange would eventually be made to address public safety <br /> issues. These `improvements' would likely have involve eliminating westbound Exit <br /> 160 to address public safety issues as traffic volumes increase in the area. <br /> The elimination of westbound Exit 160/reconfiguration of Exit 161, requires additional <br /> review as part of NC DOT and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) processes, <br /> which are independent of this zoning atlas amendment process. <br /> If approved, the project will move forward consistent with the master concept plan. If <br /> denied, the applicant will have to address modification(s) at a future date. <br /> As a practical matter, the processing of this rezoning request is the first step in this <br /> process. <br /> During our initial review of the Project, staff made the following recommendation(s) <br /> concerning the proposed location of right-in/right-out driveway points (Attachment 4): <br /> ➢ Eliminating the access drive(s) on the interstate on/off ramp west of US <br /> Highway 70/1-85 Connector Road altogether; OR <br /> ➢ Limit the two proposed access drives to an `entrance only' east of Mt. Willing <br /> Road and an `exit only' west of the US Highway 70/1-85 connector road versus <br /> a right-in/right-out for both driveways as current designed. <br /> If the proposed access drives were eliminated altogether, motorists would access <br /> Interstate 40/85 from the Project either via the US Highway 70/1-85 Connector Road <br />