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21 <br /> Orange County & NCDOT Highway Luncheon <br /> Division 7 and District 1 <br /> August 18, 2021 12:00 p.m. <br /> line. We've asked NCDOT, "Are we doing this right?" And we've been assured that this is <br /> common practice. <br /> Jamezetta: Is the second rail line simply to pull off at this station? Or for how many miles would <br /> this go across the state? <br /> Margaret: Ideally, across the state. A portion of the state is already dual-tracked. I believe that <br /> there will always be a pull off at the rail station, but eventually, there will be two tracks <br /> throughout the state. It's in Charlotte and working its way east. Not sure if there's dual track on <br /> the east part of the state. <br /> Renee: I think that the concept of rail is gaining a bit of momentum, but when you look at what <br /> is happening in the rest of the Triangle, I think you could push the need to help connect all of the <br /> dots. <br /> - Jamezetta: NC Supreme Court recently ruled that NC Railroad is not subject to "Sunshine <br /> Laws," so, it's a problem. I am very worried about this project. <br /> Margaret: There is a gentle ramping of people along the rail line. <br /> Renee: Hillsborough's commuter rail is pushed off into the future, but there can be more of a <br /> case in the future. <br /> Tom A: I just wanted to follow-up a little more about the realm of possibilities for some spin-off <br /> advantages. There have been some discussions with making the property a mixed-use <br /> location. Collins Ridge feeds into this area with the Orange Grove Road extension there. There <br /> are plans for a bus shelter and parking. There have been discussions about the need for a bus <br /> transfer station somewhere in Hillsborough. This facility could be where OCPT drivers can use <br /> as a stop point to use the restroom. <br /> - Stephanie Trueblood: I've heard concern about the perception of this project. I have pivoted to <br /> talk about it as a "Future" train station. The Phase 1 is a building and parking area with ingress <br /> and egress and that all of this leads to the future. I think we need to be honest that the train <br /> might not be here immediately, but will come in the future. In the meantime, the building can <br /> have some Town uses with a pedestrian connection to downtown. <br /> Craig: Margaret, have there been any new cost estimates for the projects? We earmarked our <br /> share of that money for the project eight years ago. <br /> Margaret: No, the funding agreement is the funding agreements. We'll build whatever we can <br /> with the $7 million that we're given. We will work within that guideline. <br /> - Renee: Let's stay optimistic! <br /> III. NCDOT UPDATES ON PENDING OR ACTIVE PROJECTS <br /> A. TIP Projects <br /> B. Resurfacing and/or Bridge Replacements <br /> - Chuck: I've shared the list with what's being shared with the MPO. Having heard what we've <br /> heard about the STIP, don't pay a lot of attention to the dates. Hopefully, there's some good <br /> info on the small projects. <br /> - Chuck shared a few of the highlights from his list for both TIP projects and Resurfacing/Bridge <br /> Replacements. <br /> - Craig: Chuck, could you also take a look at the Mt. Willing and Buckhorn the horizontal curve <br /> that could compound the problem with the four-way stops. My understanding with some of the <br /> issues have been visibility problems. <br /> - Jamezetta: You have Ephesus Church road for 2022. I was just wondering what was <br /> happening with that timeline. <br /> - Chuck: Everything is subject to scheduling; a very good point. We're available of all of the <br /> development in the Blue Hill District. <br /> 3 <br />