Agenda - 04-04-2023; 12-5 - Information Item - Memorandum - US 70 Multimodal Corridor Study

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1 E ORANGE COUNTY GOVERNMENT ORANGE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT 0 COUNTY ,,�, MEMORANDUM TO: Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) FROM: Nishith Trivedi, Transportation Director DATE: April 4, 2023 SUBJECT: US 70 Multimodal Corridor Study The following memo summarizes the US 70 Multimodal Corridor Study currently in process by VHB, including the first round of public workshop. In 2019, Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved US 70 as a County Priority for possible consideration in the state's Strategic Prioritization of Transportation (SPOT) process. It was done so with the understanding the corridor posed significant safety and mobility issues for all uses. The Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) in Durham- Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (DCHC MPO) identified this corridor for potential widening with multimodal accommodations. The CTP in Burlington- Graham Metropolitan Planning Organization as a corridor needing multimodal improvements. Both CTP were amended in 2022 incorporating the state's new Complete Street Policy. Following County's approval as a priority and coordinating with in the CTP amendments, Orange County started working with VHB to analyze the corridor in partnership with local jurisdictions and regional agencies. DCHC MPO provided the funding while Orange County managed the project. A Core Technical Team (CTT) was created composed of Hillsborough, Mebane, Orange County, North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), DCHC MPO and BG MPO staff with the state's Integrated Mobility Division (IMD) and Rail Road Division invited as critical stakeholders. The CTT meets monthly with VHB. VHB recently concluded the first round of public workshops, continue encouraging input throughout the planning process and will present their findings to all the respective boards along the corridor, at the end of the year. OCTS staff presents the summary of Draft Existing Conditions Report, outcomes from the public workshops, next steps and welcome any comments the Board and general public may offer. The following are highlights from the Existing Conditions Report and first round of public workshops: Existing Conditions highlights: • Focus on Safety, multi-modal (access & connectivity), environmental and economic. • 19 miles major arterial and 3 miles other arterial (US 70 Business), NC 119 to NC 751. • Six segments (A-F), 120' NCDOT ROW, 2-lane undivided with 4' paved shoulder. • 3 fixed transit routes, micro transit and demand response area for 2 transit agencies. • No bicycle facilities, limited pedestrian, Safety#1 issue for all users, including animals. 0 Website (link), 3 public workshops for 1St round, 2nd round tentatively June/July.