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25 <br /> She said the SPOT and STIP processes are very slow, and these projects are many years out. <br /> She said she would rather the NCDOT fund this than the county. She said that if folks are to <br /> consider biking as a true method of transportation, then it needs to be like this and connected. <br /> Nishith Trivedi said that the Department of Aging is trying to develop a fixed route for <br /> transportation in Southern Orange County. He said this calls for resources to do that and this <br /> would assist in providing those resources. He said that park and ride lots cannot be planned <br /> without a fixed route service. <br /> Commissioner McKee said that for years he was content to study and talk about the <br /> southern branch library. However, he came to the position that it is time to make a decision. He <br /> said they should decide to approve and move forward. He said this has been discussed for years <br /> and he is aware that several members have not, but to receive this means they paid for a study <br /> to be placed on the shelf. He said that receiving this signals to everyone that they acknowledge <br /> that traffic is bad, but they will not move forward. He said that approving this signals that they can <br /> begin. He said there is an entire process that has to run, and it will not start tomorrow. He said <br /> that they will be in the mix if they approve it. He said that the right of way that is already owned <br /> by NCDOT is adequate already to complete this. He said that traffic is going to continue to get <br /> worse. He said that people are going to continue to move here, and Hwy 54 is already a corridor. <br /> He said that public transportation will become impossible on the two-lane road and approving the <br /> study is the only way he sees forward to expanding public transportation out in the county that <br /> connects to feeder routes. He said that the bike lane gives enough room to put bicycles and <br /> pedestrians. He said that Carrboro has this from Carrboro High School to the subdivision. He said <br /> he would hate to see this Board to make the mistake the previous board made with 1-85 and 1-40. <br /> He said that Hwy 54 will be widened in the future, with or without the Board's approval. <br /> Commissioner Greene read from an email from Carrboro Mayor Seils. She said that part <br /> of this is about process. She said that the UDO Board received the report in 2019 and directed <br /> staff to implement items to improve the study and identify future work. She said that last week the <br /> MPO removed the widening. She said she thinks there are a lot of assumptions being made here <br /> and that is why she cannot vote in favor. <br /> Chair Bedford referred to Figure 13 from the agenda packet showing minor roads that feed <br /> into this study. She said that her concern previously was around safety. She said that if they take <br /> the regional approach, they are responsible for all of Orange County. She said remember that the <br /> ETJ votes for the commissioners. She said this shows that the feeder roads are being used <br /> because 55 is so congested and the other roads are not built for traffic and that is where the <br /> accidents are happening. She said they are planning for three turns near Hatch Road. She said <br /> they can adopt this contingent on the multimodal factors being included and that they can work <br /> with the other partners. She said that she thinks they should tell NCDOT that they intend to be <br /> very involved. She said that multimodal has a lot of opportunities in this. <br /> Nishith Trivedi clarified that the SPOT 7 project is with TARPO. He said that this might <br /> have to be done again in future SPOT versions until it is funded. <br /> Commissioner Greene asked for clarification that TARPO is the one that has submitted <br /> this project. <br /> Nishith Trivedi said yes that it was approved as part of the county's resolution and <br /> submitted through TARPO for the whole plan. He said that when it was removed DCHC, the only <br /> portion that was removed was the portion from Orange Grove Road to Old Fayetteville Road. He <br /> said that it was submitted twice as two different projects with one in TARPO and one in DCHC. <br /> Commissioner Greene asked if she heard him say that the TARPO submission goes all <br /> the way from Alamance County to Old Fayetteville Road. <br /> Nishith Trivedi said yes, Mebane Oaks Road to Old Fayetteville Road. <br /> Commissioner Greene asked if TARPO has already submitted this to SPOT 7. <br /> Nishith Trivedi said yes. <br /> Chair Bedford said that is just part of the project. <br />