Agenda 11-14-23; 7-b - US 70 Multimodal Corridor Plan

Browse Search

1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: November 14, 2023 Action Agenda Item No. 7-b SUBJECT: US 70 Multimodal Corridor Plan DEPARTMENT: Orange County Transportation Services (OCTS) ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: 1. Draft Existing Conditions Report Darlene Weaver, Transportation Planning Manager, 919-245-2002 PURPOSE: To receive the draft Existing Conditions Report and provide comments on the US 70 Multimodal Corridor Study. BACKGROUND: 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. This occurred 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 multimodal improvements. The CTP in Burlington-Graham Metropolitan Planning Organization noted US 70 as a corridor needing multimodal improvements. Both CTP were amended in 2022 incorporating the State's new Complete Street Policy. Following County approval as a priority, Orange County staff started working with Vanessa Hangen Brustlin (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, the 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. The draft Existing Conditions Report is provided at Attachment 1. This report was used as part of the first round of public workshops. VHB completed the first round of public workshops last March, with the second round scheduled for late November and early December. Staff will continue to encourage input throughout the planning process and present the findings to all boards along the corridor at the end of the year. OCTS staff will present a summary of the draft Existing Conditions Report, along with outcomes from the public workshops and next steps, for Board feedback. All public comments will be included in the appendix, with responses to how they were addressed. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact with receiving this report. The final plan will determine potential projects and processes necessary to implement the plan.