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

Browse Search

9 lib Segment A This segment through Downtown Mebane passes through the most urban part of the entire corridor,and it includes all the Alamance County portion of the study area. The Alamance/Orange County line falls within the area of study.Most of the westernmost 2 miles of the corridor fall within the City of Mebane in Alamance County. Segment A extends from James Walker Road east to Mace Road.NCRR tracks run along the southern side of US 70 for most of this segment,within 40-50 feet through the western half. This proximity creates delays and safety concerns when trains cross intersecting roadways. Right-of-way constraints and conflicts limit options for improving traffic,pedestrian, and bicycle trips in this vicinity.There are some constraints related to potential historic elements.Beyond the Downtown area,surrounding land uses consist mainly of highway commercial and light industrial uses in a suburban setting. The most recent BGMPO Comprehensive Transportation Plan(CTP),adopted on May 24,2022,identifies the western portion of this segment of US 70 as a Boulevard in need of improvements to accommodate traffic congestion and enhance mobility as well as addressing a need for modernization.Through Downtown Mebane eastward,US 70 is classified as a Major Thoroughfare(2-lane). Various plans recommend bicycle and pedestrian improvements along US 70 at key points throughout Downtown Mebane. There are also long-range proposals for fixed-route bus service.Key roadway attributes include the following: Op R • The prevailing roadway Ycross-section is two lanes with paved 2'-4'shoulders. Just west of Downtown,curb-&- gutter and sidewalk begin along the north side;eventually,curb-&gutter appears on the south side.On-street parking is provided along both sides of the street between 3rd and 5th Streets.Curb-&gutter disappear from the south side and then the north just east of 51h Street,although sidewalk continues along the north side until 9th Street.There are turn lanes at some intersections.There are no bicycle accommodations. • Speed limits drop from 55 mph to 45 mph at the western end of this segment,transitioning down to 25 mph through the Central Business District(CBD),then back up to 45 mph through the eastern half of the segment(see Figure 2 for statutory speeds throughout the study). • Estimated 2022 average annual daily traffic volumes(AADTs)range from about 9,000 vpd to a high of approximately 12,000 vpd through the CBD. 7 US 70 Multimodal Corridor Study Existing Conditions Report