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10 <br /> US 70 Multimodal Corridor Study <br /> Study Context <br /> The following section defines the study area and purpose. <br /> 1.1 Purpose <br /> The US 70 Corridor Study is an in-depth review of:the 18.9-mile stretch of US 70 between NC 119 in Mebane to <br /> the Orange/Durham County line; and the 3-mile stretch of US 70 Business from NC 86 (Churton Street)to US 70. <br /> The existing two-lane roadway is a regionally significant east-west corridor with daily traffic volumes ranging from <br /> less than 4,000 vehicles/day to 17,000. Peak period congestion is concentrated at locations with more frequent <br /> intersections and/or heavy conflicts/turning movements.The route acts as an alternate route for 1-85 and 1-40 <br /> while connecting diverse agricultural, residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional land uses, posing <br /> conflicting priorities for roadway design. <br /> Much of the western portion of the corridor runs adjacent to the North Carolina Railroad (NCRR) line carrying <br /> both passenger and freight rail services. Numerous streams cross this portion of US 70, most notably the Eno <br /> River—where the Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST) is also present. Parks and open space in the study area include the <br /> Eno River State Park and Quarry, Historic Occoneechee Speedway and Natural Area, River Park and Riverwalk Trail, <br /> Kings Highway Park, Efland-Cheeks Park and Community Center, and Lake Michael Park. <br /> Recognizing the need to evaluate this vital roadway, Orange County, the City of Mebane, Town of Hillsborough, <br /> NCDOT Division 7, NCDOT Integrated Mobility Division, Burlington-Graham Metropolitan Planning Organization <br /> (BGMPO), and the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (DCHC MPO) united to fund <br /> this study. <br /> The goal of this study is to develop a long-term vision for US 70, the communities it serves, and the surrounding <br /> natural areas.This vision is comprehensive, preserving and enhancing the corridor's character, economic vitality, <br /> environmental resources, and multimodal transportation options. While this report will not determine ultimate <br /> design details, its analysis and recommendations will guide those decisions by documenting transportation needs, <br /> community priorities, and environmental constraints. This report is meant to support and enhance other relevant <br /> planning studies throughout the corridor and to guide the inclusion of multimodal facilities in future projects <br /> along US 70, whether through localized improvements or as incorporated within larger roadway projects, such as <br /> the US 70 widening. <br /> 1 Study Context <br />