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105 <br /> Additionally, the County is located within a one-hour drive of several other colleges and <br /> universities. These include Alamance Community College,Duke University, Elon University,High Point <br /> University,North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University,North Carolina Central University, <br /> North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. <br /> Transportation. Major expansion and maintenance of primary and secondary highways within the <br /> County are primarily the responsibility of the State.Municipalities within the County bear the responsibility <br /> for local street systems. The County has no responsibility for the construction or maintenance of streets or <br /> highways. <br /> The County is served by two interstate highways, which merge in the center of the County. <br /> Interstate Highway 85 connects the County to the cities of Greensboro, Charlotte and Atlanta to the south <br /> and west, and the cities of Durham, Richmond and Washington, D.C. to the north and east. Interstate <br /> Highway 40 connects the County to the cities of Winston-Salem, Greensboro and Asheville to the north <br /> and west, and Research Triangle Park and the City of Raleigh to the south and east. Other major highways <br /> include U.S.highways 15-501 and 70 and N.C. highways 54, 57 and 86. <br /> The Town of Chapel Hill operates a local bus system that provides public transportation services <br /> to the Town and adjacent areas, including services to the Town of Carrboro and The University of North <br /> Carolina at Chapel Hill on a contractual basis. Effective January 1, 2002, the Town instituted the State's <br /> first fare free transportation system for passengers on all regular routes and services. Bus routes and stops <br /> are located so that 90% of all households are within one-quarter mile of a bus stop. The Town has <br /> established several park-and-ride lots on the perimeter of the Town to facilitate transportation in and out of <br /> the university and downtown area. [Update/confirm][The system operates 99 buses during weekday peak <br /> periods,and shared-ride, demand responsive programs to provide evening services]. <br /> The bus system is the second largest transit system in the State by ridership,providing over seven <br /> million rides per year. The bus system is financed primarily with a special ad valorem tax levy,federal and <br /> State operating and capital assistance, and contractual contributions from the Town of Carrboro and The <br /> University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The Town receives federal operating assistance from the <br /> Federal Transit Administration and State operating assistance which combined equals about 30%of eligible <br /> operating costs for the system. <br /> In 2026, the Town of Chapel Hill is expected to complete design of a North-South Bus Rapid <br /> Transit ("NSBRT") system along an 8.2-mile corridor in the Town. The NSBRT system will include <br /> dedicated bus lanes, new bus stations, more frequent bus stops, and longer operating hours, along with <br /> pedestrian and cycling improvements along the route. The NSBRT project is expected to increase transit <br /> capacity, connect with regional transit networks and provide an opportunity to expand bus rapid transit to <br /> other corridors. The estimated cost of the NSBRT project is $180 million,with 80% federal financing and <br /> 20% local and state funding. Construction is expected to begin in 2027, with service launching in <br /> approximately 2030. <br /> Orange County Transportation Services offers a continuum of locally accessible transportation <br /> services,including pick-up and drop-off services for the elderly and disabled. [Update][In fiscal year 2024, <br /> Orange County Transportation Services received $691,627 through the federal Grants for Buses and Bus <br /> Facilities Program]. The Hillsborough circulator connects major destinations throughout Hillsborough with <br /> hourly service Monday through Friday. This service is free to all passengers. In addition, Triangle Transit <br /> Authority operates a bus system that provides commuter services to County residents. <br /> Air transportation is provided by various major,commuter and commercial airlines at the Raleigh- <br /> Durham International Airport("RDU"), approximately ten miles from the County. RDU is serviced by 19 <br /> 32 <br />