Orange County NC Website
a <br />Recommendations <br />The Joint Orange Grove Road Transportation Group recommends the following actions <br />to alleviate unsafe conditions and to manage potential congestion from future <br />development in the Orange Grove Road corridor. The recommendations address flue <br />basic issues: 1. obtaining funding for improvements to enhance safety for all modes of <br />traffic; 2. providing pedestrian facilities (sidewalks) in the corridor; 3. implementation of <br />recommendations into local plans and regulations; 4. recommendations for future <br />studies; and 5. distribute the report to community groups for comments. <br />1. Pursue funding to implement recommendations in this study. <br />The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), Spot Safety funds and Small <br />Urban Funds are potential funding sources for roadway improvements. Small <br />Urban Funds may be used for projects within 1-mile outside city limits. Both Small <br />Urban and Spot Safety funding sources are subject to the discretion of the <br />Division's Board of Transportation (BOT) member, and are generally requested for <br />projects in the $50,000 to $200,000 range. The local jurisdiction(s) must request <br />those funds from the BOT member. Transportation Improvement Program, in <br />general, is used to fund projects that cost $300,000 or more. There are also some <br />contingency funds that may be requested through the area's representatives to the <br />State legislature. <br />The local jurisdictions should pursue funding to advance the following <br />improvements in the Orange Grove Road corridor. <br />- Pursue funding to widen the bridge on Orange Grove Road over Interstate 40 to <br />include bicycle and pedestrian facilities. North Carolina Department of <br />Transportation estimates the cost to add bicycle and pedestrian facilities to the <br />bridge is approximately $750,000. <br />- Pursue funding and work with NCDOT to install a crosswalk with a flashing light <br />to warn vehicles of the pedestrian crossing at the bus driveway entrance at <br />Grady Brown Elementary School. <br />- Pursue funding and work with NCDOT to investigate installing a traffic light at the <br />intersection of Oakdale Drive and Orange Grove Road, and to provide right turn <br />lanes on both Oakdale Drive and Orange Grove Road to assist traffic flow <br />through the intersection. <br />2. Provide pedestrian facilities along Orange Grove Road. <br />- Research actual right-of-way along Orange Grove Road throughout the corridor <br />study area through land records and pursue feasibility of obtaining the <br />recommended 80' right-of-way through dedication or acquiring easements. <br />- Investigate installing sidewalks along the north side of Orange Grove Road in <br />the corridor study area including determining the feasibility of construction with <br />respect to changes in elevation along the road and with respect to cost. <br />