AGENDA #11
MEMORANDUM
TO: Chapel Hill Town Council
FROM: Mayor Kevin C. Foy
SUBJECT: Regional Transportation Alliance Transportation Resolutions Regarding Using Tolls to Finance the Construction of the Triangle Parkway and High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes Along I-40; and Identification and Implementation of Local Revenue Sources to Support Transportation Improvements
DATE: June 30, 2004
The attached Resolution A would endorse the consideration of tolls to finance the construction of the Triangle Parkway project. Resolution B supports the construction of high occupancy vehicle lanes along I-40 and the use of tolls to finance the project. Resolution C would endorse the Triangle Mobility Compact.
BACKGROUND
The Regional Transportation Alliance has been organized by the Greater Wake County Chamber of Commerce and other regional employers to promote transportation improvements within the Research Triangle Area. The Regional Transportation Strategy group has been organized by the Regional Transportation Alliance to bring together local government officials and regional business leaders to discuss transportation issues. The Strategy group includes representatives from the Triangle Regions Chambers of Commerce, major regional employers, the chairs of Wake, Durham and Orange County and the Mayors of Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and Cary.
Over the past several months the Transportation Strategy group has been discussing options for increasing funding for transportation projects in the three county region. In May 2004, the Study submitted three resolutions to the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Transportation Advisory Committee for consideration: support for the use of tolls to construct the Triangle Parkway; consideration of toll financing for the implementation of high occupancy vehicle lanes along I-40 and; support for the identification and implementation of local funding options for transportation project (Attachments 1, 2 and 3).
On May 12, 2004, the Transportation Advisory Committee reviewed the proposed resolutions and I asked that action be deferred until local jurisdictions had an opportunity for review and comment.
DISCUSSION
Triangle Parkway Toll Facility
Adoption of Resolution A would support the consideration of toll financing to construct the Triangle Parkway, which would extend the existing Durham Freeway, NC 147, south from I-40 to I-540.
Comment:
The proposed resolution supports the use of user tolls to finance the construction of the extension of NC 147. If constructed as a toll facility, alternative routes, such as NC 55, would provide commuters with choices other than using the toll facility. The North Carolina Turnpike Authority was created by the North Carolina legislature to evaluate proposed transportation projects using tolls for financing and to select up to four projects for implementation. I believe the Triangle Parkway should be considered for toll financing by the North Carolina Turnpike Authority and recommend adoption of Resolution A.
I-40 High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes
Adoption of Resolution B would support the construction of high occupancy vehicle lanes along I-40 between Chapel Hill and Raleigh and proposes that the project consider the use of free flow electronic tolls for financing.
Comment:
The construction of high occupancy vehicle lanes along I-40 in Orange and Durham County’s is included in the adopted 2025 Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Regional Transportation Plan. The Town of Chapel Hill reviewed and approved the 2025 Regional Plan in September 2002.
High occupancy lanes along I-40 have also been identified in the NC 54/I-40 Transit Study as a critical component in providing regional transit service between Chapel Hill, southern Durham County and the Research Triangle Park/RDU Airport. This transit link is also included in the approved 2025 Regional Transportation Plan. While the Resolution support the implementation of high occupancy vehicle lanes from Orange County into Wake County it also identifies the western portion of the I-40 corridor, in Durham and Orange County as a higher priority. This is consistent with the adopted 2025 Plan.
The attached resolution also supports the implementation of high occupancy vehicle lanes with the use of electronic tolling to finance the project. The 2025 Regional Plan identifies the need for alternative means to finance the construction of high occupancy vehicles lanes and other regional transportation improvements. One possible financing method would be to implement a high occupancy toll program, which would allow single occupant vehicles to use the high occupancy express lanes during specific time period if they pay a toll. The toll would be collected using electronic methods, such as transponders, which would allow the monitoring of use of the express lanes by time of day and allow for more efficient billing. This electronic toll collection would avoid much of the delay associated with more traditional toll collections procedures and would not inconvenience those high occupancy vehicles using the express lanes. The tolls would be used to offset construction costs and ongoing maintenance expenses.
I believe that the estimated cost of implementing high occupancy vehicle lanes along I-40, between $600-800 million, will require additional financial resources. I recommend adoption of the attached Resolution B.
Triangle Mobility Compact
Adoption of Resolution C would endorse the Triangle Mobility Compact, and commit the Town to work with other local governments, Triangle business and community organizations to “encourage, identify and implement the local revenue sources needed to help the Triangle and other metropolitan regions in North Carolina gain more control over our regional mobility future”.
Comment:
The 2025 Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Regional Transportation Plan, approved by the Town of Chapel Hill, includes an assumption that new revenue sources would need to be made available to provide funding for transportation improvements, particularly public transit, bicycle and pedestrian projects. Resolution C supports the proposal to allow local areas within North Carolina to implement revenue options to supplement federal and State transportation revenues. The Regional Transportation Alliance has been working to prepare legislation for consideration by the North Carolina General Assembly that would provide local areas with the option to approve new tax sources to provide funding for transportation improvements. The Alliance anticipates submitting draft legislation to the General Assembly in 2005.
I believe adoption of Resolution C would be consistent with previous positions taken by the Town Council in support of additional resources for funding public transit, bicycle and pedestrian projects.
NEXT STEPS
The Regional Transportation Strategy group has presented its proposal for considering tolls to finance the construction of the Triangle Parkway to the North Carolina Turnpike Authority. It is uncertain when the Authority will select possible projects for implementation.
The Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization is working with the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization and the North Carolina Department of Transportation to develop an action plan for constructing high occupancy vehicle lanes along I-40. Part of that action plan will be the development of a strategy to finance the project. Both Metropolitan Planning Organizations will also be reviewing proposals to construct the I-40 high occupancy vehicles lanes and associated financing options in the development and approval of the 2030 Regional Transportation Plan. It is anticipated that the 2030 Plan will be approved in September 2004.
The North Carolina Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission for Urban Mobility will resume meetings after the close of the current 2004 General Assembly short session. At that time it is anticipated that the Commission will consider the issue of financing the transportation needs of North Carolina urban areas. The Regional Transportation Alliance, in conjunction with the Regional Transportation Strategy group anticipates developing legislation for introduction in the 2005 session of the General Assembly. Both the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro and Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organizations will be developing financial plans as part of the development of the 2030 Regional Transportation Plan. It is anticipated that this financial plan will include the need for new revenue sources. It is anticipated that the 2030 Plan will be approved in September 2004.
RECOMMENDATION
Mayor’s Recommendation: That the Council approve the attached Resolutions A, B and C. These resolutions would: support the use of tolls to fund the Triangle Parkway; support construction of high occupancy lanes along I-40 and the use of tolls to construct the project; and approve the Triangle Mobility Compact, which would support the identification and implementation of new revenues sources to implement transportation projects.
ATTACHMENTS
RESOLUTION A
A RESOLUTION TO ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT THE CONSIDERATION OF TOLL FINANCING TO CONSTRUCT THE TRIANGLE PARKWAY (NC 147 SOUTHERN EXTENSION FROM I-40 TO I-540) (2004-06-30/R-20a)
WHEREAS, the anticipated growth of the population of the Research Triangle Region, - more than 70 percent between 1980 and 2000 compared to a 20 percent national growth rate - has created a tremendous and growing strain on the Triangle's transportation system; and
WHEREAS, the region’s economic heart, the Research Triangle Park, still has the potential to double in employment from 45,000 to 90,000 employees by build out; and
WHEREAS, the Triangle Parkway would provide an alternative route and a connector to the Park that will improve mobility throughout the region; and
WHEREAS, a completed Triangle Parkway will help attract, create, and retain jobs throughout the Triangle area by providing delay-free travel to employees, suppliers, and customers during off-peak periods and dramatically reduced travel times during peak periods; and
WHEREAS, the construction of the Parkway will help relieve traffic congestion which hampers the ability of areas beyond the core counties to share in the Triangle's prosperity;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council requests that the North Carolina Turnpike Authority consider the Triangle Parkway (NC 147 southern extension to I-540) as one of its initial three toll projects authorized, in order to provide enhanced access to jobs and mobility to and through Research Triangle Park from points throughout the greater Triangle.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council encourages the appropriate use of free-flow electronic tolling with variable pricing to help coordinate supply and demand, encourage bus transit use and carpooling, and maintain optimum travel service on the Triangle Parkway – the NC 147 southern extension to I-540.
This the 30th day of June, 2004.
RESOLUTION B
A RESOLUTION TO ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT THE CONSTRUCTION OF EXPRESS HIGH OCCUPANCY VEHICLE LANES ALONG INTERSTATE 40 IN THE TRIANGLE AREA USING TOLL FINANCING OR OTHER MEANS (2004-06-30/R-20b)
WHEREAS, the anticipated growth of the population of the Research Triangle Region, - more than 70 percent between 1980 and 2000 compared to a 20 percent national growth rate - has created a tremendous and growing strain on the Triangle's transportation system; and
WHEREAS, the region’s economic heart, the Greater Research Triangle Park area still has the potential to double in employment form 100,000 to 200,000 employees by build out; and
WHEREAS, significant growth in jobs and enrollment is anticipate a the region’s colleges and universities – including an additional 20,000 at Carolina North at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and an additional 30,000 at NC State University’s Centennial Campus; and
WHEREAS, the Triangle continues to struggle with increasing congestion and air quality concerns; and
WHEREAS, federal transportation funding to North Carolina has not increased adequately to meet the need for expanded roadways, transit, bicycle and pedestrian facilities; and
WHEREAS, the ability of North Carolina’s Highway Fund – and indeed the Highway Trust Fund, passed in 1989 – to serve as a statewide funding source for all needs is being steadily eroded by ever increasing statewide demands; and
WHEREAS, a continued effort to forge a consensus on the need for additional revenues and institutional frameworks to improve mobility has been sustained by members of the Regional Transportation Alliance – a partnership of 15 chambers of commerce – in concert with local, county and State elected officials; and
WHEREAS, a 2000 study commissioned by the mayors of Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and Cary identified a series of multimodal transportation components – such as new express lanes along congested freeway corridors – that would help to maintain mobility and travel options throughout our urban region;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council supports implementing express high occupancy free-flow lanes along Interstate 40 in Orange, Durham, and Wake Counties (with the western Triangle being the higher priority), in order to encourage carpooling and transit ridership and create an effective alternative for users during peak travel conditions.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council encourages the consideration of free-flow electronic tolling that would enhance the mobility of travelers while providing an additional source of revenue to accelerate the construction and maintenance of the express high-occupancy corridor.
This the 30th day of June, 2004.
RESOLUTION C
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE TRIANGLE MOBILITY COMPACT (2004-06-30/R-20c)
WHEREAS, the anticipated growth of the population of the Research Triangle Region - more than 70 percent between 1980 and 2000 compared to a 20 percent national growth rate - has created a tremendous and growing strain on the Triangle's transportation system; and
WHEREAS, the region’s economic heart, the Greater Research Triangle Park area still has the potential to double in employment form 100,000 to 200,000 employees by build out; and
WHEREAS, significant growth in jobs and enrollment is anticipate a the region’s colleges and universities – including an additional 20,000 at Carolina North at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and an additional 30,000 at NC State University’s Centennial Campus; and
WHEREAS, the Triangle continues to struggle with increasing congestion and air quality concerns; and
WHEREAS, federal transportation funding to North Carolina has not increased adequately to meet the need for expanded roadways, transit, bicycle and pedestrian facilities; and
WHEREAS, the ability of North Carolina’s Highway Fund – and indeed the Highway Trust Fund, passed in 1989 – to serve as a statewide funding source for all needs is being steadily eroded by ever increasing statewide demands; and
WHEREAS, a 2000 Study commissioned by the mayors of Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and Cary identified an estimated $8 billion shortfall in state and federal revenues to meet future mobility needs; and
WHEREAS, that Study identified a series of multimodal transportation components – such as new highways, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, regional rail service, municipal and regional bus service, and express lanes along congested freeway corridors – that would help to maintain mobility and travel options throughout our urban region and improve air quality; and
WHEREAS, any effort to protect and improve mobility requires a comprehensive and broad-based strategy, including cooperation with the state Blue Ribbon Commission for Urban Mobility needs and other venues that provide opportunities to address growing congestion; and
WHEREAS, a continued effort to forge a consensus on the need for additional revenues and institutional frameworks to improve mobility has been sustained by members of the Regional Transportation Alliance - a partnership of 15 chambers of commerce – in concert with local, county and State elected officials;
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town of Chapel Hill supports working with regional partners in order to encourage, identify, and implement the local revenue sources needed to help the Triangle and other metropolitan regions in North Carolina gain more control over our regional mobility future.
This the 30th day of June, 2004.