AGENDA #4g
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: N.C. Highway 86/Airport Road Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Study
DATE: September 27, 2004
This memorandum reviews the N.C. Highway 86/Airport Road Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Study, refers the Report to the Town Manager and Town Attorney, Town advisory boards, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the University of North Carolina Transportation Department, and sets a public forum to consider the Study on November 22, 2004.
BACKGROUND
In October 2003, the Town of Chapel Hill was awarded a grant by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Active Living By Design Program totaling $200,000 over five years. The grant was awarded to the Town to initiate a community-wide program to promote active living within the community. On November 24, 2003, the Council accepted the grant and directed the Manager to implement the program.
DISCUSSION
One of the projects included in the first year of the Active Living By Design Grant work plan was the completion of a pedestrian and bicycle safety study along the N.C. Highway 86/Airport Road corridor. In early 2004 the Town contracted with the North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center to complete the N.C. Highway 86/Airport Road Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Study (Attachment 1). This evaluation of bicycle and pedestrian safety issues includes the area from I-40 to the terminus of Airport Road, at its intersection with North Street and North Columbia Street.
NEXT STEPS
The attached resolution refers the N.C. Highway 86/Airport Road Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Study to the Town’s Planning Board, Transportation Board, Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board, Parks and Recreation Commission and Greenways Commission for review and comment. The resolution also would provide the Study to the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the University of North Carolina Transportation Department. We expect to present the Study to these advisory boards during October and November 2004. The resolution also would schedule a public forum for November 22 , 2004, for citizens to provide the Town Council with comments.
ATTACHMENTS
Report Cover, Executive Summary, Appendix A (12.3MB), Appendices B, C, D, E , Appendix F, Appendices G, H
A RESOLUTION RECEIVING THE N.C. HIGHWAY 86/AIRPORT ROAD BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY STUDY, REFERRING THE PLAN TO TOWN ADVISORY BOARDS AND SETTING A PUBLIC FORUM FOR NOVEMBER 22, 2004 (2004-09-27-R-9)
WHEREAS, the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Center has completed a N.C. Highway 86/Airport Road Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Study; and
WHEREAS, Town Council wishes to receive comment and recommendations from Town advisory boards and the public;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council receives the N.C. Highway 86/Airport Road Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Study and refers the Study to the Town’s Planning Board, Transportation Board, Greenways Commission, Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board, and Parks and Recreation Commission for review and comment.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Council schedules a public forum on the Study for 7:00 pm, November 22, 2004, in the Town Council Chamber, 306 North Columbia, Chapel Hill.
This the 27th day of September, 2004.