AGENDA #4f

 

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:                  Mayor and Council

 

FROM:            W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

 

SUBJECT:       Accepting State Funds for the Highland Woods Road Realignment Project and formally approving the SuperStreet Intersection Improvement Project

 

DATE:             December 6, 2004

 

Adoption of the attached resolutions would authorize the Town Manager to execute:

 

1)      A Municipal Agreement accepting State funds for the proposed realignment of Highland Woods Road.

2)      A Municipal Agreement formally approving the SuperStreet (Fordham Boulevard/Europa Drive/Erwin Road) Intersection Improvement Project.

 

BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION

 

HIGHLAND WOODS ROAD REALIGNMENT PROJECT

 

In response to a request from the Town Council earlier this year, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has agreed to provide $90,000 for the realignment of Highland Woods Road at its intersection with Old Mason Farm Road  (please see Attachment 1).  If the Council accepts the State funds, the Town would be responsible for preparing engineering design plans, acquiring necessary rights-of-way, relocating utilities, and administering the construction contract.

 

The only property that would be affected by the proposed relocation of this segment of Highland Woods Road is owned by the University of North Carolina.  We are working with the University to secure the necessary right-of-way for this project, and we believe that the University will agree to transfer the necessary land to the Town and/or NCDOT at no cost.

 

We do not think that utility relocation work will be necessary to complete this project.

 

We believe that the $90,000 in State funding will be sufficient to complete the proposed Highland Woods Road Realignment Project, and we do not expect the Town to incur any direct costs associated with this project.  If bids for the construction of this project exceeded $90,000, we would not award the contract unless and/or until additional State funds were made available.

 

Adoption of the attached Resolution A would authorize the Town Manager to execute a Municipal Agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation accepting State funds for the Highland Woods Road Realignment Project.

 

SUPERSTREET INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

 

At the request of the Town, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is designing an improvement project for construction at the intersection of Fordham Boulevard/Europa Drive/Erwin Road.  This project, commonly referred to as SuperStreet, would include an elongated roundabout/median, traffic signal modifications, and pedestrian amenities intended to reduce traffic congestion and to improve intersection efficiency and safety conditions (please see map Attachment 2).

 

The SuperStreet project is being fully funded by the State.  The NCDOT will be responsible for designing, administering, and constructing the project.  We do not expect the Town to incur any direct project costs.  The State has agreed to include a paved pedestrian/bicycle facility within the project limits, and the Town would assume maintenance and liability responsibilities associated with the pedestrian/bicycle facility following completion of the project. 

 

The final design of the SuperStreet Intersection Improvement Project is nearly complete, and bids will be solicited in early 2005 for construction to begin in the summer of 2005.  Adoption of the attached Resolution B would authorize the Town Manager to execute a Municipal Agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation formally approving the SuperStreet (Fordham Boulevard/Europa Drive/Erwin Road) Intersection Improvement Project.

 

MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION

 

That the Council adopt Resolution A and Resolution B authorizing the Town Manager to execute Municipal Agreements with the North Carolina Department of Transportation accepting funding for the Highland Woods Road Realignment Project and formally approving the SuperStreet (Fordham Boulevard/Europa Drive/Erwin Road) Intersection Improvement Project.

 

ATTACHMENTS

 

1)                  Highland Woods Road Area Map (p. 5).

2)                  Fordham Boulevard/Europa Drive/Erwin Road Intersection Area Map (p. 6).

 

 

RESOLUTION A

 

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO EXECUTE A MUNICIPAL AGREEMENT WITH THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ACCEPTING STATE FUNDS FOR THE REALIGNMENT OF A SEGMENT OF HIGHLAND WOODS ROAD NORTH OF OLD MASON FARM ROAD IN CHAPEL HILL (2004-12-06/R-5a)

 

WHEREAS, Town of Chapel Hill and the North Carolina Department of Transportation agree that the relocation of the intersection of Highland Woods Road at Old Mason Farm Road in Chapel Hill would improve traffic circulation and reduce congestion in the vicinity; and

                                                                                                               

WHEREAS, the North Carolina Department of Transportation has agreed to participate in the construction cost of the project in an amount not to exceed $90,000 ($45,000 Contingency Funds and $45,000 Small Construction Funds) under WBS Element #39698; and

 

WHEREAS, the Town of Chapel Hill agrees to prepare necessary environmental and planning documents, secure necessary permits, prepare plans and specifications, acquire necessary right-of-way, adjust and/or relocate utilities, and administer and construct the project;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council authorizes the Town Manager and Town Clerk to sign and execute a Municipal Agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation accepting State funding under WBS Element #39698 for the realignment of a segment of Highland Woods Road in Chapel Hill, NC.

 

This the 6th day of December, 2004.

 

RESOLUTION B

 

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO EXECUTE A MUNICIPAL AGREEMENT WITH THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FORMALLY APPROVING IMPROVEMENTS AT THE INTERSECTION OF FORDHAM BOULEVARD/EUROPA DRIVE/ERWIN ROAD IN CHAPEL HILL (2004-12-06/R-5b)

 

WHEREAS, Town of Chapel Hill and the North Carolina Department of Transportation agree that improvements at the intersection of Fordham Boulevard/Europa Drive/Erwin Road in Chapel Hill would improve traffic circulation and reduce congestion in the vicinity; and

 

WHEREAS, the North Carolina Department of Transportation has prepared construction plans to make certain street and highway improvements within Chapel Hill under Project U-4008, said plans consisting of improvements at and in the vicinity of the Fordham Boulevard/Europa Drive/Erwin Road intersection otherwise known as the SuperStreet Intersection Improvement Project; and

 

WHEREAS, the  North Carolina Department of Transportation agrees to design, acquire necessary rights-of-way, administer and construct all elements of the project, including a pedestrian/bicycle path, in accordance with the approved plans; and

 

WHEREAS, the Town agrees to assume maintenance and liability responsibilities for the pedestrian/bicycle facility within the limits of this project;

 

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council authorizes the Town Manager and Town Clerk to sign and execute a Municipal Agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation formally approving Project #U-4008 involving improvements at the intersection of Fordham Boulevard/Europa Drive/Erwin Road in Chapel Hill, NC.

 

This the 6th day of December, 2004