AGENDA #4f

 

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

 

FROM:            W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

 

SUBJECT:       Proposed Schedule for Review of the US 15-501 Major Investment Study Phase II Final Report

 

DATE              September 10, 2001

 

This memorandum reports the anticipated schedule for reviewing the US 15-501 Major Investment Study final report. The attached resolution would call a Public Forum on Wednesday, October 17, 2001.

 

BACKGROUND

 

The US 15-501 Major Investment Study, begun in 1995, was intended to review a wide range of transportation improvements in the US 15-501 Boulevard corridor between Chapel Hill and Durham. Phase I of the Major Investment Study was completed in August, 1998 and included recommendations on roadway, bicycle and pedestrian improvements. The Phase I Report also included a preliminary analysis of possible fixed guideway public transit improvements in the corridor and recommended further study.

 

The Phase II Study of the US 15-501 Major Investment Study is analyzing possible fixed guideway corridors between the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and Duke University in Durham using several different technologies including regional rail, lighter diesel powered rail and buses. Buses will be evaluated using a busway and operating in mixed traffic.

 

The US 15-501 Major Investment Study was initiated by the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Transportation Advisory Committee.

 

DISCUSSION

 

It is anticipated that HNTB Inc., the consultants for the Phase II Study, will present their final Phase II report and recommendations to the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Transportation Advisory Committee at its October 10, 2001 meeting. We expect that the Transportation Advisory Committee will receive the report, open a public comment period and take final action on November 14, 2001. Below is a suggested review schedule for the Council’s consideration.

 

·        October 10, 2001: Final Report and Recommendations presented to Transportation Advisory Committee

·        October 16, 2001: Planning Board and Transportation Board Review

·        October 17, 2001: Council Public Forum on Final Report

·        October 22, 2001: Council Action on Recommendations to Transportation Advisory Committee

·        November 14, 2001: Transportation Advisory Committee Action

 

NEXT STEPS

 

If the Transportation Advisory Committee approves a recommended fixed guideway corridor and technology, it is expected that they would request Federal Transit Administration approval for the initiation of the federal environmental studies necessary to secure federal capital funding.

 

RECOMMENDATION

 

Manager’s Recommendation: That the Council adopt the attached resolution scheduling a Public Forum for October 17, 2001.

 

 

A RESOLUTION SETTING A PUBLIC FORUM FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE US 15-501 MAJOR INVESTMENT STUDY PHASE II FINAL REPORT (2001-09-10/R-6)

 

WHEREAS, the Town of Chapel Hill has been a participant in the development of the US 15-501 Major Investment Study; and

 

WHEREAS, it is anticipated that the US 15-501 Major Investment Study Phase II Final Report will be released by the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Transportation Advisory Committee for public comment on October 10, 2001;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council schedules a Public Forum on the US 15-501 Major Investment Study Phase II Final Report at 7:00 pm on October 17, 2001, in the Council Chamber, 306 N. Columbia St.

 

This the 10^th day of September, 2001.