MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: NC 54/I-40 Transit Corridor Feasibility
Study Update
DATE:
This memorandum summarizes the status of the
NC54/I-40 Transit Corridor Feasibility Study.
The Triangle Transit Authority is currently soliciting proposals from
consultants to complete the Study.
At the request of the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro
Transportation Advisory Committee, the Triangle Transit Authority has initiated
a NC54/I-40 Transit Corridor Feasibility Study to evaluate the possible
implementation of a fixed guideway transit system between
The Triangle Transit Authority has released a
request for proposals to complete the NC54/I-40 Transit Corridor Feasibility
Study (Attachment 1). Attachment 1 includes only substantive Sections I, II and
III of the Request for Proposal. The Study proposes to include two phases.
Phase I is anticipated to complete a preliminary evaluation of the various
technologies and corridors for fixed guideway transit services between the
University of North Carolina campus in Chapel Hill and the Southpark transit
station in the Research Triangle Park. The NC54/I-40 Study will use the
corridor between Meadowmont and the
It is anticipated that a Study Team will oversee the
study. The Study team will be composed of a Technical Committee made up of
staff from the Triangle Transit Authority, North Carolina Department of
Transportation and the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Urban Area. A Project
Oversight Committee composed of elected officials and representatives of key
employers in the corridor will also provide guidance for the Study. We
anticipate that
Phase I is anticipated to include the
following tasks
1. Collect and analyze existing
data
2. Identify key activity
centers and avoidance areas
3. Identify key environmental
issues in the corridor
4. Identify a continuous right
of way for transit
5. Identify transit
technologies
6. Prepare order of magnitude
cost estimates
7. Prepare a report and
decision matrix to outline the findings
The results of the Phase I Study will be used to
determine whether the implementation of a fixed guideway corridor is possible.
It is anticipated that the Phase I findings will be presented to the Triangle
Transit Authority Board of Trustees and Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro
Transportation Advisory Committee. Both the Board of Trustees and
Transportation Advisory Committee will be asked to review the findings of the
Phase I Study and recommend a specific scope of work for Phase II. The Phase I
results may also narrow the scope of the Phase II study by eliminating certain
corridors or technologies.
The Phase II Study is anticipated to undertake the
following tasks:
1. Gather stakeholder/public
input
2. Refine cost estimates
3. Evaluate alternatives
4. Identify potential funding
sources
5. Prepare Phase II findings
and recommendations for the preferred alignment
Proposals from consultants for the NC54/I-40 Transit
Corridor Feasibility Study are due on
The Triangle Transit Authority anticipates that
consultant proposals will be reviewed during February, 2002 by a team composed
of technical staff. It is expected that the Triangle Transit Authority Board of
Trustees will be asked to award a contract on
The Triangle Transit Authority has agreed to provide
full funding for this Study.