AGENDA #10

 

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:                  Mayor and Council

 

FROM:   W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

 

SUBJECT:       Potential Local Projects for the Proposed North Carolina: Moving Ahead! Program

 

DATE:                April 28, 2003

 

 

Adoption of the attached resolution would direct the Manager to forward to the State a list of potential projects for which the Town requests funding consideration under the North Carolina: Moving Ahead! transportation initiative announced by Governor Easley on February 19, 2003.

 

BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION

 

In an effort to supplement the large improvement projects typically identified for funding through the State Transportation Improvement Program, Governor Easley has proposed an initiative to assign funds to smaller scope projects that can improve safety and mobility, reduce congestion, and/or stabilize the condition of existing transportation infrastructure.  This initiative is called North Carolina: Moving Ahead! and it proposes to make up to $700 million available for maintenance, modernization, and public transportation projects across the State.  These projects can include rail, bicycle, pedestrian, and ferry improvements in addition to more traditional roadway projects.

 

According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the projects should be small, in the $500,000 to $2.5 million range and require minimal environmental review, no more than very small amounts of new right-of-way and the simplest and quickest types of permitting.

 

To prepare for the possibility that the General Assembly will approve the program, the North Carolina Department of Transportation has requested that local governments identify potential projects for funding consideration.  All projects submitted by local governments State-wide will be screened by the NCDOT, and those that meet the selection criteria will be considered for funding under the North Carolina: Moving Ahead! program.

 

Attachment #1 provides a copy of the letter from the Secretary of Transportation that identifies the program goals, project selection criteria, and program outcomes for North Carolina: Moving Ahead!  

 

We have compiled a list of the following potential local projects that may qualify for funding consideration under this program.  The project list is based on needs previously discussed by the Council, emphasizes pedestrian and vehicular mobility and involves project that would benefit the Town Operations Center.

 

1. Revise Existing Signal System Timing Plans to Provide Better Optimization:

This project includes review and revision of traffic signal timing plans in eight signal system zones to better  reduce delay and enhance the safety of motorists.  This project is an interim improvement before upgrading the existing signal system.

 

2. Upgrade and Modernize the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Traffic Signal System:

We identified significant deficiencies in the Town’s existing traffic signal system, which serves both Chapel Hill and Carrboro.  Elements of the signal system, particularly the ability to coordinate the signals in an efficient manner, have deteriorated and require upgrading with fiber optic technology.  The project includes replacing the existing signal cabinets/controllers, replacing the existing twisted pair copper communication cable with fiber optic cable, and providing CCTV to monitor traffic for incidents.  State funding for a feasibility study is available but the State informed us that they will not authorize a feasibility study until funding for construction is identified.

 

3. Widen, Realign, and Upgrade Millhouse Road North of Eubanks Road, Including Possible Relocation of Railroad Crossing as necessary for the Town Operations Center:

Millhouse Road is maintained by the State and this project includes widening Millhouse Road with curb and gutter and sidewalk on one side, from Eubanks Road to the railroad crossing/proposed entrance to the Town Operations Center.  The project also includes realigning Millhouse Road at the proposed entrance to the Town Operations Center and railroad crossing.

 

4. Sidewalk Projects in Chapel Hill:

This project includes construction of some or all of the following sidewalks to enhance mobility of pedestrians in Chapel Hill:

 

Serial

No.

Location (side of street)

Project Limits

Distance (feet)

Existing Facility E/N Side

Existing Facility W/S Side

1

Airport Road (east)

Timber Hollow Ct to Homestead Dr

1,850

Partial

None

2

Culbreth Rd (south)

between Cobble Ridge and Rossburn

500

None

None

3

Fordham Blvd #2 (west)

Ephesus Church Rd to Elliot Rd

1,090

None

None

4

Ephesus Ch Rd #1 (south)

Eden Dr to 15-501 Bypass

3,000

Yes

None

5

Estes Road Ext #3 (south)

Seawell School Rd to Airport Rd

4,100

None

None

6

Fordham Blvd #1 (north)

Manning Dr to Carmichael St

1,300

None

None

7

South Road (north)

Existing Walk to Country Club Rd

1,100

Path

Asphalt

8

Estes Drive #2 (south)

Franklin St to Willow

1,030

Yes

None

9

Homestead Road (south)

So. Orange Human Services to Shelter

 

None

None

10

Seawell School Rd #1 (west)

Seawell Elementary to Hanover Pl

4,400

None

None

11

Seawell School Rd #2 (west)

Homestead Rd to High School Road

1,300

Infill

Partial

12

Barbee Chapel Rd (west)

Finley Forest to NC 54

1,000

None

None

13

Ephesus Ch Rd #2 (north)

Colony Woods Dr to Pope Rd

1,575

None

None

14

Estes Drive #1 (north)

Airport Rd to Estes Elementary School

4,000

None

Asphalt

15

Pope Road (west)

Ephesus Church Rd to Old Durham Rd

5,400

None

None

16

Old Drhm-Chpl Hill Rd (s)

Durham Co line to Blue Cross

2,100

None

None

17

Bennett Road (south)

15-501 S to Fire Station #5 entrance

200

None

None

18

Old Mason Farm Rd (north)

Finley Forest Rd to US 15-501

3,850

None

None

19

Finley Golf Course Rd (west)

NC 54 to Old Mason Farm Rd

3,450

None

None

 

5. Improve Pedestrian Safety in Chapel Hill:

This project includes the following improvements for pedestrian safety in Chapel Hill:

 

6. Upgrade Homestead Road West of NC 86 to include Bike Lanes and Sidewalks:

This project includes widening of existing pavement to provide bike lanes and shoulders and construct sidewalks on both sides of Homestead Road from NC 86 to the Town Limits.

 

MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION

 

That the Council adopt the attached resolution directing the Manager to submit the listed projects to the North Carolina Department of Transportation for funding consideration under the North Carolina: Moving Ahead! program.

 

ATTACHMENTS

 

1.  Copy of the April 3, 2003 letter from Secretary Tippett (p. 5).

A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE MANAGER TO SUBMIT THE LISTED PROJECTS TO THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR FUNDING CONSIDERATION UNDER THE NORTH CAROLINA: MOVING AHEAD! PROGRAM (2003-04-28/R-11)

 

WHEREAS, the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill is interested in securing funding for local projects that would improve safety and mobility, reduce congestion, and/or stabilize the condition of existing State transportation infrastructure serving Chapel Hill; and

 

WHEREAS, the Council is aware of Governor Easley’s proposed North Carolina: Moving Ahead! initiative intended to make funds available for small projects outside of the scope of typical Transportation Improvement Program projects; and

 

WHEREAS, the State has requested that local governments identify projects for funding consideration under the program if it is approved by the General Assembly;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council directs the Manager to submit to the State the following list of local improvement projects for funding consideration under the proposed North Carolina: Moving Ahead! Program;

 

1.  Revise Existing Signal System Timing Plans to Provide Better Optimization.

 

2.  Upgrade and Modernize the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Traffic Signal System.

 

3.  Widen, Realign, and Upgrade Millhouse Road North of Eubanks Road, Including Possible Relocation of Railroad Crossing as necessary for Town Operations Center.

 

4.  Sidewalk Projects in Chapel Hill.

 

5.  Improve Pedestrian Safety in Chapel Hill.

 

6.  Upgrade Homestead Road West of NC 86 to include Bike Lanes and Sidewalks.

 

This the 28th day of April, 2003.