TITLE: Title
Orange County Transit Plan Update - Capital Projects
PURPOSE: The purpose of this agenda item is to provide Council with an update on the status of the Orange County Transit Plan update, review current capital projects funded by the plan, and consider future capital projects identified by staff.
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DEPARTMENT: Planning
CONTACT INFORMATION: Zach Hallock, 919-918-7329, zhallock@townofcarrboro.org <mailto:zhallock@townofcarrboro.org>; Tina Moon, 919-918-7325, cmoon@townofcarrboro.org <mailto:cmoon@townofcarrboro.org>; Trish McGuire, 919-918-7327, pmcguire@townofcarrboro.org <mailto:pmcguire@townofcarrboro.org>
INFORMATION: The Orange County Transit Plan (OCTP), is funded through four dedicated Tax District Revenue streams in Orange County:
• Article 43, Half-Cent Sales and Use Tax
• Article 50: Five-Percent Vehicle Rental Tax
• Article 51: Three-Dollar Increase to GoTriangle Regional Vehicle Registration Fee
• Article 52: Seven Dollar County Vehicle Registration Fee.
The Board of Aldermen last considered capital projects under the Orange County Transit Plan in 2013. The agenda item can be viewed online at: <https://carrboro.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=1479897&GUID=D7B7D15D-736A-4AB2-AFD9-65FDBDAEEFBE>
This original OCTP was developed in 2012, and updated in 2017, in an effort lead by GoTriangle. The Interlocal Implementation Agreement (established as part of the 2012 OCTP) between Orange County, GoTriangle and the DCHC MPO establishes a staff working group which reviews progress of implementation and prepares updates to the plan every four years or if identified changes to costs or revenues are significant enough to require a plan update. That agreement stated that the plan be updated every four years (in coordination with the DCHC MPO’s MTP Update) or more frequently as reasonably requested. The discontinuation of the Durham-Orange Light Rail Transit (DO-LRT) project was a significant change, which impacted the plan’s projects/finances and necessitated an update.
This update is being led by planning staff from Orange County, along with the primarily consultant Renaissance Planning, with representatives from elected bodies serving on the policy committee. Councilmember Barbara Foushee is Carrboro’s representative. The first public input session, or Transit Summit, was held on October 1, 2020. A second transit summit expected to be held early in 2021. To learn more about the Orange County Transit Plan Update, take the survey, and find out how to get involved, visit: www.OCtransit2020.com <http://www.OCtransit2020.com>.
As part of this planning process, the question of how much to devote to capital projects (those which support transit use including things like sidewalks and greenways) vs operations (such as increased bus service to expand frequency or coverage) is a crucial one. In previous iterations of this plan, a call for capital projects had been issued to help assess project needs from local municipalities. Town staff are working to coordinate with the plan update staff, and we wish to be ready with potential new projects, should a call for capital projects be issued as part of the plan update. The following projects have been funded through the previous transit plan, and should be considered to be in development. Staff will work to ensure these projects are carried over into the plan update.
1. South Greensboro Street Sidewalk
2. Estes Drive Corridor Study and Bike-Ped Infrastructure
3. West Main Street Sidewalk
4. NC 54 Pedestrian Crossing at Westbrook Dr
5. NC 54 Pedestrian Crossing at Abbey Ln
Potential new projects, or previous projects which did not have an identified funding year are:
1. Old Fayetteville Road Sidewalk - A previously identified project, the discontinuation of the Carrboro Plaza Park and Ride lot may reduce the benefit of this project.
2. 203 Project Transit Connector -Consider identifying a route for a sidepath to connect from E Main St to Roberson St. This mayo provide an opportunity to identify land for use for a shelter, which GoTriangle has expressed interest in for the 405 route.
3. Baldwin Park Connector - A currently use footpath as identified by the greenways commission, this route provides enhanced connectivity from the Lloyd-Broad Neighborhood to the Chapel Hill Transit A route and Northside Elementary School
A detailed staff report on transit accessibility, racial demographics, project area maps, and cost estimates can be found as Attachment B.
FISCAL & STAFF IMPACT: There is no impact associated with receiving the report.
RECOMMENDATION:r Staff recommend that council consider the resolution (Attachment A) and provide comments. Council may also wish to refer this item to advisory boards.