TITLE: Title
Report on the Durham-Orange Light Rail Transit Project (D-O LRT)
PURPOSE: The purpose of this item is for the Board of Aldermen to receive an update on the project, and provide input on five alternatives related to the project
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DEPARTMENT: Planning
INFORMATION: As noted on the project website, "the proposed Durham-Orange Light Rail Transit (D-O LRT) Project is a 17.1 mile light rail transit line which extends from UNC (UNC Hospitals Station) to east Durham (Alston Avenue Station). The D-O LRT alignment connects a range of educational, medical, employment, and other important activity centers, park-and-ride lots, transfer centers, the Durham Amtrak Station, and the Durham Station." (<http://ourtransitfuture.com/projects/durham-orange/>).
The current project results from Special Transit Advisory Recommendations in 2009, followed by selection of a locally preferred alternative in 2012 and Federal Transit Administration approval to enter project development in 2014. A newsletter (2014) that includes Project Map and Timeline, and a Fast Facts handout on the project are attached (B and C). A copy of the slide presentation shared with Steering Committee members on March 13th is included as Attachment D.
GoTriangle staff will make a presentation on the project details and timeline, noting particularly five areas where input on alternatives is currently being sought. Feedback on the alternatives will be discussed at a meeting of the project Steering Committee, scheduled for May 10th.
FISCAL & STAFF IMPACT: None noted.
RECOMMENDATION:r The staff recommends that the Board of Aldermen review the alternatives, consider the GoTriangle staff presentation and offer comments on the five decision points. A resolution to convey any comments to the project staff is provided as Attachment A.