TITLE: Title
Update on Implementation of the Town of Carrboro Updated Bike Plan
PURPOSE: The purpose of this agenda item is to provide the Town Council with a status report on implementation of the Town’s Updated Bike Plan with a focus on the five priority projects.
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DEPARTMENT: Planning
CONTACT INFORMATION: Patricia McGuire, Planning Director, 919-918-7327, pmcguire@carraboronc.gov <mailto:pmcguire@carraboronc.gov>; Christina Moon, Planning Administrator, 919-918-7325, cmoon@carrboronc.gov <mailto:cmoon@carrboronc.gov>
INFORMATION: The Town Council adopted the Updated Bike Plan on January 12, 2021. The Town Council’s review of the use of ARPA funds on September 20th and October 11th led to discussion regarding the status and schedule for implementing the recommendations in the plan, particularly the five priority projects (Updated Bicycle Transportation Plan - 2020 | Carrboro, NC - Official Website (townofcarrboro.org) <http://www.townofcarrboro.org/1174/2020-Bike-Plan-Update>. This update on the plan is being provided as information.
The attached table provides a status report on each of the priority projects. Work has also occurred on longer-term projects including conceptual design work for buffered bike lanes on North Greensboro Street, reconfiguration of East Main Street to include bike lanes, preliminary design on the Colfax Drive connector and installation of traffic calming measures on Cobblestone Drive.
While reviewing the recommendations in the Updated Bike Plan, it may be helpful to consider the following:
• The Town pursues opportunities to collaborate with NCDOT and to expand existing NCDOT projects as a cost-effective way to achieve Town priorities. For example, adding bike lanes to East Main Street as part of a resurfacing project and adding crosswalks as part of a NCDOT ADA ramp replacement project.
• Partnering with NCDOT may require rescheduling Town projects, however, to ensure that the Town’s part of a joint project advances in tandem with NCDOT’s work. A capacity analysis was needed for the East Main Street project followed by the development of a new pavement marking plan, signal plans, approval of an encroachment agreement, and advertisement/contracting of a signal contractor for the signal changes and pavement marking contractor for the green pavement markings.
• All infrastructure projects involve a certain amount of staff time for management, even when using consultants. Federally funded projects have significant administrative requirements for reporting and seeking reimbursements.
• Construction often involves more than one Town department. Depending on the status of other initiatives, there may be staff capacity in one department but not in another.
• Successful projects involve a lot of outreach, opportunities for input and regular updates.
• Construction projects can impact local businesses and traffic circulation (including transit and bike/ped); thoughtful planning is needed to limit impacts for long periods of time and/or to more than one arterial or connector street at the same time.
FISCAL & STAFF IMPACT: There are no fiscal impacts associated with receiving the update. Modifications to the current workplan and/or advancing projects more quickly would likely involve costs and additional staff time for project administration and outreach.
RECOMMENDATION:r Staff recommends that the Town Council receive the update. No action by the Town Council is requested.