TITLE
A Transportation update to the Board of Commissioners from staff regarding Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization Discretionary Funds, ongoing transportation plans and projects, and the State transportation project submittal process SPOT 4.0.
ABSTRACT
Action Requested:
A Transportation update to the Board of Commissioners from staff regarding Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (DCHC MPO) Discretionary Funds, ongoing transportation plans and projects, and the State transportation project submittal process SPOT 4.0.
Introduction & Background:
The purpose of this update is to provide the Board with information on emerging topics within the various stages of the transportation process; this includes Bicycle Signage Study, Long Range Transportation Plans coming close to adoption with the Triangle Area Rural Planning Organization (TARPO) and MPO, Strategic Planning Office of Transportation (SPOT) ranking methodology, Bridge 147 on Chatham Church Rd, and County Bike lanes.
Discussion & Analysis:
MPO Discretionary Funds
Staff will provide an update to the Board regarding the status of the MPO discretionary funds useable for non-highway projects within the MPO boundary. Staff has worked with the DCHC MPO and transportation consultants, VHB, to craft a scope and sign a contract to conduct a bicycle signage study addressing rural bicyclist safety signage slated for completion in early June 2016.
Long Range Plans
Staff will provide an update on the status and schedule of the emerging long range plans (Comprehensive Transportation Plan and Metropolitan Transportation Plan) reevaluated, updated, and adopted every 4 years by the DCHC MPO and the TARPO.
SPOT ranking Methodology
The Board approved a list of projects summer 2015 to be submitted to the SPOT scoring process in November. After receiving scores from NCDOT, staff will rank highest scoring projects by local priority to be considered for local input points amongst other projects in TARPO. Please refer to the attached list for all Chatham projects submitted for scoring and recommended local methodology.
Bridge 147
Staff will provide the context of the proposed bridge replacement status, community concern, and options of location, and statements in support or objection to replacement.
County Bike Lanes
Staff will provide an update on the constraints of the committed bike lane projects on Manns Chapel Rd and Mt Carmel Church Rd as well as the next steps.
Recommendation:
1. Endorse the methodology for staff to rank SPOT 4.0 scoring.
2. Provide Official Comment to NC DOT to indicate support or objection to replacement of Bridge 147.