DOT holds local meetings for input on US 64 plan

Posted Thursday, May 1, 2008

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Pittsboro, NC - The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), in partnership with the towns of Cary, Apex, and Pittsboro; Wake and Chatham counties; and the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO), will hold two Community Workshops on the above study between the hours of 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the following locations:

Monday, May 19,2008, Apex High School, 1501 Laura Duncan Rd, Apex, NC 27502

Tuesday, May 20,2008, Northwood High Schooi, 310 Northwood High School Road, Pittsboro NC 27312

The purposes of these workshops are for Study Team representatives to provide information, answer questions, and accept written comments regarding the planning study. The same information will be shared at both meetings and the public is invited to stop by anytime between 5:00 and 8:OOpm.

The Study Team is developing a design and operations plan to guide development and improvements for the purpose of improving traffic flow along the US 64 Corridor. This long-term plan proposes to upgrade the highway by converting some cross streets to interchanges or overpasses, further controlling access, and removing traffic signals from US 4 in Cary to US 64 Business in Pittsboro. A short-term series of improvements will 'be presented at future workshops in the fail.

Anyone desiring additional information may contact David Wasserman, P.E., 1554 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1 554, by phone at (919) 733-7932 ext. 361, fax at
(919) 733-241 7 or E-mail at dswasserman@dot.state.nc.us

NCDOT will provide Spanish language interpreters. NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled persons who wish to participate in these workshops. Anyone requiring special services should contact Mr. Wasserman as early as possible so that arrangements can be made.

Overview

A study of a section of US 64 between Pittsboro and Cary in Chatham and Wake counties is currently underway. The 19 mile section extends from the US 64/US 64 Business split in Pittsboro to the US 1/US 64 interchange in Cary (see Study Area). This study is a part of NCDOT's Strategic Highway Corridors initiative and continues the effort developed in Phase I of the US 64-NC 49 Corridor Study.

Who is Conducting the Study?

The study is a joint effort of the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), Capitol Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO), Town of Cary, Town of Pittsboro, Wake County and Chatham County. Representatives of these groups are joined by other agencies and organizations on a Corridor Study Team. The Corridor Study Team will be closely consulted and involved in decisions throughout the study.

What is the Purpose of the Study?

The purpose of the study is to plan for the transition of this section of US 64 to a freeway and expressway over the next 30 years (as recommended in Phase I):

* Between the US 64/US 64 Business split in Pittsboro and NC 540 in Apex, the corridor will be upgraded to a freeway.
* Between the proposed NC 540 in Apex and the US 1/US 64 interchange in Cary, the corridor will be upgraded to an expressway.

This study is the next phase of a series of studies, intended to enhance and protect mobility along the US 64 from US 1 in Cary to the eastern end of the Pittsboro Bypass, in Chatham County. The purpose of the study is to identify long-term and short-term transportation and land development strategies for transitioning the corridor from its current state as an arterial with signalized intersections to a freeway and expressway.

Why is this Study Needed?

In general, the study is needed to determine how to preserve and enhance the operating conditions (i.e., speed and travel time, freedom to maneuver, traffic interruptions, comfort, convenience and safety) along the corridor. Specifically the study is needed to:

* Preserve and Enhance Capacity and Mobility. Increasing traffic volumes have substantially reduced the traffic flow and increased congestion along US 64. This congestion is expected to continue to worsen as the area continues to experience rapid growth. The need exists to preserve the mobility along the corridor by managing access to the highway and to develop a plan to accommodate future development.

* Enable US 64 to serve Long-Distance Travel. US 64 provides a connection between many of the largest cities in North Carolina, following the midline of the state from east to west. US 64 is a designated Strategic Highway Corridor, as indicated on the Vision Plan, intended to facilitate high-speed travel throughout North Carolina. The existing and projected traffic volumes along US 64 will reduce the highway's ability to serve as the envisioned high-speed corridor.

* Enhance the Ability to Function as an Alternate to I-40 and I-85. The Phase I Report identified the need for the US 64 and NC 49 Corridors to provide the ability to function as an alternate route for traffic from Interstate 40 (I-40) and Interstate 85 (I-85). Since I-40 and I-85 traverses urban areas with a substantial amount of adjacent development, it is unlikely that additional capacity can be incorporated along these segments of the interstates. Over the long term, improvements to alternative travel corridors such as US 64 and NC 49 will be needed to ensure adequate statewide and regional mobility is provided.

What are the Major Products of the Study?

* Long-term Improvement Designs - The Study Team will develop designs that show the ultimate vision of the proposed freeway and expressway. These designs will be produced on aerial photography indicating the ultimate footprint of the highway and other features such as proposed right-of-way needed, property lines, access locations, interchange configurations, grade separations, and general pavement markings in an easy to read format.

* Short-term Plan of Improvements - The Study Team will develop a short-term plan of improvements to enhance traffic flow along US 64 within the next 10 years. These types of improvements are typically smaller and less expensive than the long-term improvements, but can greatly affect traffic operations and enhance safety along the corridor. Examples of short-term improvements include the addition of turn lanes, enhancements to traffic signal timing, innovative solutions such as a Superstreet, modifications to median openings and other Access Management improvements. These short-term improvements will be compatible with the long-term solutions for the corridor.

* Community Involvement - The Study Team will hold two sets of community workshops to receive input, comments, and answer questions about the study. At the first set of workshops, scheduled for May 2008, the Study Team will present alternatives for the long-term improvement designs. At the second set of workshops, planned for October 2008, the Study Team will present the preferred option for the long-term design, while also presenting different types of short-term improvements for US 64. For both sets of workshops, one meeting will be held in Apex and another meeting will be held in Pittsboro. In addition to the workshops, three newsletters will be distributed and this website will be updated regularly.

* Phasing Plan - The Study Team will develop a plan for the implementing the recommendations of the study, for both the short-term and long-term improvements.

* Land Use Strategies - The Study Team will analyze the existing and proposed future land uses along the corridor, for compatibility with the long-term Freeway and Expressway design and provide recommendations on changes (if any). As part of this evaluation, the Study Team will incorporate concepts from the Land Use Guidelines for Mobility Protection document.

* Agreements - Following the completion of the study, the Study Team will shepherd the development and signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between study partners to incorporate recommendations into transportation and land use plans and overall decision-making along the corridor.