The DCHC MPO has evaluated the Alternatives and developed four options for the draft 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). The public is encouraged to participate in the review of these options through workshops, a public hearing, and this Web site.
Notice: The public comment period has been extended until December 9, 2008.
What is the 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP)? Every four years the DCHC MPO updates the LRTP. The 2035 LRTP will list the highway, transit, bicycle and other transportation projects and services to be implemented between 2008 through the year 2035 to best meet the expected transportation demand, and shows the revenue sources to pay for the projects and services. Transportation projects and services must be in the LRTP in order to receive state and federal funding.
What are the Options? The four options have been developed based on public, elected officials and staff comments received while reviewing the many transportation Alternatives in August and September of 2008. The proposed highway, bicycle, and other transportation projects are the same in each option, except the bus and rail transit are different. The four options include:
Bus Transit -- Emphasizes bus transit, but does not included any rail transit projects; Commuter Rail -- Includes commuter rail service; Rail Transit -- Includes light rail transit (i.e., electric rail cars) and rail transit Light Rail Transit -- All rail transit service uses electric rail cars.
A travel demand model provides statistics and maps for each Alternative that show the level of congestion, bus and rail ridership (e.g., automobile, bus, walk), average travel times, etc. These statistics and maps are provided below under the heading, “What is the Options Report?”
How Can the Public Participate? There are several opportunities to participate, including:
Public Workshops – Citizens are asked to drop in at any workshop to review, discuss and provide feedback:
· Chatham County: Agricultural Building in Pittsboro, 11/13, 4PM to 7PM;
· Town of Hillsborough: Town Barn on Town Hall Campus, 11/25, 4PM to 7PM;
· Northern High School, Durham, 10/28, 6:30PM to 8:30PM;
· Jordan High School, Durham, 10/30, 6:30PM to 8:30PM;
· Chapel Hill Town Hall, 1st Floor Conf. Room, 12/2, 5PM to 8PM;
· Durham County Main Library, 12/3, 4:30PM to 7:30PM.
Public Hearing – Citizens can provide feedback to local elected officials (Transportation Advisory Committee); Wednesday, November 12, 2008, at 7:00PM in the Committee Room (2nd Floor of Durham City Hall, 101 City Hall Plaza). Persons with disabilities will be accommodated -- provisions must be requested at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting.
Send Comments by E-mail – You can send your comments by e-mail using the following link --
The following document link lists additional opportunities to participate in meetings of local elected officials and citizens boards as they review the 2035 LRTP options, and provides workshop location addresses:
This report provides background and project details to understand the options, and maps and tables of transportation statistics to evaluate how well a specific option addresses the future travel demand.
How Long will the Public Comment Period Be Open? The public comment period for the transportation options will be open from Wednesday, October 22, 2008 through Wednesday, December 9, 2008. Originally, the public comment period was to end on Deccember 3rd, but the MPO extended this date because of difficulties in publishing the complete report.
Who can I contact for Questions and Comments?
Questions and comments should be directed to:
Andy Henry
City of Durham, Transportation Division
101 City Hall Plaza
Durham, NC 27701
E-mail: Phone: (919) 560-4366
What are the Next Steps?
The DCHC MPO board, the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC), will use the public comments to direct development of a draft 2035 LRTP, and could approve this draft Plan at their December 10, 2008 meeting. This draft Plan will need to pass an air quality conformity evaluation before the TAC approves it at their April 8, 2009 meeting.
