Title
2050 MTP Amendment #1 and AQ CDR (15 minutes)
Andy Henry, LPA staff
Narrative
2050 MTP - Amendment #1
At their June 27 meeting, the DCHC MPO Board released Amendment #1 to the 2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) for a public comment period from June 27 through August 7, 2023. The DCHC MPO Public Involvement Policy requires this minimum public input period of 42 days for a major MTP amendment. It was noted that the MTP identifies the future highway, public transportation, bicycle, pedestrian and other transportation projects and that projects cannot be funded in the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) unless they are included in the MTP. The DCHC MPO will adopt the FY 2024-2033 TIP on August 9, 2023, and thus the following projects require amendment in the 2050 MTP to allow these projects to go forward in the TIP:
• I-40 auxiliary lanes - Add this project to the 2050 MTP. A single auxiliary lane, approximately 0.75 mile in length, will be constructed from the end of the I-885/I-40 westbound ramp to the NC 55 exit ramp. This auxiliary lane will be on only one side of the roadway and the 12-foot shoulder is capable of accommodating Bus on Shoulder System (BOSS) operations. This widening is in the FY2024-2033 STIP but not in the 2050 MTP for a few different reasons. The MPO included very few road widening projects in the 2050 MTP to support goals related to the natural environment and climate change. Also, staff consider this improvement as an operational improvement because of the limited extent and the intent to more effectively use the existing travel lanes. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) considers a lane addition of 1 mile or less an operational improvement, as well. Operational improvements are not specifically defined and listed in the Transportation System Management section of the MTP. The estimated cost is from the STIP.
• NC 55 Southbound Lane - Add this project to the 2050 MTP and include bicycle, pedestrian and transit facilities in the description. A single auxiliary lane, approximately 0.10 mile in length, will be constructed from Meridian Parkway to the I-40 ramps. This auxiliary lane will be on only one side of the roadway. The project will need to comply with NCDOT Complete Streets policy and the Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) includes bike lanes and a multiuse path (MUP) in this section. This widening is in the FY2024-2033 STIP but not in the 2050 MTP for a few different reasons. The MPO included very few road widening projects in the 2050 MTP to support goals related to the natural environment and climate change. Also, staff consider this improvement as an operational improvement because of the limited extent and the intent to more effectively use the existing travel lanes. Operational improvements are not specifically defined and listed in the Transportation System Management section of the MTP. The estimated cost is from the STIP.
• NC 98 (Holloway Street) - Segment the current 2050 MTP project into three separate projects to match the funding sequencing in the FY2024-2033 STIP. The funded segment, i.e., Junction Road to Lynn Road, will move to the 2040 horizon in the MTP, and have a safety project description that includes a median, and bicycle, pedestrian and transit facilities. The remaining two segments will stay in the 2050 horizon and include the same description. The estimated cost for the Junction Road to Lynn Road segment is from the STIP. The estimated cost for the other two segments is a proportional distribution based on the project length from the original 2050 MTP cost.
The following attachments support this action item:
• A summary and compilation of the public comments received as of July 31 (for both the MTP amendment and AQ CDR);
• A draft of the resolution that will adopt the 2050 MTP Amendment #1; and,
• Details on Amendment #1, including the exact changes to the highway table, which is Appendix 2 of the 2050 MTP.
Air Quality Conformity Determination Report (AQ CDR)
Transportation Conformity Determination Report (AQ-CDR) demonstrates that certain pollutant emissions from the future transportation sector will not exceed a specified threshold. The AQ CDR must also be updated to reflect the changes to the future transportation sector depicted in 2050 MTP Amendment #1 and FY 2024-2033 TIP. It was released for the same public comment period as the 2050 MTP Amendment #1.
The following attachments support this action item:
• A compilation of the public comments received as of July 31 (for both the MTP amendment and AQ CDR);
• A draft of the resolution to adopt the updated AQ CDR; and,
• The updated AQ CDR.
Schedule
• August 7 -- 2050 MTP Amendment #1 and the AQ CDR public comment period ends
• August 9 - Conduct public hearings and adopt the 2050 MTP Amendment #1 and AQ CDR
A public hearing is scheduled for this item at today's meeting and several members of the public are signed up to speak.
Board Action
TC Action: Recommended that the DCHC MPO adopt the 2050 MTP Amendment #1 and the Air Quality Conformity Determination Report by separate resolutions.
Board Action: Adopt the 2050 MTP Amendment #1 and the Air Quality Conformity Determination Report by separate resolutions.