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Receive a Presentation on the Triangle Bikeway Study, Support the Triangle Bikeway Regional Implementation, and Join the Great Trails State Coalition in 2023.
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Staff: |
Department: |
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Mary Jane Nirdlinger, Deputy Town Manager, Interim Planning Director |
Manager’s Office |
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Bergen Watterson, Transportation Planning Manager |
Planning |
Overview: Tonight, Iona Thomas, Vice President of Strategy and Public Client Development at McAdams, will present information on the Triangle Bikeway Study and the Great Trails State Coalition.
In 2020, the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (DCHC-MPO) and Capital Area MPO began work on the Triangle Bikeway Study <https://trianglebikeway.com/>. The Triangle Bikeway Study provides a vision for a regional bicycle and pedestrian connection between Raleigh and Chapel Hill, primarily along the NC 54 and I-40 corridors. The study includes design and construction recommendations between Raleigh and Research Triangle Park (RTP), and a feasibility study for the connection west between RTP and Chapel Hill. The RTP to Chapel Hill feasibility study looks at the segment between the Hub in RTP and the US 15-501/NC 54 interchange in Chapel Hill. The study also includes recommendations for connections to transit, existing and proposed bicycle and pedestrian facilities, neighborhoods, and other destinations. Over the last few years MPO Board members have been kept apprised of the study’s progress. The study is complete, and the report is available for review.
The Great Trails State Coalition <https://greattrailsstatecoalition.org/> is an organization that advocates at the state-level for funding and policies to support and implement trail projects. They worked with the North Carolina legislature to get 2023 officially designated as the Year of the Trail <https://greattrailsnc.com/>, and have recently launched the campaign. The Great Trails State Coalition is looking for municipal partners to join the effort to amplify the call for trails funding in North Carolina.
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Recommendation(s): |
That the Council adopt a resolution supporting regional implementation of the Triangle Bikeway and a resolution supporting joining the Great Trails State Coalition in 2023.
Key Issues:
• The Triangle Bikeway, when complete, will be an integral regional bike-ped connection.
• Membership in the Great Trails State Coalition reflects the Town’s commitment to implementing Everywhere to Everywhere Greenways.
• As a member, the Town would have the ability to work with other local governments to amplify the call for trails funding, help guide policy recommendations, connect with our legislative liaisons, and have a seat on the Coalition’s Executive Committee for staff or elected official.
• The Coalition’s 2023 Legislative Agenda includes advocating for $50 million in Great Trails State funding and demonstrating demand for trails to our legislators through Year of the Trail events and investment.
Fiscal Impact/Resources: Town support of Triangle Bikeway implementation does not currently have a fiscal impact, though if the Town desires to construct the segments within Chapel Hill in the future there will be associated costs. Great Trails State Coalition membership dues are $2,500 annually. There will also be cost associated with any trail event hosted by the Town to celebrate the year of the trail.
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Attachments: |
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• Triangle Bikeway Resolution |
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• Great Trails State Coalition Resolution |
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• Draft Presentation |
A RESOLUTION Supporting Regional Implementation of the Triangle Bikeway (2023-01-11/R-8)
WHEREAS, Connect 2050, the Research Triangle Region's Metropolitan Transportation Plan as adopted by both the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro MPO in 2022, forecasts the region reaching a population of 3,180,000 and jobs of 1,880,000 by 2050; and
WHEREAS, according to Connect 2050, the planned highway network will not sufficiently serve projected numbers of trips adequately while still allowing the high quality of life currently enjoyed in the MPOs’ planning areas; and
WHEREAS, the MPOs are tied together by very strong travel patterns between them, with the largest commute pattern and heaviest travel volumes occurring at the intersection of the MPOs’ boundaries; and
WHEREAS, the region has a common vision of what it wants its transportation system to be: a seamless integration of transportation services that offer a range of travel choices to support economic development and that are compatible with the character and development of our communities, sensitive to the environment, improve quality of life, and that are safe and accessible for all; and
WHEREAS, the two MPOs have worked together to develop a consistent set of goals and objectives designed to achieve the region’s vision, which in particular include: connecting people to jobs, education and other important destinations using all modes of transportation, increasing mobility options for all communities - particularly communities of concern, and promoting public health through transport choices by providing all residents with active transport options; and
WHEREAS, the Triangle Bikeway would serve as a commuter alternate to I-40 along a direct and mostly parallel path; and
WHEREAS, the Triangle Bikeway would provide potential links to existing and planned bicycle facilities and multi-use paths in Cary, Morrisville, Raleigh, RTP, Durham, Chapel Hill, Umstead State Park, and RDU Airport; and
WHEREAS, the Triangle Bikeway would address the latent demand for active commuting if safe and convenient infrastructure were provided; and
WHEREAS, the Triangle Bikeway would address the multi-use purpose access of the trail for pedestrians, bicyclists, inline skaters, scooters, and wheelchairs; and
WHEREAS, the Triangle Bikeway would provide potential links to transit access in Cary, Morrisville, Raleigh and RTP, Durham, and Chapel Hill; and
WHEREAS, the Triangle Bikeway would provide a more direct link for the East Coast Greenway through the Triangle. Current miles biked per year on the East Coast Greenway in the Triangle (from Durham to Clayton) are estimated at 11,225,000; and
WHEREAS, the Triangle Bikeway development process included a comprehensive public engagement strategy utilizing input from residents, municipal and agency partners, key community stakeholders, and focus groups to provide critical evaluation during the project’s development.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council supports regional implementation of the Triangle Bikeway, and exploring all public, political, institutional, and financial tools in achieving the Triangle Bikeway vision for the benefit of the greater regional community.
This the 11th day of January, 2023.
A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF JOINING THE GREAT TRAILS STATE COALITION IN 2023 (2023-01-11/R-9)
WHEREAS, the North Carolina General Assembly has proclaimed 2023 as the Year of the Trail; and
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the value of trails as safe places for people to get outdoors for their physical and mental health and sense of wellbeing; and
WHEREAS, trails and greenways provide key amenities to neighborhoods and are often the centerpiece of a community bringing people together to exercise, play and connect with nature; and
WHEREAS, the parks, greenways, trails and natural areas in our community are welcoming to all and provide a common ground for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to access our rich and diverse natural, cultural, and historic resources; and
WHEREAS, trails offer quality-of-life benefits to all as expressions of local community character and pride, as outdoor workshops for science education, as tools for economic revitalization, as free resources for healthy recreation, as accessible alternative transportation, and as sites for social and cultural events; and
WHEREAS, trails have significant impact on the economic viability of the community through increased levels of tourism, enhanced property values, as well as the ability to attract and retain businesses; and
WHEREAS, according to a NC State study on shared use paths, every $1 spent on greenway construction generates $1.72 annually from local business revenue, sales tax revenue, and benefits related to health and transportation; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Chapel Hill is committed to implementing Everywhere to Everywhere Greenways and wants to support the work of the Great Trails State Coalition to secure state funding for greenway and trail construction.
Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council supports joining the Great Trails State Coalition in 2023.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Council supports trails and is committed to supporting trail events during 2023 to celebrate the Year of the Trail.
This, the 11th day of January, 2023.
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The Agenda will reflect the text below and/or the motion text will be used during the meeting. |
presenter
PRESENTER: Iona Thomas, McAdams
RECOMMENDATION: That the Council adopt a resolution supporting regional implementation of the Triangle Bikeway and that the Council adopt a resolution supporting joining the Great Trails State Coalition in 2023.