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Home My WebLink About18-0287 Wake_Scoping-1n TATFn . e` 1 �� }( 4 c 4.r . 4=�� + STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ROY COOPER Govs�won May 1, 2018 NC State Environmenta( Review Clearinghouse 130] Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1301 Dear Agency Representative: S[�t � I g - o�� JAMES H. T'RoaDON, Ill SECR6fA1iY SUBIECT: Start of Study Letter for Harrison Avenue Grade Separation Conshvct grade separation of the NCRR/NS H-line near milepost H-72.5 (Crossing #734755X) and the CSX S-line near milepost 5-165.4 (Crossing #G30665J) Town of Cary, Wake County, STIP P-5708, WBS 46919.1.1 The North Carolina Department of Transportarion Rail Division has begun studying the proposed improvements to the subject project. This project is state funded, and the project is included in the 2018-2027 NCDOT STIP with right of way acquisition scheduled for fiscal year 2022 and construction scheduled for fiscal year 2024. Attaclied f'or your review and comments are the project data sheets and vicinity map for the subject project. We would appreciate any infa•mation you might have that would be helpful in evaluating potential environmental impacts oi the project. Your comments will be used in the preparation of a State Endvonmental Assessment (S6A) and State Finding of No Significant Impact (SFONSn. These documents will be prepared in accordance with the National Enviconme�al Policy Act. Please respond by May 31, 2018 so that your comments can be used in the preparation of the envn•onmental documentatian. If you have a�y questions concerning this project, please contact me at �919) 707-4705 or alaadQncdot.gov. Please include STIP P-5708 in all correspondence and comments. Sincerely, Anamika Laad, AICP CTP Senior Rail Project Development Engineer NCDOT Rail Division Attachments Mniling Addre.tc NC DEF'AR7ML'N"1' OP 7RANSPORTATtON RAII. DIVI3ION 1553 MAIL SER VICE CENTER RALIEGH, NC 27699 %'elephonc: (919) 707-4700 Tnx: (919) 715-6580 C��v/amerService: ]-877-368-4968 {Vebai�e: mv�v.nedol.gov t�'�CEIVED '�°cr�tary�s �IAY 0 41018 v�+� ��a� co�a�;�,,: I SOUTH WII.MINGTON STREEC RAI.EIGI f, NC 27601 PROJECT DATA SHEET Date: 4/24/2017 Rev.: STIP No.: P-5708 County: Wake Federal Aid No.: N/A WBS No.: 46919.1.1 NCDOT Division: 5 Kickoff Meeting Date: April 24, 2017 Project Description • General Description of Project: Construct grade separation of the NCRR/NS H-line to replace the Harrison Avenue at-grade crossing #734755X near milepost H-72.5 in Cary, NC. Harrison Avenue provides access to downtown Cary as well as commercial and residential uses throughout the project area. The NCRR/NS H-line provides both freight and passenger service to the east and west of Cary. . MPO / RPO: Capital Area MPO (CAMPO) • Other STIP Projects in the Area: There are no other STIP projects within one mile of the project area Existing Conditions (Harrison Avenue) • Functional Classification: Harrison Avenue is classified as a Minor Arterial for the • Strategic Transportation Corridor: • CTP Designation (Facility Type): • Type of Access Control: . Typical Section: • Right of Way: • Posted Speed: length of the project. Harrison Ave is not classified as a Strategic Transportation Corridor in the North Carolina Transportation Network. The Cary 2040 Plan identifies Harrison Avenue north of Chatham Street as a four-lane, undivided thoroughfare, and south of Chatham Street as a two-lane undivided thoroughfare. No access control exists along Harrison Avenue in the vicinity of the project. Harrison Avenue: North of Chatham Street: four-lane curb & gutter section South of Chatham Street: two-lane curb & gutter section Varies between 80 feet and 100 feet North of Chatham Street: 35 mph South of Chatham Street: 25 mph Page 1 of 3 ; Existing Conditions (NCRR/NS H-Line) • Rail Line Description: • Strategic Transportation Corridor: • Train Frequency': • Average Speed*: • Right of Way: One mainline, with a passenger platform located to the east of Harrison Avenue on the south side of the tracks. The NCRR/NS H-Line crosses Harrison Avenue near milepost H-72.5 (Crossing # 734755X). The NCRR/NS H-Line is classified as Strategic Transportation Corridor "Q" in the North Carolina Transportation Network. Approximately 10 freight trains per day Six Amtrak trains per day (Piedmont and Carolinian) Varies between 10 mph and 35 mph (freight) 200 feet 'Source: North Harrison Avenue Grade Separation Feasibility Study, October 2014 Existing Conditions (CSX S-Line) • Rail Line Description: • Strategic Transportation Corridor: . Train Frequency*: . Average Speed*: • Right of Way: One mainline, with a passenger platform located to the east of Harrison Avenue on the north side of the tracks. The CSX S-Line crosses Harrison Avenue near milepost S-165.4 (Crossing # 630665J). The CSX S-Line is classified as Strategic Transportation Corridor "L" in the North Carolina Transportation Network. Approximately six freight trains per day Two Amtrak trains per day (Silver Star) Varies between 40 mph and 45 mph (freight) 100 feet 'Source: North Harrison Avenue Grade Separation Feasibility Study, October2014 Page 2 of 3 Long Range Plan History The Cary 2040 Community Plan identifies the project area as located in the "North Academy" and "Central Chatham" subareas of the "Downtown Subareas Special Planning Area." The Plan identifies Harrison Avenue north oi Chatham Street as a four-lane, undivided thoroughfare and south of Chatham Street as a two-lane, undivided thoroughfare. The Plan proposes several projects in the area, including a road diet on West Chatham Street, streetscape improvements along north and south Harrison Avenue, priority sidewalk improvements along North Harrison Avenue, potential extension of South Harrison Avenue to Kildaire Farm Road, and the enhancement of transit amenities to support bus and rail users. The Plan also proposes an on-road bicycle route along Harrison Avenue from Chatham Street to Chapel Hill Road. The Cary Depot currently serves six fixed bus routes, four GoCary and two GoTriangle. The Cary 2040 Community Plan proposes five new destinations for GoCary service from the Cary Depot: Wake Technical Community Coilege, Downtown Raleigh, Crossroads, Beaver Creek, and RDU airport. The Wake County Transit Plan (WCTP) recommends bus rapid transit (BRT) from the Cary Depot to downtown Raleigh. The WCTP also recommends commuter rail service between Durham and Raleigh with a stop at the Cary Depot. The NCRR/NS rail line through the project area is part of the study corridor for the Southeast High Speed Rail (SEHSR). The SEHSR project will provide passenger rail service between Washington DC and Chariotte at speeds of 90-110 mph, while increasing the safety and effectiveness of the transportation system by providing grade separations within the corridor. The Cary Depot Expansion was undertaken as part of the Piedmont Improvement Program, a completed Tier II study for the SEHSR. Traffic Data (AADT) Location 2015 (vpd) Harrison Avenue, north of Chatham Street 14,000 Harrison Avenue, south of Chatham Street 7,800 Note: vpd — vehicles per day Source: NCDOT AADT maps, Apri12016 Cost Estimates Construction Right-of-Way Utility Total STIP Estimate $16,600,000 $6,000,000 - $22,600,000 Source: NCDOT Drafl STIP 2017-2027 Project Schedule Right-of-Way FY 2022 (July 2021) Let FY 2024 (July 2023) Page 3 of 3 T. 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