NOTICE OF A CITIZENS INFORMATIONAL WORKSHOP

FOR THE PROPOSED SR 1978 (HOPSON ROAD) GRADE SEPARATION AND THE NORTH CAROLINA RAILROAD/ NORFOLK SOUTHERN (NCRR/NS) TRACK REALIGNMENT

TIP Project No. U-4716                                                                  Durham County

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) will hold the above Citizens Informational Workshop on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 between the hours of 4:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at The Solution Center in the Asheville Room, 1101 Slater Road - Suite 200, Brighton Hall, Durham.

NCDOT representatives will be available in an informal setting to answer questions and receive comments about the proposed project.  The opportunity to submit written comments or questions also will be provided.  Interested citizens may attend at any time during the above mentioned hours.  No formal presentation will be made, however there will be two short overviews scheduled for 4:45 pm and 6:00 pm.

NCDOT proposes to convert the existing rail crossing of SR 1978 (Hopson Road) and the North Carolina Railroad/Norfolk Southern (NCRR/NS) track into a grade separated crossing.  A grade separation means using a bridge to separate intersecting roads and/or railroads.  NCDOT is studying 2 alternatives.  One alternative is to bridge the railroad over the road and the other alternative is to bridge the road over the railroad.  In addition, the NCRR/NS track will be realigned to provide better railroad operations.  The proposed grade separation is part of an effort to reduce the number of redundant and/or unsafe rail-highway at-grade crossings statewide. 

Anyone desiring additional information may contact Mr. Marc Hamel, Environmental & Planning Branch, Rail Division at 1553 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1553, phone (919) 733-7245 ext 270, or email mhamel@dot.state.nc.us. 

PUBLIC COMMENT SOUGHT ON DRAFT 2009-2015 STATE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

The N.C. Department of Transportation is asking for public comment on the 2009-2015 Draft State Transportation Improvement Program through a series of meetings scheduled across North Carolina in January and February.  People may also submit feedback via mail or the department’s Web site at www.ncdot.org/~tip.

The 2009-2015 Draft STIP funds 2,549 transportation projects, including highway, rail, public transportation, aviation, and bicycle and pedestrian improvements.  The N.C. Board of Transportation is scheduled to approve a final plan this summer.

“This plan is our seven-year blueprint for transportation projects throughout the state,” Transportation Secretary Lyndo Tippett said.  “We encourage citizens to actively engage in this process and contact NCDOT with their comments.”

Fifteen public meetings will be held from Jan. 15 through Feb. 21. A list of dates and locations is available online by going to www.ncdot.org/~tip and clicking on the link to “Draft 2009-2015 STIP Public Comment Meetings.”  The meetings will be held from 2 to 4 p.m., and attendees may begin registering one hour prior to the meeting.

International Walk-to-School Day

On Wednesday, October 3, 2007, join children and adults around the world to celebrate the benefits of walking:

• Physical activity

• Teaching safe walking skills to children

• Awareness of how walkable a community is and where improvements can be made

• Concern for the environment

• Reducing traffic congestion, pollution and speed near schools

• Taking back neighborhoods for people on foot

• Sharing time with community leaders, parents and children

Get started at: www.walktoschool.org.  For More Information contact:

Leza Mundt, Safe Routes to School Coordinator
(919) 807-0774
lwmundt@dot.state.nc.us

Transportation Matters!

Thirsty Thursday - September 27th, 6-7 pm, Town Hall Board Room

Morrisville’s hottest topic is transportation!  In this September session of Thirsty Thursday, our Transportation Planner will explain how roadway, bicycle, transit, greenway, sidewalk, and beautification projects are submitted to the NCDOT, and the process of getting those projects completed. Information on current and planned transportation projects in the area will be available.  There will also be information on the update of the Land Use and Transportation Plans, which is currently underway.