Illustration of train crossing at-grade crossing, Durham
On December 5, the Chapel Hill Town Council directed the Town Manager to sign a cooperative agreement with GoTriangle. CHALT pressed hard for changes to make an agreement that would better protect constituent interests in the event the project is funded. Improvements include measures for noise and public engagement, as well as an early ending date if this project is not funded. Thanks to the Town Council for good work!
At first Council Member Parker was comfortable with a contract ending date far exceeding a no- funding decision. We were proud that Mayor Pro Tem Jess Anderson peppered GoTriangle with questions about the real deadlines. Council Member Hongbin Gu led the charge to end the agreement on the Nov 30, 2019 – the date when it would be clear there was no federal funding for the project. In the final vote, the Council followed the lead of Jess and Hongbin, adopting an extension of several months beyond the federal funding decision.
Council Member Nancy Oates initiated and did not let up about how noise will adversely impact Chapel Hill citizens even though the maintenance facility is located at the far west of Durham County, and close to several schools and Durham neighborhoods. According to GoTriangle’s own noise study, squeeking wheels of train cars would still cause noise exceeding Chapel Hill’s Noise Ordinance in the Chapel Hill neighborhoods of Colony Woods, Briarcliff, and the Oakes throughout the day and night.
GoTriangle’s consultants have done most of the planning for the Chapel Hill stations and track route.
CHALT is not a fan of this 3.4 billion project. But it was important for the Town to be prepared in case this project is funded and constructed in our community. If state and federal funding are not forthcoming, we urge our elected officials to get ready to put our transit monies into Bus Rapid Transit and frequent bus service. These much more affordable practical modes of transit could be built at a fraction of the cost compared to this 3.4 billion dollar light rail project. (150 million dollar commitment from Orange County alone). Picture the advantages of a rapid bus service between Hillsborough and Pittsboro, or a rapid bus service between Chapel Hill and the airport and RTP.
Letter to Town Council Recommendations for improving the Chapel Hill Cooperative Agreement with GoTriangle; 40 signatures
GoTriangle has two contracts in hand, Article Herald Sun