AG 1996 05 21 - Laserfiche WebLink

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t CABARI]US C ]UNTYI March 21, 1996 Jeff Bamhart, Chairman Cabarrus County Commissioners P.O. Box 707 Concord, NC 28026-0707 Dear Chairman Barnhart: On February 20, 1996 NCDOT, Rail Division hosted a presentation and discussion about the status of rail designation and safety in the Piedmont Corridor. This included notification of the Railroad-Highway At-Grade Crossing Consolidation Initiative which was signed on October 6, 1995 by Transportation Secretary Garland B. Gan.eR, Jr., a copy has been included for your information. Essentially, it states that the Raleigh-Charlotte rail corridor has been designated as high-speed The States' goal is to reduce the current four hour trip to two hours by the year 2001. The State also recognizes that at-grade crossings are a "significant obstacle to the safe and efficient movement of passenger and freight traffic." Additionally, the Federal Railroad Administration has committed to reduce the number of at-grade crossings by 25% as a means of improving safety. NCDOT, in recognition of these concerns is committed to the reduction &these crossings through consolidation of projects, where possible, on mumcipal street systems as part of traffic studies, corridor inventory studies and through the thoroughfare planning process. NCDOT, Rail Division has agreed to completely fund, at no cost to the municipalities, a comprehensive traffic study and rail corridor analysis from Charlotte to Salisbury. If the study recommends consolidation of one or more crossings, the municipality agrees to close a crossing and/or crossings. Peak passenger train speed will average 90 mph through this corridor. It is to the advantage of each communRy to take advantage &this opportunity. In addition to funding this study there will be consideration for local transportation projects to mitigate the impact of closures. NCDOT will require a resolution from each municipality to proceed with the study. In addition, they have requested a resolution of support from both Rowan and Cabarrus Counties. I strongly encourage each governing board to adopt a similar resolution to the sample I have enclosed. I also ask that you appoint a representative from your community to serve on a rail corridor committee to see this process through. Very truly yours, Kenneth B. Geathers, Chairman, KANLACON Transportation Advisory Committee Alderman, City of Kannapolis Planning, Zoning, and Building Inspection o -), Boy 7~:7 ~ Cc,',;crd NC 28026 0707 · Planning: (70a) 788-8141 · Zoning: (704)788-8137 · Buildin§Inspection: {704) 788-8128