AG 1994 09 19 - Laserfiche WebLink

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o o Area MPOs and local jurisdictions need to make improvements to Metropolitan Plan roadways their highest priority when requesting Federal and State highway funds for this region. This specifically addresses the $536 million needed over the next ten years for roadways that are on the NHS or North Carolina's Intrastate System. When Federal transportation legislation is re-authorized in 1997, North and South Carolina Congressional delegations must try to raise the minimum allocation from its current level of 90 percent to 100 percent (so that each state's annual apportionment equals its con~ibutions to the Highway Trust Fund). Area MPOs and local jurisdictions could consider grouping several less-costly roadway projects rather than pursuing a single very expensiv~ improvement project as a way to maxJmize the receipt of Federal and State highway funds. Regional funding should be considered to: a. Accelerate projects already programmed by NCDOT or .SC;DOT, that ~-ilt complete or improve segments of the Metropolitan Roadway System, or b. Finance construction of the estimated $610 million in improvements on Metropolitan Plan roadways that are not part of the NHS or Intrastate systems. Regional planning should be initiated to: a. Conduct Major Investment Studies (a Federal requirement) for those corridors connecting the 20-mile ring cities w~th Charlotte. Regional funding should be considered for these studies, which could cost $2-4 million pet corridor. The studies evaluate the cost-effectiveness of alter- nate transportation investments and consider the land use impacts of various modes. b. Conduct feasibility studies and environmental screening for the proposed ring-city connector roads. This is a ~st step in right-of-way protection. A more structured communications network is needed to coordinate planning among the various MPOs, NCDOT, and SCDOT for implemen- tation of the Metropolitan Roadway Plan. RECOMMENDATIONS