Apex joins Cary in U.S. 64 feedback

Jul 28, 2010 — The Cary News

Sadia Latifi

Jul. 28, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- The town of Apex joined forces with Cary last week -- at least partially -- in approving a response to state plans for a stretch of U.S. 64 between Cary and Pittsboro.

But Apex officials steered clear of Cary's latest additions, including a request for a toll-free bypass of a proposed business portion of U.S. 64.

The Apex Town Council approved the response at its meeting on Tuesday. Cary leaders passed the statement two weeks ago.

Apex and Cary planners had drafted a unified response to the study to express concerns the towns had with the transit plan.

The joint response will be sent to state and regional transportation authorities who will spend the fall making more tweaks to the long-term road map for the area.

"[The response] adds a great deal of heft to what the citizens in the area -- who live in both Cary and Apex -- are saying," Cary Councilwoman Gale Adcock said. "To have both local governments, the chambers [of commerce] and the [Regional Transportation Alliance] agree on the bulk of our recommendations makes a difference."

The N.C. Department of Transportation released the draft study report in May. The report, which takes a 30-year look at growing part of the four-lane, 19-mile stretch, has no allotted timeline or funding in place.

At Tuesday's meeting, Apex planners and engineers recommended approval of a joint response that covers nine points. But they could not suggest aligning with some of Cary's extra comments.

Apex wouldn't support Cary's toll-free bypass effort in part because it's not something the towns or the study can control. Cary wants the bypass on N.C. 540, which relies on the toll as its funding source. "It compromises your credibility when you ask for things you can't get," said Apex transportation engineer Russell Dalton.

Apex officials said they supported bypass options but that it was too soon to decide on specifics. Cary had also backed a recommendation to rename the current U.S. 64 corridor to U.S. 64 Business/Tryon Road.

"When you try and downgrade [a road], you jeopardize your ability for future funding for improvements," Dalton said.

These recommendations will still be presented in the letter -- but they'll be listed separately as suggestions from Cary. The latest draft of the study removed the recommendation for a so-called superstreet at Laura Duncan Drive in Apex. The removal came after intense public outcry. Apex officials applauded the change to a modified roundabout. "It's much of an improvement over what DOT was trying to cram down our throats," Apex Mayor Keith Weatherly said.

The response letter documents several contentions to the study that were also raised in a petition signed by thousands of Western Wake citizens.

Cary and Apex officials want the state to delay proposed plans to implement short-term road improvements along U.S. 64 from U.S. 1 to N.C. 540, at least until the state completes the Western Wake Freeway and opens it to traffic.

The move is necessary, according to the joint statement, so that "the effects of the change in travel patterns can be evaluated."

Other areas of agreement between the two towns include the following proposals by the NCDOT:

Conduct a speed study along U.S. 64 from Kellyridge Road to U.S. 1, prior to and after N.C. 540 opens.

Incorporate a "green/boulevard" feel with all improvements, where possible.

Place landscaping in the median and fencing along U.S. 64 to encourage students to use the existing crosswalk at Laura Duncan.

In addition to their suggestions, Cary disagreed with a few of the state's other recommendations.

The letter will list those separately since Apex officials said they wanted to leave those Cary-specific issues to Cary.

For example, Cary would like the NCDOT to reconsider its decision to include "superstreet" loops, primarily along a 0.7-mile stretch of U.S. 64 between Edinburgh Drive and Mackenon Drive/Chalon Drive.

Under the superstreet scheme, all side-street drivers would have to turn right onto U.S. 64. To go back the other way, they would make U-turns across the median. Cars traveling in all directions would get more green-light time than they do now, and traffic engineers say even the side-street traffic would move more smoothly.

Cary would also like the NCDOT to maintain U.S. 64 as a four-lane thoroughfare -- despite the fact that Cary's comprehensive transportation plan and the U.S. 64 Draft Corridor Study envision portions of the road growing to six lanes.

sadia.latifi@nando.com or 919-460-2612

Newstex ID: KRTB-0268-47399307