it's the HOW that needs work.
We know we have congestion related safety and quality of life issues.
Railroad crossings contribute to delays.
Lack of transit options likewise contribute to congestion.
We're working on the fixes. A number of projects have been recently completed, are in progress or are on the horizon:
- High visibility crosswalks have been installed on Town Hall Dr.
- School crossings have been made safer through combined grant and Town funding.
- We're working on a Corridor Study of NC54 in partnership with the Town of Cary, NCRR, NCDOT and CAMPO.
- The Town has supported a county-wide transit ballot referendum.
- We've increased local funding for road maintenance, budgeted matching funds for federally funded LAPP projects through CAMPO and overwhelmingly approved bond funding for the NC54 bypass.
- I'll be meeting with staff and representatives of the NCRR next week to discuss our mutually beneficial partnership.
- Improvements to Morrisville-Carpenter Rd and the grade separation at Morrisville Pkwy will begin in early 2014.
What then is left to do?
Plenty. Our 2009 Transportation Plan lists a number of unfunded, but sorely needed improvements. That's where you come in. The Town Council has approved creation of a Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation Funding and we are looking for qualified applicants to help craft a long-term funding strategy.
It truly is good to be Morrisville. With attention to our transportation needs, with a long-term approach to funding those needs, we'll make it great.
Thank you for supporting a county-wide transit referendum. As our area continues to 'thrive' the need to move commuters effectively and efficiently will become more of a top-of-the-list issue. Mass transit, whether by rail or rubber tire, is needed and--make no mistake about it--is coming; the only the question is do we wish to fund it in 2013 or inflated future dollars?
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