MPO approves smaller planning program
By Steve Herring
Published in News on May 16, 2010 1:50 AM
An amended and downsized Goldsboro Urban Area Planning Work Program was adopted Thursday morning by the Metropolitan Planning Organization.
State and federal dollars account for the bulk of the $511,320 plan that outlines tasks, funding sources to continue transportation planning for the Goldsboro Urban Area that includes the city, the village of Walnut Creek and a portion of the county.
Local funding accounts for $84,002 of the total while the state will provide $18,422 and the federal government $408,896.
As originally approved, the plan was for $545,550. However, the total was reduced when costs associated with some of the planning came in lower than expected.
Special studies account for $356,620 of the total. The city will provide $63,962 of that amount; the state, $7,362; and the federal government, $285,296
Of particular interest is $100,000 to look at potential and future needs at the new U.S. 70 Bypass interchange at Wayne Memorial Park that is now under construction.
The original proposal had included only $50,000. However, it was increased after county and city officials agreed that the interchange will be an important gateway into the city and that it has great potential for growth and development.
During Thursday's brief meeting, questions were raised as to whether the entire $100,000 would be needed. If it is not, then MPO members want to utilize it to begin looking at other interchanges including ones at N.C. 581 and William Street.
Other studies in the plan are:
* $50,000, update of city Land Use Plan
* $75,000, environmental impact for cloverleaf interchange at N.C. 581 South and U.S. 117 Bypass
* $50,000, update U.S. 117 South corridor study
* $81,620, continue planning work relative to the use of Union Station by the GATEWAY bus system and possible passenger rail.
In other business, Goldsboro-Wayne Transpor-tation Authority Director Alan Stubbs reminded MPO members of the authority's May 25 meeting. The meeting will be held at 10 a.m. in the large upstairs conference room in the City Hall Annex.
During the meeting, consultants will make their report on a feasibility study that has been ongoing for the past seven months.
The study is to determine operational and administrative needs of the authority's GATEWAY system. It also examined the vehicle maintenance facility needs of the city, county and GATEWAY and whether they should be combined at one location.
Three potential sites are under consideration -- county-owned property on Clingman Street near the animal shelters, the former W.P. Rose site on James Street and the former Chrysler Dodge dealership just off U.S. 70 East.