Agenda 2011 01-03AGENDA
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Assembly Room, New Hanover County Historic Courthouse
24 North Third Street, Room 301
Wilmington, NC
JONATHAN BARFIELD, JR., CHAIRMAN • JASON R. THOMPSON, VICE - CHAIRMAN
TED DAVIS, JR., COMMISSIONER • BRIAN M. BERGER, COMMISSIONER • RICHARD G. CATLIN, COMMISSIONER
BRUCE T. SHELL, COUNTY MANAGER • WANDA COPLEY, COUNTY ATTORNEY • SHEILA SCHULT, CLERK TO THE BOARD
JANUARY 3, 2011
6:00 P.M.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER (Chairman Jonathan Barfield, Jr.)
INVOCATION (Chris Kuhne, Pastor of Worship Arts, Port City Community Church)
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE (Vice - Chairman Jason R. Thompson)
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS OF BUSINESS
1. Approval of Minutes
2. Adoption of Wilmington Ten 40th Commemorative Anniversary Proclamation
3. Adoption of Ordinance for Budget Amendment
ESTIMATED
TIMES
REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS OF BUSINESS
6:10 p.m.
4. Administration of Oath of Office to North Carolina House of Representative-
Elect Susi Hamilton
6:15 p.m.
5. Consideration of Sole Source Award to Motorola for the Purchase of Dispatch
Consoles
6:35 p.m.
6. Cape Fear Commutes 2035 Transportation Plan Update and Consideration of a
Resolution in Support of the Plan
6:45 p.m.
7. Consideration of a Resolution Encouraging the North Carolina Department of
Transportation to Explore Funding Options to Accelerate Construction of the
Wilmington Bypass
NON - AGENDA ITEMS (limit three minutes
ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS OF BUSINESS
6:50 p.m.
8. Additional Items
County Manager
County Commissioners
Clerk to the Board
County Attorney
7:00 p.m.
9. ADJOURN
Note: Times listed for each item are estimated, and if a preceding item takes less time, the Board will move
forward until the agenda is completed.
Board of Commissioners Meeting
01/03/2011
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NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REQUEST FOR BOARD ACTION
MEETING DATE: January 3, 2011
CONSENT
ITEM: 1
DEPARTMENT: Governing Body PRESENTER(S): Chairman Barfield
CONTACT(S): Sheila L. Schult, Clerk to the Board
SUBJECT:
Approval of Minutes
BRIEF SUMMARY:
Approve minutes from the following meetings:
Agenda Review meeting held on December 16, 2010
Regular Session meeting held on December 20, 2010
RECOMMENDED MOTION AND REQUESTED ACTIONS:
Approve minutes.
COUNTY MANAGER'S COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: (only Manager)
COMMISSIONERS' ACTIONS:
Approved 4 -0.
Board of Commissioners Meeting
01/03/2011
1 -0
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NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REQUEST FOR BOARD ACTION
MEETING DATE: January 3, 2011
CONSENT
ITEM: 2
DEPARTMENT: Governing Body PRESENTER(S): Wilmington Ten Planning Committee
CONTACT(S): Sheila L. Schult, Clerk to the Board
SUBJECT:
Adoption of Wilmington Ten 40th Commemorative Anniversary Proclamation
BRIEF SUMMARY:
The Wilmington Ten Foundation has made a request that the Board adopt a proclamation to recognize
the Wilmington Ten 40th Commemorative Anniversary as a significant part of Black History Month in
February 2011 in New Hanover County. The proclamation was requested to be submitted to the Foundation
by January 8, 2011 to be included in the commemorative booklet. Chairman Barfield will present the
proclamation during February 3, 2011 Commemorative Anniversary event.
RECOMMENDED MOTION AND REQUESTED ACTIONS:
Adopt proclamation.
ATTACHMENTS:
Wilmington Ten Proclamation
COUNTY MANAGER'S COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: (only Manager)
Recommend approval.
COMMISSIONERS' ACTIONS:
Approved 4 -0.
Board of Commissioners Meeting
01/03/2011
2 -0
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
WILMINGTON TEN
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, "The Wilmington Ten Foundation for Social Justice" has been established with a
mission that will include the development of programs and cultural experiences that empower
those in need of social justice to excel in their endeavors, make positive life choices, and share
their creativity and God -given talents in their own communities and the world at- large; and
WHEREAS, the Foundation strives to work with this community in an effort to prevent the
actions that took place in February 1971 from being repeated, particularly with our youth; and
WHEREAS, the Foundation's primary goal is to provide opportunities for education,
rehabilitation, training, and to provide aid to persons who have been done an injustice; and
WHEREAS, it is important that the citizens of New Hanover County be reminded of this
historical time in our community's history and the importance of continuing to work for peace
and justice, particularly with the youth.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED by the New Hanover County Board of
Commissioners that the Wilmington Ten 40 Commemorative Anniversary be recognized as a
significant part of Black History Month in February 2011 in New Hanover County.
ADOPTED this the 3 rd day of January, 2011.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY
Jonathan Barfield, Jr., Chairman
ATTEST:
Sheila L. Schult, Clerk to the Board
Board of Commissioners Meeting
01/03/2011
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NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REQUEST FOR BOARD ACTION
MEETING DATE: January 3, 2011
CONSENT
ITEM: 3
DEPARTMENT: Budget PRESENTER(S): Cam Griffin, Budget Director
CONTACT(S): Cam Griffin, Budget Director
SUBJECT:
Adoption of Ordinance for Budget Amendment
BRIEF SUMMARY:
The following budget amendment amends the annual budget ordinance for the fiscal year ending June 30,
2011.
11 -130 - Social Services
RECOMMENDED MOTION AND REQUESTED ACTIONS:
Adoption of the ordinance for the budget amendment listed.
ATTACHMENTS:
B/A 11 -130
COUNTY MANAGER'S COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: (only Manager)
Recommend approval.
COMMISSIONERS' ACTIONS:
Approved 4 -0.
Board of Commissioners Meeting
01/03/2011
3 -0
AGENDA: January 3, 2011
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2011 BUDGET
BY BUDGET AMENDMENT 11 -130
BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of County Commissioners of New Hanover County, North
Carolina, that the following Budget Amendment 11-130 be made to the annual budget ordinance for the
fiscal year ending June 30, 2011.
Section 1: Details of Budget Amendment:
Fund: General Fund
Department: Social Services/Energy Assistance and Administration
Expenditure:
Decrease
Increase
Social Services/Energy Assistance:
Assistance Payments
$35
Total
$35
Revenue:
Decrease
Increase
Social Services /Administration:
DSS Administration 1571 Funds - Federal /State
$35
Total
$35
Section 2: Explanation
To budget a one -time additional State allocation of $35,351 in Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) funds to
provide emergency assistance to low - income households to help pay for heating costs. There are no
matching County funds required.
Section 3: Documentation of Adoption:
This ordinance shall be effective upon its adoption.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of New
Hanover County, North Carolina, that the Ordinance for Budget Amendment 11-130, amending the annual
budget ordinance for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011, is adopted.
Adopted, this day of , 2011.
(SEAL)
ATTEST:
Jonathan Barfield, Jr., Chairman
Sheila L. Schult, Clerk to the Board
Board of Commissioners Meeting
01/03/2011
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NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REQUEST FOR BOARD ACTION
MEETING DATE: January 3, 2011
REGULAR
ITEM: 4
DEPARTMENT: Governing Body PRESENTER(S): Chairman Barfield
CONTACT(S): Sheila L. Schult, Clerk to the Board
SUBJECT:
Administration of Oath of Office to North Carolina House of Representative -Elect Susi Hamilton
BRIEF SUMMARY:
North Carolina House of Representative -Elect Susi Hamilton has requested that Chairman Barfield
administer the Oath of Office to her at the Board of Commissioners meeting.
RECOMMENDED MOTION AND REQUESTED ACTIONS:
Administer the Oath of Office.
COUNTY MANAGER'S COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: (only Manager)
Administer the Oath of Office.
COMMISSIONERS' ACTIONS:
Administered the Oath of Office.
Board of Commissioners Meeting
01/03/2011
4 -0
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NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REQUEST FOR BOARD ACTION
MEETING DATE: January 3, 2011
REGULAR
ITEM: 5
DEPARTMENT: Emergency Management PRESENTER(S): Warren Lee, Emergency Management /911
Director
CONTACT(S): Warren Lee, Emergency Management /911 Director
SUBJECT:
Consideration of Sole Source Award to Motorola for the Purchase of Dispatch Consoles
BRIEF SUMMARY:
In 2006, the County purchased through competitive procurement a digital 800 MHz Project 25 trunked
simulcast system from Motorola. To ensure that the equipment is properly maintained, the County currently
maintains its radio and console infrastructure through a Motorola maintenance contract.
The County also maintains an inventory of spare parts and boards unique to its Motorola consoles. Mixing of
different vendor consoles will lead to inconsistencies of use and operation as well as create opportunity for
injury, loss of life and /or damage to critical infrastructure. In order to maintain standardization and
compatibility with the other Motorola equipment that the County owns, staff is requesting approval to
purchase additional dispatch consoles from Motorola as a sole source provider.
NC General Statutes 143- 129(e) (6) provides that purchases of apparatus, supplies, materials or equipment
are exempt from bidding when:
A. performance or price competition for a product is not available;
B. a needed product is available from only one source of supply; or
C. standardization or compatibility is the overriding consideration.
Cost of the additional equipment is $945,801 which will be purchased using 911 Surcharge Funds that were
approved by the Board at the December 6, 2010 meeting.
The statute requires the Board of Commissioners to approve the sole source purchase prior to award.
RECOMMENDED MOTION AND REQUESTED ACTIONS:
Adopt resolution approving the sole source award to Motorola in the amount of $945,801 for the purchase of
dispatch consoles.
ATTACHMENTS:
Motorola Competitive Bid Resolution
COUNTY MANAGER'S COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: (only Manager)
Recommend approval.
Board of Commissioners Meeting
01/03/2011
5 -0
COMMISSIONERS' ACTIONS:
Approved 4 -0.
Board of Commissioners Meeting
01/03/2011
5 -0
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION
EXCEPTION TO COMPETITIVE BIDDING REQUIREMENTS
WHEREAS, in 2006, the County purchased through competitive bidding a digital 800 MHz Project
25 trunked simulcast system from Motorola and currently maintains its radio and console
infrastructure through a Motorola maintenance contract; and
WHEREAS, the County keeps an inventory of spare parts and boards unique to its Motorola
consoles and mixing of different vendor consoles would lead to inconsistencies of use and operation
as well as create opportunity for injury, loss of life and /or damage to critical infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, to maintain standardization and compatibility with the other Motorola equipment that
the County owns, staff is requesting approval to purchase additional dispatch consoles from
Motorola as a sole source vendor; and
WHEREAS, General Statutes 143- 129(e)(6) provides that purchases of apparatus, supplies,
materials or equipment are exempt from bidding when:
A. performance or price competition for a product is not available
B. a needed product is available from only one source of supply
C. standardization or compatibility is the overriding consideration; and
WHEREAS, this exception to the bidding requirements referred to as "Sole Source" must be
approved by the Board prior to purchase.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of New Hanover
County approves the purchase of dispatch consoles from Motorola as a sole source provider in
accordance with the sole source provisions outlined in GS 143- 129(e)(6) in amount of $945,801.
Adopted this 3 rd day of January, 2011.
New Hanover County
Jonathan Barfield, Jr., Chairman
ATTEST:
Sheila L. Schult, Clerk to the Board
Board of Commissioners Meeting
01/03/2011
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NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REQUEST FOR BOARD ACTION
MEETING DATE: January 3, 2011
REGULAR
ITEM: 6
DEPARTMENT: County Manager PRESENTER(S): Mike Kozlosky, WMPO Director
CONTACT(S): Chris Coudriet, Assistant County Manager
SUBJECT:
Cape Fear Commutes 2035 Transportation Plan Update and Consideration of a Resolution in Support
of the Plan
BRIEF SUMMARY:
At its December 15, 2010 meeting, the Wilmington MPO Transportation Advisory Committee adopted the
Cape Fear Commutes 2035 Transportation Plan. The plan will serve as a guide for multi -modal
transportation planning in the region.
The Wilmington MPO is requesting the Board of Commissioners adopt a resolution in support of Cape Fear
Commutes 2035. Mike Kozlosky, Wilmington MPO director, will present an overview of the transportation
plan and its priorities. The plan, minus appendices, is attached for the Board's review.
RECOMMENDED MOTION AND REQUESTED ACTIONS:
Adopt resolution in support of the Cape Fear Commutes 2035 Plan.
ATTACHMENTS:
Cape Fear Commutes 2035 Transportation Plan
Cape Fear Commutes 2035 Resolution of Support
COUNTY MANAGER'S COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: (only Manager)
Recommend approval.
COMMISSIONERS' ACTIONS:
Approved 3 -1, Commissioner Berger dissenting.
Board of Commissioners Meeting
01/03/2011
6 -0
6 -1 -1
Acknowled
Cape Fear Commutes 2035 Committee Members
Howard T. Capps, Cape Fear Public Transportation Authority
Eric Coffey, New Hanover County
A. Scott Cromartie, City of Wilmington
Al Freimark, Pender County
Dorsey Jones,Town of Navassa
Howard H. Loving, Jr., NC Board of Transportation
Paul Martinez,Town of Kure Beach
John F. Melia, City of Wilmington
Ryan T. Rhoden hiser,Town of Wrightsville Beach
Mike Roberts,Town of Leland
Donald M. Sellers, Brunswick County
Stuart Smith,Town of Belville
Steven J. Stanton,Town of Carolina Beach
WMPO Transportation Advisory Committee Members
Jonathan Barfield, Chairman, Cape Fear Public Transportation Authority
Laura Padgett,Vice Chair, City of Wilmington
Mike Alford, NC Board of Transportation
Mike Ballard,Town of Navassa
Jack Batson,Town of Belville
Bill Blair,Town of Wrightsville Beach
Jim Dugan,Town of Kure Beach
Walter Futch,Town of Leland
Bob Lewis,Town of Carolina Beach
Bill M. Sue, Brunswick County
Kristi Tomey, City of Wilmington
Jason Thompson, New Hanover County
David Williams, Pender County
WMPO Technical Coordinating Committee
WMPO Staff Members
Mike Kozlosky, Executive Director
Joshuah Mello, Associate Transportation Planner
Anthony Prinz, Associate Transportation Planner
Bill McDow, Staff Engineer
Bruce Johnston, Sr. Engineering Technician
David Peterson, Engineering Technician
Adrienne Walters, Project Coordinator
Penny Bray, Administrative Support Specialist
Consultants
Martin /Alexiou /Bryson, PC
Cape Fear Commutes 2035
Board of Commissioners Meeting
01/03/2011
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About the Cape Fear Commutes 2035 Committee and
Transportation
The Cape Fear Commutes 2035 Committee was appointed by the WMPO Transporta-
tion Advisory Committee to create a transportation plan for the greater Wilmington
area, which includes all of New Hanover County and portions of Brunswick County
and Pender County. The committee members took this charge very seriously. Better
transportation planning has been cited by many as a critical need for our region and
Wilmington has struggled in the past to address the negative results of unplanned
growth on the area's transportation system. From the beginning, the Cape Fear Com-
mutes 2035 Committee sought to craft this new plan in an open and transparent
fashion, using data and scientific analysis to drive the decision - making process. The
committee began with a vision statement which stressed safety, efficiency, appropri-
ateness, responsibility, integration and multi - modalism. In order to incorporate ideas,
goals and values from the community into the plan, the committee created a survey,
which was completed by thousands of area residents. This survey data was used to
refine the regional priorities over the next 25 years and identify specific transportation
projects for study by the committee. Using a matrix, the transportation projects were
ranked based on criteria established by the committee. These criteria evolved directly
from the adopted vision statement and survey data collected from the public. We have
completed our analysis and project ranking and present this comprehensive long -
range transportation plan for your reference and use.
Yours Truly,
Cape Fear Commutes 2035 Committee Members
What is Cape Fear Commutes 2035?
Plan Background
The Cape Fear Commutes 2035 Transportation Plan is the long range transportation
plan for the urbanized area of Wilmington, North Carolina. It has been prepared by the
Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (WMPO), which is the
local organization responsible for regional transportation planning in this area. Federal
law requires the preparation of this plan, and also specifies issues which the plan must
consider.This document summarizes the various Plan elements.The technical appendi-
ces that accompany this Plan provide additional detail and are referenced throughout.
Cape Fear Commutes 2035 Transportation Plan details how transportation needs should
be addressed over the next twenty -five years.The plan establishes the goals and
objectives for the improvement of travel conditions within the WMPO planning area
and makes specific recommendations for transportation projects and funding sources.
In accordance with federal regulations, the plan must be fiscally- constrained. In other
words, the plan must identify funding sources for all of the proposed projects.The
plan considers all modes of transportation, including automobiles, trucks, buses, trains,
airplanes, ferries, bicycles, and walking.
Over the past decade, the WMPO area has experienced a significant amount of change,
both economically and demographically. Such changes are expected to continue into
c
Table of Contents
What is Cape Fear Commutes 2035? . . . 1
Public Involvement . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Identifying Tomorrow's Needs Today . .5
The Plan's Vision . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Overview of Projects . . . . . . . . . . 6
Paying for the Plan . . . . . . . . . . 13
Project List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Cape Fear Commutes 2035
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Cape Fe ar 0 is 203
�2W5,
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the near future.To accommodate the changes in our society and to meet federal re-
quirements, the WMPO will regularly update the plan to meet the community's needs.
Study Area
WMPO is a metropolitan planning organization (MPO). MPOs are local agencies that
are responsible for regional transportation planning. In order to be part of the federal
transportation planning process and to receive federal transportation funds, an urban
area with a population over 50,000 must have an MPO. Each MPO has a range of duties
including the production of the long range transportation plan for its area.The overall
aim of these Federal requirements is to ensure continuing, cooperative, and compre-
hensive transportation planning for urban areas, and MPOs are central to that process.
Figure 1 shows the area covered by the WMPO.
Plan Requirements
Federal law specifies the elements and processes that must feed into each long range
transportation plan.The law changes periodically. The most recent law is the Safe, Ac-
countable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA LU).
SAFETEA -LU requires each long range transportation plan to:
• Cover a minimum 20 -year period,
• Be updated at certain intervals,
• Be'fiscally constrained'- that is, plan on the basis of likely funding levels rather
than unlimited funding levels,
• Use up -to -date planning assumptions, and
• Identify major facilities that should function as an integrated regional system.
SAFETEA -LU also specifies the planning factors that must be addressed in the planning
process.The accompanying technical appendices show how each of these planning
factors is addressed by the Plan for each mode.The process must:
• Support the economic vitality of the metropolitan area, especially by enabling
global competitiveness, productivity and efficiency,
• Increase the safety of the transportation system for motorized and non- motor-
ized users,
• Increase the security of the transportation system for motorized and non -mo-
torized users,
• Increase the accessibility and mobility of people and freight,
• Protect and enhance the environment, promote energy conservation, improve
the quality of life, and promote consistency between transportation improve-
ments and State and local planned growth and economic development pat-
terns,
c
Cape Fear Commutes 2035
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photo :et MP
If I had $100 to spend on
transportation, I would...
WMPO's adopted Public Involvement Policy creates "an open decision - making process
whereby citizens have the opportunity to be involved in all stages of the transportation
planning process "and is designed to "ensure that transportation decisions will reflect
public priorities." Public involvement has been a critical component in developing Cape
Fear Commutes 2035 Transportation Plan, and these activities helped shape the plan
(please see Appendix 2 for a more detailed description of public involvement activi-
ties):
Cape Fear Commutes 2035 Committee
The Cape Fear Commutes 2035 Committee was formed at the outset to guide devel-
opment of Cape Fear Commutes 2035.The committee is comprised of 13 members
appointed from each of the WMPO member municipalities and counties, as well as the
North Carolina Department of Transportation and the Cape Fear Public Transportation
Authority.The committee was instrumental in researching, developing and analyzing
projects, and shaping the guiding policies of the plan.
Community Survey and Open Houses
The Cape Fear Commutes 2035 Transportation Plan process kicked -off on March 20,
2009 with a press conference at the New Hanover County Public Library Northeast
Regional Branch. Over 60 people and various media outlets attended the event, where
they heard comments from Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo, Pender County Commissioner
Jimmy Tate, Belville Mayor Chuck Thurlow and North Carolina Board of Transportation
Member Lanny Wilson.
This event marked the opening of the Cape Fear Commutes 2035 Survey, which was
posted on -line and published in the Wilmington Star News as a 1/4 page display adver-
tisement for over one month. The survey was also included in the various weekly re-
gional newspapers in the three - county region. WMPO staff and members of the Cape
Fear Commutes 2035 Committee attended various meetings and events to publicize
the survey and also appeared on several radio and television shows.
$35.00
From May 11 to May 21, 2009, six public open houses were held throughout the three -
$30.00
county region. These open houses provided the public an opportunity to meet with
$25.00
$20.00
WMPO staff and members of the Cape Fear Commutes 2035 Committee and outline
$15.00
$10.00
their vision for transportation in the Wilmington area over the next 25 years. The open
$5.00
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houses were also used to route additional traffic to the survey.
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The survey was officially closed on June 17 2009 three months after it opened. Over
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Q X Ql O O O N
3 200 residents of the Cape Fear region responded to the survey in both English and
> In Q a) E a) E CL E
Spanish. The data collected through the survey was used by the Cape Fear Commutes
2035 Committee to develop and vision and set of guiding principles for the plan. The
E.' Bxfi'w
ape Fear Co 2035
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pho to :et MP
results also identified a large number of new transportation projects that the commit-
tee was able to analyze and evaluate.
Website
The WMPO's website devoted a page to Cape Fear Commutes 2035 Transportation
Plan, allowing members of the public to stay abreast of the plan's development,
access meeting agendas and minutes, view documents, and provide input. Visit
CapeFearCommutes.org for more information.
Identif Tomorrow's Needs Toda
Growth
As the region continues to grow, more people and more jobs will undoubtedly mean
more congestion and less mobility throughout the region. Keeping up with the antici-
pated growth while not neglecting today's issues is the key challenge addressed by the
Cape Fear Commutes 2035 Transportation Plan.The plan's approach to mitigating the
impacts of growth is multi- faceted, recognizing the importance of developing alterna-
tive modes of transportation and becoming less dependent of automobiles for our
daily travel needs.
Recent statistics rank the Wilmington Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) as the 24th
fastest growing urban area in the United States.The Wilmington MSA includes more
than 347,000 residents, more than a 26 percent increase in population since 2000. Pro-
jections for population and household growth within the WMPO area were completed
for 2020 and 2035, and are shown in the charts to the right. Brunswick and Pender
County populations are projected to more than triple by 2035, while New Hanover
County's population is projected to increase by nearly two - thirds, from approximately
178,000 people today to approximately 284,000 in 2035. Employment growth is also
projected to be significant, especially in Brunswick and Pender counties compared to
their current employment levels. For more detailed information on growth, please see
Appendix 1.
Challenges
The Cape Fear Commutes 2035 Transportation Plan recognizes the many transporta-
tion challenges facing the region.These include:
• Coordinating land use and transportation planning to ensure orderly develop-
ment that does not overburden transportation infrastructure
• Developing in a way that is sustainable in the long -term and sensitive to the
region's many important environmental, cultural and historic features
• Finding alternative funding sources to pay for the many transportation needs
• Promoting the use of alternative modes of transportation to provide viable
transportation choices to the region's travelers, and
• Working cooperatively as regional partners to address regional and local trans-
portation issues
Population Growth
450,000
400,000
350,000
300,000
250,000
200,000
150,000
100,000
50,000
Brunswick
Pender
I�New Hanover
WMPO Area
2008 2020 2035
Employment Growth
250,000
200,000
150,000
100,000
50,000
C ape Fear Co 2035
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E The Plan's Vision
Cape Fear Commutes 2035 Transportation Plan will plan for a safe, efficient, appro-
priate, responsible, integrated, multimodal transportation system throughout the
Wilmington Urban Area over the next 25 years.The transportation system will be:
• Safe: reduces injuries and improves the sense of safety for all users
• Efficient: moves the most people and goods in a cost effective manner, while
using the least amount of resources
• Appropriate: contributes to the quality of life and character of the region
through proper design
• Responsible: protects existing investments and limits environmental and
social impacts
• Integrated: links with other transportation and land use plans as well as
future infrastructure investments
• Multimodal: provides a choice of modes for most trips
Overview of Cape Fear Commutes 2035 Pro
The Cape Fear Commutes 2035 Transportation Plan is a multimodal plan that address-
es current and future roadway, transit, bicycle, pedestrian, and other transportation
needs. Projects were identified through a variety of sources, analyzed thoroughly,
and ranked according to relevant and quantifiable factors.
The following provides descriptions of specific elements of the plan. Individual
projects are listed in Table 1, located in the final section of this report. More detail
about these plan elements, as well as project development and detail, can be found
in the appendices.
Aviation
Both commercial and general aviation make distinct contributions to the transpor-
tation system, as well as having particular impacts on other aspects of the transpor-
tation system and the wider environment. Commercial aviation allows citizens to
travel to other states and internationally for business, personal business or leisure.
Commercial freight operations, including major parcel companies, provide a means
of delivering commercial goods across the nation. Aviation is the fastest mode of
transportation for traveling substantial distances. General aviation supports busi-
ness travel needs, as well as providing for recreational flying.
Larger airports, such as Wilmington International Airport (ILM), are significant gen-
erators of travel demand, not only for air travelers but also for commercial vehicles
and the commuting needs of airport employees.They can act as intermodal nodes
not only between air and surface transportation, but between modes of surface
transportation for which the airport is simply a convenient meeting place. Cape Fear
Commutes 2035 Transportation Plan supports development of the aviation sector,
and in particular plans for improved transit connections to the airport to give travel-
ers and employees other options besides driving to the airport. For more details,
please see Appendix 3.
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Cape Fear Commutes 203
Bicycle Facilities
Bicycling can be a viable alternative to driving if the facilities and amenities are in place
to make bicycle travel convenient and accessible. While many people bicycle for recre-
ation, the Cape Fear Commutes 2035 Transportation Plan focuses on improving bicycling
conditions for commuters and people making non - recreational trips.The committee
received significant input from the bicycling community for development of this plan,
including detailed input from the community survey, open houses, and the ongoing work
of the WMPO BikePed Committee.The City of Wilmington and other member jurisidic-
tions and partners (such as UNCW) have found success working together to improve the
regional bicycle network.
Over 200 individual bicycle improvement projects were identified. These include striping
bicycle lanes on new and existing roadways, developing bicycle boulevards, and con-
structing multi -use paths. Projects were prioritized based on a series of criteria to assist in
applying limited funding opportunities to the most needed projects.These projects are
detailed in Appendix 4.
Of the over 200 bicycle projects identified, the top 10 new projects are:
• Shipyard Boulevard (on -road bicycle lanes - new pavement)
• South 17th Street (off -road multi -use path)
• Carolina Beach Road (on -road bicycle lanes - restriping)
• Peachtree Avenue (on -road bicycle lanes - new pavement)
• South Front Street /South 3rd Street (off -road multi -use path)
• South Front Street (on -road bicycle lanes - restriping)
• Ann Street (bicycle boulevard)
• North 23rd Street (on -road bicycle lanes - new pavement)
• North & South 5th Avenue (on -road bicycle lanes - restriping)
• Riverwalk South (off -road multi -use path)
Freight
Freight movement is a critical element of an advanced industrial economy, and the
ease of freight movement is one component of a region's economic competitiveness
for attracting and retaining various types of industry and employment centers. Freight
movement can also have an impact on a region's quality of life, particularly with the need
to ensure heavy truck traffic has suitable routes to /from the national highway or rail
networks and ports, avoiding established residential areas.
A key focus of improving freight movement in the WMPO area is promoting intermodal
connections between the ports, highways, and rail networks.This focus includes making
improvements to the US 74 highway corridor and the CSX rail line connecting the pro-
posed North Carolina International Terminal at Southport to Charlotte, as well as restora-
tion of the rail line between Castle Hayne and Wallace to provide rail access to Raleigh
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and the Northeast. It also may include upgrades to Independence Boulevard in
Wilmington and development of the Cape Fear Skyway as an important connec-
tor. Because freight travel is impacted by roadway congestion, freight move-
ment was a factor in ranking the Congestion Mitigation roadway projects. For
more detail, please see Appendix 5.
Mass Transportation Improvements
The Cape Fear Commutes 2035 Transportation Plan aims to improve mobility
throughout the region by employing a variety of approaches and improvements
to all modes of travel. As the region continues to grow and the population
becomes more dispersed, transit will play a more central role in moving people
throughout the region.
Public transportation has several roles in the transportation system. At the
personal level, it provides mobility for people who are unable to drive, and
an additional mobility for people who prefer not to drive. At a more strategic
level, it can contribute to economic competitiveness, provide an alternative to
congested highways, and assist with meeting air quality and other sustainability
and quality -of -life goals.
Historically, public transportation has taken a low profile in long -range planning,
with greatest attention and funding being given to highway projects.This will
need to change as it is increasingly recognized that a highway -led approach is
neither financially feasible nor the best way to achieve a region's overall goals. In
addition, land use patterns are an important determinant of whether transit ser-
vice can be made attractive or even feasible, requiring forward - thinking policy
development and regulatory standards. Higher density, mixed -use develop-
ments, for example, that are designed to incorporate transit infrastructure and
amenities have been shown to boost transit ridership.
This plan will improve transit through enhancing the local bus system, adding
new express routes to capture regional commuters, and developing a bus rapid
transit network in the urban area.These projects are shown on Figures 3 and 5,
toward the end of this report. For more detail, please see Appendix 6.
Local Bus
The Wilmington community has worked to develop a successful local bus sys-
tem, WAVE Transit. WAVE Transit buses provide an affordable and convenient way
to access jobs, shopping, and other destinations in Wilmington without a car. As
the city and region continue to grow,WAVETransit will be relied on more as an
alternative means of travel.This plan will add or modify five WAVE Transit routes.
These routes will connect key destinations, such as UNCW and the airport, with
the downtown, and will reach out to growing parts of the urban area.The new
routes, and improvements to existing routes, will take advantage of the Central
and Downtown Stations.
Express Bus Routes
More and more of the region's residents are living outside of the Wilmington
urban area and commuting into the downtown, UNCW, the regional medical
center, and other major employment centers.Today,their only real option is to
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Many of these express routes are intended to serve destinations outside of the WMPO
area. Development and implementation of these routes will require planning and coor-
dination with regional partners. Funding from Cape Fear Commutes 2035 Transportation
Plan only covers the project lengths within the WMPO area.
Bus Rapid Transit
Supplementing the local bus service, Cape Fear Commutes 2035 Transportation Plan
establishes five corridors for the development of bus rapid transit, commonly referred
to as BRT. Cities the size of Wilmington across the United States and throughout the
world are developing BRT systems to provide efficient mass transit service in urban
areas without the extremely high cost of commuter rail or light rail. BRT systems are
cost - effective because they are developed on existing city streets with only moderate
improvements to the infrastructure. They utilize modern, low -floor bus vehicles that
provide many of the amenities that attract commuters who have a choice as to how
they travel.
Corridors in Wilmington identified for bus rapid transit improvements are:
• Market Street (starter segment)
• Oleander Drive
• South 17th Street
• Carolina Beach Road, and
• Corridor between downtown and UNCW
Other Regional Priorities
As mass transportation projects were developed for Cape Fear Commutes 2035
Transportation Plan, a number of regional priorities were identified as needs, but not
designated for funding.The regional priority projects would provide important con-
nections to key destinations outside of the WMPO area, such as Raleigh, Fayetteville,
and Jacksonville. Key destinations could be accessed by heavy rail, inter -city bus, ferries,
or potentially water taxis.A rail feasibility study was completed approximately nine
years ago.
Specific unfunded recommendations include adding ferry service between Southport
and downtown Wilmington, and reconstructing the rail line between Castle Hayne and
Wallace.
Security
The Wilmington MPO aims to improve security for all motorized and non - motorized
transportation throughout the MPO's planning area boundary.The Wilmington MPO
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will work to improve security for public transportation as listed in the Mass
Transit section by increasing cameras and lighting on buses. Freight will also be
addressed by the upgraded use of STRAHNET (Strategic Highway Network) or
military routes.
Pedestrian Facilities
WMPO members have been aggressively planning for pedestrian improvements
outside the planning framework of Cape Fear Commutes 2035 Transportation
Plan. In 2009, the City of Wilmington adopted Walk Wilmington: A Comprehensive
Pedestrian PIan.With this plan, the City of Wilmington and NCDOT hope to meet
the demands for safer and more extensive pedestrian facilities, including gre-
enways, sidewalks, and crosswalks.The comprehensive pedestrian plan guides
local, regional and state efforts to improve conditions for walking in the City of
Wilmington and enhance the City's reputation as one of the premier tourism
and recreation destinations in the southeast. Wilmington and other commu-
nities within the MPO area have completed other, more localized pedestrian
planning efforts.
Cape Fear Commutes 2035 Transportation Plan includes specific pedestrian im-
provements, such as sidewalks, crosswalks, and pedestrian signalization, as part
of many of the roadway improvement projects. In many cases, they are included
as part of the roadway projects to promote the development of complete
streets and also provide opportunities to make connections between different
modes of travel. For more details, please see Appendix 7.
Roadway Improvements
While a major emphasis of the plan's development is creating a balanced,
multimodal transportation system, Cape Fear Commutes 2035 Transportation
Plan recognizes that automobile use is, and will continue to be, the predominant
mode of transportation for many people.The roadway improvement projects in
the plan fall into one of three categories: Congestion Mitigation (projects that
relieve traffic congestion), Safety (projects that promote safe travel for all modes
of travel), and Quality of Life (projects that enhance the streetscape and add to
the urban fabric). For more details, please see Appendix 8.
Congestion Mitigation
One of the major byproducts of the significant regional growth in the Wilm-
ington area is increased traffic congestion. Congestion Mitigation projects are
roadway improvement projects that address significant existing and projected
capacity issues. In some cases that means widening existing roads, in others it
means building new roads, and in still others it means providing congestion
relief at major intersections.
The highest priority Congestion Mitigation projects have been planned for
years and are currently programmed in the State's Transportation Improvement
Program (TIP). Among the highest priority projects are:
• Completion of the Wilmington Bypass (TIP: R- 26338)
• North and South Kerr Avenue improvements (TIP: U -3338)
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Photo c
• US 17- 74 -76 -Nc 133 improvements (TIP: R -3601)
• Extension of Independence Boulevard (U -4434)
• Extension of Military Cutoff Road (TIP: U -4751)
Roadway Safety
Another critical factor in improving the region's transportation system is enhancing the
safety of the region's roads. Often, safety is closely tied to capacity issues on major corridors,
but safety issues can also arise along roads and at intersections that were not originally
designed and built to handle today's traffic.
Many of the Safety projects in the plan are intersection improvement projects.These may
entail realigning roads leading into the intersection, improving sight distances, upgrading
or adding signalization, and other similar improvements.The plan also calls for construct-
ing a number of roundabouts to replace existing traditional intersections. Under the right
circumstances, roundabouts have been shown to be an effective way to both improve traffic
flow and enhance safety.
Safety projects also include other types of improvements, such as access management. Like
roadway widenings and intersection improvements, access management improvements can
enhance capacity (and reduce congestion). But access management improvements, such
as installing medians and restricting turning movements, can also make corridors safer by
prohibiting dangerous turning movements and eliminating potential conflict points.
Quality of Life
Our streets are a key component of our community's fabric.They help establish a mean-
ingful sense of place and add value to our community.The Quality of Life projects in this
plan aim to enhance urban design, mainly through streetscape improvements. Streetscape
improvements could include adding curb and gutter, landscaping, bicycle lanes, sidewalks,
landscaped medians, curb bulbouts, and decorative crosswalks. These projects would mainly
be funded through local funds (not competing directly for funds with the Congestion
Mitigation and Safety projects), except where they have demonstrable potential to improve
roadway capacity.
Other Regional Priorities
The Cape Fear Commutes 2035 Committee recognizes that there are other roadway projects
of regional importance that fall outside the parameters of this plan for funding purposes.
The highest profile project that is not funded through this plan is the Cape Fear Skyway,
which is anticipated to be funded principally by tolls. If built, the Skyway would significantly
alter travel patterns in the region.The next update of this plan five years from now will be a
new opportunity to study the impacts of the Skyway and determine any other future proj-
ects that should be identified to support mobility in the region.
Transportations Systems and Demand Management
The roadway improvements that are part of this plan will not be enough to relieve conges-
tion and provide the level of mobility that travelers throughout the region need and desire.
The emphasis in this plan on developing alternative modes of travel, such as transit, bicy-
cling, and walking, will enhance mobility. Another effective tool is to improve the efficiency
of the overall transportation system by better managing system components (for example,
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by improving traffic signal coordination and providing real -time traffic informa-
tion), and by implementing programs and policies to reduce the demand for
car - focused transportation. For more details, please see Appendices 9 and 10.
Key elements of this plan are:
• Constituting a Regional Transportation Commission that in addition to
having the authority to levy taxes to support transportation improve-
ments, will promote new technologies across the region to enhance
mobility
• Creating a full -time Transportation Demand Management Coordinator
position to work with regional transportation partners
• Promoting better access management
• Coordinating transportation needs with the schools and UNCW
• Encouraging land uses that support transportation mode choice
• Integrating park and ride lots into new development along major transit
corridors and highways
• Encouraging the redevelopment of downtown Wilmington to provide a
dense, walkable, transit - supportive regional center, and
• Working with the region's employers to develop programs that incentive
use of alternative modes for employees
• Standardizing speed limits and design speeds on collector and arterial
roadways
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Paying for the Plan
Revenue
Revenue projections for the Cape Fear Commutes 2035 Transportation Plan were based
upon an analysis of historical data. Revenues were identified by funding source and
grouped by primary mode. In most cases, current year revenues were assumed to grow
at the forecast rate of population growth. Over the 25 year period of the plan, the aver-
age forecast population growth for the WMPO is approximately 2.4 percent per year. All
dollars are reported in constant present year dollars.
Roadway Revenues
Roadway revenues were based on analysis of past MTIPs, with a focus on funded
amounts over programmed amounts. Excluding loop projects, the WMPO has re-
ceived approximately $25 million per year for capacity related projects. Additionally,
the WMPO has averaged approximately $660,000 per year for safety - related improve-
ments and roughly $1 million per year in federal bridge aid. Future revenues were
assumed to grow with population. Loop funding (funding from the State's Highway
Trust Fund for major interstates) is set aside for the Wilmington Bypass and Indepen-
dence Boulevard Extension projects.
Maintenance is performed both by the division as well as locally. While division funds
have fluctuated wildly in recent years given the current financial climate, the average
for the WMPO area has been approximately $3.5 million. Additionally, municipalities
have received an average of roughly $3.3 million per year in Powell Bill receipts. Ad-
ditional local maintenance is roughly $1 million per year. State and local expenditures
were assumed to increase with population. As Powell Bill receipts have been flat for
the past five years, no increase is assumed in these funds.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Revenues
State enhancement money is the primary non -local source of revenue for non -mo-
torized projects. This has averaged approximately $175,000 per year. Additionally,
the City of Wilmington has budgeted an average of roughly $600,000 per year for
sidewalk construction and repair. For bikes and multiuse paths, the amount is roughly
$320,000 per year. These are all assumed to grow with population.
Mass Transportation Revenues
Transit in the region is funded from a variety of sources. In addition to farebox rev-
enue, the transit agencies receive state and federal assistance. There is also a substan-
tial contribution from a variety of state and local health and welfare agencies. WAVE
Transit also receives a sizeable amount of its budget directly from UNCW for rides it
provides to students. Currently, WAVE Transit receives nearly $1.8 million in operating
assistance from the Federal Transit Administration under the Section 5307 program.
Current rules prohibit such assistance for agencies serving areas with populations in
excess of 200,000, a designation that is essentially certain following the 2010 census.
It was assumed that this lost revenue would be replaced through a combination of
increased fares and local assistance. Given that transit revenues are not tied directly
to the population of the region, but of the service area and other service factors,
growth rates based on historical data were used to predict the growth of the farebox
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revenue and local, state and federal operating assistance. These rates ranged from -1 to
5.5 percent per year.
Costs
For each of the identified projects, an order -of- magnitude cost estimate was developed in
current year dollars.
Roadway costs
Including programmed MTIP projects, the committee identified over $2.5 billion in Con-
gestion Mitigation roadway projects and nearly $40 million in Roadway Safety projects.
Additionally, the committee identified over $100 million in projects aimed primarily at
improving quality of life.
As maintenance is ongoing, specific roadway projects were not identified. As federal
bridge -aid projects are primarily maintenance projects, no specific projects were identi-
fied in this category either.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Costs
Over 200 bicycle improvements were identified with an estimated cost of nearly $106
million dollars. Specific sidewalk projects were not identified.
Mass Transportation Costs
Continued operation of the existing WAVE Transit system will be approximately $170 mil-
lion over the lifetime of the plan. The identified projects would add roughly $224 million
in operations and maintenance over the lifetime of the plan and require a capital invest-
ment of roughly $128 million. Operation of Brunswick Transit System will be roughly $21
million over the course of the plan.
Fiscally Constraining the Plan
The Cape Fear Commutes 2035 Transportation Plan must be fiscally constrained, meaning
that total proposed expenditures do not exceed anticipated revenues over the lifetime of
the plan. While the plan deals in current year dollars, the cost of construction has exceeded
the overall rate of inflation in recent years. For this plan, a moderate rate of 3 percent per
year of cost escalation, beyond inflation, was assumed. In order to escalate costs, however,
it was important to estimate the time horizon of the project construction. For this reason,
projects are listed as happening in one of three time periods: 2010 -2015; 2016 -2025; or
2026 -2035. In some cases, projects are so large their construction will span multiple periods
and thus may be reported as occurring in multiple time periods. In these cases costs were
divided among the time periods and escalated accordingly.
Roadway Projects
The NCDOT 5 -Year Work Program and 2009 -2015 MTIP were used to ascertain Congestion
Mitigation roadway revenues and work order for the 2010 -2015 program. After that period,
historical revenues were assumed. Overall, a total of $1,093 million was estimated to be
available for Congestion Mitigation roadway projects. Additionally, the WMPO has identi-
fied approximately $90 million worth of local projects that would be constructed using
local bonds. The total escalated cost of the roadway projects primarily listed as Congestion
Mitigation is $1,127 million. Additionally, roughly $47 million worth of projects identified as
primarily Quality of Life roadway projects by the committee were identified as addressing
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Cape Fear Commutes 203
capacity issues and selected for inclusion in the plan.
Approximately $23.5 million was estimated to be available for Roadway Safety
projects over the lifetime of the plan. The total escalated cost of the identified
projects is roughly $23 million.
Given the limited funds available for enhancement -type projects, nearly $30
million in additional Quality of Life roadway projects were identified for local
bonding within the WMPO.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Projects
Given the great number of identified non - motorized projects, a specific plan for
these items was not developed. Projects will be built based on local needs and
available funds. In particular, the list identifies nearly 24 miles of bicycle lanes
that can be marked for only about $250,000 worth of restriping.
Mass Transportation Projects
Total operating costs over the life of the plan, including new service, is $415
million. Escalated capital costs total $168 million, of which roughly $98 million
would be eligible for federal reimbursement. Total local revenues and other op-
erating assistance is estimated at $289 million, leaving a funding gap of roughly
$194 million. Current law allows for an optional sales tax and vehicle registration
tax which could generate $270 and $37 million, respectively, in New Hanover
County alone over the life of the plan. The Cape Fear Commutes 2035 Transporta-
tion Plan assumes that some combination of this funding is passed to satisfy the
additional revenue needs.
New funding sources
The list of identified needs, greatly outstrips the available funds. While few ad-
ditional revenue sources are available, the WMPO recognizes that the area will
need to develop additional funding mechanisms in the future, many of which
would require changes in state law.
Regional Transportation Commission - regional partners should inves-
tigate forming a regional transportation commission that would have
the authority to generate revenue from taxes and transportation user
charges, such as tolls, to pay for future transportation projects of regional
importance. Commission membership would be comprised of represen-
tatives from the three counties in the region.
Tax Increment Financing (TIF) /District Improvement Financing (DIF) - TI Fs
and DIFs are innovative financing tools that target districts or specific
projects for redevelopment through use of tax increments. A tax incre-
ment is the difference between the beginning assessed value of the
targeted property in its underdeveloped state and the assessed value
going forward, as the planned improvements develop. The Market Street
bus rapid transit project, for example, could be financed in part if a TIF
were established along Market Street. The TIF would help fund a needed
transit project and have the added benefit of encouraging good devel-
opment.
Transit
Fares, $67,
3%
S & F Trar
Capital, $9E
S & F Trans
2%
Local
$3
S & F Non -M, $6
smim
Non - Motorized,
2%
Quality of Life, $7
4%
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S &F =State and Federal Non -M = Non - Motorized $2 ,133 Million Total
Estimated Transportation Revenues
2010 -2035 in millions of 2010 dollars
Local Option
Local Transit, Tax, $194, 9%
Estimated Transportation Expenditures
2010 -2035 in millions of 2010 dollars
General transportation- focused sales tax - current law allows for a' /4 percent sales
tax to support new transit initiatives, but none of this money can go toward
roadway or non - motorized improvements. A local- option sales tax could generate
hundreds of millions of dollars in available funds across the three - county MPO
area.
Local toll facilities - many of the identified improvements have current -year costs
in the hundreds of millions of dollars. These amounts vastly outstrip the available
resources. Another option for funding would be the creation of a local tolling net-
work overseen by a regional toll authority. Few such models exist in the country,
though, often as the appetite for local (shorter distance) toll roads is more limited.
Tolling these facilities could speed up their construction and ensure that a greater
portion of the roadway was borne directly by the users.
Impact fees /adequate public facilities requirements - while impact fees and
adequate public facilities requirements often address localized deficiencies, the
monies can often be pooled to fund larger projects beyond the scope of a single
developer. The monies raised from these requirements also have the potential to
free up funds for other projects.
Bicycle sales excise tax - some communities are implementing a point -of -sale
excise tax on the purchase of adult bicycles. Funds collected from these taxes are
used exclusively to enhance bicycle transportation. Given the comprehensive list
of bicycle projects identified and the general lack of funds to make the improve-
ments, this kind of tax could be considered.
Unfunded m
Projects
The Cape Fear Commutes 2035 Committee identified more projects than can be funded.
These projects, while unfunded, are nevertheless important pieces in completing the
overall transportation puzzle and should be referred to as new funding sources and op-
portunities are identified and should be a central part of future discussions. They include
projects for all modes and are listed in their entirety in Appendix 8 (Roadways), pages
22 -38. It should also be noted that the region has a Comprehensive Transportation Plan
(CTP) that identifies future transportation needs and is not fiscally constrained. The CTP
will inform future updates of this plan.
Cape Fear Commutes 2035 Pro List
Each Cape Fear Commutes 2035 project is listed in Table 1 and illustrated on Figures 2,3,
and 4. Projects in Table 1 are generally grouped by the plan element categories de-
scribed previously, and are prioritized within each category. Estimated costs are given
for each project to demonstrate that the projects are financially balanced with projected
revenues. The table also identifies the jurisdiction where the project is located.
The project list assumes that the projects in the current State Transportation Improve-
ment Program (STIP) receive the highest priority for funding.
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r
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Project
Number Rank Project Name
Potential
Horizon Funding Cost
Jurisdiction Period Source (Escalated)
R -2633B
Wilmington Bypass Section B (I 140 -US 17) from US 74 -76 to US 421
Multiple
2010 -2025
STIP: Loop
$203,700,000
U -3338
North and South Kerr Avenue widen between Martin Luther King, Jr
Wilmington
2010 -2025
STIP
$82,700,000
Parkway (US 74) and Randall Parkway (Sections B and C)
R -3601
US 17- 74 -76 -NC 133 widen from River Road SE (NC 133) to US 421
Brunswick
2010 -2025
STIP
$25,100,000
U -4434
Independence Boulevard extend to Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
Wilmington
2016 -2025
STIP: Loop
$50,000,000
(US 74)
U -4751
Military Cutoff Road extend to John J. Burney Freeway (US 17)
New Hanover
2010 -2025
STIP
$60,700,000
R - 4063
Village Road widen from South Navassa Road to Lanvale Road
Multiple
2010 - 2025
STIP
$18,900,000
R -3300
Hampstead Bypass (US 17)
Multiple
2010 -2025
STIP
$202,800,000
U -3337
Convert grade separation at US 74 -76 at Old Fayetteville Road to an
Leland
2010 -2035
STIP
$13,300,000
interchange
U -4902
Market Street (US 17 Business) access management
Multiple
2010 -2035
STIP
$12,100,000
U -3831
Gordon Road widen from North College Road (US 117 -NC 132) to
New Hanover
2010 -2035
STIP
$24,800,000
Market Street (US 17 Business)
R -4732
Ocean Highway (US 17) access management (WMPO component)
Brunswick
2010 -2025
STIP
$2,200,000
U -2724
North College Road (US 117- NC132) upgrade to freeway between 140
New Hanover
2010 -2025
STIP
$48,000,000
and north of Martin Luther King, Jr. Parkway (US 74) (interim solution
alternative )
U -4436
Wilmington Bypass ( 1 140 -US 17) at Blue Clay Road interchange
New Hanover
2016 -2025
STIP: Loop
$25,600,000
Total Cost:
TIP Projects:
$770,000,000
New Congestion Mitigation Projects
CO59 1
Hurst Drive extend to South Kerr Avenue and Reigel Road
Wilmington
2016 - 2025
Bond
$12,000,000
CO55A 2
Cape Fear Riverway between Independence Boulevard and Snows
Multiple
2016 - 2025
STIP
$112,800,000
Cut Bridge (US 421)
CO56 3
Saint Nicholas Road extend to Cardinal Drive and Station Road
Wilmington
2016 - 2025
Bond
$19,600,000
C067 4
Dogwood Lane extend to Wrightsville Avenue and Pine Grove Drive
Wilmington
2016 -2025
Bond
$23,300,000
CO58 5
Head Road extend to Masonboro Sound Road
Wilmington
2016 -2025
Bond
$14,500,000
Cla X- E . 't 11 �A 11 CS
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S
Potential
Project
Horizon
Funding
Cost
Number
Rank
Project Name
Jurisdiction
Period
Source
(Escalated)
C015
6
Castle Hayne Road (NC 133) widen between Wilmington Bypass
New Hanover
2026 -2035
STIP
$4,000,000
(I 40 -US 17) and Division Drive
C100
7
South Front Street (US 421 Truck) widen between Cape Fear
Wilmington
2026 -2035
STIP
$20,500,000
Memorial Bridge (US 17 Business -76 -421) and Burnett Boulevard
(US 421)
CO39
8
Martin Luther King, Jr. Parkway (US 74) at Market Street (US 17
Wilmington
2026 -2035
STIP
$25,600,000
Business) flyovers
C069
9
North 23rd Street widen between Castle Hayne Road (NC 133)
Multiple
2026 -2035
STIP
$21,900,000
and Martin Luther King, Jr. Parkway (US 74)
C010
10
Carolina Beach Road (US 421) at South College Road (NC 132)
New Hanover
2026 -2035
STIP
$25,600,000
flyovers
C117
11
Wilshire Boulevard extend to MacMillan Avenue
Wilmington
2016 -2025
Bond
$10,800,000
C063
14
Randall Drive extend to Hooker Road
Wilmington
2016 -2025
Bond
$9,500,000
CO29
19
Isabel Holmes Bridge (US 74 -NC 133) at US 17 -421 interchange
Multiple
2026 -2035
STIP
$12,800,000
C105
20
South Kerr Avenue extend to Oleander Drive (US 76)
Wilmington
2026 -2035
STIP
$14,300,000
C104
21
South College Road (US 117/NC132) from Wilshire Boulevard to
Wilmington
2026 -2035
STIP
$13,900,000
Shipyard Boulevard (US 117) widen
C106
22
South Kerr Avenue widen between Patrick Avenue and
Wilmington
2026 -2035
STIP
$16,400,000
Wrightsville Avenue
Total Cost:
Congestion
Mitigation
$357,400,000
Quality of Life
Q03
1
South College Road (US 117 -NC 132) improvements between
Wilmington
2016 -2025
Bond
$2,300,000
Market Street (US 17 Business) and Randall Parkway
Q10
2
Carolina Beach Road (US 421) streetscape between Burnett
Wilmington
2016 -2025
Bond
$4,000,000
Boulevard (US 421) and Shipyard Boulevard (US 117)
Q14
3
Carolina Beach Road (US 421) streetscape between Shipyard
Wilmington
2016 -2025
Bond
$4,300,000
Boulevard (US 117) and George Anderson Drive
Q11
4
Market Street (US 17 Business) road diet between North and
Wilmington
2016 -2025
Bond
$850,000
South 17th Street and Covil Avenue
Q01
5
South College Road (US 117 -NC 132) improvements between
Wilmington
2016 -2025
Bond
$3,100,000
Randall Parkway and Oleander Drive (US 76)
Q28
6
River Road (NC 133) streetscape between US 17 -74 -76 and Old
Multiple
2026 -2035
STIP
$3,600,000
River Road
Q16
7
Dawson Street (US 76) streetscape between South 3rd Street
Wilmington
2016 -2025
Bond
$330,000
(US 17 Business) and Oleander Drive (US 76)
Cape Fear Commutes 203
1
Board of Commissioners Meeting
01/03/2011
6 -1 -23
Total Cost: Quality of Life $77,120,000
W15
1
River Road roundabout at Sanders Road
New Hanover
2010 -2015
Potential
$230,000
Project
2
Oleander Drive (US 76) improvements at Pine Grove Drive
Wilmington
Horizon
Funding
Cost
Number
Rank
Project Name
Jurisdiction
Period
Source
(Escalated)
Q06
8
Market Street (US 17 Business) improvements between New Centre
Wilmington
2016 -2025
Bond
$14,200,000
W08
4
Drive and Gordon Road
New Hanover
2010 -2015
STIP: Safety
$530,000
Q26
12
Wrightsville Avenue improvements between South College Road
Wilmington
2026 -2035
STIP
$7,400,000
W14
5
(US 117 -NC 132) and Hawthorne Drive
Multiple
2010 -2015
STIP: Safety
$450,000
Q29
13
Wrightsville Avenue improvements between Hawthorne Drive and
Wilmington
2026 -2035
STIP
$11,900,000
W17
6
Oleander Drive
Wrightsville
2010 -2015
STIP: Safety
$230,000
Q19
14
Wrightsville Avenue road diet between Castle Street and
Wilmington
2016 -2025
Bond
$150,000
W26
7
Independence Boulevard
Wilmington
2016 -2025
STIP: Safety
$2,800,000
Q25
17
Wrightsville Avenue improvements between Independence
Wilmington
2026 -2035
STIP
$7,400,000
Cla
Boulevard and South College Road (US 117 -NC 132)
ape Fear Commutes 2035
Q21
19
Wooster Street (US 76) streetscape between South 3rd Street (US 17
Wilmington
2016 -2025
Bond
$330,000
Business) and Oleander Drive (US 76)
Q20
21
Castle Hayne Road (US 117 -NC 133) streetscape between Northeast
New Hanover
2026 -2035
STIP
$8,000,000
Cape Fear River and North College Road (US 117 -NC 132)
01/03/2011
Q07
22
Ocean Highway (US 17) improvements between Lanvale Road and
Multiple
2016 -2025
Bond
$160,000
Andrew Jackson Highway (US 74 -76)
Q31
23
Wilshire Boulevard improvements between Wrightsville Avenue
Wilmington
2026 -2035
STIP
$6,800,000
and dead end
Q34
24
MacMillan Avenue improvements between Cedar Avenue and Pine
Wilmington
2026 -2035
STIP
$2,300,000
Grove Drive
Total Cost: Quality of Life $77,120,000
W15
1
River Road roundabout at Sanders Road
New Hanover
2010 -2015
STIP: Safety
$230,000
W25
2
Oleander Drive (US 76) improvements at Pine Grove Drive
Wilmington
2010 -2015
STIP: Safety
$2,100,000
W04
3
Market Street (US 17 Business) improvements at North & South 17th
Wilmington
2010 -2015
STIP: Safety
$580,000
Street
W08
4
North College Road (US 117 -NC 132) roundabout at Castle Hayne
New Hanover
2010 -2015
STIP: Safety
$530,000
Road (NC 133)
W14
5
River Road (NC 133) improvements between US 17 -74 -76 and WMPO
Multiple
2010 -2015
STIP: Safety
$450,000
Boundary
W17
6
Salisbury Street (US 74) roundabout at Lumina Avenue
Wrightsville
2010 -2015
STIP: Safety
$230,000
Beach
W26
7
Pine Grove Drive improvements at MacMillan Avene
Wilmington
2016 -2025
STIP: Safety
$2,800,000
W24
8
Wrightsville Avenue roundabout at Wallace Avenue
Wilmington
2010 -2025
STIP: Safety
$340,000
Cla
ape Fear Commutes 2035
Board of Commissioners Meeting
01/03/2011
6 -1 -24
Ca pe F Commut 2035
Board of Commissioners Meeting
01/03/2011
6 -1 -25
Potential
Project
Jurisdiction
Horizon
Funding
Cost
Number
Rank
Project Name
Period
Source
(Escalated)
W03
9
Dow Road improvements between North Lake Park Boulevard
Multiple
2016 -2025
STIP: Safety
$960,000
(US 421) and K Avenue
W06
10
Navassa Road roundabout at Old Mill Road
Navassa
2016 -2025
STIP: Safety
$2,400,000
W02
11
Castle Hayne Road (NC 133) roundabout at North 23rd Street
New Hanover
2016 -2025
STIP: Safety
$300,000
W12
13
Pine Grove Drive roundabout at Holly Tree Road
Wilmington
2016 -2025
STIP: Safety
$500,000
W11
14
Pine Grove Drive roundabout at Greenville Loop Road
Wilmington
2016 -2025
STIP: Safety
$500,000
W07
15
NC 210 improvements between WMPO boundary and US 17
Pender
2016 -2025
STIP: Safety
$300,000
W22
16
Wrightsville Avenue (US 74 -76) improvements between Pavillion
Wilmington
2016 -2025
STIP: Safety
$2,100,000
Place and Heide - Trask Drawbridge
W19
17
US 17 improvements at Factory Road & Peanut Road
Pender
2026 -2035
STIP: Safety
$1,400,000
W01
18
Burnett Boulevard (US 421) improvements at Carolina Beach
Wilmington
2026 -2035
STIP: Safety
$3,800,000
Road (US 421) & South Front Street (US 421 Truck)
W20
19
US 17 -74- 421 -NC 133 access management at USS North Carolina
New Hanover
2026 -2035
STIP: Safety
$1,000,000
Road
W23
20
Wrightsville Avenue roundabout at MacMillan Avenue
Wilmington
2026 -2035
STIP: Safety
$460,000
W16
23
Salisbury Street (US 74) roundabout at Causeway Drive (US 76)
Wrightsville
2026 -2035
STIP: Safety
$1,100,000
Beach
W13
26
Piner Road improvements at Grissom Road
New Hanover
2026 -2035
STIP: Safety
$870,000
Total Cost: Roadway
Safety
$22,950,000
Total
Cost: All Roadway Projects
$1,227,470,000
Total Cost: System
Maintenance
$269,000,000
y: t>> ;}`t�\)ylllrysQt1 b}l'S?l t�i \E� f7� }!` rsi \hi ti7lti»i1; f
iY
Current TIP Projects
TD -4721
Wilmington Multimodal Transportation Center
Wilmington
2010 -2015
STIP /Local
$10,000,000
A/B
TD -4942
WAVE Maintenance and Operations Facility
Wilmington
2010 -2015
STIP /Local
$7,500,000
Total Current TIP Projects:
$17,500,000
Local Bus
T01
1
UNCW Station to Downtown Station Local
Wilmington
2010 -2015
STIP /Local
$10,972,000
Ca pe F Commut 2035
Board of Commissioners Meeting
01/03/2011
6 -1 -25
T15 10 Western Pender County to Wilmington Express (serving US421 Multiple 2026 -2035 STIP /Local $5,778,000
to New Hanover Regional Medical Center via Downtown Station
Total Cost: Express Bus $149,122,000
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
T16 1 Market Street BRT between Downtown Station and Central Wilmington 2016 -2025 STIP /Local $25,372,000
Station
T17 2 UNCW BRT between Downtown Station and Cape Fear Wilmington 2016 -2025 STIP /Local $33,004,000
Memorial Hospital
C ape Fear Commutes 2035
�2W5,
Board of Commissioners Meeting
01/03/2011
6 -1 -26
Potential
Project
Horizon
Funding
Cost
Number Rank
Project Name
Jurisdiction
Period
Source
(Escalated)
T02 2
Wrightsville Beach (or Drawbridge) to Central Station Local
Wilmington
2010 -2015
STIP /Local
$10,972,000
T03 3
Decrease headways on local bus routes
Multiple
2010 -2015
STIP /Local
$10,972,000
T04 4
Masonboro Loop Road to Independence Station local
Multiple
2010 -2015
STIP /Local
$10,972,000
T05 5
River Road to Downtown Station local
Multiple
2010 -2015
STIP /Local
$10,972,000
Total Cost:
Local Bus
$54,860,000
Express Bus
T06 1
Hampstead to Wilmington Express (serving Scotts Hill and
Multiple
2010 -2015
STIP /Local
$10,972,000
Porters Neck to Downtown Station via Central Station)
T07 2
Pleasure Island to Wilmington Express (to Downtown Station)
Multiple
2010 -2015
STIP /Local
$10,972,000
T08 3
Pleasure Island to Wilmington Express Alternate (to Central
Multiple
2010 -2015
STIP /Local
$10,972,000
Station via UNCW Station)
T09 4
Riegelwood to Wilmington Express (serving Acme, Delco, and
Multiple
2010 -2015
STIP /Local
$15,234,000
Leland to New Hanover Medical Center via Downtown Station)
T10 5
Southport to Wilmington Express (serving Boiling Springs Lakes
Multiple
2016 -2025
STIP /Local
$15,234,000
and Winnabow to Central Station via Downtown Station)
T11 6
Shallotte to Wilmington Express (serving Supply, Bolivia, and
Multiple
2016 -2025
STIP /Local
$15,234,000
Winnabow to Central Station via Downtown Station)
T12 7
Southport to Wilmington Express Alternate (serving Boiling
Multiple
2016 -2025
STIP /Local
$15,234,000
Springs Lakes and Winnabow via 1- 140 /Cape Fear Skyway)
T13 8
Shallotte to Wilmington Express Alternate (serving Supply,
Multiple
2016 -2025
STIP /Local
$15,234,000
Bolivia, and Winnabow to New Hanover Regional Medical
Center via 1 140 /Cape Fear Skyway to New Hanover Regional
Medical Center)
T14 9
Burgaw to Wilmington Express (serving Rocky Point and Castle
Multiple
2026 - 2035
STIP /Local
$5,778,000
Hayne to New Hanover Regional Medical Center via Central
Station and UNCW Station)
T15 10 Western Pender County to Wilmington Express (serving US421 Multiple 2026 -2035 STIP /Local $5,778,000
to New Hanover Regional Medical Center via Downtown Station
Total Cost: Express Bus $149,122,000
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
T16 1 Market Street BRT between Downtown Station and Central Wilmington 2016 -2025 STIP /Local $25,372,000
Station
T17 2 UNCW BRT between Downtown Station and Cape Fear Wilmington 2016 -2025 STIP /Local $33,004,000
Memorial Hospital
C ape Fear Commutes 2035
�2W5,
Board of Commissioners Meeting
01/03/2011
6 -1 -26
Project
Number Rank Project Name Jurisdiction
T18 3 Oleander Drive BRT between Downtown Station and Cape Fear Wilmington
Memorial Hospital
T19 4 South 17th Street BRT between Downtown Station and Skyway Wilmington
Station
T20 5 Carolina Beach Road BRT between Downtown Station and Wilmington
Skyway Station
Potential
Horizon Funding Cost
Period Source (Escalated)
2016 -2025 STIP /Local $28,504,000
2026 -2035 STIP /Local $25,804,000
2026 -2035 STIP /Local $17,968,000
Total Cost: Bus Rapid Transit $130,652,000
Total Cost: All Transit Projects $334,634,000
Cape Fear Commutes 2035
Board of Commissioners Meeting
01/03/2011
6 -1 -27
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION
ADOPTING THE CAPE FEAR COMMUTES 2035 TRANS'PORTATIONPLAN
WHEREAS, the Wilmington Metropolitan Planning Organization has established a
comprehensive, cooperative and continuing (3-C) transportation planning process to develop an
annual unified planning work program, twenty -year long -range transportation plan and
Transportation Improvement Program to facilitate the expenditure of Federal funds; and
WHEREAS, the Wilmington Metropolitan Planning Organization has developed the Cape Fear
Commutes 2035 Transportation Plan to satisfy the requirements of the Safe, Accountable,
Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA -LU) as well as
other Federal, State and local laws mandating continuing, cooperative and comprehensive
transportation planning activities; and
WHEREAS, the Cape Fear Commutes 2035 Transportation Plan is a product of a multi -
modal, 3-C transportation planning process, compatible with the Wilmington Metropolitan
Planning Organization's long range vision; and
WHEREAS, the Cape Fear Commutes 2035 Transportation Plan is fiscally constrained; and
WHEREAS, the Cape Fear Commutes 2035 Transportation Plan was developed by the Cape
Fear Commutes Citizen Advisory Committee in coordination with local elected and appointed
officials, local municipal and County staff, service organizations, and the general public; and
WHEREAS, public comments were solicited at regular intervals during the planning process
and a thirty -day public comment period was held to receive comments on the plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the New Hanover County Board of
Commissioners hereby adopts the Cape Fear Commutes 2035 Transportation Plan.
ADOPTED this the 3 rd day of January, 2011.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY
Jonathan Barfield, Jr., Chairman
ATTEST:
Sheila L. Schult, Clerk to the Board
Board of Commissioners Meeting
01/03/2011
6 -2 -1
This page intentionally left blank.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REQUEST FOR BOARD ACTION
MEETING DATE: January 3, 2011
REGULAR
ITEM: 7
DEPARTMENT: County Manager PRESENTER(S): Mike Kozlosky, Wilmington MPO Director
CONTACT(S): Chris Coudiret, Assistant County Manager
SUBJECT:
Consideration of a Resolution Encouraging the North Carolina Department of Transportation to
Explore Funding Options to Accelerate Construction of the Wilmington Bypass
BRIEF SUMMARY:
The Wilmington MPO Transportation Advisory Committee is requesting the Board of Commissioners adopt
a resolution calling on NCDOT to explore more funding options that can accelerate construction of the
Wilmington Bypass. Beyond relieving existing congestion and offering an additional crossing over the Cape
Fear River, the bypass is the number one priority of the Wilmington MPO, it is a strategic highway corridor
as defined by the state Board of Transportation, and the bypass is one of ten urban loops in the state.
RECOMMENDED MOTION AND REQUESTED ACTIONS:
Adopt resolution calling on NCDOT to explore funding options to accelerate construction of the Wilmington
Bypass.
ATTACHMENTS:
Wilmington Bypass Resolution
COUNTY MANAGER'S COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: (only Manager)
Recommend approval.
COMMISSIONERS' ACTIONS:
Approved 4 -0.
Board of Commissioners Meeting
01/03/2011
7 -0
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION
ENCOURAGING THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO
EXPLORE FUNDING OPTIONS TO ACCELERATE CONSTRUCTION OF THE
WILMINGTON BYPASS (R- 2633B)
WHEREAS, the Wilmington Bypass (R -2633) has been identified as the number one priority by the
Wilmington Metropolitan Planning Organization for several years; and
WHEREAS, the Wilmington Bypass (R-2633) has been identified as a "strategic highway corridor" on
the North Carolina Board of Transportation's vision plan for southeastern North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, the Wilmington Bypass (R -2633) will alleviate existing and projected congestion in the
region by separating through - traffic from local- traffic and provides an additional crossing over the Cape
Fear River; and
WHEREAS, the Wilmington Bypass has been constructed from US 17 in New Hanover County to US
421 in New Hanover County; and
WHEREAS, the North Carolina Department of Transportation is currently constructing the Wilmington
Bypass (R- 2633A) from US 17 to US 74/76 as a design -build project with an expected completion date of
2013; and
WHEREAS, the Wilmington Bypass is identified as one of the ten Urban Loops in the State of North
Carolina; and
WHEREAS, the North Carolina Department of Transportation recently prioritized the ten Urban Loops
in the State of North Carolina and identified funding for the Wilmington Bypass (R- 2633B) in fiscal years
2013 -2020.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners
hereby supports the North Carolina Department of Transportation's efforts to be more transparent and
provide a data - driven process and encourages the North Carolina Department of Transportation to explore
funding options to accelerate construction of the Wilmington Bypass (R- 2633B) from US 17 in
Brunswick County to US 421 in New Hanover County.
ADOPTED this the 3 rd day of January, 2011.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY
Jonathan Barfield, Jr., Chairman
ATTEST:
Sheila L. Schult, Clerk to the Board
Board of Commissioners Meeting
01/03/2011
7 -1 -1