Locally Administered Projects Program (LAPP) Grant Submittal

With Council approval, the Town submitted a LAPP grant request to the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) on October 31 for $11.3 million of grantor funding for the following four projects:

• Reedy Creek Road Widening – NE Maynard Rd to
• N Harrison
• Connected Vehicle System Implementation
• Higgins Greenway – Phase III
• Downtown Cary Multimodal Center

Award determinations are anticipated in winter 2018.

Locomotive Christened in Honor of the Town of Cary

Following close coordination with NCDOT, Town Council and staff joined NCDOT Secretary Jim Trogdon and First Lady Kristin Cooper on August 1, 2017 to christen the Cary-branded locomotive #1871. The locomotive’s number corresponds to the incorporation or charter date of the municipality after which it is named.

Transit

Wake County Transit Plan

In August, GoCary implemented service improvements funded through the Wake County Transit Plan. GoCary began hourly service on Sundays from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. and added mid-day, half-hour frequencies to four of the system’s most popular routes. GoCary now also offers a half-fare discount for students ages 13–18.

GoCary Recognition

At the annual North Carolina Public Transportation Association’s summer conference, GoCary Fixed Route and Door to Door services were recognized as being the safest small-urban transportation systems in the State of North Carolina.

Try Transit Month

In celebration of September’s Try Transit Month, GoCary offered free fares on all fixed routes and Door to Door service on September 21 as part of Rider Appreciation. Other events included Cyclist Day on September 19; Senior Day on September 20 and Driver Appreciation Day on September 22.

Try Transit Month is an annual event to encourage citizens to try public transit. In addition, GoCary seeks to highlight the region-wide collaboration between transit service providers — GoCary, GoTriangle and GoRaleigh — in an effort to provide seamless, efficient and enhanced transit services to the region. 

GoCary First Quarter Service Comparisons

Morrisville Parkway Extension & NC 540 Interchange

Preliminary construction activities are underway! Earlier this year, Cary entered into a Utility Relocation Agreement to address Duke Energy facilities that are in conflict with this project. Now that the right of way acquisition process is complete, we are moving forward with the utility relocation phase of the project. Addressing utility conflicts in advance of road construction will help expedite the project and minimize the risk of accidental damage and service outages during construction. By the end of the year, the majority of utility conflicts will be addressed, enabling construction to begin in 2018.

Transportation Technology

In July, the Town implemented the first thermal imaging sensor at the intersection of Dry Avenue and Academy Street. The sensor detects pedestrians crossing to/from the Cary Arts Center and Downtown Park. Upon detection, it automatically activates the pedestrian crossing without having to physically touch the pedestrian push button. This technology will help our citizens and all those who visit our downtown.

NCDOT has selected Cary to implement the first Vehicle to Infrastructure Technology called SPaT, Signal Phasing and Timing. The project allows approaching cars to see the traffic signal timing on their dashboard. The pilot project will include installing advance equipment on 20 traffic signals along the NC 55 and High House Road corridors. NCDOT will cover the total cost of $507,000, and the project is estimated to be complete in 18 weeks. Cary will be the first in NC and fifth in the nation to implement this new technology.

Railroad Separation Projects

In Q1, staff met with the NCDOT Rail Division to discuss the Harrison Bridge project. The tunneling option was eliminated; the three remaining options (all bridging over tracks) continue to be studied. The discussion also included a kick-off of the Southeast Maynard Road grade separation project, where options for both under-the- tracks and over-the-tracks will be re-evaluated. Detours during construction will be a concern that staff will monitor closely.