STAFF REPORT

Town council, June 26, 2008

 

Request for Payment of New Cary Directional Sign on Interstate 40 (EN09-006)
Consideration for providing funding for a new sign on I-40 that will be installed by NCDOT under TIP I-4902.

Speaker:  Mr. Tim Bailey

 

From:  Tim Bailey, PE, Engineering Director
Prepared by:  David Spencer, PE, Traffic Engineer
Approved by:  William B. Coleman, Jr., Town Manager
Approved by:  Benjamin T. Shivar, Assistant Town Manager

Currently, NCDOT is in the final design stages of the TIP project I-4902.  The goal of the project is to upgrade, modify, or remove existing signage on I-40 from exit 301 in southeast Raleigh to exit 289 at Wade Avenue, remove the I-440 designation on I-40 across the southern portion of the “Beltline”, and replace the “Inner Beltline” and “Outer Beltline” name with East and West designations.  To incorporate the needs for signage for the surrounding municipalities, NCDOT held a sign audit to review the proposed plan and include any changes or modifications that were suggested by the attendees.  Staff provided recommendations that included modifying some existing and proposed signs to include ‘Cary’ and ‘Cary Downtown’ on multiple signs.  All together, Town staff requested ‘Cary’ be added to two (2) ground-mounted signs at the I-40/US1/I-440 interchange and ‘Cary Downtown’ be added to four (4) overhead signs and one (1) ground-mounted sign at the I-40/Cary Towne Blvd interchange.  NCDOT is currently reviewing these requests and will submit final sealed plans on June 24, 2008.

Additionally, NCDOT is willing to include with the I-4902 project the inclusion on one (1) new ground-mounted sign located on westbound I-40 near the Jones Franklin Road overpass that will provide directional assistance to motorists that are destined for Cary.  This sign would direct motorist to stay on I-40 for north and east Cary while directing motorists to use Exit 293A for south and west Cary. This sign would be similar to the diagrammatic sign on northbound US 1/64 just north of the Walnut Street overpass.  A picture of this sign is attached to this staff report.

Given the final plans will be sealed prior to this Town Council meeting, NCDOT has agreed to reserve the space for the sign on their plans and will address its incorporation through a construction revision.  This project is federally funded and is scheduled to be let in September 2008.

Fiscal Impact:  NCDOT signing engineers have estimated the cost of this sign at $15,000.  This total would include installation costs as this sign would be added concurrent with the remainder of I-4902.

Staff Recommendation:  Staff recommends that Town Council approve the use of $15,000 from the Engineering Department Operating Budget to pay for the ground-mounted sign and its installation.  Staff would also recommend Council approve any necessary agreements with NCDOT needed to facilitate the installation of the sign.