Chapel Hill Transit has launched the North-South Corridor Study, a transit service planning initiative for the corridor linking Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, South Columbia Street and US Highway 15-501 South.

The study represents a significant step towards achieving the goals established by the Chapel Hill 2020 comprehensive plan. The comprehensive planning work was conducted in six theme groups. “Getting Around” theme group established a set of goals aimed at the development of a well-balanced and holistic transportation system that connects communities, provides a variety of transportation options and places an emphasis on ecological conciseness.

The North-South Corridor study will review the transportation corridor from the Eubanks Road Park and Ride to the Southern Village Park and Ride Lot. Its purpose is to identify and evaluate improved accessibility, capacity, convenience and travel-time for riders.

The transit study will include an analysis of potential improvements, service increases to the UNC-Chapel Hill campus and UNC Health Care, and connections to the new campus at Carolina North. Safety and pedestrian activities, future development potential, and impacts to existing neighborhoods will be paramount concerns of the study.

The study will examine a variety of public transportation options and alignments and will conclude with the identification of a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) for the corridor. The study is being funded in part by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). It is the first step in the federal process that will allow Chapel Hill Transit to compete for federal funds for the project in the future.

An extensive public involvement process will encourage partnerships among agencies, businesses and organizations along the corridor. Project staff, fact sheets, maps, and comment forms will be available at various public meetings and events. Project information and a sign-up form for regular email updates are available at the North-South Corridor Study website: www.NSCStudy.org. The first public involvement event is planned for the end of March 2014; additional information will be provided via future press releases and project website updates.

URS Corporation of North Carolina was selected to conduct the study, officially named the North-South Corridor Alternatives Analysis (AA) Study. URS is a global engineering, construction and technical services organization with transit planning experience across the United States. URS has an office in Morrisville, N.C.

Chapel Hill Transit is the public transportation provider that serves Chapel Hill, Carrboro and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. For complete information about CHT services, schedules, route changes or directions to the nearest CHT stop, visit us at www.chtransit.org, email chtransit@townofchapelhill.org or call a CHT customer service representative at 919-969-4900 (press 1).