PUBLIC MEETINGS SCHEDULED ON DURHAM-ORANGE LIGHT RAIL PROJECT

Triangle Transit will host four public workshops next week to provide an update on the Durham-Orange Light Rail Transit Project. Attendees will have an opportunity to comment on a draft of the Environmental Impact Statement, and learn about how public input will be considered going forward. Project staff will be available to answer questions and listen to concerns.

Workshop details are as follows:

• Tuesday, Nov. 18, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Durham Station Transportation Center, 517 W. Pettigrew St., Durham
• Tuesday, Nov. 18, 4 to 7 p.m. – UNC Friday Center, Chapel Hill
• Wednesday, Nov. 19, 4 to 7 p.m. – Marriott/Spring Hill Suites, 5301 McFarland Road at Patterson Place, Durham
• Thursday, Nov. 20, 4 to 7 p.m. – Hayti Heritage Center, 804 Old Fayetteville St., Durham

In February, Triangle Transit received approval from the Federal Transit Authority to move forward with project development. The funding will come from a mix of federal, state and local sources. Voters in Orange and Durham county already approved a half-cent sales tax increase to cover the local portion of the project.

With triangle area populations expected to increase by 80% between 2010 and 2040, the light rail project seeks to alleviate already congested transportation corridors between Durham and Chapel Hill. Project staff expect the light rail to be up and running sometime in 2025 or 2026, but construction could begin as early as 2019. Triangle residents can head to the Our Transit Future website to learn about the proposed route.