54/40 corridor study draws complaints

A 2,000-space parking lot is generating the most concern.

BY JIM WISE, STAFF WRITER

The public-comment period has several more weeks to go, but the N.C. 54/I-40 Corridor Study is already signed up for a refresher course.

"Let's just say we are hearing enough opposition we are considering a phase-two evaluation," said Leta Huntsinger, transportation engineer with the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization.

The 600-page study, jointly commissioned by Durham and Chapel Hill, lays out a 25-year master plan for transportation improvements and land use between the U.S. 15-501 Bypass (Fordham Boulevard) in Chapel Hill and N.C. 751 in Durham.

"It's a major corridor that has the worst traffic of any coming into town," said Chapel Hill Town Councilman Ed Harrison, who lives within the study area in the Durham County portion of Chapel Hill ... http://www.thedurhamnews.com/2010/11/17/204427/5440-corridor-study-draws-complaints.html