Reasons for Changing Design

• Impasse with railroads led us to seek new solutions at six at-grade

crossings (Duke, Blackwell, Mangum, Dillard, Fayetteville, and Grant)
• NCDOT Rail Division hosted workshop in October to develop strategies
for grade-separating crossings (Duke St, Fayetteville St, Grant St)
• Norfolk Southern communicated “better, but not good enough”
• At end of November, Federal Transit Administration identified that a
long negotiation with railroads was the light-rail project’s top risk.
• To stay on schedule, FTA gave us until December 14 to provide
additional information to address identified risks, including a new
strategy to resolve conflicts with railroads.
• Concurrently, many downtown stakeholders had raised concerns about
closing the Blackwell Street railroad crossing, and discomfort with the
signature civic space mitigation.
 Options Evaluated
• Two initial options developed between November 30 and December
10:
o Trenches under Blackwell/Mangum and under Dillard/Fayetteville
o Bridges over Blackwell/Mangum and over Dillard/Fayetteville
o Choices are independent in the two locations
• On December 12th, FTA historic and environmental resource specialists
advised us that either option would have an adverse impact on the W.
T. Blackwell building, a National Historic Landmark , a national historic
landmark.
• Covered trench, aka “a tunnel,” was developed for review at December
13th stakeholder workshop and submittal to FTA on December 14th
• Proposing the tunnel with a bridge over Dillard and Fayetteville
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 Initial Preliminary Cost Estimate

• +$ 10,000,000 for Duke St. underpass.

• +$ 55,000,000 for tunnel at Blackwell St. and Mangum St.
• +$ 12,000,000 for bridge at Dillard St and Fayetteville St . and
Fayetteville St.
• +$ 3,000,000 for Grant St. connectivity improvements.
• +$ 8,000,000 for design costs.
• - $20,000,000 for signature bridge.
• Total preliminary net impact (Duke St. to Grant St.) +$ 68,000,000.
• Estimates are in 2018 dollars.
• Total estimate includes roughly $25,000,000 in contingency.
 Other Submitted Information

• Preliminary adjustments to the anticipated construction schedule.

o Adjustments do not change overall timeline.
o Revenue operations still anticipated early 2028.
• Preliminary adjustments to the Project’s scope.
o Conceptual plans for design elements along Pettigrew St.
o Typical section of the tunnel under Blackwell St.
o Brief explanation of constraints that have led to the adjustments.
 Next Steps

• Continue consultation with FTA on environmental evaluation.

o Analyze potential vibration impacts from construction.
o Share simple renderings of design near Old Bull and Venable.
• Secure confirmation from railroads that this design concept is
acceptable.
o Executive meeting will be held later today.
• Advance the design.
o Advisory Panel/Public meetings in late January and following
months for updates and input on station areas.
• Consult with Durham County and City on funding options.