19920498 Ver al_Complete File_19920903

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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
P.O. BOX 25201
RALEIGH 27611-5201
JAMES G. MARTIN
GOVERNOR
THOMAS J. HARRELSON August 6,
SECRETARY
District Engineer
Army Corps of Engineers
P. 0. Box 1890
Wilmington, North Carolina 28402
G. MARLEY, JR., P.E.
HWAY ADMINISTRATOR
t.'STFitfkT,'6TY SEC!:`,iI? 1
ATTENTION: Regulatory Branch
Dear Sir:
Subject: Replacement of Bridge No. 303 on SR 1381 over Southern Railroad
in Jackson County, B-2051, State Project 8.2960301, Federal-Aid
Project BRZ-1381(4)
Attached for your information is a copy of the project planning report for the
subject project. The project is being processed by the Federal Highway Adminis-
tration as a "Categorical Exclusion" in accordance with 23 CFR 771.115(b).
Therefore, we do not anticipate requesting an individual permit but propose to
proceed under a Nationwide Permit in accordance with 33 CFR 330 Appendix A
(B-23) issued November 22, 1991, by the Corps of Engineers. The provisions of
Section 330.4 and Appendix A (C) of these regulations will be followed in the
construction of the project.
We do not anticipate that a permit will be required from the North Carolina
Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources for this project.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please call me at
733-3141.
Sincerely, 4., • oM
L. . ??ard Manager
LJW/plr Planning and Environmental Branch
Attachment
cc: Mr. John Parker, Permit Coordinator, w/report
Mr. John Dorney, Environmental Management, w/report
Mr. C. W. Leggett, P. E.
Mr. J. T. Peacock, Jr., P. E.
Mr. A. L. Hankins, Jr., P. E.
Mr. V. A. Edwards, P. E.
U ?} l
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]VISION OF HIGHWAYS
WILLIAM
STATE HIG
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
Jackson County
Bridge No. 303 on SR 1381
Over Southern Railroad
State Project 8.2960301
Federal-Aid Project BRZ-1381(4)
B-2051
CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION
AND
N.C. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS
ate a
Y 7("

L: J.'Ward, P. E., Manager
Planning and Environmental Branch, NCOOT
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Date Nicho
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Administrator, FHWA
Jackson County
Bridge No. 303 on SR 1381
Over Southern Railroad
State Project 8.2960301
Federal-Aid Project BRZ-1381(4)
B-2051
CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION
July, 1992
Documentation Prepared in
Planning and Environmental Branch By:
Ju 'e A. Hunkins, Y. E.
P ect Planning Engineer
r l? !/
y
Wayne Ell ott
Bridge P o' ct ZPlan Engineer '
Fran
klin Vick, P. E., Assistant Manager
Planning and Environmental Branch

Jackson County
Bridge No. 303 on SR 1381
Over Southern Railroad
State Project 8.2960301
Federal-Aid Project BRZ-1381(4)
B-2051
Bridge No. 303 is included in the Federal-Aid Bridge Replacement
Program. The location is shown in Figure 1. No substantial environmental
impacts are anticipated. The project has been classified as a Federal
"categorical exclusion".
I. SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS
Bridge No. 303 should be replaced at its existing location as shown
by Alternate 1 in Figure 3.
The recommended structure, which consists of a bridge 150 feet long
and 28 feet wide, is to be replaced at its existing location. Mi nor
improvements to the approach roadway will be needed for a distance of
about 125 feet on each side of the replacement structure. The grade of
the new structure should be approximately the same as the existing grade.
Traffic will be detoured along existing roads during the construction
period. The proposed detour route is shown in Figure 1.
All standard procedures and measures will be implemented to avoid and
minimize environmental impacts. No wetlands will be disrupted by project
implementation. Best Management Practices will be utilized to minimize
construction impacts.
Estimated cost, based on current prices, is $ 463,000. The estimated
cost, as shown in the current Transportation Improvement Program, is
$344,000.
II. EXISTING CONDITIONS
SR 1381 is classified as a rural local route in the Statewide
Functional Classification System and is not a part of the Federal-Aid
System.
N The project is located in the township of Dillsboro in northern
Jackson County. Development in the immediate project area is rural with
scattered residential. A sewage treatment plant is located about 500 feet
northeast of the project site.
In the vicinity of the bridge, SR 1381 has a pavement width of
22 feet with 2-foot to 3-foot shoulders (see. Figure 3). The horizontal
and vertical alignments are poor on the approach to the bridge from the
west. The bridge is located on a crest where it crosses over Southern
Railroad; the upgrade to Bridge No. 303 is more severe on the west
2
approach than the east approach. A horizontal curve of about 58 degrees
is located on the west approach. The horizontal and vertical alignments
on the west approach and the reduced clear roadway width over the bridge
contribute to poor sight distance at the west end of the bridge.
Speed limit in the project area is 35 MPH.
Overhead utility lines parallel the existing roadway on northeast
side of the project. The cables cross SR 1381 at the east side of Bridge
No. 303.
The current traffic volume of 700 VPD is expected to increase to
approximately 1200 VPD by the year 2015. The projected volume includes 1%
tractor-truck semi-trailer (TTST) and 2 . dual-tired vehicles (DDT).
The existing bridge (see Figure 3), which was constructed in 1924,
consists of a reinforced concrete floor on reinforced concrete deck
girders, abutments,.and interior bents. This structure is 101 feet long
and has a clear roadway width of 18 feet. The posted weight limit is 27
tons for single vehicles and 32 tons for trucks with trailers. The bridge
currently provides a vertical clearance of 21'-1" over the railroad below.
Bridge No. 303 has a sufficiency rating of 35.0 compared to a rating
of 100 for a new structure.
No accidents were reported in the vicinity of the bridge during the
period from July, 1988 through June, 1991.
No school buses cross the bridge.
III. ALTERNATIVES
Two methods of replacing Bridge No. 303 were studied. The alternates
are as follows:
Alternate 1 (Recommended) - Replacement of bridge at its existing location
with a bridge 150 feet long and 28 feet wide. The existing
curvature of the roadway will be retained. A design speed of
about 25 MPH would be provided.
Alternate 2 - Replacement of bridge on new location immediately south of
the existing bridge. The replacement structure would consist of
a bridge 300 feet long and 28 feet wide. This alternate would
improve the horizontal alignment and provide a design speed of
about 40 MPH. A retaining wall in the southwest quadrant would
be needed to minimize impact to the rail corridor.
Serious consideration was given to removal of Bridge No. 303 at the
end of its useful life without replacement. This scheme, which is
estimated to cost about $ 80,000, would have resulted in 0.1 mile of
additional travel for those vehicles traveling west from US 23 Business to
SR 1381 to SR 1380. (This is the same route which is identified for
3
detouring traffic during construction of Recommended Alternate 1.)
Coordination with the Town of Dillsboro indicates that the residents are
not in favor of removal of Bridge No. 303 without replacement.
Consideration was also given to providing an at-grade crossing of the
railroad. An at-grade crossing at this location was estimated to cost
about $ 585,000; this high cost is attributed to the two residential
relocatees and the extensive earthwork which would be required to lower
the grade of SR 1381 to tie into Southern Railway. This alternative was
dropped from further consideration due to the undesirability of converting
an existing railroad grade separation to an at-grade crossing. In
addition, this alternative is estimated to cost about $ 122,000 more than
the recommended alternate.
"Rehabilitation" of the old bridge is not feasible due to its age and
deteriorated condition.
IV. ESTIMATED COST
The estimated cost of each of the alternates studied is as follows:
Recommended
Alternate 1 Alternate 2
Structure $ 252,000 $ 554,000
Roadway Approaches 56,000 78,000
Structure Removal 19,000 19,000
Retaining Wall --- 63,000
Engineering & Contingencies 49,000 107,000
Right of Way, Utilities 87,000 167,000
Total $ 463,000 $ 988,000
V. DISCUSSION OF RECOMMENDED IMPROVEMENTS
Bridge No. 303 should be replaced at its present location, as shown
?. by Alternate 1 in Figure 3. The recommended structure is 150 feet long
and 28 feet wide. This structure will provide a 22-foot travelway across
the bridge with 3-foot offsets on each side. Curve widening may be needed
to provide adequate sight distance.
The roadway approaches will consist of a 22-foot pavement with 4-foot
graded shoulders. The design speed is 25 MPH. A design exception will be
required during design since the design speed is less than the posted
speed limit of 35 MPH.
4
Coordination with the NCDOT State Rail Project Engineer indicates the
existing vertical clearance of the railroad, 21'-1", should be maintained.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation is currently in the
process of acquiring a rail corridor which includes the portion of
Southern Railway which traverses through the project area.
Alternate 1 is the preferred alternate because it provides a
replacement structure at the lowest cost. A wider bridge will provide an
improvement in the sight distance from the west approach. The division
engineer concurs with the recommended alternate.
VI. TRAFFIC DETOUR
Traffic is to be detoured along existing roads during the
construction period (see Figure 1). A road user analysis (based on
700 VPD and 0.1 mile of additional travel) indicates the cost of
additional travel would be approximately $ 6,000 during the nine-month
construction period. The estimated cost of providing an on-site detour is
about $ 525,000, resulting in a benefit-cost ratio of 0.001. This ratio
indicates the maintenance of traffic on-site during the construction
period is not economically justifiable.
VII. ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
The project is expected to have an overall positive impact.
Replacement of an inadequate bridge will result in safer traffic
operations.
The project is considered to be a Federal "categorical exclusion" due
to its limited scope and environmental consequences.
The bridge replacement will not effect on the quality of human life
or natural environment with the use of current NCDOT standards and
specifications.
One residence on the southeast quadrant of the project would require
relocation with construction of the recommended alternate; the relocatee
is a tenant. It is anticipated that adequate replacement housing will be
available for the relocatees. It is the policy of the NCDOT to ensure
that no person will be displaced by the NCDOT's state or federally-
assisted construction projects unless and until comparable or adequate
replacement housing has been offered or provided for each displacee within
a reasonable period of time prior to displacement.
No effect on public facilities or services is expected. The project
is not expected to affect social, economic, or religious opportunities in
the area.
The project is located in the Blue Ridge Belt of the mountain
physiographic province. Topography in the area is highly variable, from
gently sloping terraces and valleys to steep, rocky slopes. Elevation in
the vicinity of the project ranges between 1,900 and 2,100 feet above mean
sea level.
5
Only one plant community is encountered in the study area, the
Disturbed Roadside Successional Community. The impact zone is
predominated by growth of typical "weedy" species found in similar
locations throughout western North Carolina. The study area is occupied
by cut and fill slopes and roadside shoulders under varying degrees of
maintenance. Canopy species such as sycamore (Platanus occidentalis),
yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) and black locust (Robinia
pseudoacacia) occur throughout the study area. Subcanopy species include
saplings of the canopy species, as well as black cherry (Prunus serotina),
sourwood (Oxydendron arboreum) and flowering dogwood (Cornus florida).
Shrubs and woody vines in the area include blackberry (Rubus spp.),
princess feather (Polygonum orientale), privet (Ligustrum sinense), smooth
sumac (Rhus lg abra), wild rose (Rosa multiflora), Japanese honeysuckle
(Lonicera ,japonica), clematis (Clematis viorna), and greenbriar (Smilax
rotundifolia). Several weedy herbs, including gooseberry (gibes sp.),
tall fescue (Festuca sp.), violet (Viola sp.), plantain (Plantago
lanceolata), chickweed (Stellaria media) and bracken fern (Pteridium
aquilinum), were also observed. No wetland plant community exists in the
study area.
Such mammals as opossum (Didelphis virginiana), short-tailed shrew
(Blarina brevicauda), white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus), southern
flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans), easterm chipmunk (Tamias striatus),
raccoon (Procyon lotor), eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus),
striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) and, occasionally, woodchuck (Marmots
monax), are likely to be common inhabitants of the area.
Amphibians apt to frequent the predominately terrestrial areas
include the American toad (Bufo americanus), northern cricket frog (Acris
crepitans) and spring peeper (Hyla crucifer). Likely reptiles include
eastern fence lizard (Sceloporus undulatus), five-lined skink (Eumeces
fasciatus), corn snake (Elaphhe? utg tata), rat snake (E. obsoleta), eastern
king snake (Lampropeltis etulus) and copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix).
Common birds in the vicinity of the project are likely to include
common flicker (Colaptes auratus), common nighthawk (Chordeiles minor),
blue-jay (Cyanocitta cristata), common crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos),
Carolina chickadee (Parus caroliniensis), white-breast nuthatch (Sitta
caroliniensis) and eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis).
The proposed action will not adversely affect terrestrial fauna.
These areas, considered highly modified and disturbed, are attractive to a
range of opportunistic wildlife which experience increased fitness in
these areas. Their adaptive behavior has enabled them to enjoy a
relatively safe existence at the fringes of man's domain, often cohabiting
the same structures (rodents, owls, barn swallows, lizards, etc.). Some
temporary fluctuation in populations of animal groups which utilize these
areas is anticipated during the course of construction, but post-project
levels are expected to return to normal after the old bridge is removed
and habitat zones are restored to normal.
6
Slow-moving, burrowing and/or subterranean organisms will be directly
impacted by construction activities, while mobile organisms will be
displaced to adjacent communities. Competitive forces in these adoptive
communities will result in a redefinition of population equilibria.
The proposed action will not have an adverse affect on the aquatic
environment of Scott Creek since strict sedimentation control measures and
Best Management Practices will be observed. Scott Creek and its adjacent
plant communities have the capability to support a rather rich aquatic and
semi-aquatic fauna. Sediment-loading of the near-by stream channel by
demolition and construction activities have the potential to be harmful to
local populations of aquatic organisms.
The only water resource in the area is Scott Creek, a tributary to
the Tuckasegee River; the Tuckasegee River is a major stream within the
Little Tennessee River Basin. The project does not cross Scott Creek, but
Scott Creek is adjacent to the project area. Scott Creek originates in
the Balsam Range at above 5,400 feet northeast of Sylva. It empties into
the Tuckasegee River west of Dillsboro. A best usage classification of C
Tr has been assigned to Scott Creek by the Division of Environmental
Management (N. C. Division of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources).
Class C waters are best suited for aquatic life propagation and survival,
fishing, wildlife and secondary recreation. Water quality standards
designed to protect class C usage are reported in 15A NCAC.0211. The "Tr"
(Trout) supplemental classification denotes that the waters are suitable
for natural trout (brook trout) propagation and maintenance of stocked
trout (rainbow and brown trout).
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) lists Scott
Creek as a Designated Public Mountain Trout Water within the Hatchery
Supported Trout Waters category. This designation is applicable between
the river's source in and its mouth at the Tuckasegee River, unless posted
against trespass. Best Management Practices and High Water Quality
designated sedimentation controls will be utilized at the project site
during construction to minimize impacts to these adjacent resources.
As of March 16, 1992 five federally-protected species were listed by
the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for Jackson County: Carolina
northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus coloratus), Indiana bat
(Myotis sodalis), peregrine falcon (Falc) peregrinus), small-whorled
pogonia (Isotria medeoloides) and Swamp-pink (Helonias bullata). No
habitat for these species exists at the project site; therefore, no
impacts to federally-protected species are anticipated to occur from
project construction.
Records at the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program were
inspected, but no recorded sightings of protected species have been made
for the study area or vicinity. Of the species discussed above, the
following are designated as protected by the state of North Carolina.
Glaucomys sabrinus coloratus Carolina Northern flying squirrel
Indiana bat (Myoutis sodalis), peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus),
hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis), green salamander (Aneides
aeneus), small whorled pogonia (Isotria medeoloides), swamp-pink (Helonias
ullata), Gray's saxifrage (SeneFir-o llefolium), tall larkspurage
7
(Delphinium exaltatum), Fraser's loosestrife (Lysimachia fraseri), gorge
moss (Bryocrumia vivicolor), highlands moss (Schlotheimia lancifolia), and
rock gnome lichen (Gymnoderma lineare). Although suitable habitat exists
in the study area for several federal candidate and/or state protected
species, no surveys were conducted for these species.
The project is located within the Western Mountain Air Quality
Region. The ambient air quality for Jackson County has been determined to
be in compliance with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Since
this project is located in an area where the State Implementation Plan
(SIP) does not contain any transportation control measures, the conformity
procedures of 23 CFR 770 do not apply to this project.
The project will not significantly increase traffic volumes.
Therefore, its impact on noise levels and air quality will be
insignificant. Noise levels could increase during construction but will
be temporary. If vegetation is disposed of by burning, all burning shall
be done in accordance with applicable local laws and regulations of the
North Carolina State Implementation Plan for air quality assessment
requirements of FHPM 7-7-3 and no additional reports are required.
There are no properties within the project area either listed on or
eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. A
staff architectural historian has reviewed the project area, and Bridge
No. 303 is the only structure over 50 years old within the Area of
Potential Effect (APE). The bridge was built in 1924 and is one of 489
extant pre-1940 bridges of the same type maintained by the North Carolina
Department of Transportation. The bridge itself is not eligible for the
National Register because it is a poor example, in poor condition, of a
prevalent type throughout North Carolina.
The State Historic Preservation Officer will be given an opportunity
to review the archaeological aspects of the project to determine whether
an intensive survey should be undertaken. If necessary, the survey will
be accomplished prior to construction.
Since the bridge is to be replaced in its present location, the
project is exempt from the Farmland Protection Policy Act.
On the basis of the above discussion, it is concluded that no serious
environmental effects will result from implementation of the project.
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NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION
DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS
PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL
BRANCH
DILLSBORO
BRIDGE NO. 303 ON SR 1381
OVER SOUTHERN RAILROAD
JACKSON COUNTY
B-2051
0 mile 0.2 FIG.1
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