19920221 Ver al_Complete File_20100726

JAMES G. MARTIN
GOVERNOR
THOMAS J. HARRELSON
SECRETARY
d, STATt,,
STATE OF NORTH CA
DEPARTMENT OFTRANSPOR
P.O. BOX 25201
RALEIGH 27611-5201
April 14, 1992
District Engineer
Army Corps of Engineers
P. 0. Box 1890
Wilmington, North Carolina 28402
ATTENTION: Regulatory Branch
Dear Sir:
SUBJECT: Categorical Exclusion Approval
US 13-70, Wayne County, Convert
with SR 1565 into Interchange,
i'
ION OF HIGHWAYS
WILLIAM G. MARLEY, JR., P.E.
STATE HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATOR
for Federal Aid Project:
Existing At-grade Intersection
State Project 8.T330701, U-2409
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
Administration 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 anticipate that a permit will be required from the North Carolina
Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources for this project.
DOT will apply directly to NRCD for that permit when plans have been
developed.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please call me at
733-3141.
LJW/plr
Attachment
cc: Mr. John
Mr. John
Mr. C. W.
Mr. J. T.
Mr. A. L.
Mr. C. A.
Sincerely, /
o?. • ?.wnaC. OM
L. J. Ward, P. E., Manager
Planning and Environmental Branch
Parker, Permit Coordinator, w/report
Dorney, Environmental Management, w/report
Leggett, P. E.
Peacock, Jr., P. E.
Hankins, Jr., P. E.
Gardner, Jr., P. E.
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
W
US 13-70
Wayne County
Convert Existing At-grade tersection
With SR 1565 Into In
State Project 8.T D IFY,
f
U-2409 P7
rt
APR27
1
CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION
U. S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
And
N. C. Department of Transportation
Division of Highways
APPROVED:
/Zoe
D e L. J. Ward, P.E.
Manager of Planning and Environmental Branch, NCDOT
3 -23 -9z '
Date Nic as L. Gra
t? Division Administrator, FHWA
ot
US 13-70
Wayne County
Convert Existing At-grade Intersection
With SR 1565 Into Interchange
State Project 8.T330701
U-2409
CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION
Documentation Prepared in Planning and Environmental Branch By:
iam T. G o win .
Project Planning Engineer
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Linwood Stone r
Project Planning Engineer, Unit Head 5
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H. Franklin Vic P.E., Assistant Manager L
Planning and Environmental Branch

US 13-70
Wayne County
Convert Existing At-grade Intersection
With SR 1565 Into Interchange
State Project 8.T330701
U-2409
I. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The proposed project consists of the conversion of an existing
at-grade intersection into an interchange. The intersection to be
improved is that of US 13-70 with SR 1565 (Spencer Avenue-Best Road) in
Goldsboro (See Figure 1 for location map). The proposed project includes
building a structure (76 feet wide and 240 feet long) to carry SR 1565
over US 13-70 and building three ramps and one loop to complete a modified
diamond interchange (See Figure 2). The southern quadrants of the
interchange will each contain a ramp, while the northeastern quadrant will
contain a loop and a ramp. The northeastern quadrant's loop will serve
turning movements that would use a northwestern quadrant ramp. The
northwestern quadrant will not have a ramp. SR 1565 will be widened to a
five lane section across the structure to just north of the ramp
intersections. Existing SR 1565 already has five lanes south of US 13-70.
The project is included in the North Carolina Department of Trans-
portation s 1992-1998 Transportation Improvement Program. Construction is
scheduled to begin in fiscal year 1995. Most of the right of way for this
interchange was acquired in the early 1970's as part of the four laning of
US 70.
The improvements included in this project are to be made mostly
within the existing right of way and are not anticipated to result in
significant impacts to the existing human or natural environment. This
action is considered to be a "categorical exclusion" as defined by the
Federal Highway Administration's environmental guidelines (23 CFR
771.117).
The estimated costs of the proposed project are as follows:
New Bridge (76 ft. x 240 ft.) $ 875,500
Roadway (ramps, aux. lanes, curb & gutter, etc.) 1,775,700
Traffic Control (signing, signals, etc.) 164,000
Engineering and Contingencies (15%) 514,000
Right of Way (TIP estimate) 645,000
Other (erosion control, clearing, etc.) 7209800
$4,695,000
The cost estimate included in the December, 1991 TIP is $4,695,000.
The estimate includes $4,000,000 for construction, $645,000 for right of
way acquisition, and $50,000 spent in prior years.

2
II. EXISTING CONDITIONS
The subject section of US 13-70 is a four lane divided highway. Lane
widths are twelve feet, with two foot paved shoulders in the median and
ten foot paved shoulders on the outside. Median width is 40 feet. Right
of way width on this section of US 13-70 is 260 feet and there is partial
control of access.
SR 1565 is a five lane curb and gutter facility south of US 13-70.
North of US 13-70, SR 1565 has two lanes. SR 1630 (Forest Hills Drive) and
SR 1631 (North Park Drive) intersect SR 1565 north of US 13-70.
SR 1565 is classified as a minor collector and US 13-70 is classified
as an Urban Principal Arterial in the Statewide Functional Classification
System.
Traffic Volumes
The future traffic volumes for the subject intersection have taken
into consideration TIP project R-2554, a US 70 bypass of Goldsboro. The
bypass would improve conditions at the subject intersection, but
construction on R-2554 will not begin until sometime after 1997.
Traffic volumes at the subject intersection were estimated for the
construction year 1995 and the design year 2015. Two traffic estimates
for each year were made, one with the Goldsboro bypass in place and one
without the bypass. According to the estimate not considering the bypass
(the worst case), in the design year, daily volumes along US 13-70 will be
57,200 vehicles per day (vpd) west of SR 1565, and 42,900 vpd east of
SR 1565. Daily volumes along SR 1565 will be 23,600 vpd south of US 13-70
and 11,100 vpd north of US 13-70 (See Figure 3).
The existing intersection will operate at level of service (LOS) D by
1995 and LOS F by 2015. If Project R-2554 were completed by year 2015,
the intersection would still operate at LOS F.
The signalized intersections for the proposed US 13-70 ramps with
SR 1565 will operate at LOS C (south ramps) and LOS B (north ramps) in the
design year.
Accident Record
There were 98 accidents at the existing intersection from January 1,
1987 to November 30, 1990. Of these, 15 involved a vehicle turning left,
one involved a vehicle turning right, 51 were rear end collisions, and 31
were other types of accidents. No fatal accidents were reported during
the period. The accident rate for this segment of US 13-70 during the
reporting period was 2.12 accidents per million vehicle miles. For similar
facilities, the statewide rate was 1.63 accidents per million vehicle
miles.

3
III. PROJECT BENEFITS
The subject project will improve the capacity of US 13-70. The
proposed interchange will eliminate the need for the existing traffic
signal on US 13-70. In the design year, the existing intersection will
operate over capacity because the existing at-grade intersection cannot
accommodate the projected volumes.
The proposed project will also improve the safety of US 13-70 by
reducing the potential for rear end collisions. Left turns will be
eliminated, and right turns will be able to diverge from the traffic
stream with minimal disruption to through traffic.
The proposed project will also improve the capacity and safety of
SR 1565. Two signals are proposed at the ramps for the interchange.
These signals will have shorter cycle lengths than the signal at the
existing intersection. These signals will be coordinated with an existing
signal at a nearby shopping center.
As stated earlier, the existing intersection will operate at LOS F in
the design year. With the proposed interchange, the level of service for
both roadways in the design year will be no worse than LOS C.
IV. ALTERNATIVES
Recommended Alternative
The recommended alternative consists of converting the existing
intersection of US 13-70 with SR 1565 (Spencer Avenue-Best Road) into an
interchange. This will be accomplished by building a five lane, 76 foot,
structure to carry SR 1565 over US 13-70. Typical diamond-type ramps will
be constructed in the southeast and southwest quadrants. A loop and a
ramp will be constructed in the northeast quadrant. No construction will
be undertaken in the northwest quadrant. This will avoid direct impacts
to Billy Branch Creek which crosses this quadrant. This design, used to
determine the right of way limits when US 13-70 was widened in the 1970's,
will be sufficient to handle the traffic demands of the project area past
the design year of 2015. This is the preferred alternative.
Full Diamond Interchange
The possibility of building a full diamond interchange was studied
during the planning process. It was determined that several acres of
wetlands would be impacted by a diamond interchange, and some stream
rechannel ization would also be required. Additionally, a considerable
cost increase would be experienced due to the need to purchase right of
way in the northwest quadrant. This cost increase would far exceed the
TIP cost estimate for right of way. Due to the increased cost and
environmental impacts, a full diamond interchange will not be constructed.
4
"No-Build" Alternative
While the "no-build" alternative would save the expenditure of
transportation funds, the existing intersection will not be adequate for
the projected traffic demands of the immediate area. No significant
environmental impacts are associated with this project, and the proposed
interchange will be able to handle the projected traffic well past the
design year. For these reasons the "no-build" alternative has been
rejected.
V. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Cultural Resources
The State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) was contacted
regarding possible impacts on archaeological sites or historic structures
in the project area. Per their letter of August 6, 1991 the SHPO states
that it is unlikely there are archaeological sites or historic structures
in the area.
No adverse impacts on section 4(f) resources are anticipated due to
this project.
Local Plans
The proposed interchange is located in the Planning and Zoning
jurisdiction of the City of Goldsboro, the county seat of Wayne County.
The City adopted its Comprehensive Plan in 1989. This document provides
guidance for development in this city of over 40,000 residents. The
proposed project will improve access to existing and planned land uses
that typically generate high traffic volumes, therefore is compatible with
local plans.
Biological Impacts
There are two types of upland communities located in the study area;
the man dominated roadside community and the disturbed forest/shrub
community. A very large portion of the study area supports a man
dominated community of grasses and herbs. This community is maintained in
low growing condition by mowing. Impacted forest/shrub uplands north of
the proposed interchange exist as narrow strips of land adjacent to the
existing road.
Threatened/Endangered Species
As of August, 1991 one federally protected endangered species is
listed for Wayne County: the red-cockaded woodpecker, or RCW, Picoides
borealis). On June 25, 1991, surveys for RCW were done on a tree by tree
basis in the study area. No red-cockaded woodpeckers or cavity trees were
sighted. No suitable foraging habitat exists within the right of way for
the project. No impacts to the red-cockaded woodpecker are anticipated.
A low growing shrub, Nestronia Nestronia umbellul), is listed in
Wayne County by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a candidate species.
Candidate species are not afforded any legal protection at this time, but
the status may change. The project area supports suitable habitat for the
plant in the north quadrants.
Water Quality
No High Quality waters, Outstanding Resource Waters, or water supply
segments are located in the study area. Construction will adhere to strict
erosion controls to prevent siltation of nearby creeks.
Wetlands
Wetlands are located along Billy Branch Creek in the northeast and
northwest quadrants of the proposed interchange. A small impoundment is
located in the southwest quadrant. A portion of this stream in the study
area is highly disturbed and surrounded by man-dominated roadside
community. A narrow fringe of wetland vegetation borders the stream. The
stream is small and dissects the study area. No ramps will be built in the
northwest quadrant to minimize impacts on Billy Branch Creek.
Total wetlands impacts for this project are estimated to be 0.33
acres. The nationwide permit provisions of 33 CFR 330.5 (a) 23 are likely
to apply. Projects that fall under a nationwide permit and have less than
one acre of impacted wetlands are generally not mitigated. Best
Management Practices (BMP) should be implemented during construction to
minimize impacts to water resources.
The proposed project is not anticipated to have any significant
adverse impacts on the biological resources in the area.
Relocation Of Residences And Businesses
No residences or businesses will be displaced by this project.
Farmland
The Farmland Protection Policy Act requires all federal agencies or
their representatives to consider the impact of construction and land
acquisition projects on important farmland soils. However, soils which
may otherwise be prime or important, but are already converted to
non-agricultural uses are exempt from consideration under the Act. Most
of the land required for the proposed project has been previously acquired
by the Department of Transportation as right-of-way, and is therefore
converted to non-agricultural use. The remaining land to be impacted has
been converted by its commercial designation in Goldsboro's Comprehensive
Plan. Therefore, the project is exempt from further consideration o
possible farmland impacts.
Air Quality And Traffic Noise
The project is located within the Southern Coastal Plain Air Quality
Control Region. The ambient air quality for Wayne 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.
If vegetation is disposed of by burning, it shall be done in
accordance with applicable local laws and regulations of the North
Carolina SIP for air quality in compliance with NCAC 2D.0520.
The project consists of converting an existing at-grade intersection
to an interchange. The project will not substantially increase traffic
volumes along either facility. Therefore, the project's impact on noise
levels will be insignificant. Noise levels could increase during
construction, but the increase will be temporary.
This evaluation completes the assessment requirements of 23 CFR 772
(highway traffic noise) and 23 CFR 770 (air quality) and no additional
reports are required.
VI. COMMENTS AND COORDINATION
The following federal, state and local agencies were asked to offer
suggestions and provide environmental comments on the proposed project.
An asterisk indicates agencies from which written comments were received
(Written comments are included in the Appendix).
*Army Corps of Engineers
Environmental Protection Agency
*U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
U.S. Geological Survey
*U.S. Soil Conservation Service
*State Clearinghouse
*N.C. Dept. of Cultural Resources
N.C. Dept. of Human Resources
N.C.. Dept. of Public Instruction
*N.C. Dept. of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources
Neuse River Council of Governments
Wayne County Commissioners
*City of Goldsboro
The project was also coordinated with local officials.
VII. PERMITS AND APPROVALS
Estimated wetland impacts are less than one acre. The project is a
federally funded Categorical Exclusion. The nationwide permit provisions
of 33 CFR 330.5 (a) 23 are likely to be applicable.
State permits are administered through the Department of Environment,
Health and Natural Resources. A 401 Water Quality Certification will be
required for any activity which may result in a discharge into waters and
for which a federal permit is required.
JAM/plr
NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT 0.
TRANSPORTATION
DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS
PLANNING AND RESEARCH BRANC]
GOLDSBORO
US 13-70
PROPOSED INTERCHANGE AT
SR 1565 (SPENCER AVE.)
WAYNE COUNTY
U-2409
0 mi. 1/2
1 FIG.1