20001418 Ver 1_Complete File_20000918

N. C. DBPAOMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
TRANSMITTAL SLIP DATE
TOt REF. NO. OR ROOM. BLDG.
FROM.t RP. No. bR 11160M. BLDG.
ACTION
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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
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WATE1p l1M,1-1; SECTII
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
JAMES B. HUNT JR. P.O. BOX 25201, RALEIGH, N.C. 27611-5201 DAVID MCCOY
GOVERNOR ACTING SECRETARY
6 July 2000 5
Washington Regulatory Field Office ^??ut U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
P.O. Box 1000
Washington, North Carolina 27889-1000
ATTENTION: Mr. Mike Bell .--:7
NCDOT Coordinator ??? ?f J?,?_ ) •? `???
SUBJECT: Lenoir County, Bridge No. 11 and Bridge No. 13 on US 70 over
Bear Creek; Federal Aid No. STP-NC 99(2); State Project No.
8.1000021; TIP No. M-0341.
Dear Sir:
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (DOT) requests authorization
from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) under a Section 404 Nationwide
Permit 23 to replace Bridge No. 11 and Bridge No. 13 on US 70 over Bear Creek in
Lenoir County. Attached for your information is a copy of the project planning document
prepared by the DOT for the subject project and signed by the Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA) on June 6, 2000. The new bridges will be replaced in the same
location and at the same elevation as the existing structures. During project construction,
traffic will be maintained on a temporary bridge constructed in the median of US 70,
between the two existing bridges. Jurisdictional wetland boundaries were delineated at
the base of the existing fill slopes for US 70. Minor impacts to wetlands will occur to the
south of existing US 70 where fill slopes will be widened to accommodate the wider
bridge. Impacts to jurisdictional wetlands will be 0.064 acres of permanent fill and 0.20
acres of temporary clearing.
The project is being processed by the FHWA as a "Categorical Exclusion" (CE)
in accordance with 23 CFR 771.115(b). Therefore, the DOT does not anticipate
requesting a Section 404 Individual Permit but proposes to proceed under a Section 404
Nationwide Permit 23 in accordance with 61 Federal Re ig ster 65874, 65916, issued
December 13, 1996.

The DOT will follow general conditions on permits, Section 404 Nationwide 23.
The DOT will follow standard Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Bridge
Demolition and Removal. The DOT does not propose any compensatory mitigation for
impacts to wetlands.
Impacts to 0.106 acres of Neuse River buffers will occur. Bridges are defined as
an allowable use in accordance with 15A NCAC 213 0.0233(6). The DOT does not
propose any compensatory mitigation for impacts to Neuse River buffers.
Enclosed is a project design plan and the signed CE document. A copy of the CE
document has been provided to the North Carolina Department of Environment and
Natural Resources, Division of Water Quality (DWQ), for their review. The DOT asks
that the bridge replacement work be authorized under a Section 404 Nationwide Permit
23. By copy of this letter, the DOT requests that the DWQ issue the appropriate Section
401 Water Quality Certification.
If you have any questions or need any additional information, please contact Mr.
Jim Hauser at [phone], Extension 306.
Sincerely,

William D. Gilmore, PE, Manager
Planning and Environmental Branch
Attachments
cc: Mr. David Franklin, USAGE, Wilmington
Mr. John Dorney, NCDENR, DWQ
Mr. Calvin Leggett, P.E., Program Development Branch
Mrs. Debbie Barbour, P.E., State Highway Design Engineer
Mr. Dave Henderson, P.E., Hydraulics Unit
Mr. Tim Rountree, P.E., Structure Design Unit
Mr. John Alford, P.E., State Roadway Design Engineer
Mr. Neil Lassiter, P.E., Division 2 Engineer

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CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION ACTION CLASSIFICATION FORM
A
B
C
TIP Project No.
State Project No.
Federal Project No
Project Description:
M-341 (part) Damaged Site
8.1000021
STP-NC 99 (2)
Emergency Bridge Replacement - The purpose of this project is to replace Bridge
Nos. 11 and 13 (dual, parallel bridges) on US 70 over Bear Creek in Lenoir County.
US 70 is a 4-lane divided facility with a 46-foot (14 meter) median and a 260-foot (80
meter) right of way width. The new westbound structure will be a bridge
approximately 270 feet (82 meters) long and 38 feet (12 meters) wide. The new
eastbound bridge will be approximately 270 feet (82 meters) long and 50 feet (15
meters) wide. Normally, each bridge would provide two 12-foot (3.6 meter) lanes
plus a 10-foot (3 meter) offset on the outside lane and a 4-foot (1.2 meter) offset on
the inside lane. The purpose of the wider eastbound bridge is to ultimately
accommodate three lanes of traffic, since the planned Goldsboro Bypass (R-2554C)
ties in at this point. Approaches will include two 12 foot (3.6 meter) lanes and 10-foot
(3 meter) paved shoulders along the outside lane, and 4-foot (1.2 meter) paved
shoulders along the inside lane. Shoulders will be wider at the bridge and will widen
to at least 11 feet (3.3 meters) where guardrail is required.
Each bridge is to be replaced at the same location and roadway elevation as the
existing bridges, which were dislodged by floodwaters from Hurricane Floyd. The
duration of the contract for this project will be nearly 3 years. The existing traffic
flow will be modified (detoured in median) for approximately 2 years.
Traffic will be maintained by constructing a detour bridge (and approaches) in the
median. During construction, two lanes of traffic will be maintained in each direction,
except for a few days, when certain construction operations reduce the traffic flow to
one lane in each direction. These occasional reductions to one lane will not occur
during times of peak traffic flow.
Purpose and Need:
The bridges were damaged by flood waters during Hurricane Floyd and have
been temporarily repaired pending replacement.
Proposed Improvements:
The following Type II improvements which apply to the project are circled:
Modernization of a highway by resurfacing, restoration, rehabilitation,
reconstruction, adding shoulders, or adding auxiliary lanes (e.g., parking,
weaving, turning, climbing).
a. Restoring, Resurfacing, Rehabilitating, and Reconstructing pavement (3R
and 4R improvements)
b. Widening roadway and shoulders without adding through lanes
c. Modernizing gore treatments
d. Constructing lane improvements (merge, auxiliary, and turn lanes)
e. Adding shoulder drains
f. Replacing and rehabilitating culverts, inlets, and drainage pipes. including
safety treatments
g. Providing driveway pipes
h. Performing minor bridge widening (less than one through lane)
2. Highway safety or traffic operations improvement projects including the
installation of ramp metering control devices and lighting.
a. Installing ramp metering devices
b. Installing lights
c. Adding or upgrading guardrail
d. Installing safety barriers including Jersey type barriers and pier protection
e. Installing or replacing impact attenuators
f. Upgrading medians including adding or upgrading median barriers
g. Improving intersections including relocation and/or realignment
h. Making minor roadway realignment
i. Channelizing traffic
j. Performing clear zone safety improvements including removing hazards
and flattening slopes
k. Implementing traffic aid systems, signals, and motorist aid
1. Installing bridge safety hardware including bridge rail retrofit
O Bridge rehabilitation, reconstruction, or replacement or the construction of grade
separation to replace existing at-grade railroad crossings.
a. Rehabilitating, reconstructing, or replacing bridge approach slabs
b. Rehabilitating or replacing bridge decks
c. Rehabilitating bridges including painting (no red lead paint), scour repair,
fender systems, and minor structural improvements
® Replacing a bridge (structure and/or fill)
4. Transportation corridor fringe parking facilities.
5. Construction of new truck weigh stations or rest areas.
6. Approvals for disposal of excess right-of-way or for joint or limited use of right-
of-way, where the proposed use does not have significant adverse impacts.
7. Approvals for changes in access control.
8. Construction of new bus storage and maintenance facilities in areas used
predominantly for industrial or transportation purposes where such construction is
not inconsistent with existing zoning and located on or near a street with adequate
capacity to handle anticipated bus and support vehicle traffic.
9. Rehabilitation or reconstruction of existing rail and bus buildings and ancillary
facilities where only minor amounts of additional land are required and there is
not a substantial increase in the number of users.
10. Construction of bus transfer facilities (an open area consisting of passenger
shelters, boarding areas, kiosks, and related street improvements) when located in
a commercial area or other high activity center in which there is adequate street
capacity for projected bus traffic.
2
11. Construction of rail storage and maintenance facilities in areas used
predominantly for industrial or transportation purposes where such construction is
not inconsistent with existing zoning and where there is no significant noise
impact on the surrounding community.
12. Acquisition of land for hardship or protective purposes, advance land acquisition
loans under section 3(b) of the UMT Act. Hardship and protective buying will be
permitted only for a particular parcel or a limited number of parcels. These types
of land acquisition qualify for a CE only where the acquisition will not limit the
evaluation of alternatives, including shifts in alignment for planned construction
projects, which may be required in the NEPA process. No project development
on such land may proceed until the NEPA process has been completed.
D. Special Project Information:
Estimated Costs:
Permanent Structures (2) $ 2,090,000
Approaches $ 552,000
Median Detour & Approaches $ 1,034,000
Structure Removal $ 150,000
Right of Way $ 0
Engineering & Contingencies $ 574,000
Total $ 4,400,000
Estimated Traffic:
Current -
TTST -
Dual -
Design Speed:
70 mph
Functional Classification:
14,000 vehicles per day
7%
5%
(No Right of Way acquisition is required)
US 70 is classified as an Other Principal Arterial Route in the Statewide Functional
Classification system.
Bridge Demolition:
Bridge No. 13 is located on US 70 westbound over Bear Creek in Lenoir County. The
bridge deck is composed of concrete on continuous steel beams. The bridge substructure is
composed of concrete caps on concrete piles with some recently added timber supports. There is
potential for components of the deck and substructure to be dropped into Waters of the United
States. The resulting temporary fill associated with Bridge No. 13 is 140 cubic yards.
Bridge No. 11 is located on US 70 eastbound over Bear Creek in Lenoir County. The
bridge deck is composed of concrete on continuous steel beams. The bridge substructure is
composed of concrete caps on concrete piles with some recently added timber supports. There is
potential for components of the deck and substructure to be dropped into Waters of the United
States. The resulting temporary fill associated with Bridge No. 11 is 140 cubic yards.

E. Threshold Criteria
The following evaluation of threshold criteria must be completed for Type II actions
ECOLOGICAL YES NO
(1) Will the project have a substantial impact on any unique or
important natural resource`? X
(2) Does the project involve habitat where federally listed
endangered or threatened species may occur? X
?
(3) Will the project affect anadromous fish?
X
(4) If the project involves wetlands, is the amount of
permanent and/or temporary wetland taking less than
one-third (1/3) of an acre and have all practicable
measures to avoid and minimize wetland takings been
evaluated?
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
Will the project require the use of U. S. Forest Service lands?
Will the quality of adjacent water resources be adversely
impacted by proposed construction activities?
x C
o
?x
Does the project involve waters classified as Outstanding
Water Resources (OWR) and/or High Quality Waters (HQW)? ?
Will the project require fill in waters of the United States ?
in any of the designated mountain trout counties?
Does the project involve any known underground storage ?
tanks (UST's) or hazardous materials sites?
X
X
X
PERMITS AND COORDINATION YES NO
(10) If the project is located within a CAMA county, will the
project significantly affect the coastal zone and/or any
"Area of Environmental Concern" (AEC)? X
(11) Does the project involve Coastal Barrier Resources Act ?
resources? X
(12) Will a U. S. Coast Guard permit be required? ?
X
4
(13) Will the project result in the modification of any existing
regulatory floodway?
(14) Will the project require any stream relocations or channel
changes?
SOCIAL ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL RESOURCES YES
(15) Will the project induce substantial impacts to planned ?
growth or land use for the area'?
(16) Will the project require the relocation of any family or
business?
(17)
(18)
(19)
(20)
(21)
Will the project have a disproportionately high and
adverse human health and environmental effect on any minority ?
or low-income population?
If the project involves the acquisition of right of way, is the
amount of right of way acquisition considered minor? X
Will the project involve any changes in access control? ?
Will the project substantially alter the usefulness and/or land
use of adjacent property?
Will the project have an adverse effect on permanent local
traffic patterns or community cohesiveness?
(22) Is the project included in an approved thoroughfare plan
and/or Transportation Improvement Program (and is,
therefore, in conformance with the Clean Air Act of 1990)9
(23) Is the project anticipated to cause an increase in traffic
volumes?
(24) Will traffic be maintained during construction using existing
roads, staged construction, or on-site detours?
(25) If the project is a bridge replacement project, will the bridge be
replaced at its existing location (along the
existing facility) and will all construction proposed in
association with the bridge replacement project be contained on
the existing facility?
(26) Is there substantial controversy on social, economic, or
environmental grounds concerning the project?
(27) Is the project consistent with all Federal, State, and local laws
Lr'J?
u
X
X
X
X
NO
X
X
X
X
X
X
0
F___1
5
relating to the environmental aspects of the project? X 0
(28) Will the project have an "effect" on structures/properties
eligible for or listed on the National Register of Historic Places? ?
X
(29) Will the project affect any archaeological remains, which are
important to history or pre-history? X
(30) Will the project require the use of Section 4(f) resources
(public parks, recreation lands, wildlife and waterfowl refuges,
historic sites, or historic bridges, as defined in
Section 4(f) of the U. S. Department of Transportation Act of
1966)? X
(31) Will the project result in any conversion of assisted public
recreation sites or facilities to non-recreation uses, as
defined by Section 6(f) of the Land and Water Conservation
Act of 1965, as amended? X

(32) Will the project involve construction in, across, or
adjacent to a river designated as a component of or
proposed for inclusion in the Natural System of Wild and
Scenic Rivers? X
F. Additional Documentation Reuuired for Unfavorable Responses in Part E
(Discussion regarding all unfavorable responses in Part E should be provided below.
Additional supporting documentation may be attached, as necessary.)
None
6
G. CE Approval
TIP Project No
State Project No.
Federal-Aid Project No
Project Description:
See Part A, page 1.
M-341 (part)
Damaged Site
8.1000021
STP-NC 99 (2)
Categorical Exclusion Action Classification:
X TYPE II(A)
TYPE II(B)
Approved:
4 -Do
_,J ^V
Date Assistant Manager
Project Development & Environmental Analysis Branch
6 _e_00 k 1a n L</,'.-;
Date Project 'Planning Unit Head
Project Development & Environmental Analysis Branch

Date Project Develop ent ngineer
Project Development & Environmental Analysis Branch
For Type II(B) projects only:
Not Required
Date Division Administrator
Federal Highway Administration
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North Carolina Department of
Transportation
Division of Highways
Project Development &
Environmental Analysis Branch
a
Lenoir County
Replace Bridge Nos 11 & 13
On US 70 over Bear Creek
M-341 (part) Damaged Site
SCALE: 1 in = 1 mi Figure 1

PROJECT COMMITMENTS

Replacement of Bridge Nos. 11 & 13
on US 70 over Bear Creek
Lenoir County
Federal-Aid No. STP-NC 99 (2)
State Project No. 8.1000021
TIP. No. M-341 (part) Damaged Site
Commitments Developed Through Project Development and Design
Division 2 (Resident Engineer)
During construction, traffic flow will be occasionally reduced to one lane in each
direction. Any reduction to one lane flow will not occur during peak traffic periods.
Roadway Design Unit, Roadside Environmental Unit, Division 2 Construction,
Structure Design Unit
NCDOT will adhere to the Best Management Practices (BMPs) for "Bridge
Demolition and Removal" during this project.
Green Sheet
Programmatic Categorical Exclusion
June 1, 2000
Page 1 of 1