20110136 Ver 1_Handouts_20061010

CONCURRENCE MEETING
INFORMATION PACKET
FOR YOUR REVIEW
PRIOR TO MEETING
OCTOBER 26, 2006
PROJECT ENGINEER
ELMO VANCE
R -2812
Please bring this packet
to the meeting.
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AGENDA
Eastern Concurrence Meeting
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Board Room, Transportation Building
Raleigh, North Carolina
10:30 AM to 12 :00 Noon, Elmo Vance, Project Planning Engineer, PDEA Branch
TIP No. R -2$12, NC 211 Improvements from NC 73 in West End to the traffic circle
in Pinehurst.
Moore County, Division 8
Team Members:
Richard Spencer, USACE
Elmo Vance, PDEA
Felix Davila, FHWA
Chris Militscher, USEPA
Gary Jordan, USFWS
Travis Wilson, WRC'
Polly Lespinasse, DWQ
Sarah McBride, SHPO
Pat Strong, Triangle Area RPO (non - signatory)
NCDOT Technical Support Staff and Other Agency Staff:
Tim Johnson, Division S
Jay Twisdale, Hydraulics
James Goodnight, Roadway Design
Tim Goins, Roadway Design
Jamille Robbins, HEU
Mary Pope Furr, HEU
Rachelle Beauregard, NEU
John Conforti, PDEA
Eric Midkiff, PDEA
* The purpose of this meeting is the reach concurrence on CP 3 and 4A.

North Carolina Department of Transportation
Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
R
CID
C
TR
Pinehurst, Moore County
Widen NC 211
From NC 73 in West End
to the traffic circle in Pinehurst
TIP PROJECT R -2812
CONCURRENCE POINTS 3 AND 4A
October 26, 2006

least Environmentally Damaginu Practicable Alternative (LEDPA)/Preferred Alternative
Selection Concurrence Point 3 and Avoidance and Minimization Concurrence Point 4A
Meeting
Pur ose of Today's Meetin
The purpose of today's meeting is to discuss the proposed alternatives and to select the
LEDPA/Preferred Alternative. Moreover, if time permits, we will discuss avoidance and
minimization efforts, Concurrence Point 4A. Formal concurrence on Concurrence Point Three and
possibly Concurrence Point 4A will be requested upon conclusion of this meeting; this will be
accomplished by the signing of the concurrence form.
Purpose of Proiect
The purpose of the proposed project is to improve the level of safety along NC 211 and to improve
the traffic carrying capacity to meet the needs of existing and anticipated development in the project
area,
Proiect Description
The North Carolina Department of Transportation proposes to widen NC 211 from NC 73 in West
End to the traffic circle in Pinehurst, Moore County. Two different cross sections are proposed; a
four -lane divided curb and gutter section and a four -lane divided shoulder section. Both cross
sections will have a raised median with median breaks at major intersecting roads. The project is 7.2
miles in length. The project location is shown on the attached map
Proiect Status Matrix
Activity
Date Completed
Scoping Meeting
October 1, 1998
Concurrence Point One
August 9, 2001
Citizens Informational Workshop
January 30, 2002
Concurrence Point Two
Aril 11, 2002
2° d Concurrence Point Two Meeting
December 11, 2002
Concurrence Point 2A
Waived per Merger Team recommendation on May 26, 2004
Public Hearing
Aril 10, 2006
Concurrence Point Three
October 26, 2006
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
One alignment alternative for the widening of NC 211 was carried forward in the EA, the "Best -fit"
Alternative. This alternative proposes to widen NC 211 to a multilane facility from NC 73 in West
End to the traffic circle in Pinehurst and utilizes a combination of north side, south side, and
symmetrical widening in order to avoid and minimize impacts to the existing natural and human
environments.
Four wetland areas along existing NC 211 in the vicinity of the project were identified. In the area
of these four wetlands, NCDOT studied four widening alternatives for each wetland area;
Symmetrical widening, North -side widening, South -side widening, and a "Best -fit" widening

alternative. Wetland impacts and property impacts were calculated for each alignment alternative.
Me alignment alternatives and their associated impacts at each wetland were reviewed by the
environmental resource agencies and a recommended widening alternative was developed. The
recommended widening alternative in the vicinity of each wetland was then incorporated into the
one "Best-fit" alignment alternative.
Alternative 1 (Best Fit) proposes to widen NC 211 symmetrically from the western terminus at NC
73 to approximately 175 feet east of the NC 21 UNC 73 intersection. From this point, Alternative 1
proposes north side widening of NC 211 to its intersection with SR 1004 (Hoffman Road), a distance
of approximately 4450 feet. North side widening was chosen for this portion of NC 211 due to the
close proximity of the Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railroad, located immediately south of existing
NC 211. East of SR 1004 (Hoffman Road), the widening transitions back to a symmetrical widening
scheme for approximately 1850 feet. From this point to the NC 211 intersection with NC 5, the
widening of NC 211 transitions between north side widening and south side widening to minimize
impacts to existing properties, wetlands, and streams. From the NC 211/NC 5 intersection, the
project proposes to widen NC 211 symmetrically to the intersection of NC 211 and SR 1208 (Page
Road). From SR 1208 (Page Road) to the eastern project terminus at the traffic circle in Pinehurst,
the project proposes north side widening of NC 211 to minimize impacts to existing residential
properties located on the south side, immediately adjacent to NC 211.
The Village of Pinehurst requested a pedestrian tunnel. NCDOT will share in the cost of
constructing this tunnel with the Village of Pinehurst.
Typical Section Alternatives
Two typical section alternatives were studied for the proposed project; a four -lane median divided
facility with curb and gutter, and a four -lane median divided facility with grass shoulders. The
typical section alternative, which includes curb and gutter, will require approximately 100 feet of
right of way; the grass shoulder alternative will require 150 feet of right of way. Temporary
construction easements of both sides of the project may be required. Permanent drainage easements
may be required in some areas along the proposed project. Sidewalks have been requested by the
Village of Pinehurst.

T able 1. Anticitiated Impacts for Alternatives
Category
Curb and Gutter (Alt. #1)
Grass Shoulder (Alt. #2)
Length
7.2 miles
7.2 miles
Wetlands
1.00 acre **
1 l2' acres
a
Stream
353 feet **
39 feet *'
Noise Receptors
14
14
Hazardous Material Sites
Prime Agricultural Lands
14*
0
14*
0
Forest
12.2 acre
12.2 acre
Protected Species
1***
1 * * *
Historic Properties
0
0
4 (f) Properties
0
0
Churches
0
0
Schools
0
0
ET Communities
0
0
Air Quality
No
No
Critical Water Supplies
No
No
Relocatecs (Residents)
13
14
Relocatees (Businesses)
*These UST's are potentially affected and will not necessarily be impacted by the proposed project
* *Denotes a revision of the wetland and stream impacts since the completion of the environmental assessment. The
revisions are a result of reviewing the latest proposed "curb and gutter" and "shoulder" section designs.
** *The US Fish and Wildlife Service has determined that the project "May affect but is not likely to affect" the red
cockaded woodpecker

Table 2. Preliminary Hydraulic Design for Stream Crossin of US 21
RCBC Reinforced Concrete Box Culvert
CSP Corrugated Steel Pipe
CSSPA Corrugated Structural Steel Plate Arch
Table 3. Potential Stream Impacts
`Y+xjstm'tructe.
Struct'i�Re�1E
}} ((•
Clt�ssingSssVf
E_ i��,�tsed.
&y[P�i'?.�T T,$�4
_
9�kiM
1
Fork
Remove extension and retain and
RCBC CSP
Joe's
w172" extension
extend existing RCBC
2
Tributary of Joe's
Remove extension and retain and
RCBC CSSPA
Fork
wl extension
extend existing RCBC
RCBC Reinforced Concrete Box Culvert
CSP Corrugated Steel Pipe
CSSPA Corrugated Structural Steel Plate Arch
Table 3. Potential Stream Impacts
Table 4. Potential Wetland Impacts
Wetland Description
Four wetlands are found in the project study area. Three of these four wetlands are adjacent to small
streams and are classified as streamhead pocosin. These wetlands may also fit the description of
`coastal plain small stream swamp variant,' which is found geographically downstream of
streamhead pocosin communities as streams become larger. The coastal plain small stream swamp
variant as represented by Schafale and Weakley (1990) describes streams draining from streamhead
Cdrb1uter(lt..'
Gass Slc�uXel•�t
Joe's Fork
100 ft
38 ft
121 ft
50.00 ft
( -L- Sia.245 +00)
Trib. to Joe's Fork
149 ft
181 ft
(- L -Sta. 269 +00)
Board Branch
19 ft
48 ft
47 ft
(- L -Sta. 340 +00)
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Table 4. Potential Wetland Impacts
Wetland Description
Four wetlands are found in the project study area. Three of these four wetlands are adjacent to small
streams and are classified as streamhead pocosin. These wetlands may also fit the description of
`coastal plain small stream swamp variant,' which is found geographically downstream of
streamhead pocosin communities as streams become larger. The coastal plain small stream swamp
variant as represented by Schafale and Weakley (1990) describes streams draining from streamhead

pocosins that are characterized by exhibiting an abundance of dense pocosin shrubs with a canopy
comprised of predominately Nyssa biflora and Acer rubrum.
Dominant species in the wetlands include swamp black gum (Nyssa biflora) and red maple (Acer
rt-ihrum) with tulip poplar and sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) on slightly higher ground. Pond
pine (Pinus serotina) is also commonly found in these wet areas. Shrubs such as ti -ti (Cyrilla
racemiflora), sweet pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia), horse sugar (Symplocos tincloria), fetter -bush
(Lyonia lucida), blueberry, bayberry (Myrica heterophylla), chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia), possum
haw (Viburnum nudum) and the woody herb, giant cant (Arundinaria gigantea) were characteristic
of these systems. Other wetland herbs such as rushes (Juncus spp.), cinnamon fern (Osmunda
ci,niiamomea), royal fern (Osmunda regalis), netted chain fern (Woodwardia areolata), nodding
ladies' tresses (Spiranthes cernua) and the vine, laurel- leaved greenbrier (Smilax laurifolia) occurred
throughout the wetland. When standing water was present, emergent herbs such as golden club
(Orontium aquaticum) and arrow -arum (Peltandra virginica) flourished.
Weiland 1— The majority of Wetland -1 occurs on the south side of NC 211 and is intact and
relatively undisturbed. To the north is a pond, (and adjacent wetland) created by the damming of
Joe's Fork.
Wetland 2 — South of NC 211, an unnamed tributary to Joe's Fork originates from an upstream lake.
Wetland -2 is associated with this tributary and this wetland occurs on both sides of NC 211.
Hydrology in this wetland (south side) is likely supplemented by groundwater seeps as the wetland
boundary extends far uphill from the tributary. Evergreen shrubs, typical of streamhead pocosins,
are found here along with poison sumac. North of NC 211, the tributary and adjacent wetland are
heavily impacted with sediment, perhaps due to construction of a water line and fill from a newly
constructed and aband(mrd-apartment dwelling.
Wetland 3 — This wetland, located north of NC 211, is created by a partially blocked pipe seeping to
the north side of the road. This wetland contains many of the species listed above with the addition
of poison sumac (Rhus vernix). This wetland is contiguous to a small pond situated close to the
road.
Wetland 4 - Board Branch is braided and meandering, south of NC 211 and is more characteristic of
a wetland than a stream. Board Branch is contiguous with Wetland -4 and this wetland contains an
abundance of Chinese privet, an invasive species. The emergent rxracrophyte, arrow -arum, is found
throughout the wetland in standing water.
Stream Descriptions
Three streams are crossed by NC 211 and would be affected by the highway widening. All
streams are located in the Cape Fear Basin in subbasin 14 (03- 06 -14). The three streams in the
project study area include Joe's Fork (Index No. 18- 23 -3 -1), which is associated with Wetland -1, an
unnamed tributary to Joe's Fork associated with Wetland -2, and Board Branch (Index No. 18- 23 -3 -1-
1) which is associated with Wetland -4. Board Branch is also referred to as McLeod Branch and
Broad Branch on some maps. All streams on the project empty into Joe's Fork. North of the project
study area, the unnamed tributary flows for less than 0.5 mile before reaching Joe's Fork, and Board
Branch flows a little over a mile before reaching Joe's Fork. Joe's Fork then flows into Nicks Creek
which joins the Little River, and eventually empties into the Cape Fear River.

B est Usage Classification
The NC Division of Water Quality (NCDWQ) assigns streams a best usage classification.
The three streams on this project carry the Classification of WS III (NCDENR 2002). The
cl wsification of WS III refers to those waters protected as water supplies that are generally in low to
rrroderately developed watersheds. Local programs to control non -point source and stormwater
pollution are required. Water Supply III waters are also suitable for all Class C uses, such as aquatic
lifepropagation and survival, fishing, wildlife, secondary recreation and agriculture.
Joe's Fork - Joe's Fork is 4 ft wide with fast - flowing clear water, 9 to 24 inches depth. Stream
sribstrate was sandy with abundant woody debris.
Unnamed tributary to Joe's Fork - South of NC 211, this unnamed tributary to Joe's Fork originates
fronr an upstream lake. This stream (Ut -1) is 5.0 ft wide and up to 1 ft deep, with clear water and
fairly swift flow. North of NC 211, this tributary and adjacent wetland are heavily impacted with
sediment, perhaps due to construction of a water line and fill from a newly constructed and
abandoned apartment dwelling.
Board Branch - Board Branch is braided and meandering, south of NC 211 and is more characteristic
of a wetland than a stream. Board Branch is contiguous with Wetland4. This stream has a more
defined channel as it approaches NC 211 and flows under the road to the north. It then appears
ch.annelized and flows through a powerline ROW before entering woods. Board Branch is
approximately 5.0 ft wide and up to 18 in deep.
Proiect Schedule /Cost
Improvements to NC 211 are federally funded. This project is included in NCDOT's latest approved
Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Right of way acquisition is scheduled in the 2006 -2012
TEP for federal fiscal year 2007 and construction is scheduled to begin in federal fiscal year 2009.
Minimization
Minimization efforts have taken place continually throughout the planning process. NCDOT studied
various widening scenarios that achieved the purpose of the proposed project and minimized impacts
to the environment. NCDOT developed the "Best Fit " alignment with the Merger Team in order to
minimize impacts to the hurnan and natural environment. The Merger Team reviewed the
preliminary plans on December 11, 2002 and concurred that the `Best Fit" alternative was the
preferred.
Other minimization to date;
-Leave current drainage structures in place and accommodate widening by extending the two
existing culverts
-The NCDOT preferred alternative would use a curb and gutter typical section for a portion of the
project which narrows the project footprint.
-The NCDOT preferred alternative would reduce the typical, section by using the curb and gutter
instead of a shoulder section along a portion of the project.

- Steeper fill slopes (2:1) were used along the curb and gutter section, reducing the project footprint.
-A 23 -foot raised island, the narrowest acceptable median width, is recommended. This median
w idth will reduce the project's footprint.
N CDOT Preferred Alternative
NCDOT prefers an alternative that is a combination of Alternatives 1 and 2.6
From the Traffic Circle to Archie Road, NCDOT prefers Alternative 1, a 4 -lane divided facility with
curb and gutter. The majority of this section of NC 211 is located within the Village of Pinehurst
midis more urban in character than the rest of the project. The Village is interested in incorporating
pedestrian and bicycle accommodations within their jurisdictional area. Pedestrian accommodations
are more easily provided along a curb and gutter facility. Also, the West Pine Middle School is
located within this section, and Moore County has expressed interest in pedestrian accommodations
near the school. Additionally a curb and gutter facility dictates a slower speed limit (45 mph or
less), that is in line with the Village's vision and promotes safety for bicyclists and pedestrians. The
Village of Pinehurst and the Triangle J Council of Governments support a curb and gutter facility in
this section of the project.
From Archie Road to NC 73, NCDOT prefers Alternative 2, 4 -lane divided facility with shoulders.
This section of NC 211 is more rural in character with very little pedestrian and bicycle activity.
The proposed speed limit along this section of NC 211 (50 mph) is more conducive to a shoulder
section facility, and sidewalks are not anticipated to be part of the project's construction through this
area.
Potential environmental impacts with NCDOT's preferred'alternative are similar to the impacts for
the curb and gutter alternatives.
Public Hearing Comments
The Combined Public Hearing was held on April 10, 2006 at the West Pine Middle School in
Pinehurst. Approximately 115 citizens attended the public hearing. Public Hearing Maps showing
both design alternatives detailing the proposed widening alignment, the construction limits, and
existing property lines for homes and businesses were available for the public's review. The majority
of the comments received at hearing pertained to impacts to individual properties.
• Seven Lanes Civic Group recommended a shoulder section for the western end of the project for
a higher posted speed limit. The group also wanted to shift the proposed alignment to the south
from West End to the Westgate Commercial area.
• Some business owners were concern that the proposed median would reduce access; therefore,
hurting businesses.

1
NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION
DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS BRANCH
Pinchurst
NC 211 from NC 7' ) in West End
to east of SR 1208 in Pinchurst
Moore County
TIP Project No. R -2812
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