20111075 Ver 1_Merger Process Documentation_20080117

Concurrence Point 2A/3/4A
NEPA/404 Merger Team Meeting
TIP Project No. R-2583
WBS No. 35489
US 158
From the Murfreesboro Bypass to US 13 West of Winton
Hertford County
January 17, 2008
Transportation Building Board Room
Purpose of Meeting:
The purpose of this meeting is to submit information to the Merger Team on the alternatives
that have been studied in detail and to reach concurrence on Point 2A (Bridging Decisions
and Final Alternatives to Carry Forward), Concurrence Point 3 (Least Environmentally
Damaging Practicable Alternative) and Concurrence Point 4A (Avoidance and Minimization)
for TIP Project No. R-2583.
Agenda for Meeting:
• Project Description and Status
• Discussion of Bridging Locations and Alignment Review
• LEDPA Decision
• Discussion of Avoidance and Minimization efforts
• Comments and Questions
Project Planning Engineer: Brad Smythe, P.E.
[phone] extension 252
[e-mail]

R-2583 Merger Team Meeting
Concurrence Points 2A, 3, 4A
January 17, 2008
Project Description
TIP Project R-2583 involves the widening of US 158 in Hertford County to a multi-
lane facility from the Murfreesboro Bypass to US 13 West of Winton (Figure 1). The total
length of the project is currently listed at 8.3 miles. According to the Draft 2008-2015 TIP,
right-of--way acquisition for the project is scheduled to begin in state fiscal year 2010, with
construction to begin in state fiscal year 2012. The current estimated total cost, as listed in
the Draft TIP, is approximately $44,978,000.
The US 158 intrastate corridor extends from Winston-Salem to Whalebone and is
listed as one of North Carolina's Strategic Highway Corridors. Within the project limits, US
158 is a two-lane highway. There is currently no access control along the project section, as
evidenced by numerous driveways and small streets that intersect the project. All
intersections are at-grade crossings. Mapleton is the only populated community within the
project limits. The existing highway extends between scattered residences, agricultural fields,
and wooded areas. US 158 crosses Potecasi Creek within the project limits; the current
crossing consists of a two-lane bridge approximately 119 feet in length.
Project Schedule/Cost
Right-of way acquisition for the project is scheduled to being in federal fiscal year
2010 and construction is scheduled to begin in federal fiscal year 2012.
The most recent cost estimates for the project are as follows:
Right of Way/IJtilities
Construction
Total:
Current Estimate Range:
$ 8,150,000 - $ 8,830,000
$35,100,000 - $38,100,000
$43,580,000 - $46,450,000
Purpose and Need
The merger team agreed to the project's purpose and need at the merger team meeting
on January 15, 2003. The purpose of the project is to:
Provide system linkage;
Support economic development; and
Ensure future safety along the project limits on US 158 in Hertford County.

R-2583 Merger Team Meeting
Concurrence Points 2A, 3, 4A
January 17, 2008
Detailed Study Alternatives Carried Forward
Concurrence Point 2 was approved by the Merger Team on May 19, 2005. The team
agreed to carry the following alternatives forward for detailed study: Alternatives A, B, and
C.
Alternative A: Widen on Existing
This alternative would widen the roadway entirely on its existing location. The
alternative includes the construction of a new, two-lane bridge over Potecasi Creek north of
the existing structure. The existing Potecasi Creek Bridge would be replaced.
Alternative B: Widen on Existing with Northern Bypass
This alternative is the same as Alternative A with the exception of a new location
section north of the Mt. Tabor Church Road (SR 1176) intersection. The new location section
would serve to straighten the existing curve as well as to avoid impacts to the nearby Mt.
Tabor Baptist Church property. This alternative would also include a new crossing of
Potecasi Creek in the form of a two-lane bridge to be located north of the existing crossing.
The existing Potecasi Creek Bridge would be replaced in the same location with a longer
bridge.
Alternative C: Widen on Existing with Southern Bypass
This alternative is the same as Alternative A with the exception of a new location
section east of Mt. Tabor Church Road (SR 1176). The new location section would both
straighten the existing curve as well as avoid impacts to the historic church property. This
alternative would include the construction of new dual two-lane bridges over Potecasi Creek,
both to be located south of the existing crossing. If this alternative is selected, the existing
Potecasi Creek Bridge along with some causeway would be removed for mitigation.
Mapleton Service Road Option
The Mapleton Service Road option was developed after the last merger meeting to
address relocation impact to this minority community. This alternative would build afour-
lane typical section on new location, south of the existing two lanes in the Mapleton
community. This alternative decreases impacts to this minority community and would leave
the existing two lanes in place as a service road to the homes on the north side of the
roadway. This option forms alternatives A2, B2, and C2.

R-2583 Merger Team Meeting
Concurrence Points 2A, 3, 4A
January 17, 2008
Concurrence Point 2A
Bridging Decisions and Alignment Review
Table 1 shows the summary of impacts for each alternative. Tables 2 & 3 show the
wetland and stream impacts recalculated based on current designs.
Along the eight-mile corridor, there are two major drainage features that most likely
require concurrence from the Merger Team. The first location is the crossing of Potecasi
Creek. This creek flows from south to north across each of the alternatives and drains
approximately 238 square miles, eventually flowing into the Chowan River. The existing US
158 roadway crosses this creek with a bridge approximately 120 feet long. Alternatives A
and B utilize the existing alignment through this location and propose to replace the existing
bridge with dual bridges, approximately 200 feet long. Alternative C proposes a new
location segment that requires the construction of dual bridges, approximately 200 feet long,
south of the existing bridge location. In Alternative C, the existing bridge will be removed
for mitigation, along with as much of the causeway as possible.
The second location involves Mill Branch, which passes under the existing roadway
via a culvert with three additional culverts within the wetland system adjacent to the creek.
NCDOT was asked at the Concurrence Point 2 meeting to investigate building a bridge at
this location in place of the existing culvert. NCDOT evaluated this option. Due to the
current vertical alignment at this location, the construction of a bridge results in the raising of
the roadway grade by approximately 8.5 feet. In turn, this increases the roadway footprint on
the approach to the bridge. In addition, replacing the culvert with a bridge, will require the
construction of an onsite detour, further increasing wetland impacts, albeit temporarily for
construction.
Hydraulic recommendations are shown in Table 4 of this document. This provides a
summary for decision making.

R-2583 Merger Team Meeting
Concurrence Points 2A, 3, 4A
January 17, 2008
Concurrence Point 3
Selection of the Least Environmentally Damaging Practicable Alternative
(LEDPA/Preferred Alternative)
Public Hearing Update:
Of the comments received after the public hearing, over forty responses were in favor
of Alternative C, which builds four lanes on new location to the south of the Church. The
residents were concerned with impacts to the church, cemetery, and residences in the area.
Although not represented in the written comments received, the Mapleton Service Road
Option, which saves 15 homes, was also preferred over the widen existing alternative
through Mapleton. This is based on discussions with members of the public who attended
the Public Hearing in July.
Discussion of Sections/Alternatives:
Mapleton Service Road Option vs. Widen on existing:
• Service Road saves 15 relocations.
• Service Road impacts more wetlands/streams/farmland. (See Tables 2 & 3)
Alternative A (Widen Existing):
• Fewer natural environment impacts.
• Undesirable curves in Mt. Tabor Church area.
• Impacts Mt. Tabor Church and Cemetery.
Alternative B (Northern):
• Eliminates curve at Mt. Tabor Church.
• Avoids impacts to Church and Cemetery.
• More wetland/stream impacts than A and C.
Alternative C (Southern):
• Eliminates curve at Mt. Tabor Church.
• Avoids impacts to Church and Cemetery.
• More wetland/stream impacts than A but less than B. Higher quality impacts than B.
• Requires new location, for bridging Potecasi Creek, but would remove existing bridge.
NCDOT Preferred:
After considering all factors, NCDOT proposes Alternative C with the Mapleton
Service Road option as its preferred alternative.

R-2583 Merger Team Meeting
Concurrence Points 2A, 3, 4A
January 17, 2008
Concurrence Point 4A
Avoidance and Minimization
• Existing Potecasi Creek Bridge will be replaced with a longer bridge for both the A or B
alternatives.
• Part of the US 158 causeway will be removed for the C alternative.
• Alternatives B and C were added to the project to avoid impacts to the Historic Mount
Tabor Baptist Church and its cemetery.
• The Mapleton Service Road alternative was included as an alternative to minimize
impacts to the minority community as well as to the Historic Britt Store.
• The alignment has been shifted to the south near Mill Branch, which reduced impacts to
wetlands WD, WC, and WB. This shift also results in avoiding impacts to the electrical
sub-station located just west of Parkers Ferry Road.
• At the east end of the project, widening was done to the north to minimize impacts to
wetland WA.

R-2583 Merger Team Meeting
Concurrence Points 2A, 3, 4A
January 17, 2008
Table 1
R-2583 Resources Impact Table
(Rev. 12/07)
Resource Im acted A A2 B ~ B2 C C2
Len h (mi.) 8.2 8.2 8.1 8.1 8.1 8.1
Len h of B ass (mi.) None None 0.95 0.95 1.33 1.33
Railroad Crossings None None None None None None
Residential Relocations 37 22 38 23 34 19
Business Relocations 2 2 2 2 2 2
Major Utility Crossings 3 3 3 3 3 3
Historic Pro erties 1 1 None None None None
Archaeological Sites 1 1 1 1 1 1
Cemeteries 1 1 None None None None
Wetland Im acts (ac.) 4.64 5.41 5.90 6.68 5.47 6.24
Stream Irri acts (l.f.) 1311 1346 1909 1944 1855 1890
100-Year Floodplain Crossin s 3 3 3 3 3 3
Water Supply Watershed
Protected Areas None None None None None None
Hazardous S ill Basin Areas None None None None None None
Anadromous Fish Spawning
Area 1 1 1 1 1 1
Impacted Noise Receptors None None None None None None
Federally Protected Species
w/in Corridors
None
None
None
None
None
None
State Listed Species w/in
Corridor2 None None None None None None
Prime, Unique, and Important
Farmland (ac.) 126 134 137 145 137 145
Low Income Population
Im acts yes No Yes No Yes No
Minority Po ulation Im acts Yes No Yes No Yes No
Construction Cost (In Millions) $35.1 $35.3 $36.1 $36.3 $37.9 $38.1
Right-of--Way Cost (In
Millions) $g 68 $8.28 $8.83 $8.43 $8.55 $8.15
Total Cost (In Millions) $43.78 $43.58 $44.93 $44.73 $46.45 $46.25
There is only one Federally protected species listed for Hertford County; the Red-cockaded
woodpecker (Picoides borealis) is listed as endangered at the Federal and State levels. There are no
records of the Red-cockaded woodpecker within one mile of the study area. While limited suitable
habitat does exist within the study area, no individuals or nest cavities of this species were observed
during a site visit.
zThe Chowanoke Crayfish (Orconectes virginiensis) is listed as FSC by the USFWS and SC with the
State. Though there is potential habitat for this species within the study area, the NCNHP database
shows no occurrence of FSC within one mile of the study area.

R-2583 Merger Team Meeting
Concurrence Points 2A, 3, 4A
January 17, 2008
Table 2
R-2583 Summary of Wetland Impacts
(Rev. 12/07)
Location Wetland Alternative Wetland Im acts
in Fig. 2 Wetland ID Rating A A2 B B2 C C2
1 W S S 51 0.002 0.002 0.002 0.002 0.002 0.002
1 WTT 51 0.147 0.147 0.147 0.147 0.147 0.147
1 WRR NR 0.018 0.018 0.018 0.018 0.018 0.018
2 WPP 68 0.615 1.392 0.615 1.392 0.615 1.392
2 WNN NR 0.017 0.016 0.017 0.016 0.017 0.016
2 WMM NR 0.023 0.023 0.023 0.023 0.023 0.023
2 WLL NR 0.591 0.591 0.666 0.666 0.591 0.591
2 WKK NR 0.096 0.096 0.265 0.265 0.096 0.096
2 WHH NR 0.149 0.149 1.061 1.061 0.126 0.126
2 WJJ 67 0.140 0.140 0.085 0.085
2 WGG 21 0.022 0.022
2 WFF NR 0.036 0.036
2 WEE NR 0.187 0.187
2 WZ NR 0.075 0.075 0.075 0.075
2,3 WCC 75 0.020 0.020
2,3 WV300 75 1.422 1.422
3 WY 59 0.029 0.029 0.029 0.029
3 WT NR 0.391 0.391 0.391 0.391
3 WS NR 0.094 0.094 0.094 0.094
3 WX NR 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.066 0.066
3 WM 57 0.011 0.011 0.011 0.011
3 WK NR 0.033 0.033 0.033 0.033 0.033 0.033
4 WE NR 0.010 0.010 0.010 0.010 0.010 0.010
4 WG 28 0.140 0.140 0.140 0.140 0.140 0.140
4 WF NR 0.004 0.004 0.004 0.004 0.004 0.004
4 WD 83 1.487 1.487 1.487 1.487 1.487 1.487
4 WC 50 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000
4 WB NR 0.003 0.003 0.003 0.003 0.003 0.003
4 WA 25 0.563 0.563 0.563 0.563 0.563 0.563
TOTAL ACRES IMPACTED 4.6 5.4 5.9 6.7 5.5 6.2
Impact in EA 2.90 3.66 3.66 4.48 3.70 3.94
Impact in Merger App 2.900 3.988 3.663 4.810 5.578 6.142

R-2583 Merger Team Meeting
Concurrence Points 2A, 3, 4A
January 17, 2008
Table 3
R-2583 Summary of Stream Impacts
(Rev. 12/07)
Location Alternative Stream Im acts
in Fig. 2 Stream ID Al A2 B1 B2 C1 C2
A SS 13 13 13 13 13 13
B SD 173 208 173 208 173 208
B SF 63 63
B,C SF Pot. Trib. UR 524 524
B,C SF Pot. Trib. LR 153 153
B SQ 151 151 162 162 152 152
B SC 244 244 231 231 212 212
B SM 100 100
B SL 319 319
B SJ 113 113 319 319 74 74
B SN 38 38
C SB 313 313 313 313 313 313
D SA (Mill Br.) 140 140 140 140 140 140
D SP 101 101 101 101 101 101
TOTAL FEET IMPACTED 1311 1346 1909 1944 1855 1890
Impact in EA 917.14 978.86 1172.58 1234.30 1208.92 1270.64
Impact in Merger App 917.14 978.86 1172.58 1234.30 1591.53 1653.25

R-2583 Merger Team Meeting
Concurrence Points 2A, 3, 4A
January 17, 2008
Table 4
R-2583 Major Hydraulic Crossings & Recommendations
Drainage
Site Location Stream (ID) Wetland Existing Structure Area Hydraulic Recommendation Agency Field Comment
(Sq. Mi.)

1 Between SR 1305 Trib to Potecasi
WPP
2 @ 12ft x Eft RCBC
3.58 Retain & Extend Existing 2 @ 12ft
& SR 1167 Creek (SD) x Eft RCBC
Replace Bridge No. 8 and

2 Just east of SR Potecasi Creek
~'~ WT
3 Span, l 19ft Bridge
238 construct a new bridge upstream
A and B. Dual
(north) on Alts
1334 (Sg) .
Bridges 200 ft

2 South of Site 2 on Potecasi Creek
WV300
WCC
New Location
238 New Dual Bridges @ 200 ft on
a
New Location
(SB) , Alt, C

*
3 Between SR 1174 Mill Branch
~
1 @ Eft x aft RCBC
0.86 Retain & Extent 1 @ 8.Sft x aft
*
and SR 1175 (overflow) RCBC

4 Between SR 1174 Mill Branch (SA, WD 1 @ loft x Oft RCBC l,gg Retain & Extent 1 @ loft x Oft
and SR 1175 main crossin) RCBC

5 Between SR 1174 Mill Branch
WD
1 @ 9ftx Sft RCBC
2.11 Retain & Extent 1 @ Sft x Sft
and SR 1175 (overflow) RrBC

6 Between SR 1174 Mill Branch
~
1 @ Eft x aft RCBC
0.86 Retain & Extent 1 @ Eft x aft
and SR 1175 (overflow) RCBC
Notes:
RCBC: Reinforced Concrete Box Culvert
*The existing 1 @ Eft x aft RCBC is skewed to the roadway, it was extended in 1980 perpendicular to the roadway making the base 8.Sft for constructability.

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US 158
Murfreesboro Bypass
to US 13 West of Winton
Hertford County
TIP Project R-2583
Figure 1-Vicinity Map