20211115_NCODT-letter-to-HDR

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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTNffiNT OF TRANSPORTATION
Roy COOPER J. ERic BOYETTE
GOVERNOR SECRETARY
November 10, 2021
REFERENCE: Piedmont Lithium
Gaston County-(SR-1622) and Hastings Road (SR-1623)
The North Carolina Department of Transportation is responsible for regulating the
location, design, construction, and maintenance of street and driveway connections on the
State Highway System. Incumbent with this is the obligation to ensure protection of the
transportation infrastructure, economy of maintenance, preservation of proper drainage,
safe and efficient movement of vehicles and pedestrians thereon, and full accountability
of the transportation investments bestowed by the citizens of North Carolina upon the
NCDOT.
Piedmont Lithium initiated discussions with the Department in early 2018 regarding
permitting, potential mitigation requirements, logistics, and seeking input on Department
design standards and policies.
Following the technical memo submittal in March of 2019, highlighting proposed
alternatives and roadway mitigations; Piedmont Lithium and their representatives have
kept oontinuous contact regarding roadway designs and project updates.
On multiple occasions Department staff and Piedmont Lithium have met to discuss
minimization of delays to the traveling public by means of roadway abandonments,
potential realignments, and grade separation of the site. The Department reviewed two
submittals provided by Piedmont Lithium, which used traffic engineering principles to
better understand the proposed site and potential impacts to the state highway system.
The Department concurs with. Piedmont Lithium's proposed plan to abandon a portion of
Hephzibah Church Road (SR-1622) and Hastings Road (SR-1623), the use of a conveyor
System to reduce hauling along the existing roadway section, and construction of a grade
separated access.
Mailing Address: Telephone: [phone]
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Fax. [phone]
DISTRICT 1
PO BOX 4',
SHELBY, NC 28150 I3'ebsile: w�nv.ocdot.gov

After years of proposed alternative considerations, both parties agree this solution is the
least impactful to citizens and motorists of North Carolina, while providing a safe access
for Piedmont Lithium.
The Department will require the applicant to host a public hearing pertaining to the
referenced partial abandonment of Hephzibah Church Road (SR-1622) and Hastings
Road ( along with approval from county officials and emergency services.
The Department is currently in discussion with HDR, for submittal of construction plans
for the mentioned improvement, per driveway permit requirements.
Sincerely,
C.B 4k�
District Engineer