20160299_Modified CP2A Meeting Minutes_20150309

PAT MCCRORY
GOVE2NOR
To:
d.,,a. SSA7F Q�
� ���-� ��
��:
� _� �m,� �
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Memorandum
Meeting Attendees
ANTHONY J. TATA
SECRETARY
Pages: 3
CC: File
Subject: CP 2A Modification Meeting — US 64, Asheboro Southern Bypass,
Zoo Connector, WBS No. 34450.1.1, Federal Aid No. NHF-64(19),
STIP Proiect R-2536
From:
Ahmad AI-Sharawneh
Date: February 26, 2015
A Concurrence Point 2A Modification Meeting (Bridging Decisions & Alignment Review) for STIP
Project R-2536 was held on February 18, 2015 at 1:00 P.M. at the NCDOT Century Center Building
A, Structure Design Conference Room, 1000 Birch Ridge Road, in Raleigh.
Meetinq Obiective
The purpose of the meeting was to reach concurrence on the preliminary design revisions and major
hydraulic structure within the Modified Zoo Connector (Section D of R-2536). A videoconference link
(using Microsoft Lync) was sent out to the meeting participants, several of which called into the
meeting due to inclement weather.
The following people attended the meeting:
Felix Davila
Patricia Sergeson
John Olinger
Jason Dilday
Derrick Weaver
Ahmad AI-Sharawneh
Jeff Weller
Kevin Fischer
Mark Staley
Charles Smith
William (Bill) Elam
Michael Shumsky
David Wainwright
Travis Wilson
Liz Hair
Cynthia Van Der Wiele
Gary Jordan
Lou Raymond
Matthew Potter
FHWA (via telephone)
FHWA (via telephone)
NCDOT Highway Division 8(via telephone)
NCDOT Natural Environment Section
NCDOT PDEA Unit
NCDOT PDEA Unit
NCDOT Congestion Management Unit (via telephone)
NCDOT Structures Management Unit
NCDOT Roadside Environmental Unit
NCDOT Hydraulics Unit
NCDOT Hydraulics Unit
NCDOT Program Management
NCDENR — Division of Water Resources (via telephone)
NC Wildlife Resources Commission (via telephone)
US Army Corps of Engineers (via telephone)
US Environmental Protection Agency (via telephone)
US Fish and Wildlife Service (via telephone)
AECOM (via telephone)
AECOM
1

CP2A Modification Meeting Minutes
Discussion
Following the introduction of those in attendance and participants via telephone, Derrick Weaver
reviewed the project study area, purpose of the project, project milestones, the merger packet, and
went through a Power Point presentation (attached for reference).
Mr. Weaver reviewed the design of the Revised Zoo Connector (Section D1) which was prepared in
May 2014 (http://www.ncdot.qov/proiects/ASHEBORO/download/R2536 Zoo Connector phm.pdf ).
This design utilized more of the existing alignment of NC 159 and included the elimination of the
proposed interchange of NC 159 with the Bypass. This design was presented to the public in May
2014 and received negative feedback due to the additional traffic that would be required to use
existing NC 159. It was noted that the crossing of the North Prong of Richland Creek was shown as
being conveyed by a culvert, in the January 2015 design, and that this culvert has been replaced
within the last year.
Mr. Weaver reviewed the Modified Zoo Connector design
(http://www.ncdot.gov/proiects/asheboro/download/R2536 DesignMap.pdf )and explained how it still
incorporates some of the Revised Zoo Connector design, in that it eliminates the proposed
interchange of NC 159 with the Bypass and uses a single lane roundabout to tie into the Zoo
Parkway, but also utilizes more new location roadway to minimize traffic on existing NC 159. The
estimated jurisdictional feature impacts for the ROD, the Bypass with original alignment of the Zoo
Connector, and the bypass with the modified alignment of the Zoo Connector (Modified Zoo
Connector) were compared in a table. There are minor impact differences between the original Zoo
Connector alignment and the Modified Zoo Connector, wetland impacts are slightly higher and
stream impacts are slightly lowerwith the Modified Zoo Connector).
In the previous Concurrence Point 2A form from 2004, there were three proposed bridges associated
with Little River, Vestal Creek, and North Prong of Richland Creek, respectively. Additionally, each of
the proposed bridge crossings would have two 30-foot wide wildlife crossings (one on each side of
the stream) at each location. Since the CP 2A meeting in 2004 the City of Asheboro has updated its'
greenway plan to include greenways along both the Little River and Vestal Creek. To incorporate
these future greenway plans into the proposed project, NCDOT met with USFWS and NCWRC in
December 2014 to discuss how the greenways should be accommodated, since both waterways also
have wildlife crossings. As a result of this meeting, the proposed Concurrence Point 2A form includes
bridges over Little River and Vestal Creek with provisions for a greenway (15-foot), wildlife crossing
(30-foot on each side), and an additional buffer (15-foot between greenway and wildlife crossing).
Additionally, along the North Prong of Richland Creek, a bridge and wildlife crossing was originally
proposed but with the recent replacement of a culvert downstream, along NC 159 (approximately
1000 feet from the proposed Modified Zoo Connector crossing of the North Prong of Richland Creek),
a wildlife crossing and bridge is no longer warranted. Mr. Fischer recommended that the '30-foot
clear span' wording be changed to '30-foot width' on the proposed Concurrence Point 2A form and
there were no objections. NCDOT explained that the Revised Zoo Connector design would have
more wetland impacts than the Modified Zoo Connector design since it follows the existing NC 159
alignment at the North Prong of Richland Creek.
USEPA had a philosophical issue of going back on a Concurrence Point that agencies agreed on
from 11 years ago and NCDOT knew at the time that there was culvert on NC 159. At that time
2

CP2A Modification Meeting Minutes
(2004), NCDOT thought the bridging decision over the North Prong of Richland Creek had more to do
with the wildlife crossings and that bridging would be cheaper. USFWS confirmed that they were
more interested in a bridge crossing due to the wildlife crossing aspect. NCWRC confirmed that it
was pretty much the standard procedure back at that time (2004) when you had a high quality stream
on a new location project that it would be bridged. NCDOT stated that the policy on bridging has
shifted since that time.
USACE understood the background for the proposed crossing change especially as the wildlife
crossing was the driving force behind the bridging decision. USFWS was ok with having a culvert
and not having a bridge at this crossing and would have preferred the alignment follow the existing
roadway. NCWRC, NCDENR, FHWA, and then USACE were ok with a culvert but USACE reiterated
that they do not like going back on a Concurrence Point. Similarly, USEPA wanted to go on record as
not preferring to go back on a Concurrence Point but that they would sign the proposed Concurrence
Point 2A form.
NCDOT will submit the proposed Concurrence Point 2A form for everyone to sign.
Concurrence
After viewing and discussing the Modified Zoo Connector design, the North Prong of Richland Creek
crossing, and the previous Concurrence 2A point summary from 2004, the Merger team concurred
with NCDOT's hydraulic structure recommendation of a culvert over the North Prong of Richland
Creek (14-foot by 10-foot double barrel RCBC) and two bridge crossings as discussed in the meeting.
A Concurrence Point 2A form for signature will be sent out electronically for signatures.
CORRECTIONS & OMISSIONS: This summary is the writer's interpretation of the events,
discussions, and transactions that took place during the meeting. If there are any additions and/or
corrections, please either call or email Lou Raymond at [phone] or lou.raymond aecom.com
or Mr. Ahmad AI-Sharawneh at [phone] or aalsharawneh(a�ncdot.qov within ten (10) days.