U2805

NOTICE OF A CITIZENS INFORMATIONAL WORKSHOP
FOR THE PROPOSED WIDENING OF HOMESTEAD ROAD
(SR 1777) FROM HIGH SCHOOL ROAD (SR 1834) TO NC 86
Project 8.2501101 U-2805 Orange County
The North Carolina Department of Transportation will hold the above Citizens
Informational Workshop on June 25, 1997 between the hours of 4 PM and 7 PM in the
Chapel Hill Town Hall, 306 N. Columbia Street.
Under this project it is proposed to widen Homestead Road to a three-lane
shoulder section on five-lane right of way. Interested individuals may attend this
informal workshop at their convenience during the above-stated hours. Department of
Transportation representatives will be available to answer questions and receive
comments relative to the proposed project. There will be no formal session held.
Anyone desiring additional information may contact Ms. Missy Dickens, P.E., at
P.O. Box 25201, Raleigh, NC 27611 or at [phone], ext. 223.
In order to comply with the American Disabilities Act, NCDOT will provide
auxiliary aids and services for disabled persons.who wish to attend the workshop. To
receive special services, please contact Ms. Dickens at the above address, phone
number, or fax [phone] prior to the. date of the hearing.
Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources
Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs
Project Review Form
Project Number: County: Date:
q(, -c) -) q ? 0 (0/
? Project located in 7th floor library
Date Response Due (firm deadline):
This project is being reviewed as indicated below:
Regional Office/Phone Regional Office Area In-House Review
? Asheville ? All R/O Areas Soil and Water E1 Marine Fisheries
? Fayetteville kTAir ? Coastal Management ? Water Planning
Wwater ? Water Resources Environmental Health
? Mooresville roundwater Wildlife ?Solid Waste Management
Raleigh ,Land Quality Engineer NTForest Resources ?Radiation Protection
? Washington ? Recreational Consultant P?1and Resources ? David Foster

? Wil
i ? Coastal Management Consultant Parks and Recreation El Other (specify)
m
ngton
?Others
environmental Management
? Winston-Salem PWS C Monica Swihart RECEIVED
JON18?.
ENV
Manager Sign-Off/Region: Date:
r0% In-House Reviewer/Agency:

v
??y .
Response (check all applicable) (OMX?5 P`'ouldej MIT ?r l SCOj??r? rytea
Regional Office response to be compiled and completed by Regional Manager
? No objection to project as proposed
? No Comment
? Insufficient information to complete review
? Approve
? Permit(s) needed (permit files have been checked)
? Recommended for further development with recommendations for
strengthening (comments attached)
? Recommended for further development if specific & substantive
changes incorporated by funding agency (comments
attached/authority(ies) cited)
RETURN TO:
Melba McGee
PS-104
In-House Reviewer complete individual response.
? Not recommended for further development for reasons
stated in attached comments (authority(ies) cited)
?Applicant has been contacted
?Applicant has not been contacted
? Project Controversial (comments attached)
?'Consistency Statement needed (comments attached)
? Consistency Statement not needed
? Full EIS must be required under the provisions of
NEPA and SEPA
? Other (specify and attach comments)
Fr
Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs
5
vc
N C. DEPART.MENT:_(!F_TRANSPORTATMIV ._
1
TO: Eric Galamb
DEM-DEHNR-Water Quality Section
FROM: Missy Dickens, P.E.
Planning and Environmental
ACTION -
? NOTE AND FILE ? PER OUR -CONVERSATION
?. NOTE AND RETURN TO ME ? PER.: YOUR REQUEST
? RETURN WITH MORE DETAILS ? FOR YOUR APPROVAL
? NOTE AND SEE ME -ABOUTTHIS ? FOR .YOUR INFORMATION
E3 PLEASE ANSWER ? FOR YOUR COMMENTS
? PREPARE REPLY FOR MY SIGNATURE ? SIGNATURE _
? TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION ? INVESTIGATE AND REPORT.
COMMENTS:
!
r.?

N
0? >t
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
JAMES B. HUNT JR.
GovERnoR
MEMORANDUM TO
FROM:
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
RECE-NED
MAY 0 ? 1996
EWROt\SWENTAL X"'ENOES
DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS GARLAND B. GARRETT ]R.
P.O. BOX 25201. RALEIGH. N.C. 27611-5201 SECRETARY
April 24, 1996
Pile
Missy Dicke , , Pr ect Planning Engineer
Planning and Environmental Branch
SUBJECT: Scoping Meeting Minutes for SR 1777 (Homestead Road),
F. om SR 1834 (high School Road) to NC 86 (Airport
Road), Federal Aid Project STP-1777(1), State Project
No. 8.250110 1, TIP Project U-2805
A scoping meeting for the subject project was held on April 9, 1996 at 9:00 a.m. in
the Planning and Environmental Branch conference room (room 470). The following
people attended:
Mike Taylor Town of Chapel Hill - Engineering
David Brown Town of Chapel Hill - Engineering
Slade McCalip Orange County - Planning
Debbie Bevin State Historic Preservation Office
Kathy Lassiter Roadway Design
Glenda Gibson Roadway Design
Julie Youngblood Roadway Design
Pat Puglisi Office of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation
Dan Thomas Statewide Planning
Ray McIntyre Program Development
Don Sellars Right of Way
Nelson Frye Right of Way
George Karageorge Traffic Engineering - Traffic Control
Derrick Lewis Traffic Engineering - Congestion Management
Ray Moore Structure Design
Sid Autrey Location and Surveys
Jack Matthews Photogrammetry
Eugene Tarascio Geotechnical
Julie Hunkins Planning and Environmental
Aileen Scott Planning and Environmental
Missy Dickens Planning and Environmental
9
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2
I opened the meeting by describing the project and existing conditions as outlined
on the handout provided at the meeting. Following is a summary of the project
information provided and the discussion that ensued.
GENERAL PROJECT INFORMATION
The current TIP calls for the widening of the subject section of Homestead Road
to a 3-lane shoulder section. The TIP schedule calls for right of way to begin in Fiscal
Year 2000 and for construction to begin in Fiscal Year 2002. The TIP allocates
$1,900,000 for right of way and $1,400,000 for construction. The Environmental
Assessment is scheduled to be completed in March 1997; the Finding of No Significant
Impact is anticipated to begin in June 1997 and to be completed by October, 1997.
The project is located partially inside the limits of the Town of Chapel Hill. The
subject section of Homestead Road is classified as an Urban Minor Arterial (the scoping
sheets erroneously reported that part of Homestead Road is a Rural Minor Collector).
PURPOSE AND NEED
Road.
The purpose of the project is to improve capacity and safety along Homestead
TRAFFIC VOLUMES AND CAPACrrY
Projected traffic volumes were provided at the scoping meeting. Maximum
projected ADTs Ln the design year (2020) are 17,000 without the Weaver Dairy
Road connector in place and 20,100 with it in place. However, these volumes do
not reflect the possible expansion of the University of North Carolina onto
property located on the south side of Homestead Road. If such an expansion
occurred, volumes might be significantly higher. Preliminary capacity analysis
shows a level of service of F in the design year if no improvements are
constructed.
SAFETY
The accident rate along the project is higher than the statewide average.
The Feasibility Study stated that 46 accidents were reported between September 1,
1989 and August 31, 1992. This yields an accident rate of 467 accidents/100
million vehicle miles (acc/I00mvm) as compared to the statewide average rate of
295 acc/100mvm along similar two-lane roads.
The sight distance is poor along the project. In addition to widening,
Roadway Design and Planning and Environmental agreed that vertical alignment
improvements were necessary as part of the subject construction.
i
EXISTING ROADWAY
A three-lane (38-foot wide pavement) curb and gutter section exists from NC 86
to Brookstone Drive (entrance to Brookstone Apartments). There is an existing sidewalk
on the south side of Homestead Road in this section. There is also a sidewalk on the north
side, but it appears to be owned by Duke Power and to be behind the existing right of
way. From Brookstone Drive to High School Road, Homestead Road is a two-lane (22-
foot wide pavement) section with grassed shoulders that vary from 2 to 8 feet in width.
POSTED SPEED
The posted speed along the project is 45 mph. However, the Town of Chapel Hill
has requested that Division 7 reduce the posted speed to 35 mph inside the city limits and
40 mph outside the city limits.
INTERSECTING ROADS
The SR 1777/NC 86 intersection is signalized; all other intersections along the
project are currently stop-sign controlled on the minor roads. However, the High School
Road intersection has been approved for the installation of a signal, to be accomplished by
Division 7. There is an existing exclusive eastbound left-turn lane at SR 2246 (Sterling
Bridge Road) and an existing exclusive westbound right-turn lane at Camden Lane.
UTILITIES
Utilities in the area include overhead utilities that are located behind the ditch.
There is also an underground water line and possibly an underground telephone line. It is
suspected that most of the utilities along the project are on existing right of way by
encroachment. Impacts are expected to be low.
UST INVOLVEMENT
An abandoned gas station is located in the southwest quadrant of the
NC 86/SR 1777 intersection, and it is believed that the tanks are still in place.
ALTERNATIVES TO STUDY
PROPOSED CROSS SECTION
It was agreed to study both a 3-lane shoulder section and a 5-lane curb and
gutter section. It is anticipated that the right of way required for the Mane section
would be 30 meters (100 feet) plus easements. This right of way width would
k
4
allow for future 5-lane widening without requiring a substantial amount of
additional right of way. The proposed right of way width for the 5-lane alternative
for Project U-2805 would probably be 36 meters (120 feet).
There is a newly constructed two-lane bridge on SR 1777 near its
intersection with Old NC 86 (west of the subject project). It was stated that 5-lane
widening in the future would produce a bottleneck effect at this bridge unless it
were widened.
WIDENING SCENARIO
It was agreed to study symmetrical widening since symmetrical right of
way (90 feet in width) has been reserved near the Homestead Village subdivision.
Also, right of way donation is being negotiated west of Seawell School Road. I
suggested we also study an asymmetrical alternative in an attempt to minimise
impacts to wetlands. The Planning and Environmental Branch will work with
Roadway Design to determine the best asymmetrical alignment to study based on
the existing alignment and constraints.
BICYCLE FACILITIES
Homestead Road is a part of the Regional Bicycle Plan for Orange and
Durham Counties. Under TIP Project E-2912, it is proposed to designate
Homestead Road a bicycle route. The Town of Chapel Hill has asked that we
provide bike lanes as part of the subject project. The Office of Bicycle and
Pedestrian Transportation stated that NCDOT does not typically build separate
bike lanes on roadways with a continuous center left-turn lane; it is more likely that
the Office would recommend either using the paved shoulder for bicycle traffic or
providing extra pavement width on the outside lanes for bicycle traffic. However,
NCDOT (Planning and Environmental Branch and the Office of Bicycle and
Pedestrian Transportation) will continue to coordinate regarding the recommended
bicycle facilities.
PEDESTRIAN FAcmrr Es
NCDOT will replace the existing sidewalk at the eastern end of the project
if it is removed by project construction. The Town of Chapel Hill has requested
that sidewalks be constructed along the entire project. However, a portion of the
project lies outside the Chapel Hill Town Limits. Heretofore, NCDOT has not
constructed sidewalks outside of municipal city limits because of maintenance and
liability issues. While NCDOT might consider building sidewalks in coordination
with county governments if the maintenance and liability issues could be
reconciled, Orange County expressed reluctance to assume maintenance
responsibility for sidewalks along Homestead Road. It therefore appears that
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5
Chapel Hill would need to annex the project area in order for NCDOT to build
sidewalks in accordance with our current Pedestrian Policy. While there is the
possibility of future annexation, no known annexation plan currently exists.
OTHER REOUESTS BY LOCALITIES
The Town of Chapel Hill discussed plans to possibly realign Mortimer Circle
(currently intersecting Homestead Road on the north side just west of the railroad) to
intersect Homestead Road farther to the west, away from the railroad crossing. The
proposed Mortimer Circle would be sited to intersect Homestead Road opposite the
subdivision entrance proposed across the street. The Town of Chapel Hill also expressed
the desire to have bus turn-outs constructed along this project. Orange County asked that
NCDOT investigate the implementation of a cooperative access management plan along
the project. The Planning and Environmental Branch will investigate the possibility of
meeting these requests in coordination with the local governments.
OTHER PROJECTS IN THE AREA
TIP Project U-2302 (scheduled to go to construction in Fiscal Year 1997) calls for
the multi-lane widening of NC 86 in the Homestead Road vicinity. Improvements to the
NC 86/SR 1777 intersection proposed under U-2302 will need to be ascertained.
The Weaver Dairy Road Connector is shown on the Thoroughfare Plan, but it is
not currently funded in the TIP.
COMMENTS FROM ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCIES
Debbi Bevin of the State Historic Preservation Office examined photographs of
structures over 50 years of age located along the project. She said that no architectural or
archaeological surveys are necessary.
Eric Galamb of the N.C. Division of Environmental Management phoned prior to
the scoping meeting to offer his comments. He said that the project is located on a ridge
that drains into either Bolin Creek (WS-IV), Crow Branch (B Nutrient Sensitive), or
Booker Creek (B-Nutrient Sensitive). The B designations means body contact
(swimming) occurs. He recommends that, in the case of a B designation, NCDOT commit
to high quality erosion control measures in the Environmental Assessment.
David Cox of the N.C. Wildlife Resource Commission also phoned prior to the
scoping meeting to say that he had no specific concerns and that Best Management
Practices should be sufficient.
cc: Scoping Participants
N. C. DEPARTMENT OF 'TRANSPORTATION
I DATE _- --I
?l?_._T2dN.SMLTSAL__SLIL-__.? L
TO: Eric Galamb
DEM-DEHNR-Water Quality Section
FROM: Missy Dickens, P.E.
Planning and Environmental
? RETURN.W.ITH. MORE DETAILS.. ? FOR YOUR APPROVAL.
? NOTE AND SEE ME ABOUT, THIS ? FOR YOUR INFORMATION.-
? -PLEASE ANSWER ?
-
FOR YOUR COMMENTS
?'.PREPARE REPLY FOR MY SIGNATURE ? SIGNATURE
? TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION ? INVESTIGATE AND REPORT
,.:. ..`COMMENTS:..:,.. .. ..

a RECEIVED
?o
MAR 12 1996
.??. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
JAMES B. HUNT JR. DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS GARLAND B. GARRETr JR.
GOVERNOR P.O. BOX 25201, RALEIGH, N.C. 27611-5201 SECRETARY
March 6, 1996
MEMORANDUM TO: Mr. Eric Galamb
DEM - DEHNR, 6th Floor
FROM: H. Franklin Vick, P. E., Manager
Planning and Environmental Branch. 2,
SUBJECT: Review of Scoping Sheet for SR 1777 (Homestead Road),
From SR 1834 (High School Road) to NC 86, Chapel Hill,
Orange County, Federal Aid No. STP-1777(1), State
Project No. 8.2501101, TIP Project No. U-2805
Attached for your review and comments are the scoping sheets for the
subject project (See attached map for project location). The purpose of
these sheets and the related review procedure is to have an early "meeting
of the minds" as to the scope of work that should be performed and thereby
enable us to better implement the project. A scoping meeting for this
project is scheduled for April 9, 1996 at 9:00 a.m. in the Planning and
Environmental Branch Conference Room (Room 470). You may provide us with
your comments at the meeting or mail them to us prior to that date.
Thank you for your assistance in this part of our planning process.
If there are any questions about the meeting or the scoping sheets, please
call Missy Dickens, P.E., Project Planning Engineer, at 733-7844, Ext. 223.
HFV/tp ?I&
Attachment
q?tif?b b c?Q?J
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4
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PROJECT SCOPING SHEET
Date March 6. 1,996
Revision Date
Project Development Stage
Programming
Planning X
Design
Ili" 4 ':i-L8C'5
.
Ctate ^rvic t t 8.250 1 10
Project ^r^. 777 1'
?ivi= or:
c G
,mac
7-77
runcrional C-lossificu,lon rural ?il;?o' Colie.--tor/Urban !\Ainor Artenai
Length 1.4 miles
Purpose of Project To improve access between Carrboro and Chapel Hill, to improve
access to Chapel Hill High School, to improve safety and sight distance conditions
associated with turning movements along the project, and to improve capacity
Description of Project (including specific limits) and major elements of work: To widen
SR 1777 (Homestead Rd) from SR 1834 (High School Rd) to NC 86 to a multi-lane facility,
including the construction of pedestian and bicycle facilities
Type of environmental document to be prepared: Environmental Assessment
Environmental Study Schedule: EA to be completed by March 1997; FONSI to begin in
June 1997 and to be completed by October 1997
Will there be special funding participation by municipclity, developers, or other?
Yes No X
If yes, by whom and amount: {$) or {%)
How and when will this be paid?
PROJECT SCOPiNc SHEE
Type of Access Control: Full Partial None X
Number of Interchanges none Grade Separations none
Stream Crossings none
y;icai Sect s . ? 7r,g -;a n e ' ! `u rno s?iv : -1 c, ri e .:: Cc G fro m ', . iC ^ o }c; Rroc ,.S-' j ? .E ?; '1r
l. . . ,
Frccosed 3-lane sihcuider {maintaining C&G vvhere it exisis
Traffic (A.C?T)',: Curren' 480'u'-?800 Design ccr 98:0 0) 100
T ST 1 ? Duals 3
Design Standc-ds,oplicabie: AASHTO X
IC SDeec.: 30i `5
Construction Cost (including encin-ering cnc cont!ngErCiES ....... 43:10 U10
Right of Way (including relocation, utilities, and acquisition) ........ $
Force Account Items ................................
Preliminary Engineering ...........................
TOTAL PLANNING COST ESTIMATE ...........
....................................... $
TIP Cost Estimate:
Construction ........................................................................................ 3 1,400.000
Right of Way ........................................................................................ $ 1.900.000
TOTAL TIP COST ESTIMATE ........................................................ $ 3,300,000
PROJECT SCOPING SHEET
List any special features, such as railroad involvement, which could affect cost or
schedule of project:
ITEMS REQUIRED (X) COMMENTS COST
Estimated Costs of Improvements:
X Pavement
SurfCce ............................................................................... .48
.^^o
Base ....................................................................................
Milling & Recycling ........................................................... v
Turnouts ..............................................................................
Shoulders
-Paved ................................................................................. 5
=arthen ...............................................................................
h - (k c.^d "re ora i g ........... _ .........................................
_a
- ^ uCU --
,
.
vi. bsiirfa CC Items ...... .................. W
Y Suoc(aae and ST biilzat;or ....................................................... y

.C
Drainage any spec a 'ielif>,i ............................................... 11
J I I L C I ur vs l -? --
Briage Rehab ..................................................................... $
dew Bridge ........................................................................ $
Remove Bridge .................................................................
New Culvert ....................................................................... $
Culvert Extension ............................................................... $
Retaining Walls ..................................................................
Noise Walls .........................................................................
Other Misc ......................................................................... $
Concrete Curb & Gutter ...........................................................
Concrete Sidewalk .....................................................................
Guardrail .....................................................................................
Fencing
W.W .................................................................................... $
C.L ......................................................................................
X Erosion Control ............................................................................ $ 32,000
Landscaping ............................................................................... $
Lighting ........................................................................................ $
X Traffic Control ............................................................................. $ 64.520
Signing
New ...................................................................................
Upgraded ......................................................................... $
X Traffic Signals
X New ................................................................................... $ 35,000
-Revised ..............................................................................
RR Signals
New ................................................................................... $
-Revised ............................................................................. `?-
-With/without Arms ........................................................... $
PROJECT SCOPING SHEET
ITEMS REQUIRED iX.; COMMENTS COST
if 3R
Drainaae Safety Enhancement ..................................................... $
Roadside Safety Enhancement ..................................................... $
ealignment for Safety Upgrade ..................................................
X Pavement Markings
--Paint ................................................................................................. $
-Th:ermc 1aS1! !c .............................................................................. 3
xRaised :'avement Nlarkers ......................................................... S 32.2oG
U it;fity Ccns+,rUc -:on L;ne,) ............................................................ a '32, "Q0
X Other 'clear;n,g, grubbing, misc., and mod.: ....................................... 2d : ?'
CC`iTRr.CT COST Sobiotal .............................................. SAC
Enc'neer' na Con' tae cies ...........................................................................
3U . .................................................................................................... --
b + r n?
Right-Of-W--y
Will contain ihln existii-i R/W° Yes No
Existing Width
New R/W needed Estimated Cost ..........................
Easements: Type Width
Estimated Cost ..........................
Utilities ........................................................................................................
Right-of-Way Subtotal ..................................................................... `lam
Prepared by:
Total Estimated Cost .......................... $
The above scoping has been reviewed and approved by:
Init. Date
Highway Design
Roadway
Structure
Design Services
Geotechnical
Hydraulics
Loc. & Surveys
P hotogrammetry
PreL Est. Engr.
Ping & Environ.
Init. Date
B.O.T. Member
Mgr Program & Policy
Chief Engineer- Precon
Chief Engineer- Op
Sec Roads Officer
Construction Branch
Roadside Environ.
Maintenance Branch
Bridge Maintenance
Statewide Planning
Right of Way
R/W Utilities
Traffic Engr.
Project Manaaernent
County tiVlanager
NAuric!palit'j
PROJECT SCOPING SHEET
Init. Date
Division Engineer
Biciycle Coordinator
Program Development
FHW,A
Dept. of Cult. Res.
DEHN"P
(Scoping Sheet for local officials wiii be sent to Division Engineering.,
Init. Date
`if you are not in agreement with proposed prciect cr scoping, note ycur propcsed
revisions or commen*s here: -
0
\ty
NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION
1* DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS
PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL
BRANCH '
SR 1777 (HOMESTEAD ROAD)
SR 1834 (HIGH SCHOOL ROAD) TO NC 86
CHAPEL HILL
ORANGE COUNTY
T. I. P. PROJECT NO. U - 2805
0 mile 1/2 FIG. 1