R-0616_complete file

i
N. C. DEPARTMENT_ OF TRANSPORTATION
TRANSMITTAL SLIP DATE
5/20/99
TO: REF. NO. OR ROOM, BLDG.:
Mr. John Hennessy I DWQ - DENR
FROM: REF. NO. OR ROOM, BLDG.:
Drew Joyner PD&EA
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 ABOUT THIS ? FOR YOUR INFORMATION
? PLEASE ANSWER ? FOR YOUR COMMENTS
? PREPARE REPLY FOR MY SIGNATURE ? SIGNATURE
? TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION ? INVESTIGATE AND REPORT
COMMENTS:
Michael F. Easley, Governor
William G. Ross Jr., Secretary
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Alan W. Klimek, P.E. Director
Division of Water Quality
October 28, 2005
Mr. Phillip S. Harris, PE
NCDOT Natural Environment Unit
1598 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1598 tog?ad?D
Subject: US 421 and NC 268/US 421 Business Improvements NOV. $ ^ ,2005
Wilkes County
State Project Nos. 8.1761901 & 8.1761701 ? fi Af a OA"
TIP Project Nos. U-3468 & R-0616
On-Site Determination for Applicability to the Mitigation Rules (15A NCAC 2H.0506(h)
Dear Mr. Harris:
On September 14, 2005, Sue Homewood from the Division of Water Quality (Division) conducted an on-site
visit with representatives of URS Corporation and the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to review
stream and wetland features located adjacent to US 421 and NC 268/US 421 Business in Wilkes County for
applicability to the mitigation rules (15A NCAC 2H .0506(h)). The features are noted on the attached table
initialed by Sue Homewood on September 14, 2005.
The Division has determined that the stream features noted as perennial on the attached table are subject to
mitigation rules. These determinations concur with the determinations made by the USACE during the site
visit. This on-site determination shall expire five (5) years from the date of this letter.
In addition, it should be noted that the USACE determined wetland WD to be isolated. Therefore, this wetland
will be regulated under 15A NCAC 2H .0300.
Landowners or affected parties that dispute a determination made by the Division or Delegated Local
Authority that a surface water exists and that it is subject to the mitigation rules may request a determination by
the Director. A request for a determination by the Director shall be referred to the Director in writing c/o John
Dorney, Division of Water Quality, Wetlands/401 Unit, 1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1650.
Individuals that dispute a determination by the Division or Delegated Local Authority that "exempts" a surface
water from the mitigation rules may ask for an adjudicatory hearing. You must act within 60 days of the date
that you receive this letter. Applicants are hereby notified that the 60-day statutory appeal time does not start
until the affected party (including downstream and adjacent landowners) is notified of this decision. The
Division recommends that the applicant conduct this notification in order to be certain that third party appeals
one
N Carolina
Naturally
North Carolina Division of Water Quality 585 Waughtown Street Phone [phone] Customer Service
Internet: h2o.enr.state.nc.us Winston-Salem, NC 27107 FAX [phone]
An Equal. Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer- 50% Recycled110% Post Consumer Paper
October 28, 2005
NCDOT Projects U-3468 & R-0616
are made in a timely manner. To ask for a hearing, send a written petition, which conforms to Chapter 150B
of the North Carolina General Statutes to the Office of Administrative Hearings, 6714 Mail Service Center,
Raleigh, N.C. 27699-6714. This determination is final and binding unless you ask for a hearing within 60
days.
This letter only addresses the applicability to the mitigation requirements and does not approve any activity
within Waters of the United States or Waters of the State. If you have any additional questions or require
additional information please call Sue Homewood at 336-771-4600 extension 287 or at
[e-mail].
Sincerely,
Alan W. Klimek, P.E.
Attachments: Table: Revised Classifications of Streams
cc: John Thomas, US Army Corps of Engineers, Raleigh Field Office
Tina Randazzo, URS Corporation, 1600 Perimeter Park Dr., Morrisville, NC 27560
Jim Hauser, NCDOT, Natural Environment Unit
I}WQVXet1ands/401-?ransportatiGn-U, nit"
DWQ WSRO File Copy

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Revised Classifications of Streams Identified in the Project Study Area
URS' Stream Stream as Indicated on NCDWQ - Stream Notes,
Designation USGS Quad Stream Classification
Classification
`Form Rating
SA UT to Fish Dam Creek 44 Perennial
SC UT,.to Fish Dam Creek 27.5 Intermittent
SD UT to Fish Dam Creek 33 Perennial
SE Fish Dam Creek 46.5 Perennial
SF UT to Fish Dam Creek 37 Perennial
SG UT to Yadkin River 30.5 Perennial
so 33.5
SH Millers Creek 44 Perennial '
SS 43
SI UT to Millers Creek 34 Perennial
ST 27 Perennial Classification reflects
field conditions
during JD field view
Si 48
SIX Tucker Hole Creek 47.5 Perennial
SAC 38
SL UT to Moravian Creek 20.5 Intermittent
SM Moravian Creek 31 Perennial
SN Yadkin River 39.5 Perennial
SP UT to Yadkin River 19 Intermittent
SQ UT to Millers Creek 40.5 Perennial
SR UT to Millers Creek 26 Intermittent
Sul UT to Tucker Hole Creek 45 Perennial
(downstream of Congo
Rd)
SU2 UT to Tucker Hole Creek 39.5 Perennial
(upstream of Congo Rd)
SV UT to Tucker Hole Creek 23.5 Intermittent
SW UT to Tucker Hole Creek 20.5 Intermittent '
SY UT to Tucker Hole Creek 30 Perennial
SZ UT to Tucker Hole Creek 28 Perennial Classification reflects
field conditions
during JD field view
SAA UT to Yadkin River 28.5 Perennial Classification reflects
field conditions
during JD field view
SAB UT to Yadkin River 29 Perennial Classification reflects
field conditions
during JD field view
SAD UT to Tucker Hole Creek 28.5 Perennial Classification reflects
field conditions
during JD field view
URS Stream Stream' as Indicated on NCDWQ Stream Notes
Designation'' USES Quad Stream Classification
"Classification
Form Rating
SAE UT to Mulberry Creek 31 Perennial
SAF UT to Hoopers Branch 29 Perennial Classification reflects
field conditions
during JD field view
SAG Hoo ers Branch 43.5 Perennial
SAH UT to Hoopers Branch 21 Perennial Classification reflects
field conditions
during JD field view
SAI UT to Hoopers Branch 27.5 Perennial Classification reflects
field conditions
during JD field view
SAJ UT to Hoo ers Branch 33.5 Perennial
SAK UT to Hoopers Branch 28.5 Perennial Classification reflects
field conditions
during JD field view
SAL UT to Hoopers Branch 26.5 Perennial Classification reflects
field conditions
during JD field view
SAM UT to Hoopers Branch 29 Perennial Classification reflects
field conditions
during JD field view
SAN UT to Hoopers Branch 27.5 Perennial Classification reflects
field conditions
during JD field view
SAO UT to Hoo ers Branch 31 Perennial
SAP UT to Hoo ers Branch 24 Intermittent
SAQ Reddies River 51 Perennial
SAR UT to Reddies River 37 Perennial
SAS UT to Reddies River 27 Perennial Classification reflects
field conditions
during JD field view
SAT UT to Reddies River 43.5 Perennial
SAU UT to Reddies River 29 Perennial Classification reflects
field conditions
during JD field view
SAV UT to Reddies River 25 Intermittent
SAW UT to Reddies River 36.5 Perennial
SAX UT to Reddies River 28 Perennial Classification reflects
field conditions
during JD field view
SAZ UT to Reddies River 29 Perennial Classification reflects
field conditions
during JD field view
oa?o
auw
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIO
JAMES B. HUNT JR.
GOVERNOR
P.O. BOX 25201, RALEIGH, N.C. 27611-5201
May 20, 1999
MEMORANDUM TO
FROM:
Mr. John Hennessy

DWQ - DENR
William D. Gilmore, P. E., Manager
Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
SUBJECT: Review of Scoping Sheets for Wilkes County, NC 18-268
Wilkesboro and North Wilkesboro Bypass, From NC 18
to US 421, F. A. Project No. STP-268(4), State Project
No. 8.117601, TIP Project R-616
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 Wednesday, June 23, 1999, at 10:00 a.m. in the Project Development and
Environmental Analysis Branch Conference Room (Room 470). You may provide us with your
comments at the meeting or mail them to us prior to that date.
TIP Project R-616 has been chosen to have an NCDOT Project Team. This team is
composed of representatives from various sections within NCDOT and is designed to allow for a
steady transition through the planning, design, and construction of the project. There will be a
discussion about the NCDOT Project Team during the scoping meeting.
Following a discussion of the scope of the project, the Section 404/NEPA Merger Team
will discuss concurrence on the purpose and need and the alternatives to be studied. The purpose
and need of the project is shown on the attached sheets. This project is included in the
thoroughfare plan for the Town of Wilkesboro and the Town of North Wilkesboro as a pilot
project for the phased environmental approach to thoroughfare planning. As part of that process,
a preferred corridor was chosen for the project. There will be a discussion about this corridor
during the meeting.
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 Drew Joyner, Project Planning
Engineer, at 733-7844, Ext. 245.
WDG/plr
Attachment
PROJECT SCOPING SHEET
Date: 514199
Revision Date:
TIP No.: R-616
F.A. Project No.: STP-268(4)
Division: 11
Route: NC 18.268
County:
Project Development Stage
Programming:
Planning: X
Design:
8.1761701
Wilkes
Length: 3.6 mi (5.8 km)
Functional Classification: Existing NC 18-268 and US 421 are Rural Major Collectors
Purpose Of Project: The purpose of the Wilkesboro and North Wilkesboro bypass is (1) to reduce traffic
congestion on sections of US 421 Business, NC 18-268, and Main Street in Wilkesboro, (2) to eliminate cut-
through traffic in the residential section of North Wilkesboro (Finley, Hinshaw, Trogdon, 6th, 9th, 10th streets),
and (3) to increase travel efficiency and to meet projected traffic demand between NC 18-268 east of North
Wilkesboro and US 421 west of North Wilkesboro.
Description Of Project (including specific limits) And Major Elements Of Work: NC 18-268 - Wilkesboro and
North Wilkeboro bypass on new location from NC 18-268 to US 421, construct two lanes on multi-lane right of
way.
Type Of Environmental Document To Be Prepared:
Environmental Assessment
Environmental Study Schedule: EA - In progress - August 2000
FONSI - February 2001 - August 2001
Type Of Funding: Federal
Will there be special funding participation by municipality, developers, or other?
Yes: No: X
If YES, by whom: _
If YES, by what amount? ($)
State Project No.:
, or
(%)
How and when will this be paid?
PROJECT SCOPING SHEET
Thoroughfare Plan Designation: Existing NC 18.268 and US 421 are major thoroughfares
Type Of Access Control- Full: Partial: X None:
Number of- Interchanges: 0 Grade Separations: 0 Stream Crossings: 3
Typical Section of Roadway: Two lanes on four-lane, divided right-of-way. Transition to five lanes with curb
and gutter near the intersections with NC 18-268 and US 421.
Traffic ADT: Current (1990): 25,000vpd Design Year (2020): 32,000
%TTST: %DUAL: %DHV:
Design Speed: 60 mph (100 kph)
Preliminary Resurfacing Design: NIA
Preliminary Pavement Design: NIA
Current Cost Estimate:
Construction Cost
(including engineering and contingencies)
Right of Way Cost
(including relocations, utilities, and acquisition)
Force Account Items
Preliminary Enginnering
Total Cost
TIP Cost Estimate:
Construction
Right of Way
Total Cost
$ 25,100,000

$ 17,745,000.00

$ 3,825,000.00

$ 21,570,000.00
List any special features, such as railroad involvement, which could affect cost or schedule of project:
2
PROJECT SCOPING SHEET
CONSTRUCTION
Estimated Costs of Improvements
X Pavement
X Surface $ 2,354,602
Base $
_
Milling & Recycling $
Turnouts $
_
Shoulders: _ Paved $
_ Earth $
X _
Earthwork and Fine Grading $ 7,045,550
Subsurface Items $
_
X Subgrade and Stabilization $ 333,900
X Drainage (List any special items) $ 1,350,000
_ Sub-Drainage $
X Structures Width x Length
Bridge Rehabilitation x $
_
X New Bridge 38 x 340 $ 839,800
Widen Bridge x $
_
Remove Bridge x $
_
_ New Culverts- Size: Length: Fill Ht.: $
_ Culvert Extension $
Retaining Walls- Type: Avg. Ht.: Shew: $
_
Noise Walls $
_
_ Any Other Misc. Structures $
_ Concrete Curb & Gutter $
Concrete Sidewalk $
_
X Guardrail and Anchors $ 22,200
_ Fencing- W.W.: and/or C.L.: $
X Erosion Control $ 445,000
_ Landscape $
Lighting $
X Traffic Control $ 85,000
Signing: _ New $
_ Upgrading $
X Traffic Signals: X New $ 225,000
_ Revised $
RR Signals: _ New $
_ Revised $
_ With or Without Arms $
If 3R:
Drainage Safety Enhancement $
_
Roadside Safety Enhancement $
_ Realignment for Safety Upgrade $
X Pavement Markings-- Paint: _ Thermo: X Markers: X $ 70,000
_ Delineators $
X Other (clearing, grubbing, mobilization, Misc.) $ 9,055,000
Contract Cost (Subtotal) $ 21,826,052
3
f
PROJECT SCOPING SHEET
Contingencies & Engineering
Preliminary Engineering Costs
Force Account
$ 3,273,948
Construction (Subtotal) $ 25,100,000
RIGHT OF WAY
Existing Right of Way Width:
Will Contain Within Existing Right of Way- Yes: No:
New Right of Way Needed-
Width: Est. Cost $
Easements- Type:
Width: Est. Cost $
Utilities $
Right Of Way (Subtotal) $
Total Estimated Project Cost $
The above scoping has been review and approved by:
INIT. DATE INIT. DATE
Highway Design Board of Tran. Member
Roadway Mgr. Program & Policy
Structure Chief Engineer-Precon
Design Services Chief Engineer-Oper
Geotechnical Secondary Roads Off.
Hydraulics Construction Branch
Loc. & Surveys Roadside Environmental
Photogrammetry Maintenance Branch
Prel. Est. Engr. AU 5-14-99 Bridge Maintenance
Planning & Environ. Statewide Planning
Right of Way Division Engineer
RAN Utilities Bicycle Coordinator
Traffic Engineering Program Development
Project Management FHWA
County Manager Dept. of Cult. Res.
City/Municipality Dept. of EH & NR
Others Others
Scope Sheet for local officials will be sent to Division Engineer for handling.
If you are not in agreement with proposed project or scoping, note your proposed revisions in Comments or Remarks
Section and initial and date after comments.
4
PROJECT SCOPING SHEET
COMMENTS OR REMARKS SECTION:
IT WOULD SAVE AT LEAST $600,000 (POSSIBLY MORE) BY DOING THE ENTIRE 4 LANES AT 1 TIME.
I DID NOT HAVE TIME TO MAKE A FIELD INSPECTION BEFORE THIS COST WAS REQUIRED. AFTER THE
INSPECTION, SOME ADJUSTMENTS MAY BE NEEDED. I WILL SEND UPDATED COPIES OF THE ESTIMATES
AT THAT TIME.
Prepared By: ALAN JONES Date: 5-14-99

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NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT
F OF TRANSPORTATION
a DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS
PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL
?i e">oF ?b`oP BRANCH
ib? 43
250 7 NC 18-268
/o WILKESBORO-NORTH WILKESBORO BYPASS
% FROM NC 18 TO US 421
WILKES COUNTY
2465 R-616
1213 10 1186 m o KILOMETERS 1
FIGURE 1
0 MILES .5

June 23, 1999
10:00 a.m.
Scoping Meeting Agenda
for
TIP Project R-616
State Project No. 8.1761701
F. A. Project No. STP-268(4)
1. Introduction
II. NCDOT Project Team
III. Section 404/NEPA Merger Team
IV. Project Description and Purpose
The proposed NC 18-268 Wilkesboro and North Wilkesboro Bypass includes
constructing a two-lane facility on a four-lane right-of-way on new location from US 421
to NC 18 in North Wilkesboro, a distance of approximately 3.6 miles (5.8 km).
The purpose of the Wilkesboro and North Wilkesboro bypass is (1) to reduce
traffic congestion on sections of US 421 Business, NC 18-268, and Main Street in
Wilkesboro, (2) to eliminate cut-through traffic in the residential section of North
Wilkesboro, and (3) to increase travel efficiency and to meet projected traffic demand
between NC 18-268 east of North Wilkesboro and US 421 west of North Wilkesboro.
V. Right of Way and Construction Schedules and Cost Estimates
Schedules
R/W Acquisition: May 2003
Construction: May 2005
Cost Estimate:
Right of Way: $3,825,000
Construction: $17,745,000
Total: $21,570,000
Funding: Federal
VI. Existing Conditions
A. Cross Section and Right of Way

B. Signals
C. Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodations.
D. Traffic (ADT)
Without Project: Existing Route 25,500 (1990); Existing Route 33,000 (2020)
With Project : Bypass Route 14,300 (2020); Existing Route 22,000 (2020)
E. Utilities
F. Structures
s ?T
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VII. TIP Projects
R-2207: NC 16, from US 421 to Ashe County line
R-2240: US 421, from existing 4-lane section east of maple springs to existing
4-lane section east of NC 268 in Wilkesboro
R-2517: NC 18 from Finley Avenue to north of SR 1531 (Foster Road) in North
Wilkesboro
U-3468: Wilkesboro - US 421 bypass from NC 16 to Yadkin River
VIII. Thoroughfare Plan
Existing NC 18-268 and US 421 are major thoroughfares in the 1993
Wilkesboro-North Wilkesboro Thoroughfare Plan.
IX. Proposed Improvements
X. Potential Environmental Impacts
XI. Mapping
XII. Environmental Document and Coordination
Citizens Informational Workshop: Fall 1999
EA Completion Date: August 2000
FONSI Completion Date: August 2001
XIII. CoNClusion (except Section 404/NEPA Merger Team)
XIV. Section 404/NEPA Merger Team Meets
A. Purpose and Need
B. Alternatives To Be Studied
TIP Project R-616
NCDOT Project Team List
Drew Joyner
Sue Flowers
Wade Hoke
Carl Goode
Ray McIntyre
Lawrence Gettier
Brian Mayhew
Randy C. Henegar
E. W. Armistead
Project Development and Environmental Analysis
Roadway Design
Division 11
Citizens Participation
Programming & TIP
Traffic Control
Congestion Management
Hydraulic Design
Structure Design
Section 404/NEPA Merger Team List
Ad' Drew Joyner Project Development and Environmental Analysis
ue Flowers Roadway Design
Wade Hoke Division 11
Sohn n Hennessy DENR Division of Water Quality
Eric Alsmeyer
Renee Gledhill-Earley
Mark Kentrel
David Cox
Felix Davila
Ted Bisterfeld
US Army Corps of Engineers
NC Department of Cultural Resources - SHPO
US Fish and Wildlife Service
NC Wildlife Resources Commission
Federal Highway Administration
Environmental Protection Agency
North Carolina Department of Transportation
Preliminary Estimate
TIP No. R-616
Route New Wilkesboro Bypass (Part 1)
From NC-18 to US-421
Typical Section New 2 lane shldr.on 250' ROW
Prepared By: Alan Jones 05/24/99 (REV.)
Requested By: Drew Joyner (PD&EA) 05/11/99
County: WILKES
Line
Item
Des
Sec No.
Description
Quantity
Unit
Price
Amount
1 G Clearing & Grubbing 86 ACR $ 15,000.00 $ 1,290,000.00
2 G Earthwork 3,051,030 CY $ 2.50 $ 7,627,575.00
3 G Fine Grading 1 LS $ 275,000.00 $ 275,000.00
4 D Drainage 1 LS $ 1,350,000.00 $ 1,350,000.00
5 P New Pavement 79.147 SY $ 34.00 $ 2,690,998.00
6 G Stabilization 84.093 SY $ 4.50 $ 378,418.50
7 G Erosion Control 1 LS $ 445,000.00 $ 445,000.00
8 Y Thermo & Markers 1 LS $ 70,000.00 $ 70,000.00
9 Y Traffic Control 1 LS $ 85,000.00 $ 85,000.00
10 Y New Traffic Signals 5 EA $ 45,000.00 $ 225,000.00
11 G Guardrail 2,500 LF $ 13.00 $ 32,500.00
12 G Anchor Units 20 EA $ 1,800.00 $ 36,000.00
H S Prop.Br.340'L x 38'W 12,920 SF $ 65.00 $ 839,800.00
14 Msc. & Mob. (55%) LS LS $ 8,481,000.00 $ 8,481,000.00
Contract Cost ............................................. $23,826,291.50
E. & C. (15%) ............................................. $ 3,573,708.50
Construction Cost ............................................ $27,400,000.00
• North uarolma Department of 1ransportanon
Preliminary Estimate
TIP No. R-616
Route New Wilkesboro Bypass (Part 2)
From NC-18 to US-421
Typical Section Additional 2 lanes to complete 4 lane
divided bypass concept
Prepared By: Alan Jones 05/24/99 (REV.)
Requested By: Drew Joyner (PD&EA) 05/11/99
County: WILKES
Line
Item
Des
Sec No.
Description
Quantity
Unit
Price
Amount
1 G Fine Grading 1 LS $ 275,000.00 $ 275,000.00
2 P New Pavement 79,147 SY $ 34.00 $ 2,690,998.00
3 G Stabilization 84,093 SY $ 4.50 $ 378,418.50
4 G Erosion Control 1 LS $ 165,000.00 $ 165,000.00
5 Y Thermo & Markers 1 LS $ 70,000.00 $ 70,000.00
6 Y Traffic Control 1 LS $ 85,000.00 $ 85,000.00
7 Y Rev.Traffic Signals 5 EA $ 35,000.00 $ 175,000.00
8 G Guardrail 2,500 LF $ 13.00 $ 32,500.00
9 G Anchor Units 20 EA $ 1,800.00 $ 36,000.00
10 S Prop.Br.340'L x 38'W 12,920 SF $ 65.00 $ 839,800.00
11 Msc. & Mob. (55%) LS LS $ 2,645,000.00 $ 2,645,000.00 11
Contract Cost ............................................. $ 7,392,716.50
E. & C. (15%) ............................................. $ 1,107,283.50
Construction Cost ............................................. $ 8,500,000.00

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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
JAMES B. HUNT JR. P.O. BOX 25201, RALEIGH, N.C. 27611-5201 DAVID MCCOY
GOVERNOR SECRETARY
August 16, 1999
MEMORANDUM TO: File
FROM: Drew Joyner, P. E.?^?r
Project Development Engi eer
Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
SUBJECT: Scoping Minutes for Wilkes County, NC 18-268
Wilkesboro and North Wilkesboro Bypass, From NC 18 to
US 421, F.A. Project No. STP-268(4), State Project No.
8.117601, TIP Project R-616
A scoping meeting was held on June 23, 1999, in Room 470 of the Transportation
Building. A list of attendees is attached. Below are the comments and concerns that were
discussed during this meeting.
• The NCDOT Project Team was discussed. This team is composed of representatives
from various sections within NCDOT and is designed to allow for a steady transition
through the planning, design, and construction of the project. Following the meeting,
Sue Flowers asked that representatives from the Location and Surveys Unit and the
Geotechnical Unit be included in the team. Also, Jerry Dudek from Statewide Planning
asked to be added to the team. The team list is attached.
• The Section 404/NEPA Merger Team was discussed. It was explained that the Team
would meet following the scoping meeting. Following the meeting, Mike Bruff from
Statewide Planning asked to be added to the team. The team list is attached.
• TIP Project U-3468 (US 421 Bypass) will need to be coordinated with this project.
The interchange with R-616 and the US 421 Bypass will be included in U-3468.
• April Alperin asked that archaeology and historic architecture surveys be performed.
• Brian Mayhew and Wade Hoke recommended that the full four-lane, divided roadway
be built, not two-lanes on multilane right of way. The consensus of the group is to
build a four-lane divided facility. I will check with Programming and TIP Branch on
funding.
a
• It was agreed that more access control would be better. The interchanges necessary for
full control of access would increase project costs too much. The consensus of the
group was to provide "expressway" access. This will provide at-grade access only at
intersections with major state routes.
• The Reddes Creek dam project was discussed. I do not believe that it will ever be built,
but I will check into it.
• Felix Davila asked about the functional classification of the proposed roadway. I will
check into it.
• A design speed of 50 mph was discussed.
• Sue Flowers was concerned that we would not be fully satisfying the purpose of the
project if we did not bypass the NC 18/NC 268/NC 268A intersections. I will ask
Statewide Planning to provide traffic projections for a possible bypass of these
intersections.
• Eric Alsmeyer was concerned with access to the bypass due to congestion at its
terminals.
Following a discussion of the scope of the project, the Section 404/NEPA Merger
Team met to discuss concurrence on the 1) purpose and need and the 2) alternatives to be
studied. This project is included in the thoroughfare plan for the Town of Wilkesboro and
the Town of North Wilkesboro as a pilot project for the phased environmental approach to
thoroughfare planning. As part of that process, a preferred corridor was chosen for the
project. Below are the comments and concerns that were discussed during this meeting.
• It was noted that the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife
Service and the N. C. Wildlife Resources Commission did not sign the concurrence
agreement in the Phase I Environmental Analysis, but sent letters supporting the
preferred corridor.
• There was a discussion of whether the phased environmental study satisfies any of the
concurrence points in the Section 404/NEPA Merger Agreement. On paper, it appears
that the first three concurrence points should be satisfied by the phased environmental
study. However, Eric Alsmeyer and John Hennessey were concerned that the phased
environmental approach did not adequately address the environmental impacts to the
degree necessary to satisfy NEPA and Section 404. Eric said that he would ask for
guidance and get back to me.
In the weeks following the meeting, additional discussions were held among
representatives of FHWA, USACE, and NCDOT. Below are the results of the
discussions.
• The purpose and need will be finalized after the completion of the traffic projections.
NCDOT will then ask for concurrence on purpose and need from the review agencies.
• NCDOT will show all the alternatives that were studied during the phased
environmental study, including the recommended alternative, at a Citizens
Informational Workshop. This will allow the USACE to have the opportunity to begin
their public notice period.
• Following the workshop, NCDOT will discuss the next two concurrence points with
the review agencies.
• The Environmental Assessment will discuss the phased environmental study and show
a full environmental study of the recommended alternative.
Attachments
cc: Scoping Participants and Meeting Attendees
William D. Gilmore, P. E., Manager, PDEA
Charles Bruton, Asst. Manager, PDEA
Scoping Meeting
TIP Project R-616
June 23, 1998
Attendees
Felix Davila Federal Highway Administration [phone] x106
John Hennessy Division of Water Quality [phone]
Renee Gledhill-Earley State Historic Preservation Office [phone]
April Alperin State Historic Preservation Office [phone]
David Cox N. C. Wildlife Resources Commission [phone]
Eric Alsmeyer U. S. Army Corps of Engineers [phone] x23
Wade Hoke Division 11 [phone]
Wally Bowman Division 11 [phone]
Carl McCann Division 11 [phone]
Sue Flowers Roadway Design [phone]
Anthony West Roadway Design [phone]
Rob Allen Photogrammetry [phone]
Duane Mann Hydraulic Design [phone]
Allen Thompson Structure Design [phone]
Derrick Lewis Programming and TIP [phone]
Brian Mayhew Congestion Management [phone]
Debbie Self Congestion Management [phone]
Mike Tyndall Traffic Control [phone]
Lawrence Gettier Traffic Control [phone]
Len Hendricks Citizens Participation [phone]
Blake Norwood Statewide Planning [phone]
Wes Stafford Statewide Planning [phone]
Mike Bruff Statewide Planning [phone]
Raymond W. Goodman Right of Way [phone] x320
Tom Strickland Right of Way - Utilities [phone] x354
Sid Autry Location and Surveys [phone]
Lubin Prevatt PDEA [phone] x256
Cindy Sharer PDEA [phone] x241
Drew Joyner PDEA [phone] x245
Sammy Wood PDEA [phone] x250
Daren Pait PDEA [phone] x244
TIP Project R-616
NCDOT Project Team List
Drew Joyner
Sue Flowers
Wade Hoke
Carl Goode
Ray McIntyre
Lawrence Gettier
Brian Mayhew
Randy C. Henegar
E. W. Armistead
Sid Autry
Jerry Dudek
Bill Moore
Project Development and Environmental Analysis
Roadway Design
Division 11
Citizens Participation
Programming & TIP
Traffic Control
Congestion Management
Hydraulic Design
Structure Design
Location and Surveys
Statewide Planning
Geotechnical Unit
Section 404/NEPA Merger Team List
Drew Joyner
Sue Flowers
Wade Hoke
Mike Bruff
John Hennessy
Eric Alsmeyer
Renee Gledhill-Earley
Mark Kentrel
David Cox
Felix Davila
Ted Bisterfeld
NCDOT/PDEA
NCDOT/Roadway Design
NCDOT/Division 11
NCDOT/Statewide Planning
DENR - Division of Water Quality
US Army Corps of Engineers
NC Department of Cultural Resources - SHPO
US Fish and Wildlife Service
NC Wildlife Resources Commission
Federal Highway Administration
Environmental Protection Agency

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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
MICHAEL F. EASLEY
GOVERNOR
June 16, 2004
MEMO TO: Project File
FROM: Jennifer Safron. P.E. 5xs
Project Development and Environmental Analysis
WETLANDS/ 401 GROUP
JUL 1, 2 :2004
"ATER QUALITY SECTION
LYNDo TIPPETT
SECRETARY
SUBJECT: NEPA/404 Concurrence Point 2 Meeting Minutes for the US 421
Wilkesboro Corridor Study, Wilkes County, TIP Project U-3468 and US
268/US 421 Business Corridor Study, TIP Project R-616
A meeting to discuss alternatives to be carried forward for detailed study, or Concurrence
Point 2 in the Merger0l process, was held for the subject projects on June 15, 2004 at
1:00 p.m. in the Transportation Board Room. This meeting was videotaped.
In attendance were:
Nicole Thomson Division of Water Quality
John Hennessy Division of Water Quality
David Baird High Country RPO
Eric Midkiff DOT Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
Marla Chambers NC Wildlife Resources Commission
Sarah McBride NC Division of Cultural Resources/SHPO
Chris Militscher US Environmental Protection Agency- Raleigh
Greg Crosby DOT Hydraulics Design Unit
Elizabeth Lusk DOT Office of Natural Environment
Matt Haney DOT Office of Natural Environment
Nya Boayue DOT Roadway Design Unit
Ted Walls DOT Roadway Design Unit
Trent Beaver DOT Division 11 Construction Engineer
Jake Riggsbee FHWA
John Thomas US Corps of Engineers
MAILING ADDRESS: TELEPHONE: [phone] LOCATION:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FAX: [phone] TRANSPORTATION BUILDING
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTALANALYSIS 1 SOUTH WALMINGTON STREET
1548 MAIL SERVICE CENTER
RALEIGH NC 27699-1548 WESSITE. WWW.DOH.DOT.STATE.NC.US RALEIGH NC
Drew Joyner DOT Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
Matthew Whitley DOT Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
Stephanie Caudill DOT Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
Jennifer Safron DOT Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
Elena Talanker DOT Transportation Planning Branch
Jaime Adrignola DOT Transportation Planning Branch
Alena Cook DOT Transportation Planning Branch
Beverly Williams DOT Transportation Planning Branch
After introductions, the team reviewed the packet information. Some new packet sheets
were handed out to replace the first several sheets, as impacts had been updated and
revised since packets had been sent out. I reviewed the project schedule, which has also
been revised recently and gave a brief review of previous concurrence meetings, adding
that I had inherited these projects from Alethia Raynor and Richard Brewer.
We then proceeded to discuss alternatives for U-3468. The light blue southern alternative
was discussed first, then the new alternatives added since the last team meeting in
November 2002 (widen existing teal alternative and the dark blue northern alternative). I
explained that the new dark blue northern alternative hopefully could replace the pink and
yellow northern alternatives. A general discussion of the U-3468 alternatives followed.
Eric noted that the impacts that were included were based on the corridors only and that a
lot of avoidance and minimization could be done. I added that all of the U-3468 corridors
were 1000 feet in width, but the impacts had been divided by 3 in order to represent an
approximate 300-foot proposed right-of-way width, although not the teal alternative
because the service roads could use the entire 1000 foot corridor.
A question was asked about why the new dark blue alignment is swinging so far to the
north. Nya replied the topography and interchange spacing are the reasons.
John H. wanted more information about why the pink and yellow alternatives needed to
be eliminated. I replied they do not meet the purpose and need for the project because
they do not provide an adequate bypass by eliminating the stop condition at the NC 16-
US 421 intersection. He asked what the traffic forecasts show. Beverly responded that
the forecasts support needing a bypass tie back in to the west of NC 16, as opposed to the
east of it, as the pink and yellow show. John asked if the Wilkes County thoroughfare
plan included a bypass of US 421 through this area, and if so, which alternative is shown
on it. Beverly responded that the thoroughfare plan did include this project, but that it
was an older plan that shows the southern light blue alternative. John also wanted to
know what kind of access control was proposed for U-3468. I answered this will be a
fully controlled access facility.
Chris asked if interchange placement changes depending on what alternative we are
looking at. Ted and Nya explained that there are some alternatives for U-3468 that will
depend on a specific alternative selected for R-616, and different alternatives do have
different interchange placements. If the teal widen existing alternative is selected, the
R-616 traffic cannot tie into the existing US 421 Bypass/ US 421 Business/ NC 18-268
intersection because a large interchange will not fit in that space.
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The reason the teal widen existing alternative was added is because NCDOT received a
request in writing from the Town of Wilkesboro that we study this alternative. The
businesses along US 421 Bypass are concerned that a new bypass would take away
business along the current US 421 corridor. John H. noted there are high stream impacts
for this alternative. I responded that is probably due to using the full 1000-foot corridor
width, with current impacts having not been subtracted out.
John T. brought up impacts from the southern, light blue alternatives. He noted this
alternative goes through a great deal of forestland and would have 4(f) property impacts,
as well as running alongside the Yadkin river. It was mentioned that the topography
through this area would create huge earthwork impacts and costs. Also several
subdivisions would be severely impacted. After some discussion, the team members
agreed the southern alternative was extremely high in impacts and should be eliminated
as an alternative for U-3468.
I said that if we drop the light blue southern alternative, that would leave the northern
dark blue alternative and the teal widen existing alternative to carry forward for detailed
study. John H. wanted to discuss the pink and yellow alternatives before ruling them out
completely. Ted and Nya explained the yellow interchange would not work due to high
traffic counts. John asked why the pink plus yellow would not work, tying back into the
teal to the east of NC 16. He believed a combination of the yellow, pink, and teal
alternatives could be a good compromise. The design engineers explained how tying
back into existing US 421, into the teal corridor before NC 16, would be nearly
impossible, or at least not feasible due to design restraints that would cause exorbitant
costs (the design would required an interchange tying back into a freeway with service
roads).
At this point, Chris asked David what the local governments would like to see. David
replied that they like the new northern dark blue alternative and would like to see the red
or orange corridors from R-616 studied with that, but not the green R-616 alternative.
Chris noted that the dark blue alternative has some major stream crossings, but both Eric
and Ted said once preliminary designs are completed there would be much more
avoidance and minimization.
John H. asked if the R-616 red alternative would work with the new dark blue alternative
for U-3468. The reply was no, it will not work due to interchange proximity, however
the dark blue alternative will have a free-flow movement into and out of the shopping
area of US 421. The orange R-616 alternative will work with the dark blue. Chris asked
if red would work with pink. I replied that pink would not work because it does not
provide an adequate bypass. John H. asked why is total control of access necessary?
Beverly replied the growth plans for Wilkes County show a clear need to remove the stop
condition at NC 16. John H. repeated he thought that pink plus teal would work for U-
3468, and didn't understand why if the orange interchange worked why didn't the pink
interchange work. It became clear to me that the slight changes made to the corridors in a
meeting with John T., Ted, Nya, and Eric late last week were not reflected on the packet
maps and were creating a lot of confusion. I told everyone to disregard the packet maps
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and Nya and I held the new quad map while Ted explained to John what works, what t
doesn't work, and why.
At this point, the team agreed that the "widen existing" alternative for R-616 (bright
green) should be eliminated.
John H. summarized that for U-3468 we had two feasible alternatives the dark blue and
the teal, and for R-616 we had two feasible alternatives, the red or the orange. Everyone
agreed this was true and the team had reached concurrence. It was noted that Ted and
Nya had looked at the service roads that the teal alternative would require and this
alternative would take out many businesses through this corridor. NCDOT engineers
collectively agree that the teal alternative is not likely to continue to be the business
owners' preferred alternative once they see the potential impacts to existing businesses.
Marla reported on the condition of the trout streams in the area. She said there were trout
in the Yadkin River, but biologists did not believe the trout were living in the area of the
project. She said there are largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass in the area of the
project and due to that, a moratorium would be set for construction for the warm months
of the year.
cc: Meeting attendees
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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
MICHAEL F. EASLEY
GOVERNOR
April 26, 2004
Mr. John Hennessy
NC Division of Water Quality
1650 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1650
Dear Mr. Hennessy:
LYNDo TIPPETT
SECRETARY
WETLANDS 1401 GROUP
MAY 0 4 2004
WATER QUALITY SECTION
SUBJECT: NEPA/404 Concurrence Meeting for the US 421 Wilkesboro Corridor
Study, Wilkes County, TIP Project d US 268/US 421 Business
Corridor Study, TIP Projec
A merger team meeting is scheduled for June 15, 2004 at 1:00 PM. The purpose
of the meeting is to discuss alternatives to be carried forward for TIP Projects U-3468
and R-616. An agenda detailing the location of this meeting will be forwarded under
separate cover.
Enclosed is information regarding the purpose and need for the project. Please
look over the enclosed materials so that we may discuss your concerns prior to the
June 15 meeting. Should you have questions, my phone number is [phone],
extension 244 and my email address is jmsafron(abdot.state.nc.us.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Safron, PE
Project Development Engineer
Project Development and
Environmental Analysis Branch
Enclosure
MAILING ADDRESS: TELEPHONE: [phone] LOCATION:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FAX: [phone] TRANSPORTATION BUILDING
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS 1 SOUTH WILMINGTON STREET
1548 MAIL SERVICE CENTER WEBSITE. WWW.DOH.DOT.STATE.NC.US RALEIGH NC
RALEIGH NC 27699-1548
1
NEPA1404 MERGER CONCURRENCE POINT #2
ALTERNATIVES TO BE CARRIED FORWARD
FOR DETAILED STUDY
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MAY 0 4 2004
MATER QUALITY SECTION
US 421 WILKESBORO CORRIDOR STUDY
US 268/US 421 BUSINESS CORRIDOR STUDY
WILKES COUNTY
TIP PROJECTS U-3468 & R-0616
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Project Schedule/Cost
Citizens' Informational workshops were held for these projects in July 2003 and February
2004.
Right of Way acquisition for U-3468 is currently scheduled for Federal Fiscal Year 2006
and construction is set to begin in Federal Fiscal Year 2009.
Right of Way acquisition for R-616 is currently scheduled for Federal Fiscal Year 2008
and construction is set to begin in Federal Fiscal Year 2010.
The current estimated total cost for U-3468 is $63,000,000, based on the northern
corridor alternatives. This cost includes $ 11,700,000 for right of way and $ 50,800,000 for
construction.
The current estimated total cost for R-616 is $60,200,000, based on Alternative 1. This
cost includes $ 13,000,000 for right of way and $ 47,000,000 for construction.
Project Alternatives
Several alternatives have been developed in early planning for the project.
U-3468
Northern Option 1 extends from NC 16 to the US 421/NC 268 interchange, north of
existing US 421, approximately 4.3 miles. This study corridor provides interchanges at US 421
Business/SR 1372 and with Alternative Study Corridor 1 of TIP Project R-0616. The yellow line
shows this alternative on the aerial. At the Citizens' Informational Workshop held in July, 2003,
NCDOT was informed this alternative did not go far enough to the west of Wilkesboro to
provide an adequate bypass of the commercial development on US 421. It was noted that any
new-location alternative for U-3468 would need to tie back in to US 421 to the west of NC 16 to
be an adequate bypass. For this reason, NCDOT supports removing Northern Option 1 from the
list of alternatives to be studied in detail.
Northern Option 2 closely follows Northern Option 1 west of SR 1323. It then shifts
northward, allowing for a different interchange configuration at US 421 Business/SR 1372 and
the proposed bypass. This alternative is approximately 4.2 miles. The pink line shows this
alternative on the aerial. At the Citizens' Informational Workshop held in July, 2003, NCDOT
was informed this alternative, like Northern Option 1, did not go far enough to the west of
Wilkesboro to provide an adequate bypass of the commercial development on US 421. It was
noted that any new-location alternative for U-3468 would need to tie back in to US 421 to the
west of NC 16 to be an adequate bypass. For this reason, NCDOT also supports removing
Northern Option 2 from the list of alternatives to be studied in detail.
2
Northern Option 3 runs north of Option 1, crossing NC 16 with an interchange and
tying back in to US 421furthest west of all the alternatives. This alternative was added as a
result of input from the first workshop held in Wilkesboro in July 2003. This alternative is
approximately 4.5 miles. The dark blue line shows this alternative on the aerial.
The Southern Option extends from NC 16, south of existing US 421, to the US 42I NC
268 interchange and is approximately 4.3 miles. The light blue line shows this alternative on the
aerial. This alternative is representative of the Bypass alternative studied for TIP Project R-
2240, described as widening to a 4-lane divided facility with a 46 foot median, US 421 from the
existing four-lane section east of Maple Springs to the existing four-lane section east of NC 268
in Wilkesboro. The Environmental Assessment (EA) for TIP Project R-2240 was completed in
November 1995. The Bypass alternative for R-2240 recommended a new location portion of
US 421 south of the existing facility, between NC 16 and the US 421 /NC 268 interchange, the
same corridor as the Southern Option for U-3468. The Bypass alternative was not recommended
based, in part, on the following: 1) 4(f) considerations as a result of direct conflicts with the
Johnson Farm Complex - a historic property determined eligible for the National Register of
Historic Places; 2) greater environmental impacts, notably with respect to areas of biotic
importance which included the removal of marginally disturbed forested areas along the new
location segment; 3) more residential and commercial relocations; 4) potential conflicts with the
Montford Stokes site - an archaeological site determined eligible for the National Register of
Historic Places; and 5) greater construction costs based on the substantial amount of earthwork
that would be required along the bypass segment (TIP Project R-2240 EA, 1995). NCDOT
would like to eliminate the Southern Option from alternatives to be carried forward for these
same reasons.
The Improve Existing Facilities alternative would widen the existing US 421 Bypass.
This alternative is approximately 3.8 miles. The teal line shows this alternative on the aerial.
R-616
Alternative 1 extends from US 421-NC 16 to the NC 18-268 intersection. This study
alternative is approximately 4.6 miles. The red line shows this alternative on the aerial.
Alternative 2 begins at the intersection of US 421 bypass and NC 268 and ends at the
NC 18-268 intersection. This alternative is approximately 4.1 miles. The orange plus red lines
shows this alternative on the aerial.
The Improve Existing Facilities alternative would widen the existing NC 18-268 and
US 421 business corridors. This alternative is approximately 3.9 miles. The green line shows
this alternative on the aerial.
ALTERNATIVE COMPARISONS
U-3468
WIDEN EXISTING Northern Option 3 Southern Option
US 421 (Dark blue- 1000' (Light Blue -1000'
(Teal- 1000' corridor) corridor)
corridor)
RESIDENTIAL
RELOCATEES 44 46 15
BUSINESS RELOCATEES 53 15 24
SCHOOLS 0 0 0
CHURCHES 1 2 1
CEMETARIES 0 2 1
NATIONAL REGISTER
LISTED PROPERTIES 0 0 1
POTENTIAL NR*
ELIGIBLE PROPERITES 0 0 1
ACRES WETLANDS
AFFECTED (NWI) 0 0 0
ACRES WETLANDS
AFFECTED (HYDRIC 17.4 15 28
SOILS)
ACRES HIGH QUALITY
WATER ZONE 0 18 0
ACRES WATER SUPPLY 0 11 22
CRITICAL AREAS
STREAM IMPACTS (FT.) 6800 1417 2734
LENGTH NEW
LOC.TION (MI.) 0 4.5 4.3
INTERCHANGES 3 1 0
TOTAL LENGTH (MI.) 3.4 4.5 4.3
NOTE: Some impact totals are not for the full 1000' corridor width. The Northern Option 3
and Southern Option will likely utilize 300' in right-of-way width within their 1000' corridor,
therefore, acreage impacts and relocatees were divided by 3 to represent right-of-way widths
for these two alternatives. The "widen existing" alternative could possibly utilize all of the
1000' corridor due to the necessity of frontage/service roads and new grade-separated
intersections, therefore no impacts were divided for this alternative.
4
R-616
WIDEN EXISTING Alternative 2 Alternative I
FF US 421 Business " (Orange + red-1000' (Red-1000' corridor)
(Green- 150' corridor)
corridor)
RESIDENTIAL
RELOCATEES 9 65 78
BUSINESS RELOCATEES 66 34 27
SCHOOLS 1 1 2
CHURCHES 2 2 1
CEMETARIES 2 2 1
NATIONAL REGISTER
LISTED PROPERTIES 0 0 0
POTENTIAL NR*
ELIGIBLE PROPERITES 0 0 0
ACRES WETLANDS
AFFECTED (NWI) 0 0 0
ACRES WETLANDS
AFFECTED (HYDRIC 0 15 6
SOILS)
ACRES HIGH QUALITY
WATER ZONE 0 134 134
ACRES WATER SUPPLY 0 18 0
CRITICAL AREAS
STREAM IMPACTS (FT.) 300 1800 370
LENGTH NEW
LOC.TION (MI.) 0 4.1 4.6
INTERCHANGES 0 2 1
TOTAL LENGTH (MI.) 4.3 4.1 4.6
NOTE: For Alternative 2 and 1, acreage impacts and relocatees were divided by 3 to represent
the likely right-of-way width utilized within a 1000' corridor. None of the "widen existing"
alternative impacts were divided, as a realistic right-of-way width of 150 feet is represented in
the 150' corridor shown for this alternative.
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U-3468 & R-616 Project Locations
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June 27, 2002
MEMORANDUM TO: File
FROM: Alethia Raynor
Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
SUBJECT: US 421 Wilkesboro Corridor Study, Wilkes County,
F.A. Project NHF-42 IB(1), State Project 8.176190 1,
TIP Project U-3468
A concurrence meeting for the subject project was held on May 15, 2002. The objectives
of the meeting were to present general information about the project study area to the team
members, and to establish purpose and need for the project (concurrence point 1). The following
people attended the meeting:
Jean Manuele US Army Corps of Engineers, Raleigh
Jake Riggsbee Federal Highway Administration
Marella Buncick US Fish and Wildlife Service
Cynthia Van Der Wiele NC Division of Water Quality
David Cox North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Renee Gledhill-Earley State Historic Preservation Office
Nya Boayue NCDOT, Roadway Design Unit
Ted Walls NCDOT, Roadway Design Unit
Rob Hanson NCDOT, Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
Jay McInnis NCDOT, Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
Alethia Raynor NCDOT, Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
Purpose and need documentation for the subject project was provided to participants prior
to the meeting. Handouts made available at the meeting included a copy of all slides and figures
referenced during the presentation. The following is a summary of the information presented to
the team members. Comments and recommendations discussed at the meeting are also included.
Project Description
TIP Project U-3468 has been included in the Draft 2004-2010 North Carolina
Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) to improve the US 421 corridor in the vicinity of
Wilkesboro, in Wilkes County. This project focuses on the section of highway from west of
NC 16 to NC 268. This portion of US 421 is approximately 3.4 miles.
Project Purpose
The project purpose presented at the meeting was stated as follows:

The purpose of the project is to reduce congestion, improve safety, and improve travel time for
traffic using the US 421 corridor in the vicinity of Wilkesboro.
Project Need
The needs identified for the project are:
1) Growing traffic volumes along US 421 in the project area,
2) High number.of rear-end collisions, and
3) Growing delay in travel time due to amount of traffic and number of signals
along US 421 in the area.
Project History
Improvements are currently being made to US 421 in the study area under TIP Project
R-2240B. US 421 is being widened to five lanes between NC 16 and the US 421 Business
intersection. From the US 421 Business intersection to east of NC 268, US 421 is being widened
to four lanes with a median. This work is anticipated to be completed in December 2003.
The Environmental Assessment (EA) for TIP Project R-2240 was completed in November
1995. One alternative considered for the project included a bypass around the existing business
district. The Bypass alternative recommended a new location portion of US 421 south of the
existing facility, between NC 16 and the US 421/NC 268 interchange. The Bypass alternative was
eliminated from further consideration based, in part, on the following: 1) 4(f) considerations as a
result of direct conflicts with the Johnson Farm Complex - a historic property determined eligible
for the National Register of Historic Places; 2) greater environmental impacts, notably with
respect to areas of biotic importance which included the removal of marginally disturbed forested
areas along the new location segment; 3) more residential and commercial relocations; 4) potential
conflicts with the Montford Stokes site - an archaeological site determined eligible for the
National Register of Historic Places; and 5) greater construction costs based on the substantial
amount of earthwork that would be required along the bypass segment (TIP Project R-2240 EA,
1995).
Recommendations
TIP Project R-616 is programmed as the NC 18-268 (Wilkesboro and North Wilkesboro
Bypass) from NC 18 to US 421. In the Draft 2004-2010 Transportation Improvement Program
(TIP), right of way is scheduled to begin in fiscal year 2008 and construction is scheduled to begin
in 2010. A meeting to discuss purpose and need (concurrence point 1) has not been held on this
project.
At this time, it is recommended that the western termini of the Bypass (R-616) connect to
US 421 within the U-3468 project study area. All the team members emphasized the need to
coordinate planning of these two projects. They expressed concern about precluding options for
both projects since information about project R-616 was not available at the meeting.
Ms. Manuele noted that the NC 18-268 Bypass will direct more traffic onto US 421. The 2025
traffic projections provided at the meeting assume the Bypass is in place. One team member then

questioned if the NC 18-268 Bypass was driving the need for improvements along US 421. On
US 421, east of SR 1323, traffic volumes will range between 39,000 and 49,400 in 2025 with the
NC 18-268 Bypass in place. If the Bypass is not constructed, traffic volumes will range between
48,600 and 65,000 in 2025. Even with TIP Project R-616, US 421 will operate between a level of
service (LOS) E and F in 2025.
Jay McInnis emphasized that planning for the projects will be coordinated, but believed it
was more appropriate to tie the projects together at the alternatives stage. Since the two projects
are routing traffic in different directions, then the purpose and need for each project is different.
Mr. McInnis recommended revising the purpose and need for U-3468 to incorporate a
commitment for coordination of the two projects. Rob Hanson agreed and recommended the
purpose statement include addressing the needs of this and other transportation projects in a
manner that minimizes the combined environmental impact.
Marella Buncick and Jean Manuele both stated that there is a demonstrated need for
improvement to US 421. However, all of the team members agreed that another meeting should
be scheduled to discuss TIP Projects U-3468 and R-616 together. Team members want to gather
all, available information and then draft purpose and need statements for both projects. They
recognize the importance of TIP Project U-3468 in light of the other improvements to US 421
currently underway, and want to approach project development from a system level.
Ms. Raynor asked for final comments on the purpose and need documentation for TIP
Project U-3468. Ms. Manuele questioned if the purpose statement should be revised to
recommend an interstate or freeway facility for the project. Mr. McInnis disagreed with this
recommendation. David Cox noted that a facility with driveways and a large number of access
points would not meet the stated purpose for the project. Therefore, certain types of facilities will
be excluded from consideration because they do not meet the purpose and need. No other
comments were made.
Cc: Merger Team members

November 7, 2002
MEMORANDUM TO: File
FROM: Alethia Raynor
Project. Development and Environmental Analysis
SUBJECT: US 421 Wilkesboro Corridor Study, Wilkes County,
NCDOT Division 11, F.A. Project NHF-421B(1),
State Project 8.1761901, TIP Project U-3468
A concurrence meeting for the subject project was held on August 15, 2002. The
objectives of the meeting were to present information about TIP Project U-3468 and R-616 and
discuss the purpose and need of each project (concurrence point 1). The following people
attended the meeting:
Jean Manuele US Army Corps of Engineers, Raleigh
Donna Dancausse Federal Highway Administration
Christopher Militscher US Environmental Protection Agency, Raleigh
Marella Buncick US Fish and Wildlife Service, (by video-conference)
Cynthia Van Der Wiele NC Division of Water Quality
Marla Chambers NC Wildlife Resources Commission
Sarah McBride State Historic Preservation Office
Nya Boayue NCDOT, Roadway Design Unit
Gary Foster NCDOT, Roadway Design Unit
Rob Hanson NCDOT, Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
Jay McInnis NCDOT, Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
Ben Upshaw NCDOT, Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
Lubin Prevatt NCDOT, Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
Cindy Sharer NCDOT, Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
Richard Brewer NCDOT, Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
Dion Viventi NCDOT, Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
Alethia Raynor NCDOT, Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
A meeting to discuss purpose and need for the subject project was held May 15, 2002. At
the meeting, there was some discussion regarding an adjacent TIP Project, R-616. Because of
the proximity of the two project study areas, team members requested a joint meeting to receive
information and discuss the purpose and need for each project. At the May meeting, no changes
were recommended to the U-3468 purpose and need documentation. Therefore, no additional
materials pertaining to the subject project were distributed prior to the August 15th meeting.
Ms. Raynor began the meeting by restating the following information about TIP Project
U-3468:
Project Description
TIP Project U-3468 has been included in the Draft 2004-2010 North Carolina
Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) to improve the US 421 corridor in the vicinity of
Wilkesboro, in Wilkes County. This project focuses on the section of highway from west of
NC 16 to NC 268. This portion of US 421 is approximately 3.4 miles.
Project Purpose
The purpose of the project is to reduce congestion, improve safety, and improve travel
time for traffic using the US 421 corridor in the vicinity of Wilkesboro.
Improvements are currently being made to US 421 in the study area under TIP Project R-
2240B. US 421 is being widened to five lanes between NC 16 and the US 421 Business
intersection. From the US 421 Business intersection to east of NC 268, US 421 is being widened
to four lanes with a median. This work is anticipated to be completed in December 2003. One
team member asked about level of service (LOS) information along US 421 for the current year.
Ms. Raynor stated that a LOS discussion is included in the purpose and need documentation;
however, present year information is not included.
Coordination of TIP Proiects R-616 and U-3468
Following the discussion on TIP Project U-3468, Richard Brewer presented information
on the adjacent project. TIP Project R-616 involves improvements to the NC 18-268 and US 421
Business corridor in the vicinity of Wilkesboro. One team member questioned why the existing
US 421 Bypass does not function to alleviate congestion in the R-616 study corridor. It was
stated that the primary function of US 421 is to serve intrastate and regional traffic. The
facilities included in the R-616 study serve regional and local trips.
Team members emphasized the connectivity of the two projects and the importance of
planning coordination. While the projects share a common study area, they each have
independent utility. Chris Militscher noted that a project which meets the stated purpose for TIP
Project U-3468, will not alleviate the need for TIP Project R-616. Rob Hanson agreed that the
projects share commonalties, but expressed hesitation to link the two projects together. This may
result in problems if one of the projects lost funding. Lubin Prevatt recommended that the
purpose and need of each project be prepared independently. He also recommended that
concurrence meetings for the two projects be held jointly. This would provide independent
documentation for each project, but ensure that coordination of the two projects occurred. The
team members agreed that all subsequent concurrence meetings for TIP Projects U-3468 and R-
616 should be joint meetings.
Cc: Merger Team members
ya r=°"
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTWNT OF TRANSPORTATION
MICHAEL F. EASLEY
GOVERNOR
- August 26, 2002
MEMORANDUM TO: File
LYNDO TIPPETT
SECRETARY
FROM: Richard L. Brewer, P. E.
Project. Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
SUBJECT: Minutes from Concurrence Meeting = Purpose and Need, NC 18-268/
US 421 Business Corridor Improvements, Wilkes County, F. A.
Project STP-268(4), State Project 8.1761701, T.I.P. No. R-0616
A merger team concurrence meeting to discuss and approve the purpose and need of the
subject project was conducted on August 15, 2002. The meeting place was the NCDOT Board
Room.
Summary of the meeting discussion:
1. The meeting began at approximately 9:10 am with a presentation by Alethia Raynor of the
purpose and need for TIP project U-3813. She reminded the agency representatives-that
NCDOT was holding this meeting jointly with TIP project R-0616 at their request.
2. After specific discussion of U-3813, the purpose and need statement for R-0616 was read. A
description of the project location, traffic demand, congestion, level of service, and adjacent
land use was discussed.
3. Because the only deficiency of the study corridor is present and future traffic volumes and
resulting congestion, the question of crash history was asked. Recent 3-year crash data
shows crash rates in the corridor being lower than statewide averages for similar highways.
NCDOT explained that crashes only become a justification in the purpose and need if existing
conditions are worse that statewide averages.
4. A question was asked concerning the existing US 421 bypass, and why it does not function to
alleviate congestion in the study corridor. The R-0616 project will mainly handle local and
regional traffic flow. The US 421 bypass, as its designation suggests, handles some local and
regional traffic but has the primary purpose of accommodating statewide and interstate traffic.
5. A team member asked about the population projections for the study area. Although the
numbers weren't available at the meeting, it was explained that the traffic volumes in the
corridor are expected to double from 2000 to 2025. This may or may not correlate with the
population trends forecasted for Wilkes County.
MAILING ADDRESS: TELEPHONE: [phone] LOCATION:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FAX: [phone] TRANSPORTATION BUILDING
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS 1 SOUTH WILMINGTON STREET
1548 MAIL SERVICE CENTER WEBSITE: WWW.NCDOT.ORG RALEIGH NC
RALEIGH NC 27699-1548
6. The common features of both projects were briefly discussed. The projects have independent
utility. However the team selection of the R-0616 LEDPA will determine the location of its
western terminus and its length. If the merger team chooses the existing corridor as the
LEDPA for R-0616, the westernmost segment would likely end at existing or proposed US
421. But if R-0616 has a new bypass as its LEDPA, its western terminus would likely shift
further west.
7. Doesn't the draft 2004-2010 TIP include a 'bypass' for R-0616? The current wording in the
TIP does specify a bypass on new location. However, at this stage of project development,
other reasonable and prudent alternatives to be developed, including improving the existing
corridor, will be studied for comparitive purposes.
8. The purpose and need statement was read again. The team agreed to add the phrase "local
and regional" to the 2nd sentence, to indicate the need of the project was to serve this element
of traffic, as opposed to mainly through traffic now (and in the future) using US 421 bypass.
9. The agencies asked if the two projects could hold concurrent merger meetings. It was agreed
upon by the team members to carry out these common meetings.
10. Extra time should be given to discuss possible alternatives for study at the next meeting.
11. Without any further substantive comments, the meeting adjouned at 10:25 am.
If you feel that any statement(s) included the above minutes contains errors or needs
clarification, please notify me at rbreweadot. state. nc. us or phone [phone], extension 242.
R-0616 CONCURRENCE POINT 1 MEETING ATTENDEES
August 15, 2002
R-0616 TEAM MEMBERS
NAME AGENCY
Richard Brewer NCDOT/PDEA
Marella Buncick b teleconference USFWS
Marla Chambers NCWRC
Donna Dancausse FHWA
Jean Manuele USACE/Ralei h
Sarah McBride SHPO/DCR
Cynthia Van Der Wiele NCDWQ
OTHER NCDOT STAFF
N a Boa ue Roadway Design
Gary Foster Roadway Design
Rob Hanson PDEA
Jay McInnis PDEA
Lubin Prevatt PDEA
Alethia Raynor PDEA
Cindy Sharer PDEA
Ben U shaw PDEA
Dion Viventi PDEA
January 28, 2003
MEMORANDUM TO: File
FROM: Alethia Raynor
Project Development and Environmental Analysis
SUBJECT: US 421 Wilkesboro Corridor Study, Wilkes County, NCDOT
Division 11, F.A. Proj ect NHF-421 B(1), State Proj ect 8.176190 1,
TIP Project U-3468
A concurrence meeting for the subject project was held on November 14, 2002. The
objective of the meeting was to discuss alternatives for TIP Projects U-3468 and R-616 that may
be shown to the public at the citizens informational workshop. The following people attended the
meeting:
John Thomas
Jake Riggsbee
Rob Ayers
Christopher Militscher
Marella Buncick
Cynthia Van Der Wiele
Marla Chambers
Sarah McBride
Nya Boayue
Ted Walls
Allison White
Art McMillan
Sue Flowers
Anthony West
Wayne Atkins
Jerry Parker
Elizabeth Lusk
Rob Hanson
Cindy Sharer
Jay McInnis
Dion Viventi
Richard Brewer
Alethia Raynor
US Army Corps of Engineers, Raleigh
Federal Highway Administration
Federal Highway Administration
US Environmental Protection Agency, Raleigh
US Fish and Wildlife Service (by video-conference)
NC Division of Water Quality
NC Wildlife Resources Commission (by video-conference)
State Historic Preservation Office
NCDOT, Roadway Design Unit
NCDOT, Roadway Design Unit
NCDOT, Roadway Design Unit
NCDOT, Roadway Design Unit
NCDOT, Roadway Design Unit
NCDOT, Roadway Design Unit
NCDOT, Division 11
NCDOT, Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
NCDOT, Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
NCDOT, Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
NCDOT, Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
NCDOT, Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
NCDOT, Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
NCDOT, Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
NCDOT, Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
A joint concurrence meeting for TIP Projects U-3468 and R-616 was held on August 15,
2002. At this meeting, information was presented and concurrence on purpose and need
(concurrence point 1) was reached for both projects. At the August meeting, team members
agreed that all subsequent concurrence meetings for TIP Projects U-3468 and R-616 should be
joint meetings. The November meeting was held in order to continue coordination of the two
projects. Prior to the meeting, documentation on project alternatives for both projects was
distributed to the team members. Quad maps showing the various alternative study corridors
accompanied the documentation.
TIP Proiect R-616 Summa
Following introductions by meeting attendees, Richard Brewer briefly reviewed the three
alternatives for TIP Project R-616. During discussions, staff from Roadway Design raised
objections to TIP R-616 Alternative Study Corridor 2. In reviewing this alignment within the
context of the U-3468 alternatives, they believed two interchanges would be placed in
approximately the same location. This creates an undesirable situation by not maintaining the
minimum separation between interchanges. Team members emphasized that without
Alternative 2, only one new location alternative existed. Rob Hanson questioned if enough design
work had taken place in order to determine that these interchange configurations would not work
together. It was decided that all three alternatives for TIP Project R-616 would be shown at the
citizens informational workshop. Roadway Design will re-examine the design details for
Alternative 2 along with possible interchange configurations for TIP U-3468. Details regarding
additional discussion on TIP Project R-616 are addressed in a separate memo.
TIP Project U-3468 Summary
Upon request, Alethia Raynor briefly reviewed the purpose and need for TIP Project
U-3468. As demonstrated in the purpose and need documentation, without improvements beyond
those currently under construction, US 421 will likely operate between level of service (LOS) E
and F in the design year (2025). Another part of the purpose and need is to improve travel time
for traffic using the US 421 corridor in the vicinity of Wilkesboro. Upon completion of
improvements currently underway for US 421 between Winston-Salem and Boone, US 421 will
be a freeway or expressway facility, with the exception of through the study area.
Chris Militscher began discussion of U-3468 project alternatives by questioning the
location of the Southern Option. He noted that it appears to swing far south of existing US 421
through some severe topography. Although not shown on the quad map, there is a great deal of
development to the south of existing US 421 that this alternative attempts to avoid. In addition,
Ms. Raynor mentioned that the southern option is intended to represent the Bypass alternative
studied in the environmental document for TIP Project R-2240. Therefore, every effort was made
to show the alignment in the same location.
John Thomas questioned if NC 268 was examined as a possible alternative for the project.
He recommended utilizing existing NC 268 as part of a southern bypass option. From NC 268,
the bypass would then cross the Yadkin River on new location near the old airport before
connecting with US 421 near NC 16. Wayne Atkins expressed concern with this proposal due to
existing and/or proposed development in the area. He specifically mentioned the YMCA, located
in proximity of the old airport. Mr. Atkins questioned this proposal meeting the purpose and need
for the project. He felt the conditions along NC 268 would mirror the conditions on US 421
unless NC 268 was made a controlled access facility. Without this measure, he did not feel this
2
alternative could meet the purpose and need of the project. No additional comments were made
recommending this alternative be included for further study.
The team members agreed the following three alternatives for TIP Project U-3468 should
be shown at the citizens informational workshop: - Northern Option 1, Northern Option 2, and
Southern Option. Ms. Raynor requested input regarding the consideration of further
improvements to US 421. The general consensus of the group was that it would not be reasonable
or feasible to, examine additional improvements to US 421 in the project area. It is unlikely that
additional improvements to the existing roadway would meet the project's purpose and need.
Cc: Merger Team members
3
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A.R
•Q aw.voQ'?
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
MICHAEL F. EASLEY
GOVERNOR
January 15, 2003
MEMORANDUM TO: File
LYNDo TIPPETT
SECRETARY
FROM: Richard L. Brewer, P. E.
Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
SUBJECT: Minutes from Concurrence Meeting - Alternatives for Study,
NC 18-268/ US 421 Business Corridor Improvements, Wilkes
County, F. A. Project STP-268(4), State Project 8.1761701,
T.I.P. No. R-o616
A merger team concurrence meeting to discuss project alternatives for study was
held on November 14, 2002. The NCDOT Board Room was the meeting site.
Summary of the meeting discussion:
1. The meeting began at 9:1o am with an introduction and distribution of handouts and
maps by Alethia Raynor. (The minutes concerning Alethia's project, U-3468, are
addressed in a separate memo.)
2. I opened by introducing the three alternative corridors NCDOT has developed to this
point. The first alternative is the corridor selected by Statewide Planning through a
phase 1 environmental analysis and report, published in July, 1993• This corridor
would carry a 4-lane roadway on new location, running from US 421-NC 16 to the NC
18-268 intersection. Access would be fully controlled between at-grade
intersections.
3. The second alternative corridor discussed begins at the intersection of US 421 bypass
and NC 268, and ends at the NC 18-268 intersection. This alternative provides a
veritable bypass of NC 268 due to its aligning across from the US 421 bypass. In the
eastbound direction the bypass carries traffic south of the Yadkin River to an
interchange with NC 268. This corridor met opposition from Roadway Design. A
junction where the interchanges of this alternative and the U-3468 highway would
be spaced too closely, and merging and weaving distances between the two would
create high crash potential.
4. The third alternative corridor indicates improvements to the existing NC 18-268 and
US 421 business roadways. At this point in the process, it appears feasible that the
existing corridor can be widened. However, numerous traffic signals along the route
would remain, creating extensive travel delays. Another disadvantage raised would
be the disruption to existing traffic during construction. But an initial capacity
analysis shows that in the design year 2025, the existing corridor with improvements
MAILING ADDRESS: TELEPHONE: [phone] LOCATION:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FAX: [phone] TRANSPORTATION BUILDING
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS 1 SOUTH WILMINGTON STREET
1548 MAIL SERVICE CENTER WEBSITE. WWW.NCDOT.ORG RALEIGH NC
RALEIGH NC 27699-1548

would operate at LOS D. A no build scenario indicates the corridor operating at LOS
F in 2025.
5. It was agreed that all 3 alternative corridors will be shown to the public at an
upcoming Citizens' Informational Workshop.
6. After discussion of project R-o616, Alethia Raynor began talking about her U-3468
project; the meeting adjourned at 10:4o am.
If you feel that any statement(s) included above contains errors or needs
clarification, please notify me at rbrewer(@dot.state.nc.us or phone [phone],
extension 242.
R-o&6 CONCURRENCE POINT 2 MEETING ATTENDEES
November 14, 2002
R-o616 TEAM MEM
NAME BERS
AGENCY
Richard Brewer NCDOT PDEA
Marella Buncick (by
teleconference) USFWS
Marla Chambers (by
teleconference) NCWRC
Sarah McBride DCR SHPO
Chris Militscher EPA
Jake Ri sbee FHWA
John Thomas USACE Ralei h
Cynthia Van Der Wiele NCDW
OTHER NCDOT & AGEN CY STAFF
Art McMillan Roadway Desi gn
Ted Walls Roadway Desi gn
N a Boayue Roadway Desi gn
Sue Flowers Roadway Desi gn
Anthony West Roadway Desi gn
Allison White Roadway Desi gn
Rob Hanson PDEA
Jay McInnis PDEA
Alethia Raynor PDEA
Cindy Sharer PDEA
Elizabeth Lusk PDEA
Jerry Parker PDEA
Dion Viventi PDEA
Wayne Atkins DIV 11
Rob Ayers FHWA

eia STAlpp ?? 1 ? (? f7 n -
row Llu,.
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPOR
MICHAEL F. EASLEY LYNDO TIPPETT
GOVERNOR SECRETARY
January 15, 2003
MEMORANDUM TO: File-ee-
FROM: Richard L. trewer, P. E.
Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
SUBJECT: Minutes from Concurrence Meeting - Alternatives for Study,
NC 18-268/ US 421 Business Corridor Improvements, Wilkes
County, F. A..Project STP-268(4), State Project 8.1761701,
T.I.P. No. R-o616
A merger team concurrence meeting to discuss project alternatives for study was
held on November 14, 2002. The NCDOT Board Room was the meeting site.
Summary of the meeting discussion:
1. The meeting began at 9: io am with an introduction and distribution of handouts and
maps by Alethia Raynor. (The minutes concerning Alethia's project, U-3468, are
addressed in a separate memo.)
2. I opened by introducing the three alternative corridors NCDOT has developed to this
point. The first alternative is the corridor selected by Statewide Planning through a
phase 1 environmental analysis and report, published in July, 1993• This corridor
would carry a 4-lane roadway on new location, running from US 421-NC 16 to the NC
18-268 intersection. Access would be fully controlled between at-grade
intersections.
3. The second alternative corridor discussed begins at the intersection of US 421 bypass
and NC 268, and ends at the NC 18-268 intersection. This alternative provides a
veritable bypass of NC 268 due to its aligning across from the. US 421 bypass. In the
eastbound direction the bypass carries traffic south of the Yadkin River to an
interchange with NC 268. This corridor met opposition from Roadway Design. A
junction where the interchanges of this alternative and the U-3468 highway would
be spaced too closely, and merging and weaving distances between the two would
create high crash potential.
4. The third alternative corridor indicates improvements to the existing NC 18-268 and
US 421 business roadways. At this point in the process, it appears feasible that the
existing corridor can be widened. However, numerous traffic signals along the route
would remain, creating extensive travel delays. Another disadvantage raised would
be the disruption to existing traffic during construction. But an initial capacity
analysis shows that in the design year 2025, the existing corridor with improvements
MAILING ADDRESS: TELEPHONE: [phone] LOCATION:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FAX: [phone] TRANSPORTATION BUILDING
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS 1 SOUTH WILMINGTON STREET
1548 MAIL SERVICE CENTER WEBSITE: WWW NCDOT.ORG RALEIGH NC
RALEIGH NC 27699-1548
r
would operate at LOS D. A no build scenario indicates the corridor operating at LOS
F in 2025.
5. It was agreed that all 3 alternative corridors will be shown to the public at an
upcoming Citizens' Informational Workshop.
6. After discussion of project R-o616, Alethia Raynor began talking about her U-3468
project; the meeting adjourned at 10:4o am.
If you feel that any statement(s) included above contains errors or needs
clarification, please notify me at rbrewer(&dot.state.nc.us or phone [phone],
extension 242.
R-o616 CONCURRENCE POINT 2 MEETING ATTENDEES
November 14, 2002
R-o616 TEAM MEM
NAME BERS
AGENCY
Richard Brewer NCDOT PDEA
Marella Buncick (by
teleconference) USFWS
Marla Chambers (by
teleconference) NCWRC
Sarah McBride DCR SHPO
Chris Militscher EPA
Jake Ri sbee FHWA
John Thomas USACE Ralei h
Cynthia Van Der Wiele NCDWQ
OTHER NCDOT & AGENCY STAFF
Art McMillan Roadway Desig n
Ted Walls Roadway Desig n
N a Boayue Roadway Desig n
Sue Flowers Roadway Desig n
Anthony West Roadway Desig n
Allison White Roadway Desig n
Rob Hanson PDEA
Jay McInnis PDEA
Alethia Raynor PDEA
Cindy Sharer PDEA
Elizabeth Lusk PDEA
Jerry Parker PDEA
Dion Viventi PDEA
Wayne Atkins DIV 11
Rob Ayers FHWA

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
MICHAEL F. EASLEY
GOVERNOR
January 15, 2003
MEMORANDUM TO:
FROM:
File
LYNDo TIPPETT
SECRETARY
Richard L. Brewer, P. E.
Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
SUBJECT: Minutes from Concurrence Meeting - Alternatives for Study,
NC 18-268/ US 421 Business Corridor Improvements, Wilkes
County, F. A. Project STP-268(4), State Project 8.1761701,
T.I.P. No. R-o616
A merger team concurrence meeting to discuss project alternatives for study was
held on November 14, 2002. The NCDOT Board Room was the meeting site.
Summary of the meeting discussion:
1. The meeting began at 9:1o am with an introduction and distribution of handouts and
maps by Alethia Raynor. (The minutes concerning Alethia's project, U-3468, are
addressed in a separate memo.)
2. I opened by introducing the three alternative corridors NCDOT has developed to this
point. The first alternative is the corridor selected by Statewide Planning through a
phase 1 environmental analysis and report, published in July, 1993• This corridor
would carry a 44ane roadway on new location, running from US 421-NC 16 to the NC
18-268 intersection. Access would be fully controlled between at-grade
intersections.
3. The second alternative corridor discussed begins at the intersection of US 421 bypass
and NC 268, and ends at the NC 18-268 intersection. This alternative provides a
veritable bypass of NC 268 due to its aligning across from the US 421 bypass. In the
eastbound direction the bypass carries traffic south of the Yadkin River to an
interchange with NC 268. This corridor met opposition from Roadway Design. A
junction where the interchanges of this alternative and the U-3468 highway would
be spaced too closely, and merging and weaving distances between the two would
create high crash potential.
4. The third alternative corridor indicates improvements to the existing NC 18-268 and
US 421 business roadways. At this point in the process, it appears feasible that the
existing corridor can be widened. However, numerous traffic signals along the route
would remain, creating extensive travel delays. Another disadvantage raised would
be the disruption to existing traffic during construction. But an initial capacity
analysis shows that in the design year 2025, the existing corridor with improvements
MAILING ADDRESS: TELEPHONE: [phone] LOCATION:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FAX: [phone] TRANSPORTATION BUILDING
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS 1 SOUTH WILMINGTON STREET
1548 MAIL SERVICE CENTER WEBSITE. WWW.NCDOT.ORG RALEIGH NC
RALEIGH NC 27699-1548
would operate at LOS D. A no build scenario indicates the corridor operating at LOS
F in 2025.
5. It was agreed that all 3 alternative corridors will be shown to the public at an
upcoming Citizens' Informational Workshop.
6. After discussion of project R-o616, Alethia Raynor began talking about her U-3468
project; the meeting adjourned at 10:4o am.
If you feel that any statement(s) included above contains errors or needs
clarification, please notify me at rbrewer(@dot.state.nc.us or phone [phone],
extension 242.
R-o616 CONCURRENCE POINT 2 MEETING ATTENDEES
November 14, 2002
R-o616 TEAM MEM
NAME BERS
AGENCY
Richard Brewer NCDOT PDEA
Marella Buncick (by
teleconference) USFWS
Marla Chambers (by
teleconference) NCWRC
Sarah McBride DCR SHPO
Chris Militscher EPA
Jake Ri sbee FHWA
John Thomas USACE Ralei h
Cynthia Van Der Wiele NCDWQ
OTHER NCDOT & AGENCY STAFF
Art McMillan Roadway Desi gn
Ted Walls Roadway Desi gn
N a Boayue Roadway Desi gn
Sue Flowers Roadway Desi gn
Anthony West Roadway Desi gn
Allison White Roadway Desi gn
Rob Hanson PDEA
Jay McInnis PDEA
Alethia Raynor PDEA
Cindy Sharer PDEA
Elizabeth Lusk PDEA
Jerry Parker PDEA
Dion Viventi PDEA
Wayne Atkins DIV 11
Rob Ayers FHWA

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