R-2426

N. C. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
TRANSMITTAL SLIP DATE '
T REF. NO. OR ROOM, BLDG.

FROM: D REF. O. OR ROOM, DG.
ACTION
? NOTE ANDFILE - ? PER OUR CONVERSATION
?`NOTE AND RETURN TO ME- ? PER YOUR REQUEST
?"RETURN WITH MORE DETAILS -? FOR YOUR APPROVAL
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COMMENTS:
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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
MICCHAEL F. EASLEY 1548 MAIL SERVICE CENTER, RALEIGH, N.C.27699-5201 LYNDO TIPPETT
GOVERNOR SECRETARY
April 29, 2002
Memorandum To: File
From: Ray Lotfi , r
Project Planni g 'En neer
Subject: Scoping Meeting Minutes for Widening of NC 208 from US 25-70
to Tennessee State Line., Madison County. State Project
8.1861201. Federal Aid Project STP-208(2), TIP Project R-2426
A scoping meeting for the subject project was held on February 26, 2002 at 10:30 a.m. in
the Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch Conference Room. The following
persons were in attendance:
Clearance Coleman FHWA
Max Phillips NCDOT-Division 13
Wayne Best Roadway Design
Greg Brew Roadway Design
Jerome Nix Hydraulics Unit
Regina Page Congestion Management
Sherri Field Structure Design
Doug Calhoun Structure Design
John Taylor Location and Survey
Ronnie Moore Public Involvement
Van Argabright Program Development
Kirby Warmak Right of Way
Bill Moore Geotechnical
Rob Hanson Project Development and Environmental Analysis
Jay McInnis Project Development and Environmental Analysis
Ray Lotfi Project Development and Environmental Analysis
The following was discussed after an introduction:
Project Information
Project Description
TIP project R-2426 is programmed in the 2002-2008 Transportation Improvement
Program (TIP) to widen NC 208 from US 25-70 to Tennessee State Line in Madison County.
The total project length is 9.1 miles.

Purpose of Project
The purpose of the project is to improve safety on NC 208 in the project area.
Cost Estimates
The current cost estimate for the project:
Current Estimated Construction Cost $ 20,800,000
Right of Way (TIP) $ 1,500,000
Total Cost $ 22,300,000
Schedule
Environmental Assessment (EA) is due April 2004.
Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) is scheduled for May 2005.
Right of Way is scheduled for April 2007.
Construction is scheduled for Post Year.
Existing Facilities
a. Existing cross section is two 9-foot lanes with 3-foot grassed shoulders. NC 208 in the vicinity
of the intersection of US 25-70 and NC 208 has been widened to 24-foot with 6-foot unpaved
shoulders. This 24-foot pavement tapers to 18-feet approximately 1,000 feet north of the US
25-70 intersection.
b. Horizontal alignment is poor with curves greater than 6° and several curves greater than 25°.
c. All intersections along the project are stop sign controlled, except the intersection of NC 208
with US 25/70 has a yield sign for NC 208.
d. Much of the alignment has a stream on one side and steep mountain on the other side.
e. Bridge Nos. 16 and 33 carry NC 208 over Big Laurel and Shelton Laurel Creeks. There are
also several culverts along NC 208.
Traffic Information
NC 208 is classified as a Rural Minor Arterial with a posted speed limit of 55 mph. The
current (2001) estimated ADT for NC 208 is between 900 to 3,200 vehicles per day. The
projected ADT for design year 2030 is between 2,400 to 8,300 vehicles per day. Trucks make up
14% of total traffic.
The last 3 years accidents study for project corridor indicates a total of 20 crashes with 47% of
total accidents represented by running off road type of accidents. The accident rate for this
section of NC 125 for the same time period was 382.83 accidents per 100. million vehicle miles.
In comparison, this is higher than the statewide crash rate of 228.87 accidents per 100 million
vehicle miles for similar facilities.
The comments and recommendations from this meeting are outlined below:
There were several comments and recommendations made during this meeting, as full scale
improvements will be restricted by project terrain. Jay McInnis suggested to utilize accident data
to find trouble spots for project improvements. There was some discussion as to whether the
project could be divided into two parts at NC 212. Greg Brew of Roadway Design suggested we
widen NC 208 to NC 212 and do spot improvements for the rest of the project. Hydraulics stated
that culverts will be extended where needed as opposed to being replaced with bridges. It was
suggested that DOT may only be able to claim what right of way it maintains. Roadway Design
estimated 10-20 relocatees.
• N
In relation to the scope work and project fluids, Rob Hanson brought up the question as to
whether the TIP reason or justification for the project could support the possible large increase in
cost. Van Argabright of Program Development commented that this project is not eligible for
trust funds. Mr. Argabright suggested that since the project is very likely to increase in cost with
the present scope, we delay the right of way and project until further cost study and discussion
with the Board Member is done.
The Roadway Design Unit will examine improving the entire length of NC 208 as scoped in the
TIP, but utilizing a 40 MPH design speed. Cost estimates should be available by June.
Project Development proposed to re-think the merger process if the project scope will be
changed. Rob Hanson suggested to have a meeting with the Division and Board Member after
estimates are available.
Following the preparation of cost estimates for the present scope, the scope of work will be
discussed further and one of these three alternatives will be chosen:
1) Proceed with project study with present scope.
2) Change scope of work and do spot improvements.
3) Drop the project.
Written comments received from the following :
1. USACE: Recommended to initiate NEPA/404 merger process due to the following:
a. Number and nature (trout waters) of streams could potentially be impacted.
b. The potential for longitude encroachment to the stream along the project.
c. The terrain and high potential for cut and fill activities to impact surface waters.
d. National Forest Land and possible rare habitats in project area.
e. Potential stream mitigation site being investigated by NCDOT and the NC Wildlife
Resources Commission including approximately 3 miles of frontage on Big Laurel
Creek in the project area.
It was suggested that representatives of the US Forest Service and the Tennessee Valley
Authority be included on the project team.
2. Geotechnical Unit:
a. Up to 100 feet of rock cuts needed
b. Preliminary slope recommendations are 1:1 for all rock slopes'and 2:1 for all other
soil material.
c. Project is near low flood level, raising grade 2-5 feet is recommended.
3. Wildlife Resources Commission (by Phone):
a. DOT to provide pull-off for fishermen during project construction stage.
b. Trout streams may have construction moratorium between January 1 S`. to April 15`x'.
c. Should consider bridges to replace culverts were possible.
RAL
cc: scoping participants
F W A rF Michael F. Easley, Governor
-
\O?? QC- William G. Ross Jr., Secretary
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
co Gregory J. Thorpe, Ph.D.
> y Acting Director
p -? Division of Water Quality
February 19, 2002
MEMORANDUM
TO: William D. Gilmore, P.E., Manager
NCDOT, Project Development & Environmental Analysis
FROM: Cynthia F. Van Der Wiele, NCDOT Coordinator C-Odt-i
SUBJECT: Review of Scoping Sheets for NC 208 from US 25-70 to Tennessee State Line,
Madison County, F.A. Project STP-208(2), State Project No. 8.1861201, TIP Project
R-2426.
This letter is in reply to your correspondence dated February 5, 2002 in which you requested
comments for the referenced project. Preliminary analysis of the project indicates that Big Hurricane
Creek (Class C trout, Index No. 6-112-27) and Little Laurel Creek (Class C trout, Index No. 6-112-
26-13) within the Hydrological Unit 040304, lie within the project area. The Division of Water
Quality offers these comments:
1. Any environmental documents pertaining to this project should provide a detailed and itemized
presentation of the proposed impacts to wetlands and streams with corresponding mapping. There
should be a discussion on mitigation plans for unavoidable impacts. If mitigation is required, it is
preferable to present a conceptual (if not finalized) mitigation plan with the environmental
documentation. While the NCDWQ realizes that this may not always be practical, it should be
noted that for projects requiring mitigation, appropriate mitigation plans will be required prior to
issuance of a 401 Water Quality Certification.
2. Since both streams have a supplemental classification of trout waters, the DWQ requests that
DOT strictly adhere to North Carolina regulations entitled, "Design Standards in Sensitive
Watersheds" (15A NCAC 04B .0024) and NCDOT's publication, Best Management Practices for
the Protection of Surface Waters (March 1997) throughout design and construction of the project.
Please be aware of turbidity standards for trout streams (not to exceed 10 NTU's) and
construction moratoriums dates set by the NC Wildlife Resource Commission may apply, based
on their findings.
3. According to the 2000 French Broad River Basinwide Water Quality Plan, during the 1998
basinwide monitoring, DWQ aquatic biologists reported streambank erosion and sedimentation in
many streams-in the French Broad River basin. Some streams are currently considered
biologically impaired due to habitat degradation related in part to these impacts.. Even in streams
that are not listed as impaired, lower bioclassification ratings were assigned because of
sedimentation. In order to reduce sedimentation in receiving waters, the following are
recommended during construction:
? Use phased grading/seeding plans.
? Limit time of exposure.
? Plant temporary ground cover.
? Use sediment basins and traps.
North Carolina Division of Water Quality, 401 Wetlands Certification Unit,
1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1650 (Mailing Address)
2321 Crabtree Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27604-2260 (Location)
919-733-1786 (phone), 91.9-733-6893 (fax), http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/ncwetiands/
4. Same day seeding and mulching is strongly encouraged.
5. NCDWQ prefers that stormwater be directed to buffer areas or retention basins and must not be
routed directly into streams where practicable. Stormwater should be designed to drain to a
properly designed stormwater detention facility/apparatus. While vegetated buffers are not a
requirement within this basin, NCDOT is encouraged to retain vegetation as much as possible.
6. Sediment and erosion control measures should not be placed in wetlands. Sediment should be
removed from any water pumped from behind a cofferdam before the water is returned to the
stream.
7. Do not use any machinery in the stream channels unless absolutely necessary. Additionally, do
not remove vegetation from the stream bank unless it is absolutely necessary. Especially avoid
removing large trees and undercut banks. If large, undercut trees must be removed, then cut the
trunks and leave the stumps and root systems in place to minimize damage to stream banks.
8. Borrow/waste areas should not be located in wetlands. It is likely that compensatory mitigation
will be required if wetlands are impacted by waste or borrow.
9. Wetland and stream impacts should be avoided to the maximum extent practical. If this is not
possible, alternatives that minimize wetland impacts should be chosen. In accordance with the
NCDWQ Wetlands Rules 115A NCAC 211.0506(b)(6)), mitigation will be required for impacts
of greater than 150 linear feet to any single perennial stream. In the event that mitigation becomes
required, the mitigation plan should be designed to replace appropriate lost functions and values.
In accordance with the NCDWQ Wetlands Rules { 15A NCAC 2H.0506 (h)(3)}, the Wetland
Restoration Program may be available for use as stream mitigation.
10. Use qualified personnel to perform onsite wetland delineations prior to permit approval.
Thank you for requesting our input at this time. The DOT is reminded that issuance of a 401 Water
Quality Certification requires that appropriate measures be instituted to ensure that water quality
standards are met and designated uses are not degraded or lost. If you have any questions or require
additional information, please contact Cynthia Van Der Wiele at [phone].
pc: Steve Lund, USACE Asheville Field Office
Marcella Buncick, USFWS
MaryEllen Haggard, NCWRC
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