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HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-2568 DOCUMENTATION FORM NC 109 WIDENING AND IMPROVEMENT STUDY DAVIDSON AND FORSYTH COUNTIES Federal Project No.: STP-109(11) NCDOT Project No.: 8.1600904 TIP Project No. R-2568C A Merger Meeting for the NC 109 Improvements Study was held on August 15, 2006 in the NCDOT Board of Transportation Conference Room. The following people were in attendance at the meeting: Name Agency John Thomas United States Army Corps of Engineers Chris Militscher United States Environmental Protection Agency Felix Davila Federal Highway Administration John Hennessy NCDENR - Water Quality Amy Simes NCDENR - Office of Secretary Sue Homewood NCDENR - Water Quality Sarah McBride Department of Cultural Resources - State Historic Preservation Office James Upchurch NCDOT - Winston-Salem Forsyth UA MPO John A. (Andy) Bailey NCDOT - High Point Urban MPO Hanna Cockburn RPO Contact-Piedmont Triad Council of Governments Greg Errett MPO Contact - Winston-Salem DOT Phil Wylie MPO Contact - City of High Point David Hyder City of High Point Greg Venable City of High Point Eric Midkiff NCDOT - PD&EA Derrick Weaver NCDOT - PD&EA Vince Rhea NCDOT - PD&EA Pat Ivey NCDOT - Division 9 - Division Engineer Keith Raulston NCDOT - Division 9 - Construction Engineer Diane Hampton NCDOT - Division 9 - Environmental Officer Roger Thomas NCDOT - Roadway Design Unit Mike Little NCDOT - Roadway Design Unit Andrew Nottingham NCDOT - Hydraulics Unit Karen Gulledge NCDOT - Hydraulics Unit Rachelle Beauregard NCDOT - Natural Environment Unit Deanna Riffey NCDOT - Natural Environment Unit Richard Silverman NCDOT - Human Environment Unit Matt Wilkerson NCDOT - Human Environment Unit Brian Overton NCDOT - Human Environment Unit Mary Pope Fur NCDOT - Human Environment Unit Mike Stanley NCDOT - TIP Development Unit Mark Staley NCDOT - Roadside Erosion Unit Brian Eason H.W. Lochner Eric Galamb H.W. Lochner Christy Shumate H.W. Lochner Kristin Maseman H.W. Lochner Chris Werner H.W. Lochner The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and US Fish and Wildlife Service were not present. Comments were received from NCWRC via email prior to the meeting (see attached email dated 08/14/06). John Thomas opened the meeting by explaining the purpose of the meeting was to review the Preliminary Corridors and their impacts in order to select alternatives to be carried forward for detailed study. Following introductions, Lochner began by passing around the sign-in sheet, copies of the meeting agenda and an email (attached) from Marla Chambers, (NCWRC). Ms. Chambers was unable to attend today's meeting but had several concerns regarding alternatives to be carried forward for detailed study. Since it has been nearly two years since the Concurrent Point 1 Merger Meeting, Chris Werner provided the group with a review of the project history , including a summary of the first round of Citizens Informational Workshops (April 2004) and the purpose and need for the project determined at the Concurrence Point 1 Merger Meeting (September 2004). He then updated merger team members on events that have occurred since the previous merger meeting, including conceptual line development, Preliminary Corridor development, the second round of Citizens Informational Workshops (November 2004), typical sections and design criteria, traffic projections and impacts based upon right of way limits set during the functional design development. For more detailed information that was presented, please refer to the Alternatives Report that was included in the Concurrence Point 2 Merger Packet. After completing the presentation, Lochner opened the table for discussion. The following discussions and comments were made: ¦ Chris Militscher asked for any specifics on the Low Income or Minority Populations shown in Table 1. Chris Werner explained that through preliminary screening of census data the urban area around the existing NC 109 / I-40 interchange suggests Low Income or Minority Populations within this area. Corridors 1 and 3 are the only corridors that terminate in this area. Mr. Werner noted more specific information will be determined in the next stage of the study process. ¦ David Hyder asked for clarification on the calculations of relocations shown in Table 1 of the Merger Packet. Mr. Werner explained the relocations were determined utilizing the right of way developed from the functional designs, which was overlaid on spring 2006 aerials. Mr. Werner explained the right of way was 250 feet wide in a typical section, but in areas of extreme topography the right of way was increased. ¦ John Hennessy asked if the upgrade existing alternative was symmetrical widening. Mr. Werner explained that symmetrical widening was not used in order to reduce the impacts. ¦ Representatives from the City of High Point questioned the use of "Super Streets" for this project. Mr. Werner explained that the NC 109 corridor has been designated as a Strategic Highway Corridor and NCDOT Congestion Management Section recommended the use of the directional crossover with indirect left turns given its rural characteristics and relatively low project volumes. Roger Thomas also noted that this type of intersection reduces the amount of conflict points, provides a safer intersection and given low volumes, can even eliminate the use of traffic signals. Pat Ivey noted that the Division anticipates several intersections might require an intersection type other than the directional crossover with indirect lefts. Mr. Werner explained that during the next stage of the project a capacity analysis will be performed to evaluate and determine the types of intersections that will be required based upon the traffic data. Roger Thomas noted that the directional crossovers were used on each alternative in order to gain an equal impact determination between alternatives. John Thomas asked if improvements to NC 109 still need to be made to support any future development along existing NC 109 if a new location alternative selected. Pat Ivey explained that standard improvements, such as the development of left-turn lanes, would be made with any future development along NC 109, but the R-2568C project would not improve NC 109 if a new location alternative is selected as the preferred alternative. Sarah McBride asked if there are any locations within the project study area where development is concentrated. Mr. Werner noted the new Dell Plant has recently been constructed just to the northeast of the study boundary. Mr. Werner also noted within the center of the study area, the Meadowlands Residential and Golf Community (approximately 600 units) has been under construction over the past few years. Mr. Werner noted that the developers are aware the area needs transportation improvements and want to keep their potential customers aware of the NC 109 Improvements Study progress. Chris Militscher was concerned with the percentage of traffic (43 %) that Corridors 4 and 5 are projected to remove from existing NC 109. Mr. Militscher wanted to know if there was a threshold Lochner utilized to determine what percent reduction in traffic on NC 109 would fulfill the Purpose and Need. Derrick Weaver stated he felt the estimated 43% reduction in traffic on NC 109 would fulfill the Purpose and Need, but to a different degree when compared to other corridors. Mr. Militscher stated he just wanted assurance that the Merger Team will not come back after detailed study to reevaluate the whether corridors meet the purpose and need. Mr. Weaver noted that all of the corridors will have varying degrees of fulfilling the Purpose and Need and will be compared during detailed studies. Chris Militscher suggested Corridor 1 remain for study since 51 % of the citizens who responded were in favor of the upgrade existing alternative. Mr. Militscher recommended eliminating Corridor 3 since it has the highest stream impacts. Mr. Militscher also felt the area in the center of the study area through which Corridor 3 passes will be most prone to development. Mr. Militscher is concerned that the right of way costs in this area could be excessive. Mr. Werner noted this corridor has been placed in such a manner as to reduce the impacts to existing developments as much as possible. Vince Rhea suggested the stream impacts could be minimized as the project progresses. Mr. Rhea also noted that Corridor 3 is projected to remove the most traffic from existing NC 109. Mr. Weaver stated that for these reasons NCDOT would prefer to keep Corridor 3 under consideration for detailed study. John Hennessy wanted to remind the Merger Team that retaining more corridors for further detailed study would result in a more expensive study and more effort required to produce preliminary designs for all of the corridors. Mr. Weaver noted that even though Table 1 shows five corridors, there are really only three major corridors. Corridor 5 and 6 are utilizing pieces of Corridor 3 and 4. Discussion occurred regarding the existing interchanges along 1-40. Pat Ivey asked Chris Werner to discuss Lochner's preliminary findings. Mr. Werner explained that using preliminary traffic data Lochner had looked at the existing interchange of NC 109 and 1-40. Mr. Werner noted that with or without improvements to NC 109,140 as a corridor would fail in the year 2030. Mr. Werner noted that improvements to the 1-40 corridor would need to be addressed under a separate project. Mr. Werner stated that any improvements to the NC 109/1-40 interchange would be ineffective since 1-40 as a freeway system would be operating so poorly. Mr. Werner noted that during the next stage of the process, all interchanges associated with all corridors, as well as any existing upstream or downstream interchanges, will be analyzed and evaluated with the results reported to NCDOT. Felix Davila was concerned that the discussion regarding the service of I-40 and US 52 would result in a secondary purpose and need for the project. Chris Militscher asked if the Purpose and Need Statement would need to be amended to include the 1-40 interchange service. John Hennessy suggested that the current Purpose and Need was general enough that it would not require amending. Sarah McBride questioned whether any overall cost estimates per corridor have been compiled. Derrick Weaver noted the costs per corridor would significantly depend on the amount of bridging that will be required. The locations of bridging will be determined in the next stage of the project process. The elimination of Corridor 6 was discussed since it is the longest corridor. Some felt there were other corridors that achieved the same purpose while reducing impacts. Pat Ivey asked Mr. Werner if he felt the "magenta" portion of Corridor 6 had more impacts than the "yellow portion" of Corridor 5. Mr. Werner noted that without further investigation he could not say one way or the other. Derrick Weaver felt that all corridors should remain for further detailed study because they all had pros and cons but all met the Purpose and Need of the project. Mr. Weaver directed the Team to the Preliminary Alternatives report which documents the conceptual lines and corridors that have already been evaluated and eliminated due to impacts or failure to meet the Purpose and Need of the project. Greg Errett expressed concern that the utilization of a 46 foot depressed median for the upgrade existing alternative would result in a large amount of relocations. It was asked if the use of the 23 foot raised median could be extended from Meadowview Drive south through the intersection with Gum Tree Road. Roger Thomas explained that there were several reasons the 46 foot median was chosen including correcting existing deficient vertical curvature to achieve a Design Speed of 60 mile per hour. The 46 foot median would allow for the maintenance of traffic and help with constructability. Mr. Thomas also suggested the use of the 46 foot median would help provide the turning radius needed for the U-turns associated with the directional crossovers with indirect lefts and the median openings. He further stated that the reduction in median width and limits of the reduced median width could be looked at in more detail during the preliminary design process. Chris Militscher asked if an EIS will still be required given the low level of impacts. Derrick Weaver noted that it was considered an EIS originally due to the controversy from the first NC 109 Improvements Study. Mr. Militscher suggested NCDOT reevaluate whether an EIS is still warranted or if an EA will be adequate. John Thomas asked if everyone agreed that all corridors should be carried on for further detailed study. It was agreed by all Merger Team Members present that all corridors should be carried on for further detailed study and was made official with the Concurrence Point 2 Form signed. Conclusion Vince Rhea will distribute the Concurrence Point 2 Form to the Merger Team members not present at today's meeting in order to obtain their signatures. Mr. Rhea noted the next step in the project will be to inform the public via newsletter of the Merger Team's decision. It was suggested the use of the directional crossovers with indirect lefts also be presented to the public and local officials in the newsletter in order to receive their comments. 4 These minutes were recorded by H.W. Lochner, Inc. and are a summary of the meeting discussions and decisions based on Lochner's understanding of the meeting. Corrections or additions to the minutes should be sent to Vince Rhea, NCDOT-PDEA. Prepared by Chris Werner, August 16, 2006 CC: Meeting Attendees Project File Werner, Chris From: Vincent J Rhea, P.E. [vrhea@dot. state. nc. us] Sent: Monday, August 14, 2006 8:02 AM To: Werner, Chris Subject: [Fwd: R-2568C cp2 meeting 8/15/2006] Chris FYI. We should probably bring copies of this to the merger meeting to distribute and include it in the meeting minutes. Hope you had a good vacation! Vince -------- Original Message -------- Subject: R-2568C cp2 meeting 8/15/2006 Date: Fri, 11 Aug 2006 15:24:23 -0400 From: "Marla Chambers" <chambersmj@carolina.rr.com> To: "'Rhea, P.E., Vincent J111 <vrhea@dot.state.nc.us>,"'Thomas, John.T.,JR "' <John.T.Thomas.JR@saw02.usace.army.mil>,<MilitBcher.Chris@epamail.epa.gov>,"'Homewood, Sue'" <Sue.Homewood@ncmail.net>,"'Buncick, Marella " <marella_buncick@fws.gov>,"'McBride, Sarah'', <sarah.mcbride@ncmail.net> As some of you know, I won't be attending the meeting Tuesday due to a staff meeting. I've reviewed the info packet and here are some of my thoughts regarding alternatives to carry forward. I believe the 'improve existing' (Corridor 1) should stay in the mix; it had the most public support despite the number of relocations. It also keeps the impacts close to where the resources are already impacted and reduces sprawl and secondary development potential that a new location alternative has (which will translate to a further loss of natural, agricultural and hunting land known to this area). We probably have to keep it since it's the only one not in the critical water supply area. Corridors 4 & 5 should be carried forward since they have the least stream impacts & number of crossings, fewer floodplain impacts, & lowest number of relocations. The significantly higher stream impacts for Corridors 3 & 6 concern me. I'd also like to note, there is the potential (however slim) for the bog turtle to occur in the area and should be addressed in the EIS as a state listed Threatened species. Also, I understand that there are some historical Moravian agricultural districts set aside in this area many years ago that should be investigated & possibly included on the Environmental Constraints map. Info on this may be found in the Old Salem historical archives. Hope this has been helpful! Have a great meeting! Marla J. Chambers Western NCDOT Permit Coordinator N.C. Wildlife Resources Comm. 4614 Wilgrove-Mint Hill Rd., Suite M Charlotte, NC 28227 chambersmj@carolina.rr.com phone: 704-545-3841 fax: 704-545-3812 cell: 704-984-1070 !'h 'A tic 18 ?006 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA TO Ay? 1k V 41 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION '?r+I ALOPO MICHAEL F. EASLEY LYNDO TIPPETT GOVERNOR SECRETARY August 15, 2006 Mr. Peter Sandbeck Administrator and Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer Historic Preservation Office Dept. of Cultural Resources 4617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-4617 Dear Mr. Sandbeck: Subject: NCDOT Consultation with Michael Hartley and Martha Hartley concerning the NC Study Listed Friedland Lower Tier Historic District concerning potential impacts to Cultural Resources with the broader TIP # R-2568 (Highway Improvements to NC 109, including widening and/or new location routes) in Forsyth and Davidson Counties (Federal Aid No. STP-109(11), WBS No. 34468.1.4, ER-93-8784). On August 14, 2006 Richard Silverman and Brian Overton of NCDOT's Human Environment Unit met with Michael Hartley, Director of Archaeology at Old Salem, and Martha Hartley at the Archaeology Office of Old Salem, Inc. for consultation regarding proposed highway improvements associated with TIP# R-2568 (NC 109 in Forsyth and Davidson Counties). In previous consultations between NCDOT, the State Historic Preservation Office (HPO), and the NC Office of State Archaeology (OSA), it was recommended that Michael Hartley be contacted for consultation because one or more alternatives are located in the vicinity of proposed and/or potential historic resources. Preliminary corridor maps and aerials were presented by NCDOT to explain the multiple alternatives currently under consideration. Environmental studies will assist the Merger Team in selecting alternatives to be carried forward. It is important for cultural resources to be considered as early in the planning process as possible. The mapping illustrated the proposed boundary for Friedland Lower Tier Historic District, a resource identified by Mr. Hartley and placed on the North Carolina Study List by the Department of Cultural Resources (DCR). The Historic District has been documented as a remaining portion of one of the six colonial Moravian congregations of the Wachdvia Tract (1753). Areas within this boundary contain the highest quality and least disturbed archaeological sites and best represent the historic landscape of the Friedland Lower Tier (ca. 1770s). During the discussion, Mr. Hartley confirmed that none of the corridors encroach upon the District's Study List boundary. It was noted that one corridor (widen existing NC 109 with a section of new location, indicated as "Corridor 1") is located within one-quarter mile (southwest) of the Study List Boundary. Mr. Hartley presented historic maps and information that showed historic Moravian settlement in many areas throughout the overall project study area. These areas are not necessarily limited to the boundaries of the Study Listed District. For all of the corridors, he emphasized that surviving features of important early settlement likely exist that are unique and significant. At this time, the majority of these resources have not been exhaustively examined and any major modifications, including road improvements and subsequent land use changes, have the potential to disrupt remaining historic landscapes. MAILING ADDRESS: TELEPHONE: 919-715-1500 LOCATION: NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FAX: 919-715-1522 PARKER LINCOLN BUILDING OFFICE OF HUMAN ENVIRONMENT 2728 CAPITAL BOULEVARD, SUITE 168 1583 MAIL SERVICE CENTER WEBSITE.' WWW.NCDOT.ORG RALEIGH, NC 27604 RALEIGH NC 27699-1583 It was the opinion of Mr. Hartley that the widening of the existing NC 109 has the least potential to affect historic resources due to existing transportation-related ground disturbances and development. Any corridors that are on new location have the greatest potential to affect lands historically associated with the Friedland Lower Tier and other 18th century settlements in the area. A corridor immediately east and adjacent to Friedland Lower Tier has been removed from consideration (previously identified as "Pale Green": January 76 2004 Constraints Map). This was the only corridor that adjoined and encroached upon the Study List district. Since the corridor has been eliminated from further consideration, evaluation of the Study List District for National Register eligibility is not longer being pursued by NCDOT, as the district is outside of the current APE. This replaces a continent from NCDOT in a letter dated December 2nd, 2005 from NCDOT to HPO. Once the preferred corridor is selected, NCDOT will conduct further consultation with the Hartleys, HPO and OSA. In cooperation with these groups, specific research goals and archaeological survey methodologies will be discussed to address the identification of historic resources within the project's selected alternative's Area of Potential Effects (APE). NCDOT will coordinate with the Hartley's in developing the historic contexts for evaluating historic resources within the greater Friedland Lower Tier settlement and other potential 18th-19th century settlements. Sincerely, YV Matt Wilkerson, Archaeology Supervisor Office of the Human Environment Cc: Michael Hartley, Old Salem, Inc. Martha Hartley, Old Salem, Inc. Dolores Hall, NC OSA Matt Wilkerson, NCDOT, HEU Mary Pope Furr, NCDOT, HEU Vince Rhea, NCDOT, PD&EA Renee Gledhill-Earley, NC HPO Sarah McBride, NC HPO Jennifer Martin, Edwards-Pitman Environmental, Inc. LeAnn Pegram, Forsyth County Joint Historic Properties Commission 1 North Carolina 'IMPROVEMENTS NEPA/Section 404 Merger Team Meeting Concurrence Point 2 August 15, 2006 Federal Project No.: STP-109(1) NCDOT Project No.: 8.1172401 Transportation Improvement Program Project No. R-2568C AGENDA 1. Introduction II. Project History and Current Status III. Alternatives Location and Impacts A. Corridor 1 - Upgrade Existing NC 109 Alternative B. Corridor 3 C. Corridor 4 D. Corridor 5 E. Corridor 6 IV. Alternative Evaluation Discussion A. Selection of Alternatives for Detailed Study B. Concurrence Form V. Upcoming Activities f?Jl , 1"d ?d?()) A. Environmental Studies, Analyses, and Technical Reports B. Project Schedule NEPA/Section 404 Merger Team Meeting Concurrence Point 2 August 15, 2006 Federal Project No.: STP-109(1) NCDOT Project No.: 8.1172401 Transportation Improvement Program Project No. R-2568C 1. INTRODUCTION The NCDOT proposes to provide transportation improvements to NC 109 between Old Greensboro Road (SR 1798) in Davidson County and 1-40/US 311 in Forsyth County. This project is included in the NCDOT 2006-2012 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) as TIP Project Number R-2568C and is located in the vicinity of Winston-Salem, Thomasville, and the town of Wallburg. The study area is shown in Figure 1. The purpose of this meeting is to present preliminary alternatives based on functional designs as a starting point for alternative discussion. The Merger Team will identify alternatives to carry forward for detailed study (Concurrence Point 2). II. PROJECT HISTORY AND CURRENT STATUS In 2003, the NCDOT began studying alternatives for R-2568C. Coordination for this project, including agency scoping, began in October 2003. Citizens Informational Workshops were held in April 2004 to allow the public to comment on locations of potential alternatives. A Merger Team Meeting for Concurrence Point 1 (Purpose and Need) was held on September 15, 2004. The agreed upon needs for the project include capacity deficiencies, above-average accident rates, and deficient roadway geometry on NC 109. The agreed upon purpose of the project is to improve traffic flow and service, improve safety, and reduce conflicts between through traffic and local traffic along NC 109. With information provided from the April 2004 Citizens Informational Workshops and the agreed upon purpose and need, conceptual alignments were developed. The number of conceptual alignments was narrowed down by combining those with similarities to develop 1000 foot wide Preliminary Corridors. Many of the conceptual alignments were evaluated and eliminated based on at least one of the following: topographical limitations; amount of residential and business impacts; inappropriate crossings of secondary roads and stream crossings; potential wetland impacts; limited locations for feasible connections to US 311, US 52 and 1-40; potential impacts to historic properties; potential community impacts; and failure to meet purpose and need. NCDOT identified five preliminary alternative corridors for further R-2568C NC 109 Improvements Study NEPA/Section 404 Merger Team Meeting August 15, 2006 study and presented these to the public in a second set of workshops held in November 2005. Ill. PROJECT ALTERNATIVES The alternatives under consideration at this time include five preliminary alternative corridors which are described below and are shown on Figure 2. Impacts of each corridor are shown in Table 1. A. Corridor 1 - Upgrade Existing NC 109 Alternative Corridor 1 is the Upgrade Existing NC 109 Alternative with a bypass west of the town of Wallburg. This corridor is 9.5 miles long with 1.6 miles on new location. It includes four directional crossover intersections; these intersections would be at Jesse Green Road (SR 1753), Motsinger Road (SR 1723), Gum Tree Road (SR 1711) and Rex Road (SR 1709)/Devoe Road (SR 2839). At all other intersecting roads, only right turns will be permitted. Drivers will be forced to turn right onto NC 109 and then make a u-turn at median openings to travel in the opposite direction. Corridor 1 would require approximately 164 relocations. This alternative would also impact 0.136 acres of wetlands. Four stream crossings, four floodplain crossings, and seven major utility crossings are associated with this alternative. Three churches would be impacted by Corridor 1. B. Corridor 3 Corridor 3 is 9.5 miles long with 7.75 miles on new location. Corridor 3 is located to the west of existing NC 109 and ultimately terminates just south of the existing interchange of NC 109 and 1-40. It includes six directional crossover intersections; these intersections would be at the NC 109 connection, Shady Grove Church Road (SR 1751), Motsinger Road (SR 1723), Gum Tree Road (SR 1711), Fox Meadow Lane (SR 1921), and Teague Road (SR 2705), and connects to the existing interchange at NC 109 and 1-40. Corridor 3 would require approximately 84 relocations. It would not have any wetland impacts. Nine stream crossings and four floodplain crossings are associated with this alternative and seven major utility lines would be crossed. C. Corridor 4 Corridor 4 is 9.3 miles long with 8.5 miles on new location. Corridor 4 starts out on the east side of existing NC 109, but then sweeps to the west where it ultimately terminates just east of the existing interchange of South Main Street and US 52. It includes eight directional crossover intersections; these intersections would be at Johnson Road (SR 1755), Jerry Clodfelter Road (SR 1747), NC 109, Motsinger Road (SR 1723), R-2568C NC 109 Improvements Study NEPA/Section 404 Merger Team Meeting August 15, 2006 Friendship-Ledford Road (SR 1700), Gum Tree Road (SR 1711), Old Lexington Road (SR 1706), and Beckerdite-Steward Road (SR 2759). Corridor 4 would require approximately 71 relocations. It would impact approximately 1.688 acres of wetlands. Two stream crossings and two floodplain crossings are associated with this alternative. Five major utility lines and a railroad line would also be crossed. D. Corridor 5 Corridor 5 is 8.6 miles long with 7.4 miles on new location. Corridor 5 is a combination of the southern portion of Corridor 3 and the western portion of Corridor 4 and ultimately terminates just to the east of the existing interchange of South Main Street and US 52. It includes seven directional crossover intersections; these intersections would be at the NC 109 connection, Shady Grove Church Road (SR 1751), Motsinger Road (SR 1723), Friendship-Ledford Road (SR 1700), Gum Tree Road (SR 1711), Old Lexington Road (SR 1706), and Beckerdite-Stewart Road (SR 2759). Corridor 5 would require approximately 73 relocations. It would also impact approximately 0.558 acres of wetlands. Three stream crossings and two floodplain crossings are associated with this alternative. Four major utility lines and a railroad line would also be crossed. E. Corridor 6 Corridor 6 is 10.1 miles long with 8.7 miles on new location. Corridor 6 is a combination of the eastern portion of corridor 4 and the northern portion of corridor 3 and ultimately terminates just south of the existing interchange of NC 109 and 1-40. It includes seven directional crossover intersections; these intersections would be at Johnson Road (SR 1755), Clodfelter Road (SR 1747), NC 109, Motsinger Road (SR 1723), Gum Tree Road (SR 1711), Fox Meadow Lane (SR 1921), and Teague Road (SR 2705). Corridor 6 would require approximately 82 relocations. It would impact approximately 1.130 acres of wetlands. Seven stream crossings and four floodplain crossings are associated with this alternative. Eight major utility lines would also be crossed. IV. ALTERNATIVE EVALUATION DISCUSSION A. Selection of Alternatives for Detailed Study B. Concurrence Form R-2568C NC 109 Improvements Study NEPA/Section 404 Merger Team Meeting August 15, 2006 V. UPCOMING ACTIVITIES A. Environmental Studies, Analysis, and Technical Reports B. Project Schedule ¦ Draft Environmental Impact Statement ¦ Select Preferred Alternative ¦ Complete Final Environmental Impact Statement ¦ Right of Way Acquisition ¦ Construction Winter 2008 Summer 2009 Summer 2010 Post Year Post Year R-2568C NC 109 Improvements Study NEPA/Section 404 Merger Team Meeting August 15, 2006 4 0 O °-? P- o o 0 o O m o .t 00 o z° o O U cr- O N r o O o O O N O N Cl) Z y 7N O Z Ix t; O O U r cr' ++ O 00 O Lo 06 a o O O O O ° O N O M N 0 Z ) Z V ? r O ?,. d M m to 0 u l ` O f l V7 ?. O O O O ti O 'kI' O O O 00 Z } O a) 4) N O a? N ? C - W o z pp?? • ? Q U) O1 CJ V O O O M O I- O - O N Q •! t Z ?Q Z O } X O ? X a. . w ? ? ~ w w? ~ ° U) U) U) w N O U a U) U V) Z m w N C) W m m EY E ¢ U a x 3: rn 0 U C7 Z V J J -? o &4 CL o m J Q Z g C W 4) Z ) (A U) (n z O -, a ¢ Q H w ? Z cp - 2 U W U) O p CL ° C: Oz O (n = ix U O H p QQF- U O W ° ` _j v ° ° 2 (n W a V z O O z rn c ° s o ~ U? ?H U O 2 a U H w 2 wop (L= w od Q U Q a ) E a c U a? 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North Carolina N Department of Transportation w E NC 109 Improvements Project Forsyth and Davidson Counties s State Project No. 8.1172401 Mlles T.I.P. No. R-2568C 0 0.5 1 2 Figure 1 Project Vicinity FF F 0? Corridor 4 r-iWzft! = 1 ? . J T. r '1 1. If'. f A'' .." V I M.• Irv, `W?'4 Y. gIII!I K 17, North Carolina Department of Transportation N NC 109 Improvements Project W F Forsyth and Davidson Counties ?1V `V Legend State Project No. 8.1172401 ' - Corridor 1 - Corridor 5 T.I.P. No. R-2568C Preliminary Alternatives o ozs os ors 11 Corridor 3 Corridor6 'FOl Figure 2 (Aunust 15. 2006) ? Corridor 4 - Existing NC 109 t;'b0 , ]fA0 6,OW 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 VVt:I LANDS / 401 GROUp SEP 0 2 uO4 WATER QUALITY SECTION PURPOSE AND NEED STATEMENT NC 109 Improvements Study from SR 1798 (Old Greensboro Road) to I-40/US 311 Federal Project No. ST11-109(1) NCDOT Project No. 8.1 17240 Transportation Improvement Project No. R-2568 Sections C through F i Prepared for: North Carolina Department of Transportation I j OiNORTH e \ 1A Rat 1 ? i( OF 1,9 Prepared 13y: H.W. Lochner, Inc. LOCHNER August 2004 Il I 1 .r s TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................. .. 1 2.0 SUMMARY OF NEED FOR THE PROPOSED PRO.1I+,CT ............................. 3.0 PURPOSE OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT' ..................................................... .. 1 .. 4 ' 4.0 PROJECTAREA DESCRIPTION ....................................................................... 4.1 Project Setting ....................................................................................................... .. 5 .. 5 4.2 Project 1 listory ...................................................................................................... 5.0 SYSTEM LINKAGE .............................................................................................. .. 7 ..7 5.1 Existing Road Network ......................................................................................... 5.2 Commuting Patterns .............................................................................................. .. 7 .. 9 ' 5.3 Modal Interrelationships ....................................................................................... 6.0 SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS ....................................................... 10 11 6.1 Demographics ....................................................................................................... 6.2 Economic Data ...................................................................................................... 11 12 6.3 Land Use Plans ..................................................................................................... 13 7.0 TRANSPORTATION PLANS ............................................................................... 14 7.1 Local Thoroughlare Plans ..................................................................................... 7.2 North Carolina Transportation Improvement Program ......................................... 14 14 8.0 NC 109 CHARACTERISTICS AND GEOMh.TRIC DEFICIENCIES........... 8.1 Existing NC 109 Characteristics ........................................................................... 17 17 8.2 Existing NC 109 Geometric Deficiencies ............................................................. 17 9.0 NC 109 TRAFFIC VOLUMES AND CAPACITY ANALYSIS ......................... 21 ' 10.0 ACCIDENT ANALYSIS ........................................................................................ 11.0 REFERENCES ........................................................................................................ 27 30 ' LIST OF TABLES Table Page 1 Levels of Service for Signalized Intersections Along Existing NC 109 23 2 Levels of Service for Unsignalized Intersections Along Existing NC 109 24 3 Levels of Service for Two-Lane Highway Segments Along Existing 26 ' NC 109 4 Crash Rate Comparison 28 1 1 C 1 1 t 1 1 1 1 t 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 LIST OF FICURES Figure. 1 Proicct Vicinity Map and Study Area 2 Study Area Notable Features 3 Fxisting Road Network 4 'transportation Impromment Projects Near the Project Study Area LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix A Winston-Salem "Transit Authority System Map 13 Winston-Salem Land Use Plan C Thomasville Land Use Map 1) Traflic Data from NCDOT Statewide Planning Branch Page 2 6 16 1 Ll 1 1 1 1 1 11 7 7 J 1 1 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) 2004-2010 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) includes a project that addresses proposed improvements to North Carolina (NC) Route 109 between Old Greensboro Road (SR 1798) in Davidson County to 1-40/US 311 in Forsyth County. Figure 1 is a map showing the location of the project in relation to the state and a map of the project study area. The purpose of this report is to document the purpose of and need for improvements within the project study area. The content of this document conforms to the requirements of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) guidelines, which provide direction regarding implementation of the procedural provisions of NEPA, and the Federal Highway Administration's Guidance for Preparing and Processing Environmental and Section 4(0 Documents (Technical Advisory T66430.8.A, October 1987). 2.0 SUMMARY OF NEED FOR THE PROPOSED PROJECT The need to improve NC 109 between Old Greensboro Road (SR 1798) in Davidson County and 1-40/US 311 in Forsyth County is demonstrated by the following summary of existing and projected conditions. • Capacity Deficiencies Deficient roadway geometry (lack of passing zones and adequate clear zones, narrow travel lanes and narrow shoulders), numerous driveways, and no control of access reduce the carrying capacity of NC 109. The two-lane highway segments operated at an unacceptable LOS E in 2003 In 2025, all segments of NC 109 are predicted to operate over capacity at unacceptable LOS E or LOS F. Level of Service The LOS is defined with letter designations from A to F. LOS A is the best operating conditions along a roadway or at an intersection, and LOS F is the worst. In urban areas, LOS D is generally considered acceptable, while in rural areas, LOS C is considered acceptable. LOS E and F conditions cause significant travel delay, increase the potential for accidents, and contribute substantially to the inefficient operation of motor vehicles. In 2003, two of the four signalized intersections on NC 109 within the project study area ' operated at Level of Service (LOS) E or F and over capacity. Three of the twenty-two unsignalized intersections operated at Level of Service E or F and over capacity. NC 109 Improvements Study ] Purpose and Need Statement I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Forsyth County \ Davidson \ County \ \ \ i i Miles 0 1 2 3 ' From 2003 to 2025, traffic volumes along NC 109 are expected to increase sixty to ninety ' percent. By 2025, all four of the signalized and twenty-one of the twenty-two unsignalized intersections have movements that are projected to be over capacity. The two-lane highway segments are projected to operate at unacceptable LOS E or F. ' • Above-Average Accident rates ' Between May 2000 and April 2003, a total of 235 crashes were recorded along this section of roadway. Of this total, four accidents caused fatalities and 113 accidents ' caused injuries. The total accident rate for existing NC 109 within the project area for the three-year period from May 2000 through April 2003 (197.19 accidents per 100 million ' vehicle miles traveled [MVM], is approximately eight percent higher than similar rural NC t i h C li N 18295 id /MVM i h i rou es n ort aro na ( ents acc ). W t out mprovements to NC 109 accident rates are expected to increase with increased traffic volumes. ' • Deficient Roadway Geometry ' The existing cross-section of NC 109 consists primarily of two ten-foot travel lanes with unpaved shoulders varying from three to six feet in width. Beyond the roadway shoulder, ' many side slopes are steep and not protected with guardrail. Coupled with inappropriate shoulder width, the steep side-slopes do not provide adequate clear zone for the majority ' of the project. This provides little recovery area for vehicles leaving the roadway. The horizontal alignment generally meets design standards with the exception of an approximately 715-foot radius curve and an approximately 640-foot radius curve in the Wallburg area. For desired design speeds, current design standards require a minimum t curve radius of 1,205 feet. The vertical alignment follows the rolling terrain of the study area with maximum grades ' of 7%. Sharp vertical curves over the crests of hills do not provide sufficient distance for a motorist to see an obstruction in the roadway and to stop if necessary. Such curves are ' said to lack adequate stopping sight distance. Stopping sight distance is defined as the length of roadway ahead visible to the driver. ' Detailed discussion of the existing and projected conditions and the needs for the proposed action are presented in Sections 4.0 through 8.0. ' NC 109 Improvements Study 3 Purpose and Need Statement I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I t 3.0 PURPOSE OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT ' In order to addre th t t d d th d ill h ss e s a e nee s, e propose project w ave the following purposes: ' • Improve traffic flow and levels of service on the section of NC 109 in the project ' study area. Needs Addressed: Existing and projected deficiencies in levels of service along existing NC 109 cause significant travel delay, increase the potential for accidents, and contribute substantially to the inefficient operation of motor ' vehicles. ' • Improve safety and reduce conflicts between through traffic and local traffic along NC 109. ' Needs Addressed: Accident rates along NC 109 within the project study area are currently above the statewide average accident rates for similar facilities. ' • Improve deficient roadway geometry. Needs Addressed: American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and NCDOT design guidelines recommend twelve-foot lanes and eight-foot shoulders with two feet of the shoulder paved for a facility with the characteristics of NC 109. These design guidelines also state that the optimal clear zone should be a minimum of thirty feet. Improvements to vertical and horizontal geometry will increase sight distance, improve safety, and reduce conflicts. NC 109 Improvements Study 4 Purpose and Need Statement I 1? I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 4.0 PROJECT AREA DESCRIPTION 1 4.1 Project Setting As shown in Figure 1, the proposed project study area is located in Davidson and Forsyth Counties. This portion ofNC 109 serves commuting traffic between employment centers in the City of Thomasville (Davidson County) and the City of Winston-Salem (Forsyth County) and local traffic accessing commercial and residential areas along the road. The project is located in the piedmont region of North Carolina. The study area's terrain is rolling. Elevations climb from a low of approximately 720 feet above sea level in the southern end of the study area to a high oi'approxiinately 960 feet above sea level in the northern end of the study area. The study area is drained by Abbott's Creek, Spurgeon Creek, Reedy Run, Cool Branch, Brushy Fork, South Fork Muddy Creek, Sawmill Branch, and Fiddlers Creek. The southern portion of the project study area, south of Gumtrec Road, is located within the Yadkin River Water Supply Watershed. Portions of the study area are within the jurisdiction of the City of Winston-Salem and the recently incorporated Town of Wallburg (see Figure 1), as well as unincorporated I areas of Davidson and Forsyth Counties. The once rural study area is becoming more suburban. Residential development is becoming more dense along NC 109. New neighborhoods, such as the Meadowlands neighborhood and golf course, which is just east ofNC 109 near Wallburg, are currently are under development. Commercial areas are scattered along NC 109, but dense in the northwestern portion of the study area within the City Limits of Winston-Salem. 'T'here ' are two business parks located in the northeast corner of the project study area, Centre 311 Industrial Park and Union Cross Business Park. Salem Business Park is located in the northwestern corner oi'the project study area, near the interchange of US 52 and 1-40. Ridgewood Industrial Park is located just north of the project study area. The location of these business parks are shown on Figure 2. Several schools are located within the pro.l'ect study area including Ledford Middle School, Ledford Senior High School, Wallburg Elementary and Easton Elementary. Ledford Elementary School, located at 1490 Friendship-Ledford Road, will be open to students in Fall 2005. These schools are shown on Figure 2. NC 1091rnprovements Study 5 Purpose and Need Statement s 1 t 1 it L 1 "WI 1a t r.j. I 311 r I rl ?' 1 QP Fishel i 'ice ? Q ' o, n ? r / ? Fl d 1 '. LL ?' Rd -s j n 4 2 00, eR I `'? \ raa ?. 109 alley R C \ i unity aytld, o o r"??o \ ? `y> 9c coo l \ r ?c5 I I o?or / OM?c r choo\ d \ c 0°t9 Ml aY g a alph mill, L d /7 ° sheer ? ` ' ??2 52 / a$ Cloy _ ??' a 0 W Burton Rd .. ?,/7e?R \ r a?ac ?o a ?o \ . ?a J Legend w r. O Preliminary Study Area Boundary - Park Watershed Area i Public Scholl Col( Course Proposed Wallburg Limits Existing NC 109 Business Park Winston-Salem City Limit Feet 0 2,000 4,000 6,000 f North Camlins Department of Tmnsportstlon INC 109 Improvement Project Forsyth and Davidson Counties State Project No. 8.1172401 T.I.P. Project No. R-2568 Figure 2 Study Area Notable Features 4.2 Project History In the 1984 Davidson County Thoroughfare Plan, improvements to existing NC 109 were listed as the second highest priority project for the county. In 1990, a Feasibility Study for improvements to NC 109 from I-85 Business in Davidson County to US 311 in Forsyth County was completed by NCDOT. In 1993, NCDOT began a planning study for improvements to NC; 109 from I-85 Business in Davidson County to I-40/US 311 in Forsyth County. In June 1995, the project was broken into two sections. The southern section (TIP Project Number R-2568 Sections A and B) includes improvements to NC 109 from Business I-85 to just north of SR 1798 (Old Greensboro Road). The northern section (TIP Project Number R-2568 Sections C through F) includes improvements to NC 109 from just north of SR 1798 to 1-40/US 311. The southern section "was designated as the priority section to be constructed first" (NCDOT, NC 109 Update Newsletter, June 1995). An Environmental Assessment (EA) for the southern section (TIP Project Number R-2568 Sections A and B) was signed in 1996. The Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) was signed in 1997. TIP Project R-2568 Section A included improvements to the I-85 Business Interchange, which were completed in 2004. TIP Project R-2568 Section B includes NC 109 from just north of the I-85 Business interchange to just north of Old Greensboro Road (SR 1798). Section B is scheduled for letting in Fall 2004. 5.0 SYSTEM LINKAGE 5.1 Existing Road Network NC 109 is the only direct route between Thomasville and Winston-Salem and functions as a north-south connector between I-85, I-85 Business and 1-40/US 311. South of the project study area in Davidson County, NC 109 intersects with US 64, NC 47, and I-85. NC 109 runs between Troy, North Carolina and Winston-Salem. Figure 3 shows the location of regional interstates, US routes, and NC routes in the vicinity of NC 109. NC 109 Improvements Study 7 Purpose and Need Statement 1-85 extends from Montgomery, Alabama through Atlanta, Georgia to Richmond, Virginia and runs southwest-northeast through Davidson County. 1-85 connects Davidson County with Greensboro and Durham to the northeast and Charlotte to the southwest. 1-40 is an east-west interstate route that traverses Forsyth County. 1-40 extends from Wilmington, North Carolina in the east, across the United States to Los Angeles, California. I-40 connects Forsyth County with Greensboro to the east and Hickory to the southwest. Segments of three US routes and six NC routes are in Davidson County. The US routes are US 29/70, US 52 and US 64. US 29/70 and US 52 run north-south and connect western Davidson County with Winston-Salem. US 64 tuns east-west and connects Lexington with Asheboro in Randolph County. The NC routes are NC 8, NC 47, NC 49, NC 62, NC 109, and NC 150. Segments ofthree US routes (US 52, US 311, and US 158) are located within Forsyth County. US 52 runs north-south through Winston-Salem. US 311 runs east-west through Forsyth County. US 158 runs diagonally from the southwest to the northeast corner of Forsyth County. NC Routes within Forsyth County include NC 8 (Germanton Road), NC 67, NC; 65, NC 66, NC 109, and NC 150. All of the NC routes in Forsyth County are radial facilities that project outwardly from Winston-Salem. Regionally, NC 109 provides a north/south connection for 1-40 and 1-85. Locally, NC 109 provides an important route for daily commuter traffic to and from Winston-Salem and Thomasville. Improvements to NC 109 would provide the additional capacity necessary for this link of the roadway network to operate safely and efficiently. 5.2 Commuting Patterns NC 109 is one of the major travel routes used by residents commuting to and from Thomasville and Winston-Salem. In 2000, 11,062 residents commuted from Davidson County to Forsyth County, while 4,136 residents commuted from Forsyth County to Davidson County. The importance of this road as commuter route has increased in recent years with continued residential development within the project study area. NC 109 Improvements Study 9 Purpose and Need Statement t t 1 1 I u t 11 5.3 Modal Interrelationships 5.3.1 Mass 'T'ransit I Commuter bus service is provided by the Winston-Salem Transit Authority to a small portion ol'the northern section of the project study area. Two bus routes, the Martin Luther King, Jr. .Boulevard/ Peachtree/ Old Lexington Road Bus Route and the Main/ Konoak/ Cassell Stoney Glen 13us Routes, arc located within the pro.jcct study area. The Winston-Salem "Transit Authority System Map is included in Appendix A. Within Davidson County, there is no available commuter bus service. I lowever, the Davidson County Transportation System provides transportation for the human service agencies, the elderly, the disabled, and the general public of Davidson County. The service uses standard vans, small buses, and small buses with wheelchair lilts to assist persons with specialized transportation needs. (Davidson County Transportation Department Website: www.co.davidson.nc.Lis, Accessed on April 15, 2004.) The Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation (PARS') Provides bus service between Winston-Salem, Greensboro, and Highpoint. Buses run from the Winston- Sal cinTransportation Center to the PART regional hub at the Piedmont Triad International Airport every half hour from 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. weekdays. From the regional hub, passengers can travel to High Point or Greensboro. (PART Website: www.partnc.org, Accessed on May 17, 2004.) 5.3.2 Railways Within the project study area, the Winston-Salem Southbound Railway (WSSB) runs parallel to US 52 and is shown on Figure 2. The WSSB is owned jointly by CSX and Norfolk Southern Railway. The WSS13 track is used by two to four freight trains per day. No passenger trains operate over the WSSB rail line. The nearest commuter rail service terminals are located in Greensboro and High Point. 5.3.3 Airports The Piedmont Triad International Airport (PTI) is located in Guilford County, approximately sixteen miles northeast of the project study area. PTI provides the Triad with direct and connecting commercial air passenger and airfreight service to national and international destinations. NC 109 Improvements Study 10 Purpose and Need Statement t N F t 1 t t L t The majority of private air traflic in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County originates at the Smith Reynolds Airport. This airport, owned by the Airport Commission of Forsyth County, is a general aviation airport with limited commuter flights. The airport is located approximately six miles north of the project. study area. 5.3.4 Bike Routes The 700-mile Mountain-to-Sea Cross State Route traverses the study area along (,umtree Road and Wallburg Road. This bike route traverses the state From Murphy in the west to Mantco in the cast. 6.0 SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS 6.1 Demographics Davidson and Forsyth Counties are part of the 12-county 1 iedmont 'triad Region. Davidson County has a total area of 552 square miles and three incorporated municipalities in the county, including Thomasville, Denton, and Lexington, which is the county seat. Forsyth County has a total area ol'410 square miles. There are eight incorporated municipalities in Forsyth County, the largest being Winston-Salem, the county seat. Forsyth and Davidson Counties have been growing rapidly. From 1990 to 2000, Davidson County's population increased 16.2 percent, From 126,688 to 147,246. During the same decade, Forsyth County's population increased 15.1 percent, from 265,855 to 306,067 (NC Department of Commerce Website: cmedis. commerce. state. nc. us, Accessed 04/05/04). The populations of both Davidson and Forsyth Counties are expected to increase through 2030. The population of Davidson County is projected to grow 13.3 percent (to 166,833 people) from 2000 to 2010, 11.7 percent (to 186,335) from 2010 to 2020, and an additional 10.3 percent (to 205,603) from 2020 to 2030. The Population of Forsyth County is projected to grow 13.4 percent (to 347,165 people) from 2000 to 2010, 12.4 percent (to 390,124) from 2010 to 2030, and 11.3 percent (to 434,096) from 2020 to 2030 (NC Office of State Planning Website: demog.state. n.c.us, Accessed 04/05/04). NC 1091rnprovements Study 11 Purpose and Need Statement t t it 1 fl r t 1 6.2 Economic Data Davidson County, including the Cities ol'Lexington and '['homasville, is known for the nnanulaCturing of furniture. Thirty-seven percent of employment in Davidson County can be classified as manufacturing. The top four major employers in Davidson County include Lexington Furniture IndLIStrieS Thomasville Furniture Industries, FIlison Windows and Doors, and Stanley Furniture Company (Piedmont Triad Partnership Website: www.picdmonttriad.nc.com, Accessed 02/17/04). Retail trade (16.8 percent) is second to manufacturing in total employment. '['he service industry (16.5 percent) employs the third largest number ol'workers, with government employment (14.2 percent) being fourth. While approximately 9.4 percent ofthe total acreage of Davidson County is classified as farn land, agricultural employment is listed as less than one percent of employment in the county. Forsyth County and the City of Winston-Salem have long been synonymous with the manufacturing of tobacco. The number one employer in Forsyth County is R.1 Reynolds 'T'obacco Company. The area is also known for its medical facilities including the second, third, and foUPth employers, North Carolina Baptist Hospitals, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, and Forsyth Memorial Hospital, respectively (Piedmont Triad Partnership Website: www.piedmonttriad.nc.com, Accessed 02/17/04). The service industry, ?,which includes the aforementioned medical facilities, employs approximately thirty-two percent ol'the employees within Forsyth County. Retail trade (18.3 percent) is second to service in total employment and is followed closely by manufacturing (16.9 percent). While approximately 19.4 percent of the total acreage o17 Forsyth County is classified as farmland, agricultural employment is listed as less than one percent of employment in the county. Th e unemployment rates in 2002 in Davidson County and Forsyth County were 6.5 percent and 5.6 percent, respectively, which were lower than the statewide unemployment rate o176.7 percent. Davidson County ranked 22nd out of the one-hundred North Carolina counties in 2001 with the per capita income averaging $25,909. Forsyth County ranked 3rd out of the one-hundred North Carolina counties in 2001 with a per capita income averaging $32,213. The statewide per capita income averaged $27,308 in 2001. t NC 109 Improvements Study 12 Purpose and Need Statement t t 1 i I C! 1 1 n 1 6.3 Land Use Plans The Legacy Development Guide is the general, long-range policy guide for decisions concerning the overall growth and development of Forsyth County and its eight municipalities. The Legacy Development Guide was adopted by the City-County Planning Board and the City of Winston-Salem in 2000, and Forsyth County in 2001. The Winston-Salem/Porsyth County Growth Management Plan Map is included in Appendix 13. Within the project study area, the majority of land is included as "Suburban Neighborhoods." Suburban neighborhoods are defined as "area with the most undeveloped land where much of the future residential, commercial, and industrial development should occur." One of the nine proposed Metro Activity Centers is located within the project study area at the US 311 South Activity Center at US 311 and Ridgewood Road. A Metro Activity Center "is a focal point for community-wide activities - living, working, shopping, education, recreation and cultural, spiritual or civic activities." The core area of the Metro activity center is "a quarter-mile in diameter, located near the intersection of major roads and contains commercial institutional, office and high density residential uses." (Legacy Development Guide, p. 30-32) Davidson Forward is the Davidson County Land Development Plan that was adopted in 2002. The purpose of this plan is "to help Davidson County avoid the mistakes that many other rapidly growing areas have made and to set it upon a course that will preserve the character and quality oi?the area, while accommodating the inevitable growth that is coming." (Davidson Forward, p. 1) The Davidson County Development Strategy Map is included in Appendix B. This map shows the property along NC 109 within the project study area as "Preferred Rural/Agricultural Areas." The Preferred Rural/Agricultural Area is defined as "areas where urban services, such as water and sewer, are not in place and not likely to be put in place within the next 20 years." Development densities within the project study area, which is included in the Yadkin River Waters Supply Watershed, shall be no less than 40,000 square feet. t NC 109 Intproventents Study 13 Purpose and Need Statement t fl 1 1 [J t a i 7.0 TRANSPORTATION PLANS 7.1 Local Thoroughfare Plans The transportation planning process identities deficiencies in the transportation planning system by using modeling and forecasting techniques that analyze land development patterns, employment, population projections and community values. This analysis results in the development of an overall transportation plan that includes a thoroughfare plan. A thoroughfare plan is a system of roadway improvements proposed to address identified deficiencies within an area. The development o1 these recommendations involves consideration ofthe human and natural environment. The planning process includes extensive input for the local community and results in a. plan that is mutually adopted by the local governing body, the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and the NCDOT Board of Transportation. (NCDOT Statewide Planning Branch, Purpose and Need Guidelines, 2000) Three 'T'horoughfare Plans have been developed that include the project study area. These plans and their recommendations for improvements to NC 109 are described below. Davidson County Thoroughfare Plan. The Davidson County Thoroughfare Plan was updated last in 1984. In the 1984 Thoroughfare Plan, the improved cross-section recommended 1-or NC 109 from the Thomasville City limits to the Forsyth County Line is a lour-lane divided highway with a minimum median width of thirty feet. High Point Urban Area Thoroughfare Man. The High Point Urban Area "Thoroughfare Plan was adopted by NCDOT in November 2001. This plan recommends that NC 109 should be widened to a four-lane divided roadway. Forsyth County Thoroughfare Plan. The Forsyth County Thoroughfare Plan was updated in 2002. This plan recommends that NC 109 should be widened to a four-lane divided roadway. 1 7.2 North Carolina Transportation Improvement Program This project is included in the 2004-2010 North Carolina Department of Transportation's (NCDOTT) 't'ransportation Improvement Program (TIP) as project number It-2568 Sections C through F. Right-of-way acquisition and construction are scheduled post year. Construction of TIP Proicct R-2568 Section A was completed in early 2004 and included NC 109 Improvements Study 14 Puipose and Need Statement t t t r-1 Li 1 f Ir-, improvements to the interchange located at N(_. 109 and Business 1-85. 111 1 ?olcct R-2568 Section B is scheduled to be let in ball 2004. This section includes widening NC 109 to (our lanes with a forty six-foot grass median from just north of Business 1-85 to just north ofOld Greensboro Road (SR 1798). Officr'I'IP projects located in the general vicinity ol'thc proposed improvements to NC 109 arc shown in Figum 4 and listed below: Project B-3834 is a bridge replacement project on SR 1779. Project B-3834 will replace Bride Number 156 over hanks Creek. Right-ol=way acquisition is scheduled for Federal Fiscal Year (1, FY) 2004 with construction to follow in FFY 2005. Project B-4102 is a bridge replacement project on SR 1777. Project 13-4102 will replace Bridge Number 153 over a creek in Davidson County. Right-of-way acquisition is scheduled for FFY 2004 and construction is scheduled for PFY 2004. Project B-4742 is a bridge replacement project on SR 1755. Project 13-4742 will replace Bridge Number 134 over a creek in Davidson County. Right-of--way acquisition is scheduled for FFY 2008 and construction is scheduled for FFY 2009. Project B-4101 is a bridge replacement project on SR 1741. Project B-4101 will replace Bridge Number 141 over Abbott's Creck in Davidson County. Right-of way acquisition is scheduled 1-or ITY 2005 and construction is scheduled for FFY 2006. Project B-3332 is a bridge replacement project on SR 2699. Project 13-3332 will replace Bridge Number 149 over Fiddlers Creek in Forsyth County. Right-of-way acquisition is currently in progress and construction is scheduled for FFY 2004. Project U-2579 is a proposed new location multi-lane fi•eeway (Winston-Salem Northern Beltway Eastern Section Extension). Planning is in progress with right-ol=way acquisition scheduled to begin in State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2008. t NC 109 Improvements Study 15 Purpose and Need Statement 4 I a !rj t t w r? I - ?7 Co , in )un t- ° r ? er5? - --?Iry} n ` r? e._ U-2579 - ( - V VV- B-3332 a a - T ° ?rb °rdRd O r _ - 109 - a 1?SF j 52 ; . 311 r d sKef clog. 1 = pex ? ? i ?f ( (}ep % J Flsh I d tj B-4101 _ a I k!I ` _ -' 10 -- 1 L ( A D I ? °? II d R ? ? ?, ,{ t oa ,l B-4742 311 w;? y 0v50 ?- i I J er ?1Q N1 r /I e? o e 8 \ \f'i 109 B-4102 a Burton 29 r8yer i / Ha Y Sc I B-3834 ?= 4 Bell- d & / C i Il nm, f: ?r ? I k v i 52 i ' ?-- ? - r / 29 a ; -- ?Cily Lake t i IJ! r' ti ?bka? Upper eke R ??,??? t f s ington Ix ?p Legend N Bridge Replacement Project W Proposed New Location 5 Multi-lane Freeway Feet 0 5.000 10.000 15.000 NorM Carolina Department of Transportation NC 109 Improvements Project Forsyth and Davidson Counties State Project No. 8.1172401 T.I.P. Project No. R-2568 8.0 NC 109 CHARACTERISTICS AND GEOMETRIC DEFICIENCIES 8.1 Existing NC 109 Characteristics Existing NC 109 within the project study area is a two-lane undivided rural highway with no control of access. This existing cross-section oi' NC 109 consists primarily oi'two ten- foot lanes with unpaved shoulders varying from three to six lect in width. NC 109 in the vicinity interchange of" 1-40/US 31 1 has been widened to a five lane, sixty- l'our-foot curb and gutter cross section. Speed limits on NC 109 are 45 mph except within Wallburg, where the speed limit is 35 mph. Currently, under the North Carolina Moving Ahead! Program, there is a NCDOT Division 9 project that will widen NC 109 lanes by two feet and provide two-foot paved shoulders from the curb and gutter section from the Davidson County line north to 1-40/US 31 1. Ewen with these improvements, this section of NC; 109 does not meet the design guidelines presented in Section 8.2. 'There is a split diamond interchange where NC 109 intersects with 1-40/US 311. There are four existing traffic signals along NC 109 within the project study area. These signals are located at the following intersections: I-40/US 311 westbound on ramp, I-40/tJS 311 eastbound orrramp, Gumtree Road (SR 1711), and Old Greensboro Road (SR 1798). 8.2 Existing NC 109 Geometric Deficiencies As stated in the previous sections, NC 109 has ten-foot lanes and three- to six-foot unpaved shoulders. Beyond the roadway shoulder, many side slopes are steep and not protected with guardrail. Coupled with not having the appropriate shoulder width, the steep side-slopes do not provide adequate clear zone for the majority of the project. This provides little recovery area ror vehicles leaving the roadway. i l AASHTO d T i Off h ) an ransportat on ic a s ( American Association of State Hig way NCDOT design guidelines recommend twelve-foot lanes and eight-loot shoulders with two feet ofthe shoulder paved for a facility with characteristics ol"NC 109. 'T'hese design guidelines also state that the optimal clear zone should be a minimum of thirty feet. Clear zone is the area adjacent to the roadway, available for safe use by errant vehicles. This area should be free of obstacles such as unyielding signs, non-traversable drainage structures, utility poles and steep slopes. NC 109 Improvements Study 17 Purpose and Need Statement l I 11 I I s ri a I I E I r ' NC 109 Improvements Study 19 Purpose and Need Statement Picture 1: Intersection of Shady Church Road and NC 109 looking south. Picture 2: Intersection of Willard Road and NC 109 looking south. a Table 1: Levels of Service for Signalized Intersections Along Existing NC 109 I 1 1 t Intersection with NC 109 Movement Level of Service 2003 2025 AM PM AM PM WB Through-Left 1; D D D WB Right I? D F I; 1-40 WB On Ramp N13 Left D C F F NB 'through A A A A SB Through I? C I' F SB Right E C D C EB Left D 13 C B E13 Right 1' F F F 1-40 FB Off Ramp N13 Through B C F E NB Right A B A C SB Left I? F F I' S13 Through A C A A ER L,eit B C I F LB Through-Right B B D C WB B C F F Gumtree Road (SR 1711) N13 Left A A F NB Through-Right A A F D SB Lcft A A F I' SB 't'hrough-Right A B F F E13 Left B A D C EB "Through-Right B A D C W13 B 13 E E Old Greensboro Road (SR 1798) NB Left A A D E NB Through-Right A A D C S13 Left A A E E SB "Through-Right A A C D ' NC 1091mprovements Study 23 Purpose and Need Statement f t r_, 1 1 u I Table 2: Levels of Service for Unsignalized Intersections Along Existing NC 109 t I r rl Intersection with NC 109 Di ti Level of Service rec on 2003 2025 AM I'M AM PM M d Vi R d SR 2706 S13 B A C 13 ea ow ew oa ( ) WB C C F 1? 'l'eague Road (SR 2705) E13 F F. F I N13 A B 13 C Union Cross Road (SR 2643) W B C C F 1 ' S13 13 A C 13 Willard Road (SR 2700) WB E 1? F I S13 13 A C 13 SR 2702 EB D v F 1: NB A B B C SR 2780 Eli C D I-? 1" NB A A B C EB I; E * F Rex Road (SR 2839) / WB E 1 * 1? Devoe Road (SR 2701) NB A B B C SB 13 A C 13 Joe Shawn Road (SR 3858) WB D C F F SB 13 A C B Meriwether Drive (SR 3807) WB D C F F SB 13 A C 13 Grey Stone Road (SR 2990) WB C 13 E D SB A A B A Robbins Road (SR 1724) EB B C D E NB A A A B Ray banning Road (SR 1729) WB C B D D SB A A B A Motsinger Road (SR 1723) EB D C F F NB A A B C Wallburg (SR 1730) WB D C F F SB A A B A EB C C F F Georgetown Road (SR 1733) WB - C C F F NB A A A B SB A A B A NC 109 Improvements Study 24 Purpose tend Need Statement 1 I rl I t t t I I I Table 2: Levels of Service for Unsignalized Intersections Along Existing NC 109 Intersection with NC 109 Direction Level of Service 2003 2025 AM PM AM PM Franklin Drive (SR 1928) W13 C (' 1, L' S13 A A R A Wallburg-High Point Rd (SR 1741) W13 C C F F S13 A A B A Appache Dr (SR 1970) W13 C 13 I D S13 A A B A Stoney Ridge Road (SR 1749) W B C 13 13 F, SB A A 13 A Shady Grove Church Road (SR 1751) EB D C F 1; NI3 A A A B Lexington Avenue (SR 1755) W13 C 13 1? F S13 A A B A EB C C F 1' Jesse Green Road (SR 1753) W13 C C F F NB A A A B SB A A A A -- i,evei or ,)ervice was not able to be computed clue to out of range delay values (>999.9 seconds) NC, 109 Improvements Study 25 Purpose and Need Statement I f r, I f I C I I t 1 Table 3: Level of Service Analysis for Two-Lane Highways Segments Along Existing NC 109 t t Two-Lane Hi S m nts h a Level of Service g w y eg e 2003 2025 1-40/US 311 to Meadow View Road (SR 2706) E F Meadow View Road (SR 2706) to Teague Road (SR 2705) E F Teague Road (SR 2705) to Union Cross Road (SR 2643) E 1, Union Cross Road (SR 2643) to Willard Road (SR 2700) E E Willard Road (SR 2700) to SR 2702 E F SR 2702 to SR 2780 E F SR 2780 to Rex Road (SR 2701)/Devoe Drive (SR 2839) E F Rex Road (SR 2701)/Devoe Drive (SR 2839) to Joe Shawn Road (SR 3858) E F Joe Shawn Road (SR 3858) to MCITiwcather Drive (SR 3807) E F Merriweather Drive (SR 3807) to Gum Tree Road (SR 171 I/SR 2692) L. F Gum Tree Road (SR 171 1/SR 2692) to Gray Stone (SR 2990) F, E Gray Stone (SR 2990) to Robbins Road (SR 1724) E E Robbins Road (SR 1724) to Ray Lanning Road (SR 1729) E F, Ray Lanning Road (SR 1729) to Motsinger Road (SR 1723) E E Motsinger Road (SR 1723) to Wallburg Road (SR 1730) E E Wallburg Road (SR 1730) to Georgetown Road (SR 1733) E E Georgetown Road (SR 1733) to Franklin Drive (SR 1928) E E Franklin Drive (SR 1928) to Wallburg-I ligh Point Road (SR 1741) E I" Wallburg-High Point Road (SR 1741) to Appache Drive (SR 1970) E E Appache Drive (SR 1970) to Stoney Ridge Road (SR 1749) E E Stoney Ridge Road (SR 1749) to Shady Grove (SR 1751) E E Shady Grove (SR 1751) to Lexington Avenue (SR 1755) E E Lexington Avenue (SR 1755) to Jesse Green Road (SR 1753) E E Jesse Green Road (SR 1753) to Old Greensboro Road (SR 1798/1756) E 1; NC 109 Improvements Study 26 Purpose and Need Statement t t t H L' 11 t t J 1 10.0 ACCIDENT ANALYSIS Roadway deficiencies combined with increasing capacity demands and uncontrollable factors, such as inclement weather, can make for undesirable travel along existing NC 109 within the project study area. A review of accident data for NC 109 from just north of Old Greensboro Road (SR 1798) in Davidson County to the south ramps of the 1-40 interchange in Forsyth County for the period between May 1, 2000 and April 30, 2003 showed a total of 235 crashes along this section of roadway. Of this total, Lour accidents caused fatalities and 113 accidents caused injuries. Approximately twenty-one of"the at-grade intersections along the project area had three or more crashes during the analysis period and eight of these averaged at least two crashes per year. There were also four intersections that averaged a minimum of three crashes per year. These intersections were as follows: • Shady Grove Church Road (SR 1751) with nine crashes, • Gumtree Road (SR 1711) with twelve crashes, • Rex Road/Devoe Road (SR 2701/SR 2839) with nine crashes, and • Louise Street with twenty-live crashes. Approximately sixty-four percent of the twenty-five crashes occurring at Louise Street were rear end crashes. A primary concern in this vicinity are crashes resulting from vehicles stopping in the roadway to make a left turn or from vehicles stopping in the roadway to make a left turn or from vehicles stopped in the roadway due to congestion. For crash rate purposes, NC 109 is classified as a two-lane undivided rural North Carolina (NC) route. Table 4 shows the comparison of the crash rates for the analyzed section of NC 109 versus the 2000-2002 statewide crash rates 1-or a comparable road type and configuration. As shown in Table 4, current crash rates exceed the critical non-fatal injury crash rate primarily due to a large number of rear end (slow or stop) crashes, vehicles slowing, stopping, or being stopped in a travel lane, vehicles being on a straight (grade) section of road, and drivers who were inattentive or failed to reduce speed. NC 109 lrnprovements Study 27 Purpose and Need Statement I w t Table 4: Crash Rate Comparison Rate Crashes Crashes per 100 Million Statewide Ratez Critical Rate3 Vehicle Miles (MVM) Total 235 197.19 182.95 203.75 Fatal 4 3.36 2.39 5.14 Non-Fatal 113 94.82 75.45 96 88 Injury . Night 58 48.67 61.76 74.02 Wet 53 44.47 30.62 39.38 t_sasnes occurring trom may j, 2uuu mrougn Apra SU, 2UU3 along NC; IU9 between Old Greensboro Road and 1-40 2 2002-2002 statewide crash rate for rural 2-lane undivided NC routes in North Carolina s Based on the statewide crash rate (95percent level of confidence) Approximately forty percent of non-fatal injury crashes were rear end (slow or stop) crashes. This exceeds the statewide average by forty-six percent. Of these non-fatal injury crashes: • Twenty-seven percent of vehicles were slowing, stopping or were stopped in a t travel lane, • Thirty-seven percent were traveling on a straight (grade) section of road, and • 'twenty-eight percent of drivers were either inattentive or failed to reduce speed. 'these factors exceeded the state averages for non-fatal injury crashes occurring on 2-lane undivided rural NC routes by thirty-eight percent, eighty-three percent, and twenty-eight percent, respectively. Approximately forty percent oflwet crashes were rear end (slow or stop) and approximately thirty-two percent occurred while vehicles were slowing, stopping, or stopped in a travel lane and these factors exceeded the state averages for wet crashes occurring on two-lane undivided rural NC Routes by Iiffy-three percent and fifty-four percent, respectively. Also, approximately twenty-one percent ofmotorists involved in wet crashes contributed to these crashes by failing to reduce speed, which exceeded the state average for wet crashes occurring on two-lane undivided rural NC Routes by thirty-eight percent. Approximately forty-five percent of wet crashes occurred between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., fifty-three percent occurred within 150 fleet from an intersection, and filly-three percent involved only one vehicle. More than half occurred in the Forsyth County portion of the project with approximately forty-seven percent concentrated in a 1.1 1 mile segment between Meadowview Drive (SR 2706) and Leona Street. NC 109 Improvements Study 28 Purpose and Need Statement 11 1 F1 ril i] J t Approximately forty-two percent of wet crashes resulted in a rear end collision, and another twenty-eight percent resulted in a vehicle leaving their lane of travel. Many wet crashes involved vehicles stopping Ior traffic or waiting to make a left turn, and Gumtrec Road (SR 1711) had the largest amount of wet crashes of any intersection. Officers indicated that weather directly contributed to approximately thirty-five percent of the wet crashes, which is eighteen percent above the state average for two-lane undivided rural NC routes. Approximately forty-one percent of all crashes were rear end crashes and, of these forty- i ht t i l d hi l g e percen nvo ve a ve c e attempting a left turn onto an intersecting street or driveway, and another thirty-three percent involved vehicles waiting behind stopped traffic. Approximately fifty-two percent of rear end crashes that occurred at intersections involved vehicles attempting to make left turns, and the intersections that had the maiority of these crashes were Shady Grove Church Road (SR 1751) in Davidson County and Joe Shawn Road (SR 3858), Rex Road/Devoe Road (SR 2701/SR 2839), and Louise Street in Forsyth County. Ledford Senior Hi h School is located at 140 .lesse Green Road SR 1753 g ( 1753), approximately 0.4 miles west of NC 109. Two crashes involving student-aged drivers occurred at this intersection in 2001. I I t NC 109 Improvements Study 29 Purpose and Need Statement t r-J, fl 11.0 REFERENCES American Association ol'State IIighway and Transportation Officials 1996 Roadside Design Guide 2003 Policy on Geometric Design of'llighways and Streets City-County Planning Board 2000 The Legacy Development Guide 2003 Draft Union Cross/Soulheast Forsyth County Area Plan Davidson County ! 2002 Davidson Forward: Davidson County Land Development Plan Federal Highway Administration 1987 Guidance for Preparing and Processing E vironmental and Section 4(f) Documents. II-IWA "Technical Advisory T66430.8.A. October 1987 North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services 2004 Website: www.nass.usda.gov:gl/ipcdb/ North Carolina Department of Commerce 2004 Websitc: cmedis.commerce.state.ne.us/countyprolilcs North Carolina Department of"Fransportation, Planning and 1nvironmental Branch 1995 Environmental Assessment for NC 109 from 1-85 in Thomasville to Just North of SR 1798 (Old Greensboro Road) 2004 NC 109, from. North of Old Greensboro Road (SR 1795) to 1-401US 311 Purpose and Need Capacity Analysis North Carolina Department of Transportation, Transportation Planning Branch 2000 Purpose and Need Guidelines North Carolina Office of State Planning 2004 State Demographics Website: www.demog.state.nc.us Piedmont Authority for Regional "transportation 2004 Website: www.partnc.org NC 109 Improvements Study 30 Puipose and Need Statement u r-, II e t Piedmont 'T'riad Council of Governments 2004 Piedmont 'T'riad Commuting Patterns and Statistics 2004 Wcbsite: www.ptcog.org Piedmont Triad Partnership 2004 Website: www.piedmonttriadnc.com Winston-Salem Transit Authority 2002 System Map 2004 Website: llttp://www.ci.winston-salem.nc.us/DOT/wsta.html t r I I NC 109 Improvements Study 31 Purpose and Need Statement t r? t 1 t t 1 t t t 1 1 t 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 t 1 NC 109 Improvements Study Purpose and Need Statement u 1 ?l 1 t H E t t t 1 1 1 1 1 I 1 t 1 Ire ?J In Ll t 1 t 1 t J t u t t t 1 e r 1 t 1 t i 1 1 1 t 1 t t 1 Appendix D 2003 Existing Traffic Volumes 2025 Project Traffic Volumes under the No-Build Condition NC 109 Improvements Study Purpose and Need Statement mmmmm "m M a e to C , L M C ro C rI 0 N M ro G O ?t?•..faw°? ? 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I ?O 06 (£'ti) ^9 01i Nd opOO 006'6 OOLZ OOE 6 ?'- OOL pa oingo anoJE) Lpe4S 6SL6 Z!S co w 0 0 o? co T?- n - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -tA V ZGGI - 1 uq©(, i N4 o v, W - S I q - i . `emu` &Ov- Cater ?br ` C?oa(pln?.??+ p ??O?S A CcWMAK-` - 'Ili W(?S1nrsS ???,.? ? b, ) ?-j 1 Gc V- a? 0 coved cre c?, d vj? t, 1 S ZG' S?cc? 5 ?o s - W . -Z-00v .- loo Z, vC? - Z 31 'zoo A6T- 6 it_ - 3 7 I( (Zw-o - dos ?u??? ?-??I?u•? (?nO4+? ZCIL5- - aW MA. W??e?- ?p?rs way v? ;w (U?e? ; LOS c,Mo?. ? 11c,lanwe M.? Prod' ?r 1-Gs cw?? . laAt Oiv, L,/ t46, September 15, 2004 Concurrence Agenda Page 3 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. BRYAN KLUCHAR -NCDOT - PDEA Branch TIP - R-2519B Yancey & Mitchell Counties, US 19 E to a multi-lane facility from SR 1186 in Micaville to the existing multi-lane west of Spruce Pine in Yancey and Mitchell Counties, Division 13. Team Members: Angie Pennock, USACE Marella Buncick, US Fish and Wildlife Service Chris Militscher, US EPA Harold Draper, Tennessee Valley Authority Marla Chambers, NC Wildlife Resource Commission Brian Wrenn, NCDENR-DWQ/Wetlands Sarah McBride, NC Dept of Cultural Resources - SHPO David Baird, High Country RPO (Non-Signatory) NCDOT Technical Support Staff & other agency staff: Roger Bryan, NCDOT Division 13 David Chang, NCDOT Hydraulics Rekha Patel, NCDOT Roadway Design Doug Calhoun, NCDOT Structures Jaime Adrignola, NCDOT Transportation Planning Chris Underwood, NCDOT PDEA-ONE Gene Tarascio, NCDOT GeoEnvironmental Linwood Stone, NCDOT PDEA *Purpose of meeting is to achieve concurrence point 2 (Alternatives carried forward). September 15, 2004 Concurrence Agenda Page 2 Team Members: Phil Conrad, Cabarrus-Rowan MPO Felix Davila, FHWA Chris Militscher, EPA Eric Alsmeyer, US Army Corps of Engineers Jean Manuele, US Army Corps of Engineers Marella Buncick, US Fish & Wildlife Service Marla Chambers, NC Wildlife Resource Commission Brian Wrenn, NC DWQ John Hennessy, NC DWQ Renee Gledhill-Early, SHPO NCDOT Technical Support Staff & other agency staff: Alden Whitmore, Division 10 Tim Boland, NCDOT Division 10 Benton Payne, NCDOT Division 10 Pay Ivey, NCDOT Division 9 Diane Hampton, NCDOT Division 9 Randy Henegar, NCDOT - Hydraulics Roger Thomas, NCDOT - Roadway Design Mary Frazier, NCDOT PDEA-ONE Chris Manley, NCDOT PDEA-ONE Derrick Weaver, NCDOT PDEA *Purpose of meeting is to achieve concurrence point 3. 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. RICHARD BREWER -NCDOT - PDEA Branch TIP - R-4060 AIleghany County US 21 Sparta Western Loop, Sparta SR 1172 (Grandview Drive) to US 21 two lane roadway on new location. Team Members: Jake Riggsbee - FHWA John Thomas - USACE Brian Wrenn - DWQ Marla Chambers - Wildlife Resources Commission Marella Buncick - Fish & Wildlife Service Renee Gledhill-Earley - SHPO Chris Militscher - EPA David Baird, High Country RPO (Non-Signatory) NCDOT Technical Support Staff & other agency staff: Phil Harris - PDEA/ONE Carl Goode - PDEA/OI-IF. Jim Speer - Roadway Design Marshall Clawson - Hydraulics Dan Thomas - Transportation Planning Michael Pettyjohn - Division 11 * The purpose of this meeting is to submit engineering and environmental information to the project merger team in order to attain Concurrence Point I, Purpose and Need. J „a SYATZ M?? 7 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION MICHAEL F. EASLEY GOVERNOR AGENDA Concurrence Meetings Wednesday September 15, 2004 North Carolina Department of Transportation Board Room 1 S. Wilmington Street Raleigh, North Carolina 27601 LYNDO TIPPETT SECRETARY 9:00 p.m. -10:30 p.m. VINCE RHEA -NCDOT - PDEA Branch TIP - R-2568, NC 109 Improvements Study from SR 1798 (Old Greensboro Road) to 1-40/US311, Davidson and Forsyth Counties. Team Members: Felix Davila, FHWA Eric Alsmeyer, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers Chris Militscher, USEPA Marella Buncick, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Renee Gledhill-Earley, SHPO Brian Wrenn, NCDENR - DWQ Marla Chambers, NC -WRC Gregory Errett, MPO Hanna Cockburn, RPO Andy Grzymski, MPO NCDOT Technical Support Staff & other agency staff: Pat Ivey, NCDOT-Division 9 Keith E. Raulston, NCDOT-Division 9 Lonnie Brooks, NCDOT- Structure Design Unit Marshall Clawson, NCDOT- Hydraulics Unit Roger Thomas, NCDOT- Roadway Design Unit Elizabeth Lusk, NCDOT-PDF_.A/ONE Derrick Weaver, NCDOT PDF_,A * The purpose of this meeting is to present the purpose & need for the project to the Mergers team and achieve concurrence point one. 10:30 p.m. -12:00 Missy Dickens -NCDOT - PDEA Branch TIP - R-2903 US 52 Improvements Project, Stanley, Cabarrus and Rowan Counties. MAILING ADDRESS: TELEPHONE: 919-733-3141 LOCATION: NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FAX: 919-733-9794 TRANSPORTATION BUILDING PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS 1 SOUTH WILMINGTON STREET 1548 MAIL SERVICE CENTER RALEIGH NC RALEIGH NC 27699-1548 \NATF Michael F. Easley, Governor ? R pG William G. Ross Jr., Secretary North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources co tom-- Alan W. Klimek, P.E., Director > _I Division of Water Quality Coleen H. Sullins, Deputy Director Division of Water Quality December 19, 2003 MEMORANDUM TO: Gregory J. Thorpe, Ph.D., Director NCDOT Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch FROM: Cynthia F. Van Der Wiele, NCDOT Coordinator W" SUBJECT: Review of Scoping Sheets for NC 109 from SR 1798 (Old Greensboro Road) to I-40/US 311, Davidson & Forsyth Counties, F.A. Project STP-109(1), State Project No. 8.1172401, TIP No. R-2568 C, D, E, and F. In reply to your correspondence dated December 15, 2003 (received December 19, 2003) in which you requested comments for the referenced project, preliminary analysis of the project indicates that the following water resources will be impacted: Stream (Index) Muddy Creek (12-94) Fiddlers Creek (12-94-13-3) Abbotts Creek (12-119) Spurgeon Creek (12-119-3) Mary Reich Creek (12-119-3-1) Reedy Run (12-119-4) Brushy Fork (12-119-5) Water Oualitv Classification HU WS-IV; §303(d) 030704 C 030704 WS-III Critical Area 030707 WS-III 030707 WS-III 030707 WS-III 030707 WS-III Critical Area; §303(d) 030707 NC Division of Water Quality staff is familiar with project area-a site visit was conducted on December 16, 2003. DWQ would encourage NCDOT to conduct origin-destination studies and to examine opportunities for transit-oriented development so that rural dwellers can commute to Winston-Salem without diminishing their quality of life. DWQ has the following comments: Environmental Documentation 1. One environmental document should be prepared that addresses the entire R-2568 project rather than a document for each segment. 2. Traffic data regarding existing levels of service and accidents will need to be provided to support the stated purpose of the project. DWQ staff did not find evidence of traffic congestion or roadway geometry deficiencies during the site visit. 3. DWQ recommends an alternative that bypasses the community of Wallburg due to the scenic quality, small town character of the community and potential historic property §4(f) issues. 4. Given the predominantly rural to semi-rural nature of the project area, and the presence of degraded water resources, NCDOT should be prepared to assess the indirect and cumulative effects of this project (all segments) if upgrade existing or new location alternatives are pursued. 5. The environmental document should provide a detailed and itemized presentation of the proposed imp nrtc to wptlnnrlc and ztranmc with rnrrPC n= nrling rrinpping Tf mitigntinn is ra =nired. it is N. C. 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), 919-733-6893 (fax), (http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/ncwetlands) Customer Service #: 1-877-623-6748 preferable to present a conceptual (if not finalized) mitigation plan with the environmental documentation. Appropriate mitigation plans will be required prior to issuance of a 401 Water Quality Certification. Planning, Design & Construction 1. The population of Davidson County is projected to grow 25 percent and Forsyth County 26 percent between 2000 and 2020. Much of this development is likely to occur along highway corridors (1-40,1-85, US 64 and US 29/70) and in smaller suburban municipalities. Most of the new development is occurring in the Fiddlers Creek watershed. Substantial habitat degradation was observed during biological surveys of South Fork Muddy Creek below the confluence of Fiddlers Creek. Actions are needed to reduce the effects of non-point source pollution, particularly from stormwater runoff from construction sites and developed areas in Fiddlers Creek. Growth management within the next five years will be imperative in order to improve or maintain water quality in this sub-basin. Growth management can be defined as the application of strategies and practices that help achieve sustainable development in harmony with the conservation of environmental qualities and features of an area. DWQ strongly encourages assistance to local communities to help them plan for growth while preserving their quality of life. 2. If NCDOT wishes to upgrade NC 109 to handle more traffic, Hydraulic Design should be aware that this could trigger the need for a hazardous spill catch basin in the vicinity of Abbotts Creek and Brushy Fork due to the roadway type and traffic volume/type. 3. Muddy Creek is on the §303(d) list of impaired waters for turbidity primarily attributed to stormwater runoff from construction sites and developed areas. Brushy Fork was placed on the §303(d) list for sediment from non-point sources. In order to prevent further degradation of water quality, DWQ urges ¦ The use of Best Management Practices for the Protection of Surface Waters. ¦ Phased grading and seeding plans designed to minimize the exposure of bare ground; ¦ Pre-treatment of storm water runoff to the maximum extent feasible, rather than routed directly into streams. This can also be partially accomplished through vegetating roadway right-of-ways and using BMPs to treat roadway runoff. ¦ Removal of sediment during construction of the project through basins and traps (or other site-appropriate means). ¦ Restoration of riparian vegetation. 4. Sedimentation is a major contributor of water quality degradation within the project area. The causes are both streambank erosion and urban runoff. DWQ recommends that NCDOT Hydraulics Unit develop plans that reduce the potential for bank scour (i.e., energy dissipation methods) and methods to improve streambanks along the project. 5. Removing trees, shrubs and other vegetation to plant grass or place rock (also known as rip-rap) along the bank of a river or stream degrades water quality. Removing riparian vegetation eliminates habitat for aquatic macroinvertebrates that are food for trout and other fish. Rocks lining a bank absorb the sun's heat and warm the water even more. Trees, shrubs and other native vegetation cool the water by shading it. Straightening a stream, clearing streambank vegetation, and lining the banks with grass or rock severely impact the habitat that aquatic insects and fish need to survive. NCDOT is urged to avoid and minimize these activities and replace any existing vegetated stream buffers along the project area to the maximum extent possible. 6. Stream and wetland 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 (15A NCAC 2H.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 115A NCAC 2H.0506 (h)(3) ), the Wetland Restoration Program (WRP) or Ecological Enhancement Program (EEP) may be available compensatory mitigation. The South Fork Muddy Creek is one of 55 watersheds in the Yadkin-Pee Dee River basin that has been identified by the NC Wetlands Restoration Program (NCWRP) as an area with the greatest need and opportunity for stream and wetland restoration efforts. This watershed will be given higher priority than a nontargeted watershed for the implementation of NCWRP restoration projects. 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 (919) 733.5715. Attachment pc: Christopher Militscher, USEPA Marla Chambers, NC Wildlife Resources Commission Marella Buncick, USFWS Asheville File Copy P J) STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION MICHAEL F. EASLEY GOVERNOR MEMORANDUM TO: Ms. Cynthia Van der Wiele [)E'('° X00 Division of Water Quality/Wetlands FROM: Gregory J. Thorpe, Ph.D., Director WATER t=UAl.lr Y8 (;r1()1V Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch SUBJECT: Review of Scoping Sheets for NC 109, SR 1798 (Old Greensboro Road) to I-40/US 311, Davidson and Forsyth Counties, Federal Aid Project No. STP-109(l ), State Project No. 8.117240 1, Project No. R-2568 Attached for your review and comments are the scoping sheets for the subject project and a project location map. The purpose of the scoping meting is to have an early review of the scope of work and allow better implementation of the project. A scoping meeting for this project is scheduled for Wednesday, January 14, 2004 at 10:30 AM 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 (please reference page 4 of the scoping sheets). Thank you for your assistance in this part of the planning process. If there are any questions about the meeting or the scoping sheets, please call Vincent J. Rhea, P.E., Project Development Engineer, at 733-7844, Ext. 261. Please include the TIP Project Number in all correspondence and comments. GJT/plr December 15, 2003 LYNDO TIPPETT SF.CRE:PARY TLANDS;.; Rol If,,, Attachment MAILING ADDRESS: NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS 1548 MAIL SERVICE CENTER RALEIGH NC 27699-1548 TELEPHONE: 919-733-3141 FAX: 919-733-9794 WEBSITE: WWW.NCDOT.ORG LOCATION: TRANSPORTATION BUILDING 1 SOUTH WILMINGTON STREET RALEIGH NC _- 1 \ \ \ win0oh Sala f 3a?mRd ? 8099 C ek YVaw htbwnst I 9 A dlehn' m High Rd n ? 'Po 0 ? ' I . ? tim i C nstfiR Dr t TO I : C. eL„ i ?oih ?f la ash ?? Union CrosB Rd o a? ? ' 9P T ( Wa klns Forpl Rd 52 Soa9o eAd ? a 6g i ? 150 a m 311 a 1 ?' o . Peragod Qri I b \ 1 , 'u n I ?? !l?rgar•i n?EU q?ul?Mp.? rte pA ... y `Q9 +.... ?Y NCI S HIIIw6od o o r Qi ... .? ,, I n r m R 109 , r dson Oli a «. F O !e ° n Georgetown Rd ...,. ishel p d i r Wallb Curly R d r? i ?urYi...+?Mf nRd m?mrr re wW:'?{V ?! 6 O a D Rd c°' o? Qa Iral Rd Q-a O ? v o ?`m fd rh.'h ? Hartman Rd G?? ""ileRd vo errace Dr 4 S0 m 'S , 4Z§ Pse goo C gaclga 4^ ? o coo m ?Ge?LOO munilY Rd Ilor Rd pa C? ° A6 m O? GrJL ? \a EnrerPri ?. mca ms se Rd e 6 ?D ?0 O Burton Rd d Pa O3 N re r n ? o 81 A,. NL. N W E Study Area 7r Winston-Salem City Limits S Miles 0 1 2 3 4 ` NOInN DAROLWADIPMIY[Nl / ? O! ilAN Ay • prviMOt1 w 0P 1"K ?[ONwAY4 ??.y ..+'Y?r M?![CT DEY[LO[M[NI WD !MVlIdIM[NiAI WAIYLE MIANCM NC 109 Improvement Project Forsyth and Davidson Counties State Project No. 8.1172401 T.I.P. Project No. R-2568 Exhibit A Project Vicinity Forsyth County Davidson Coujity PROJECT SCOPING SHEET Date 12/01/03 Revision Date Project Development Stage Programming Planning X Design TIP # R-2568 Project # 8,1172401 F.A. Project # STP-109(1) Division 9 County Davidson and Forsyth Route NC 109 Functional Classification Rural minor arterial Length 9.6 miles Purpose of Project: To reduce congestion, improve deficient roadway geometry and increase safety on existing NC 109. Description of project (including specific limits) and major elements of work: Alternatives have not been developed at this time. Type of environmental document to be prepared: EIS Environmental study schedule: DEIS .............. 4/07 EIS ............... 4/08 ROD ............. 10/08 Will there be special funding participation by municipality, developers, or other? No-X If yes, by whom and amount: ($) How and when will this be paid? Type of Access Control: Limited Type of Roadway: Multi-Lane Interchanges Grade Separations Typical Section of Proposed Roadway: Multi-Lane or (%) Stream Crossings 4 PROJECT SCOPING SHEET List any special features, such as railroad involvement, which could affect cost or schedule of project*: ITEMS REQUIRED (X) COMMENTS COST Estimated Costs of Improvements: X Pavement Windening ....................................... $ 9,260,800 Resufacing ...................................... $ Subgrade Stabilization ............................. $ New Pavement ................................... $ Shoulders: Paved .............................. $ Earth ............................... $ X Earthwork and Fine Grading .............................. $ 8,467,730 Subsurface Items: ...................................... $ X Subgrade Stabilization .................................. $ 1,773,500, X Drainage (List any special items) .......................... $ 2,880,000 Sub-Drainage .......................................... $ Structures: Bridge Rehabilitation ........................... $ 1 New Bridge ...38' x 150' ................. $ 484,500 Widen Bridge ........................... $ Remove Bridge ........................... $ New Culverts: Size Length Fill Ht. .. $ 398,376 2 Culvert Extension ............................... $ Retaining Walls: Type Avg. Ht. Skew .. $ Noise Walls ..................................... $ Any Other Misc. Structures ....................... $ X Concrete Curb & Gutter ............................... $ 585,600 Concrete Sidewalk .................................... $ X Guardrail Items ................................... $ 281,100 X Fencing: W.W. X and/or C.L. ............. $ 147,000 X Erosion Control ...................................... $ 798,000 Landscape ........................................... $ Lighting ............................................. $ X Traffic Control ....................................... $ 367,500 Signing: New ................................... $ Upgrading ............................. $ Traffic Signals New ............................. $ 110,000 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 ........... $ 117,500 Delineators .......................................... $ X Other (Mob./Misc., Clearing/Grubbing and Utilities) ......... $ 13,858,694 PROJECT SCOPING SHEET CONTRACT COST (Subtotal): $ 39,629,000 Contingencies & Engineering (15%) ........................ $ 5,971,000 PE Costs .............................................. $ Force Account .......................................... $ Construction Cost $ 45,600,000 Right of Way: Will Contain within Exist Right of Way: Yes No Existing Right of Way Width: New Right of Way Needed: Width Est. Cost $ Easements: Type Width Est. Cost $ Utilities: $ Right of Way Subtotal: $ Preliminary Engineering $ Total Estimated Cost: (Includes R/W) $ Prepared By: Vince Rhea, P.E. Date: 12/04/03 The above scoping has been reviewed and approved* by: Highway Design Roadway Structure Design Services Geotechnical Hydraulics Loc. & Surveys Photogrammetry Prel. Est. Engr. Planning & Environ, Right of Way R/W Utilities Traffic Engineering Project Management County Manager City/Municipality Others INIT. DATE INIT. DATE Board of Tran. Member Mgr. Program & Policy Chief Engineer-Precons Chief Engineer-Oper. Secondary Roads Off. Construction Branch Roadside Environmental Maintenance Branch DL 12/05/03 Bridge Maintenance Statewide Planning Division Engineer Bicycle Coordinator Program Development FHWA Dept. of Cult. Res. Dept. of EH & NR Scoping Sheets for local officials will be sent to Division Engineer for handling. Comments or Remarks: *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. 7 . O? W A r?R Michael F. Easley, Governor William G. Ross Jr., Secretary O?1 pG North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources y Alan W. Klimek, P.E., Director r Division of Water Quality -1 Coleen H. Sullins, Deputy Director Q 'C Division of Water Quality November 17, 2003 MEMORANDUM TO: Melba McGee, Environmental Coordinator NCDENR Office of Legislative & Intergovernmental Affairs FROM: Cynthia F. Van Der Wiele, NCDOT Coordinator C4)dw SUBJECT: Review of Scoping Sheets for NC 109 from SR 1798 (Old Greensboro Road) to I-40/US 311, Davidson & Forsyth Counties, F.A. Project STP-109(1), State Project No. 8.1172401, TIP No. R-2568 C, D, E, and F. State Clearinghouse Project No. 04-0107. In reply to your correspondence dated October 28, 2003 (received October 28, 2003) in which you requested comments for the referenced project, preliminary analysis of the project indicates that the following water resources will be impacted: Stream (Index) Water Quality Classification HU Muddy Creek (12-94) WS-IV; §303(d) 030704 Fiddlers Creek (12-94-13-3) C 030704 Abbotts Creek (12-119) WS-III Critical Area 030707 Spurgeon Creek (12-119-3) WS-III 030707 Mary Reich Creek (12-119-3-1) WS-III 030707 Reedy Run (12-119-4) WS-III 030707 Brushy Fork (12-119-5) WS-III Critical Area; §303(d) 030707 NC Division of Water Quality staff is familiar with project area. DWQ would encourage NCDOT to conduct origin-destination studies and to examine opportunities for transit-oriented development so that rural dwellers can commute to Winston-Salem without sacrificing their quality of life. DWQ has the following comments: Environmental Documentation 1. One environmental document should be prepared that addresses the entire R-2568 project rather than a document for each segment. 2. Given the predominantly rural to semi-rural nature of the project area, and the presence of degraded water resources, NCDOT should be prepared to assess the indirect and cumulative effects of this project (all segments) if upgrade existing or new location alternatives are pursued. 3. The environmental document should provide a detailed and itemized presentation of the proposed impacts to wetlands and streams with corresponding mapping. If mitigation is required, it is preferable to present a conceptual (if not finalized) mitigation plan with the environmental documentation. Appropriate mitigation plans will be required prior to issuance of a 401 Water Quality Certification. Planninlz Desikn & Construction 1. The population of Davidson County is projected to grow 25 percent and Forsyth County 26 percent between 2000 and 2020. Much of this development is likely to occur along highway corridors (1-40,1-85, US 64 and US 29/70) and in smaller suburban municipalities. Most of the new development is occurring in the Fiddlers Creek watershed. Substantial habitat degradation was observed during biological surveysAMM N. C. 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), 919-733-6893 (fax), (http•//h2o enr state nc us/ncwetlands) Customer Service #: 1-877-623-6748 .e of South Fork Muddy Creek below the confluence of Fiddlers Creek. Actions are needed to reduce the effects of non-point source pollution, particularly from stormwater runoff from construction sites and developed areas in Fiddlers Creek. Growth management within the next five years will be imperative in order to improve or maintain water quality in this sub-basin. Growth management can be defined as the application of strategies and practices that help achieve sustainable development in harmony with the conservation of environmental qualities and features of an area. DWQ strongly encourages assistance to local communities to help them plan for growth while preserving their quality of life. 2. If NCDOT wishes to upgrade NC 109 to handle more traffic, Hydraulic Design should be aware that this could trigger the need for a hazardous spill catch basin in the vicinity of Brushy Fork due to the roadway type and traffic volume/type. Muddy Creek is on the §303(d) list of impaired waters for turbidity primarily attributed to stormwater runoff from construction sites and developed areas. Brushy Fork was placed on the §303(d) list for sediment from non-point sources. In order to prevent further degradation of water quality, DWQ urges ¦ The use of Best Management Practices for the Protection of Surface Waters. ¦ Phased grading and seeding plans designed to minimize the exposure of bare ground; ¦ Pre-treatment of storm water runoff to the maximum extent feasible, rather than routed directly into streams. This can also be partially accomplished through vegetating roadway right-of-ways and using BMPs to treat roadway runoff. ¦ Removal of sediment during construction of the project through basins and traps (or other site- appropriate means). ¦ Restoration of riparian vegetation. 4. Sedimentation is a major contributor of water quality degradation within the project area. The causes are both streambank erosion and urban runoff. DWQ recommends that NCDOT Hydraulics Unit develop plans that reduce the potential for bank scour (i.e., energy dissipation methods) and methods to improve streambanks along the project. 5. Removing trees, shrubs and other vegetation to plant grass or place rock (also known as rip-rap) along the bank of a river or stream degrades water quality. Removing riparian vegetation eliminates habitat for aquatic macroinvertebrates that are food for trout and other fish. Rocks lining a bank absorb the sun's heat and warm the water even more. Trees, shrubs and other native vegetation cool the water by shading it. Straightening a stream, clearing streambank vegetation, and lining the banks with grass or rock severely impact the habitat that aquatic insects and fish need to survive. NCDOT is urged to avoid and minimize these activities and replace any existing vegetated stream buffers along the project area to the maximum extent possible. 6. Stream and wetland 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 { 15A NCAC 2H.0506(b)(6) 1, 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 115A NCAC 211.0506 (h)(3)1, the Wetland Restoration Program (WRP) or Ecological Enhancement Program (EEP) may be available compensatory mitigation. The South Fork Muddy Creek is one of 55 watersheds in the Yadkin-Pee Dee River basin that has been identified by the NC Wetlands Restoration Program (NCWRP) as an area with the greatest need and opportunity for stream and wetland restoration efforts. This watershed will be given higher priority than a nontargeted watershed for the implementation of NCWRP restoration projects. 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 (919) 733.5715. Attachment pc: File Copy M SrA1t o? STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION MICHAEL F. EASLEY GOVERNOR LYNDo TIPPETT SECRETARY October 14, 2003 MEMORANDUM TO Mrs. Chrys Baggett, Director State Clearinghouse Department of Administration FROM: SUBJECT: The Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch has begun studying the proposed improvements to NC 109 in Davidson and Forsyth Counties. The project is included in the 2004-2010 North Carolina Transportation Improvement Program and is scheduled for right of way in fiscal year and construction in post years. Alternatives that will be considered include the No-Build Alternative, Transportation Management Alternative, Multi-Modal Alternative, Upgrade Existing Roadway Alternative, and New Location Alternatives. Preliminary alternatives will be identified and evaluated through the preparation of land suitability mapping, a screening evaluation of existing human and natural environments, and an evaluation of the ability of each alternative to meet the project's purpose and need. We would appreciate any information you might have that would be helpful in evaluating potential environmental impacts of the project. If applicable, please identify any permits or approvals which may be required by your agency. Your comments will be used in the preparation of a federally funded Environmental Assessment. This document will be prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. It is desirable that your agency respond by November 28, 2003 so that your comments can be used in the preparation of this document. If you have any questions concerning the project, please contact Vince Rhea, P. E., Project Development Engineer, of this Branch at (919) 733-7844, Ext. 261. Please include the TIP Project Number in all correspondence and comments. GJT/plr Gregory J. Thorpe, Ph.D., Director S ? 11 Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch NC 109, From SR 1798 (Old Greensboro Road) to I-40/US 311, Davidson and Forsyth Counties, Federal Aid Project No. STP-109(1), State Project No. 8.1172401, T.I.P. Project No. R-2568 C, D, E and F o0r??3 s RECFj ? pp so?A A Attachment MAILING ADDRESS: NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS 1548 MAIL SERVICE CENTER RALEIGH NC 27699-1548 TELEPHONE: 919-733-3141 FAX: 919-733-9794 WEBSITE: WWW.NCDOT.ORG LOCATION: TRANSPORTATION BUILDING 1 SOUTH WILMINGTON STREET RALEIGH INC . ll i ?al? il? e k it (? I _? 7 II •J High R L ?. [ F I gent/ Dr 1\?? < i of r -? J I 'nQ( ?J _ ? I I I I i? I 7J ? I (O ? d? .. % ? ? J } r I R ? _ . , I d, ?-? -? _ N ?1}??• ?.? , e i ??Vi//a? ,? ( Unlo? Ctosli; pitdi I s For IR ,? Wa in , 52 r? I l , t r- ?/ - Sea9?e 41 ff {) 1 a f 1At ?f, 4 FI ! 150 ?rt.,?? + l ?o 311 fi m f ( l u?u?? t1nT Li??? p? _ 1 I rag Qr? ?s , t, Y?d ri 109 o i 3' J?i?1ti'• I ?? ridrit Irgetow I9n l n Rd P ?? tl r d Wal b ?'a. c ?yRd l IX ? S a ??$ 1 1 1_t1I ilkI ?I . o f a Mr q d l? j?;l I ? j ? I I? ?\ oc r ?? iral Rd f t r ? l l e? O/Ur "a4n?.4R? o??? ?omesilleRd; (_ t I I ?ce r 01 m p i r `o ,1 ?? ae) ?,c ?ycp ?i Napo I g ?m I IIer?Rd ?i l Q,?? •? ?\ ?l? ??\?G?m?:?Ii!Z f r 1 Gr , `? ? i I EntarAp?PRd 1 rl I Berton. Rd ( % A Study Area Winston-Salem City Limits N A?_ W E S Miles 0 1 2 3 4 NONTNCNOLWAO! IWNT OF MANE TATI DnllT -NpNW?T! lMlNi R ftMFNTAL ?L AN FN WO NVMSSMNCN lNViIIONMl NC 109 Improvement Project Forsyth and Davidson Counties State Project No. 8.1172401 T.I.P. Project No. R-2568 Exhibit A Project Vicinity Forsyth County . . . Davidson County r 13.-3 rZ?Q`?,D 3o7of i ("let 0301°? 030707 1) c ?CAyecn -5 C 45 -707 o? ? 30 {y ?,7D7 J 0 ,W s.. l l l CA NN A) F Michael F. Easley, Governor `O?William G. Ross Jr., Secretary North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Alan W. Klimek, P.E., Director Division of Water Quality a Coleen H. Sullins, Deputy Director Division of Water Quality November 17, 2003 MEMORANDUM TO: Gregory J. Thorpe, Ph.D., Director NCDOT Project Development & Environmental Analysis Branch FROM: Cynthia F. Van Der Wiele, NCDOT Coordinator OA,?610 SUBJECT: Review of Scoping Sheets for NC 109 from SR 1798 (Old Greensboro Road) to 1-40/US 311, Davidson & Forsyth Counties, F.A. Project STP-109(1), State Project No. 8.1172401, TIP No. R-2568 C, D, E, and F. In reply to your correspondence dated October 14, 2003 (received October 20, 2003) in which you requested comments for the referenced project, preliminary analysis of the project indicates that the following water resources will be impacted: Stream (Index) Muddy Creek (12-94) Fiddlers Creek (12-94-13-3) Abbotts Creek (12-119) Spurgeon Creek (12-119-3) Mary Reich Creek (12-119-3-1) Reedy Run (12-119-4) Brushy Fork (12-119-5) Water Oualitv Classification HU WS-N; §303(d) 030704 C 030704 WS-III Critical Area 030707 WS-III 030707 WS-III 030707 WS-III 030707 WS-III Critical Area; §303(d) 030707 NC Division of Water Quality staff is familiar with project area. DWQ would encourage NCDOT to conduct origin-destination studies and to examine opportunities for transit-oriented development so that rural dwellers can commute to Winston-Salem without sacrificing their quality of life. DWQ has the following comments: Environmental Documentation 1. One environmental document should be prepared that addresses the entire R-2568 project rather than a document for each segment. 2. Given the predominantly rural to semi-rural nature of the project area, and the presence of degraded water resources, NCDOT should be prepared to assess the indirect and cumulative effects of this project (all segments) if upgrade existing or new location alternatives are pursued. 3. The environmental document should provide a detailed and itemized presentation of the proposed impacts to wetlands and streams with corresponding mapping. If mitigation is required, it is preferable to present a conceptual (if not finalized) mitigation plan with the environmental documentation. Appropriate mitigation plans will be required prior to issuance of a 401 Water Quality Certification. PlanninJ?, Design & Construction 1. The population of Davidson County is projected to grow 25 percent and Forsyth County 26 percent between 2000 and 2020. Much of this development is likely to occur along highway corridors (I-40, I-85, US 64 and US 29/70) and in smaller suburban municipalities. Most of the new development is occurring in the Fiddlers Creek watershed. Substantial habitat degradation was observed during biological survey of .Cnnth Fnrk Mnrlrl3i Crank halnw tha rnnflnnnra of Fiddlers C'raak Artinnc ara naarlerl to rarlnra the N. C. 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) 793-17R6 (nhone)919-739-61193 (fax). (hnn•/1h2o.enr.state..nv mdnewetlands) effects of non-point source pollution, particularly from stormwater runoff from construction sites and developed areas in Fiddlers Creek. Growth management within the next five years will be imperative in order to improve or maintain water quality in this sub-basin. Growth management can be defined as the application of strategies and practices that help achieve sustainable development in harmony with the conservation of environmental qualities and features of an area. DWQ strongly encourages assistance to local communities to help them plan for growth while preserving their quality of life. 2. If NCDOT wishes to upgrade NC 109 to handle more traffic, Hydraulic Design should be aware that this could trigger the need for a hazardous spill catch basin in the vicinity of Brushy Fork due to the roadway type and traffic volume/type. Muddy Creek is on the §303(d) list of impaired waters for turbidity primarily attributed to stormwater runoff from construction sites and developed areas. Brushy Fork was placed on the §303(d) list for sediment from non-point sources. In order to prevent further degradation of water quality, DWQ urges ¦ The use of Best Management Practices for the Protection of Surface Waters. ¦ Phased grading and seeding plans designed to minimize the exposure of bare ground; ¦ Pre-treatment of storm water runoff to the maximum extent feasible, rather than routed directly into streams. This can also be partially accomplished through vegetating roadway right-of-ways and using BMPs to treat roadway runoff. ¦ Removal of sediment during construction of the project through basins and traps (or other site- appropriate means). ¦ Restoration of riparian vegetation. 4. Sedimentation is a major contributor of water quality degradation within the project area. The causes are both streambank erosion and urban runoff. DWQ recommends that NCDOT Hydraulics Unit develop plans that reduce the potential for bank scour (i.e., energy dissipation methods) and methods to improve streambanks along the project. Removing trees, shrubs and other vegetation to plant grass or place rock (also known as rip-rap) along the bank of a river or stream degrades water quality. Removing riparian vegetation eliminates habitat for aquatic macroinvertebrates that are food for trout and other fish. Rocks lining a bank absorb the sun's heat and warm the water even more. Trees, shrubs and other native vegetation cool the water by shading it. Straightening a stream, clearing streambank vegetation, and lining the banks with grass or rock severely impact the habitat that aquatic insects and fish need to survive. NCDOT is urged to avoid and minimize these activities and replace any existing vegetated stream buffers along the project area to the maximum extent possible. 6. Stream and wetland 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 { 15A NCAC 2H.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 (WRP) or Ecological Enhancement Program (EEP) may be available compensatory mitigation. The South Fork Muddy Creek is one of 55 watersheds in the Yadkin-Pee Dee River basin that has been identified by the NC Wetlands Restoration Program (NCWRP) as an area with the greatest need and opportunity for stream and wetland restoration efforts. This watershed will be given higher priority than a nontargeted watershed for the implementation of NCWRP restoration projects. 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 (919) 733.5715. Attachment pc: Vince Rhea, NCDOT PDEA 1548 MSC Robert Deaton, NCDOT PICS 1583 MSC Chris Militscher, USEPA Marella Buncick, USFWS Marla Chambers, NCWRC File Copy M 5sr yd y P 4N STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPAR'T'MENT OF TRANSPORTATION MICHAEL F. EASLEY GOVERNOR October 14, 2003 LYNDO TIPPETT SECRETARY WETLANDS/ 401 CROUP OCT 2 0 2003 MEMORANDUM TO Ms. Cynthia Van der Wiele Division of Water Quality/Wetlands WATER QUALITY SECTION FROM: Gregory J. Thorpe, Ph.D., Director Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch SUBJECT: NC 109, From SR 1798 (Old Greensboro Road) to I-40/US 311, Davidson and Forsyth Counties, Federal Aid Project No. STP-109(1), State Project No. 8.1172401, T.I.P. Project No. R-2568 C, D, E and. F The Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch has begun studying the proposed improvements to NC 109 in Davidson and Forsyth Counties. The project is included in the 2004-2010 North Carolina Transportation Improvement Program and is scheduled for right of way in fiscal year and construction in post years. ,Alternatives that will be considered include the No-Build Alternative, Transportation Management Alternative, Multi-Modal Alternative, Upgrade Existing Roadway Alternative, and New Location Alternatives. Preliminary alternatives will be identified and evaluated through the preparation of land suitability mapping, a screening evaluation of existing human and natural environments, and an evaluation of the ability of each alternative to meet the project's purpose and need. We would appreciate any information you might have that would be helpful in evaluating potential environmental impacts of the project. If applicable, please identify any permits or approvals which may be required by your agency. Your comments will be used in the preparation of a federally funded Environmental Assessment. This document will be prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. It is desirable that your agency respond by November 28, 2003 so that your comments can be used in the preparation of this document. If you have any questions concerning the project, please contact Vince Rhea, P. E., Project Development Engineer, of this Branch at (919) 733-7844, Ext. 261. Please include the TIP Project Number in all correspondence and comments. GJT/plr Attachment MAILING ADDRESS: NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS 1548 MAIL SERVICE CENTER RALEIGH NC 27699-1548 TELEPHONE: 919-733-3141 FAX: 919-733-9794 WEBSITE: WWWNCDOT.ORG LOCATION: TRANSPORTATION BUILDING 1 SOUTH WILMINGTON STREET RALEIGH NC cl C o3Q7oq G ?l E Q 1141jody l2 -q'?I 0307?'y v js ?fo ri c t , s 6.3d?o 7 j2-IIq C,V,6 - l I I (2 - II ?--? D 30?0 7 ,;t«, ws-i?l C9 /z?119-3-I 30 7 ws-III k C ?2_IIy_? D. o 0 \ Ial? ?7F ?I c 1 i 1,7 k Y 1, ?ln R(( R? ?f q stofrDr o Unlo???os?? r{il,? _ r' 9iry.? Wal(ins For ?Ri' ? ?Tea9ee 52 ? f?.???? 1 '150 ? ,' 1 m j Fy Par 9o ?dli ? J I .?hY1. ?r i ? ss?.- N , I 109 Fish I i I ? Wallb rolrl r?r?I ?p, uR??m?m ?7 ut ?:?? , o- ? 0 r IralRd di y l t a 311 ? ., _ I ? Gdorgeto`Nn Rd Tho t ?' i IharNrlad Rd 110svuieRal r? v I t I A I ? t ? ?? I ? 9pN 1'Gi r -? IIer'Rd i ImyrtliyR? - ? I ? 1 ?? ? ???%? ? •p°, I r ( Or , ?? I 1 EnterPn I I r 10 / I 1 '' ?Rtl t-i I70 I a t I 1 • ? l ? ??\ ` 41 Cr,/'D, Rd i I s°o I I i I` a I `tea 1 i o?P? c? 40+\?0 t\ ? O ? ? \ r Burto 0 n Rd_ rl I Study Area Winston-Salem City Limits N W +E 5 I I I -6mmmmJ Miles 0 1 2 3 4 NORINCMOIWb plPMIYlNi d II1M1P011I?iNM! i I ombN>H a NwNw?Yb ?j?. .lpYlCY pEVlIMMlMi M0 [NVFIONMFNiLL MAlYblb lRMCM NC 109 Improvement Project Forsyth and Davidson Counties State Project No. 8.1172401 T.I.P. Project No. R-2568 Exhibit A Project Vicinity Forsyth County Davidson Couipty North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Charles R. Fullwood, Executive Director TO: Melba McGee, Environmental Coordinator Office of Legislative and Intergovern mental Affairs, DENR FROM: Marla Chambers, Highway Projects Coordinator Habitat Conservation Program, NCWRC DATE: November 14, 2003 SUBJECT: Scoping review of NCDOT's proposed improvements to NC 109, from SR 1798 (Old Greensboro Road) to I-40/US 311, Davidson and Forsyth Counties. TIP No. R-2568 C, D, E, and F. North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is requesting comments from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) regarding impacts to fish and wildlife resources resulting from the subject project. Staff biologists have reviewed the information provided on the scoping sheets and have the following preliminary comments. These comments are provided in accordance with the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(c)) and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (48 Stat. 401, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 661-667d). The NCDOT proposes to make improvements to NC 109 in Davidson and Forsyth Counties. Alternatives that will be considered include the No-Build Alternative, Transportation Management Alternative, Multi-modal Alternative, Upgrade Existing Roadway Alternative, and New Location Alternatives. It appears the project will impact South Fork Muddy Creek (Class C) and Fiddlers Creek (Class C) in Forsyth County and Abbotts Creek (WS - III) and Brushy Fork (WS - III) in Davidson County. The Davidson County streams flow to Lake Thom-A-Lex, which is a water supply reservoir for Thomasville and Lexington. The NCWRC has no specific concerns at this time regarding this project. However, to help facilitate document preparation and the review process, our general information needs are outlined below: Mailing Address: Division of Inland Fisheries • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721 Telephone: (919) 733-3633 ext. 281 0 Fax: (919) 715-7643 NC 109 Davidson & Forsyth Counties 2 November 14, 2003 1. Description of fishery and wildlife resources within the project area, including a listing of federally or state designated threatened, endangered, or special concern species. Potential borrow areas to be used for project construction should be included in the inventories. A listing of designated plant species can be developed through consultation with the following programs: The Natural Heritage Program N. C. Division of Parks and Recreation 1615 Mail Service Center Raleigh, N. C. 27699-1615 (919) 733-7795 and, NCDA Plant Conservation Program P. O. Box 27647 Raleigh, N. C. 27611 (919) 733-3610 2. Description of any streams or wetlands affected by the project. If applicable, include the linear feet of stream that will be channelized or relocated. 3. Cover type maps showing wetland acreage impacted by the project. Wetland acreage should include all project-related areas that may undergo hydrologic change as a result of ditching, other drainage, or filling for project construction. Wetland identification may be accomplished through coordination with the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). If the USACE is not consulted, the person delineating wetlands should be identified and criteria listed. 4. Cover type maps showing acreage of upland wildlife habitat impacted by the proposed project. Potential borrow sites and waste areas should be included. 5. Show the extent to which the project will result in loss, degradation, or fragmentation of wildlife habitat (wetlands or uplands). 6. Include the mitigation plan for avoiding, minimizing or compensating for direct and indirect degradation in habitat quality as well as quantitative losses. 7. Address the overall environmental effects of the project construction and quantify the contribution of this individual project to environmental degradation. Provide a discussion of the probable impacts on natural resources, which will result from secondary development, facilitated by the improved road access. 9. If construction of this facility is to be coordinated with other state, municipal, or private development projects, a description of these projects should be included in the environmental document, and all project sponsors should be identified. NC 109 Davidson & Forsyth Counties 3 November 14, 2003 Thank you for the opportunity to provide input in the early planning stages of this project. If you have any questions regarding these comments, please contact me at (704) 485-2384. cc: Marella Buncick, USFWS Cynthia Van Der Wiele, NCDWQ