R3325

V d
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
MICHAEL F. EASLEY
GOVERNOR
May 20, 2004
To: Beth Barnes
NC Division of Water Quality
From: Michael Goins
Project Development Engineer
Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
Subject: Revised May 13, 2004 NEPA/404 Merger Meeting for Western
Siler City Transportation Study, Chatham County, TIP Project R-
3325
A concurrence meeting was held for the subject project on May 13, 2004 at 1:00
p.m. in the Project Development and Environmental Analysis Conference Room (Parker
Lincoln Building). The following persons were in attendance:
Richard Spencer
Gary Jordan
Chris Militscher
Felix Davila
Sarah McBride
Travis Wilson
Beth Barnes
Jack Meadows
Joel Brower
Jim Speer
John Lansford
Rob Hanson
Jay McInnis
Michael Goins
US Army Corps of Engineers
US Fish and Wildlife Service
US Environmental Protection Agency - Raleigh
Federal Highway Administration - Raleigh
State Historic Preservation Office
NC Wildlife Resources Commission
NC Division of Water Quality
Town of Siler City
Town of Siler City
NCDOT - Roadway Design
NCDOT - Roadway Design
NCDOT -PDEA
NCDOT - PDEA
NCDOT-PDEA
WETLANDS/ 401 GROUP
JUL 0 g 2004
WATER QUALITYSEC'I(W
LYNDO TIPPETT
SECRETARY
The meeting was opened and everyone introduced himself or herself.
MAILING ADDRESS:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
1548 MAIL SERVICE CENTER
RALEIGH NC 27699-1548
TELEPHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
WEBSITE: WWW. DOH. DOT. STATE. NC. US
LOCATION:
TRANSPORTATION BUILDING
1 SOUTH WILMINGTON STREET
RALEIGH NC
Mr. Spencer and Ms. Barnes commented they did not receive the meeting handout
prior to the meeting. Following the meeting, PDEA staff confirmed the handouts were
sent out. Mr. Spencer provided a different address to use for future handouts.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the purpose and need for TIP Project
R-3325. This project is included in the 2004-2010 Transportation Improvement Program
(TIP). Right of way acquisition is scheduled for fiscal year 2008 and construction is
scheduled for after 2010.
Mr. Goins stated the purpose of the project is to improve access to the Siler City
Municipal Airport from US 64 and US 421 and improve north/south travel west of town.
Mr. Goins presented the following needs to be addressed by the project.
• There is no direct access from the Siler City Municipal Airport and the
southwest area of Siler City to US 421 or US 64.
• There is no direct access from industries northwest of Siler City to US 64 or
US 421.
• There is no continuous north/south route on the west side of town.
• Residents living south of Siler City and working west of town must drive
through downtown to access US 64 and US 421.
Mr. Goins provided additional information on the airport. The Siler City
Municipal Airport is located on SR 1100 (Airport Road) southwest of Siler City. The
airport has a runway long enough to accommodate jets. Forty planes are based there.
Based on business activity, the Siler City Airport is ranked 28' of 75 airports in the state.
Because the Siler City Airport serves as an alternative airport to the Piedmont-Triad
Airport, good access to US 421 is important.
Mr. Goins explained there is an industrial park located west of Siler City. Like
the airport, this industrial area does not have direct access to either US 64 or US 421.
The industrial area has fairly reasonable access to US 421. However, accessing US 64
requires either traveling through downtown Siler City (eastbound) or taking several
narrow secondary roads (westbound).
Mr. Goins also discussed that there currently are no continuous north/south routes
on the western side of Siler City. Access between residential and industrial development
in the study area requires circuitous travel. Traffic wishing to travel north/south on the
western side of Siler City must travel through town. Residents southwest of Siler City
wishing to access the industrial park, US 64 or northbound US 421 must either drive
through town or make several turns on secondary roads.
Mr. Goins presented a handout at the meeting showing roadways within
downtown Siler City which will operate at or above capacity in the year 2020.
Mr. Spencer asked the Siler City representatives what they saw as the purpose of
Gary Jordan asked how many vehicles a day currently traveled to the airport. Mr.
McInnis stated he did not know how many vehicles entered the airport, but that 700
vehicles per day traveled Airport Road in 2002.
Later, Mr. Jordan stated he was not convinced the needs of the airport justified a
new road. Mr. Jordan presented the example that he himself needed a way to get from
his home to work, but that NCDOT would not construct a new road to serve just him.
Mr. McInnis responded that Mr. Jordan's need to get between home and work is a
valid need, but a new road might not necessarily be a reasonable alternative to meet his
need. In the same way, a new roadway might not be the best alternative to meet the
needs of the airport. A new roadway is presented in the TIP, but a new roadway would
be an alternative, and the purpose of the meeting is to discuss purpose and need.
Mr. McInnis asked if there were any suggestions and/or comments on how the
purpose statement should be worded.
Mr. Chris Militscher (EPA) expressed concerns about the purpose statement for
the project including improving access to the airport from US 421. He did not understand
the need to improve access to the Airport from US 421. He stated improving access to
the airport could be accomplished by extending just to US 64. Mr. McInnis reiterated the
purpose of the meeting was to only discuss the purpose and need for the project. Possible
destinations or alternatives were out of the scope of this meeting. However, Mr. McInnis
acknowledged the study area for the project should extend to the US 421/US 64
interchange in order to prevent limiting alternatives.
Mr. Spencer (ACOE) stated he was not hearing a valid purpose or need for the
project identified. He wanted NCDOT to identify the problem. Mr. Jay McInnis stated
that the purpose of the project is to improve access to the Siler City Municipal Airport
from US 64 and US 421 and improve north/south travel west of town.
Mr. Felix Davila (FHWA) said that he thought the part of the purpose statement
that read "improve access to the Siler City Municipal Airport from US 64 and US 421"
should be omitted. He thought only "improve north/south travel west of town" should be
included in the purpose statement.
Mr. Militscher (EPA), Mr. Gary Jordan (USFWS), and Mr. Travis Wilson
(NCWRC) asked for more information regarding traffic patterns. They wanted to know:
How many people would travel on the proposed Airport Road?
How much traffic is generated by the industrial area?
How many people go to the airport?
How many people south/southwest of Chatham County would use the proposed road?
What are the current and future traffic volumes on roadways in downtown Siler City?
Mr. Spencer asked the Siler City representatives what they saw as the purpose of
the project. Mr. Joel Brower (Town of Siler City manager) stated that the purpose of the
project was exactly what Mr. McInnis had stated.
Mr. McInnis explained that the airport is not accessible from either of the major
routes in the Siler City area. Mr. Spencer repeated that he was not hearing a valid
purpose or need for the project identified.
After some additional discussion, Rob Hanson stated he believed the meeting had
ceased being productive and that the team should adjourn until a later date. The
additional information requested by team members will be obtained and presented at the
next team meeting.
R-3325
Subject: R-3325
From: "Spencer, Richard K SAW" <[e-mail]>
Date: Thu, 8 Jul 2004 07:28:22 -0500
To: "Michael S. Goins (E-mail)" <msgoins @dot. state.nc.us>
CC: "Beth Barnes (E-mail)" <[e-mail]>, "'gary,[e-mail]"'
<gary,[e-mail]>, "' wilsontw @mail. wildlife. state.nc. us"'
<wilsontw @mail. wildlife. state.nc. us>, "'[e-mail]"'
<[e-mail]>, "[e-mail]. nc.us"' <[e-mail]. nc.us>,
"'[e-mail]"' <[e-mail]>,
"'[e-mail]"' <rhanson @dot. state. nc.us>,
"'jmcinnis @dot. state. nc.us "' <[e-mail]. nc.us>,
"'Sarah. McBride@ ncmail. net"' <[e-mail]>,
"'J.brower @ earthlink. net"' <[e-mail]>,
"J ack.meadows @ earthlink. net"' <j ack.meadows @ earthlink. net>, "Franklin, David
SAW" <[e-mail]>, "McCorcle, Justin P SAW"
<Justin.P.McCorcle @ saw02.usace.army.mil>
Mike,
This e-mail is intended as going on record as not agreeing to or concurring with the
meeting minutes that are dated May 20, 2004 and received by me on July 7 2004 for
the Purpose and Need meeting held for TIP R-3325 on May 13, 2004. The minutes
do not accurately reflect the questions asked or the issues raised by me at the
meeting. The same issues and questions were again raised at our meeting on June
29, 2004. If you wish to discuss this further, please call me at the number below.
Richard K. Spencer
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Regulatory Project Manager
Wilmington Field Office
[phone]
Fax [phone]
1 of 1 7/8/2004 9:07 AM

MICHAEL F. EASLEY
GOVERNOR
May 20, 2004
To:
From:
Subject
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Beth Barnes
NC Division of Water Quality
Michael Goins
WETLANDS/ 401 GROUP
JUL. 0 7 2004
WATER QUALITY SECTION
LYNDo TIPPETT
SECRETARY
Project Development Engineer
Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
May 13, 2004 NEPA/404 Merger Meeting for Western Siler City
Transportation Study, Chatham County, TIP Project R-3325
A concurrence meeting was held for the subject project on May 13, 2004 at 1:00
p.m. in the Project Development and Environmental Analysis Conference Room (Parker
Lincoln Building). The following persons were in attendance:
Richard Spencer
Gary Jordan
Chris Militscher
Felix Davila
Sarah McBride
Travis Wilson
Beth Barnes
Jack Meadows
Joel Brower
Jim Speer
John Lansford
Rob Hanson
Jay McInnis
Michael Goins
US Army Corps of Engineers
US Fish and Wildlife Service
US Environmental Protection Agency - Raleigh
Federal Highway Administration - Raleigh
State Historic Preservation Office
NC Wildlife Resources Commission
NC Division of Water Quality
Town of Siler City
Town of Siler City
NCDOT - Roadway Design
NCDOT - Roadway Design
NCDOT -PDEA
NCDOT - PDEA
NCDOT-PDEA
The meeting was opened and everyone introduced himself or herself.
MAILING ADDRESS:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
1548 MAIL SERVICE CENTER
RALEIGH NC 27899-1548
TELEPHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
WEBSITE. WNW ..DOH.DOT.STATE.NC.US
LOCATION:
TRANSPORTATION BUILDING
1 SOUTH WILMINGTON STREET
RALEIGH NC
Mr. Spencer and Ms. Barnes commented they did not receive the meeting handout
prior to the meeting. Following the meeting, PDEA staff confirmed the handouts were
sent out. Mr. Spencer provided a different address to use for future handouts.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the purpose and need for TIP Project
R-3325. This project is included in the 2004-2010 Transportation Improvement Program
(TIP). Right of way acquisition is scheduled for fiscal year 2008 and construction is
scheduled for after 2010.
Mr. Goins stated the purpose of the project is to improve access to the Siler City
Municipal Airport from US 64 and US 421 and improve north/south travel west of town.
Mr. Goins presented the following needs to be addressed by the project.
• There is no direct access from the Siler City Municipal Airport and the
southwest area of Siler City to US 421 or US 64.
• There is no direct access from industries northwest of Siler City to US 64 or
US 421.
• There is no continuous north/south route on the west side of town.
• Residents living south of Siler City and working west of town must drive
through downtown to access US 64 and US 421.
Mr. Goins provided additional information on the airport. The Siler City
Municipal Airport is located on SR 1100 (Airport Road) southwest of Siler City. The
airport has a runway long enough to accommodate jets. Fortulanes are based there.
Based on business activity, the Siler City Airport is ranked 28 of 75 airports in the state.
Because the Siler City Airport serves as an alternative airport to the Piedmont-Triad
Airport, good access to US 421 is important.
Mr. Goins explained there is an industrial park located west of Siler City. Like
the airport, this industrial area does not have direct access to either US 64 or US 421.
The industrial area has fairly reasonable access to US 421. However, accessing US 64
requires either traveling through downtown Siler City (eastbound) or taking several
narrow secondary roads (westbound).
Mr. Goins also discussed that there currently are no continuous north/south routes
on the western side of Siler City. Access between residential and industrial development
in the study area requires circuitous travel. Traffic wishing to travel north/south on the
western side of Siler City must travel through town. Residents southwest of Siler City
wishing to access the industrial park, US 64 or northbound US 421 must either drive
through town or make several turns on secondary roads.
Mr. Goins presented a handout at the meeting showing roadways within
downtown Siler City which will operate at or above capacity in the year 2020.
Gary Jordan asked how many vehicles a day currently traveled to the airport. Mr.
McInnis stated he did not know how many vehicles entered the airport, but that 700
vehicles per day traveled Airport Road in 2002.
Later, Mr. Jordan stated he was not convinced the needs of the airport justified a
new road. Mr. Jordan presented the example that he himself needed a way to get from
his home to work, but that NCDOT would not construct a new road to serve just him.
Mr. McInnis responded that Mr. Jordan's need to get between home and work is a
valid need, but a new road might not necessarily be a reasonable alternative to meet his
need. In the same way, a new roadway might not be the best alternative to meet the
needs of the airport. A new roadway is presented in the TIP, but a new roadway would
be an alternative, and the purpose of the meeting is to discuss purpose and need.
Mr. McInnis asked if there were any suggestions and/or comments on how the
purpose statement should be worded.
Mr. Chris Militscher (EPA) expressed concerns about the purpose statement for
the project including improving access to the airport from US 421. He did not understand
the need to improve access to the Airport from US 421. He stated improving access to
the airport could be accomplished by extending just to US 64. Mr. McInnis reiterated the
purpose of the meeting was to only discuss the purpose and need for the project. Possible
destinations or alternatives were out of the scope of this meeting. However, Mr. McInnis
acknowledged the study area for the project should extend to the US 421/US 64
interchange in order to prevent limiting alternatives.
Mr. Spencer (ACOE) stated he was not hearing a purpose or need for the project.
Mr. Jay McInnis stated that the purpose of the project is to improve access to the Siler
City Municipal Airport from US 64 and US 421 and improve north/south travel west of
town.
Mr. Felix Davila (FHWA) said that he thought the part of the purpose statement
that read "improve access to the Siler City Municipal Airport from US 64 and US 421"
should be omitted. He thought only "improve north/south travel west of town" should be
included in the purpose statement.
Mr. Militscher (EPA), Mr. Gary Jordan (USFWS), and Mr. Travis Wilson
(NCWRC) asked for more information regarding traffic patterns. They wanted to know:
How many people would travel on the proposed Airport Road?
How much traffic is generated by the industrial area?
How many people go to the airport?
How many people south/southwest of Chatham County would use the proposed road?
What are the current and future traffic volumes on roadways in downtown Siler City?
Gary Jordan asked how many vehicles a day currently traveled to the airport. Mr.
McInnis stated he did not know how many vehicles entered the airport, but that 700
vehicles per day traveled Airport Road in 2002.
Later, Mr. Jordan stated he was not convinced the needs of the airport justified a
new road. Mr. Jordan presented the example that he himself needed a way to get from
his home to work, but that NCDOT would not construct a new road to serve just him.
Mr. McInnis responded that Mr. Jordan's need to get between home and work is a
valid need, but a new road might not necessarily be a reasonable alternative to meet his
need. In the same way, a new roadway might not be the best alternative to meet the
needs of the airport. A new roadway is presented in the TIP, but a new roadway would
be an alternative, and the purpose of the meeting is to discuss purpose and need.
Mr. McInnis asked if there were any suggestions and/or comments on how the
purpose statement should be worded.
Mr. Chris Militscher (EPA) expressed concerns about the purpose statement for
the project including improving access to the airport from US 421. He did not understand
the need to improve access to the Airport from US 421. He stated improving access to
the airport could be accomplished by extending just to US 64. Mr. McInnis reiterated the
purpose of the meeting was to only discuss the purpose and need for the project. Possible
destinations or alternatives were out of the scope of this meeting. However, Mr. McInnis
acknowledged the study area for the project should extend to the US 421/US 64
interchange in order to prevent limiting alternatives.
Mr. Spencer (ACOE) stated he was not hearing a purpose or need for the project.
Mr. Jay McInnis stated that the purpose of the project is to improve access to the Siler
City Municipal Airport from US 64 and US 421 and improve north/south travel west of
town.
Mr. Felix Davila (FHWA) said that he thought the part of the purpose statement
that read "improve access to the Siler City Municipal Airport from US 64 and US 421"
should be omitted. He thought only "improve north/south travel west of town" should be
included in the purpose statement.
Mr. Militscher (EPA), Mr. Gary Jordan (USFWS), and Mr. Travis Wilson
(NCWRC) asked for more information regarding traffic patterns. They wanted to know:
How many people would travel on the proposed Airport Road?
How much traffic is generated by the industrial area?
How many people go to the airport?
How many people south/southwest of Chatham County would use the proposed road?
What are the current and future traffic volumes on roadways in downtown Siler City?
Mr. Spencer asked the Siler City representatives what they saw as the purpose of
the project. Mr. Joel Brower (Town of Siler City manager) stated that the purpose of the
project was exactly what Mr. McInnis had stated.
Mr. McInnis explained that the airport is not accessible from either of the major
routes in the Siler City area. Mr. Spencer repeated that he was not hearing a purpose or
need for the project.
After some additional discussion, Rob Hanson stated he believed the meeting had
ceased being productive and that the team should adjourn until a later date. The
additional information requested by team members will be obtained and presented at the
next team meeting.
s/1 3/ 04 9- 334z5'
Jn??/J L??7{U??
?"CL iX LA
?-
GAY J 6?ar
'H2is m 1L? TSc_N?;rt
J?4cK ???-.?o r?s
Joe,( ,???o,,?c
?f?CE
/4J c,D -o7
NLpo T
r
US F'^?S
Nc??.
P"6'C Z
05 18 , 9
4yw- r 33,2

O i . f.rp ?'G / G ^ c /? r O ?JL7'jC .?C `vtY ?i-•""b4'1 Y•4_.

-_.. ?._ i4 - .' 414 . ?, SrLa-? rn ,-Y E /Q..?.IT •• ; 4 nok

,e- 3325
6)/3 10 ¢
S" Ne?,cs : r. pa, ?iwt
I me k- F D D{A11? ?7 G T
`DoT yc?"4" 4,x Sam" WttYds
U'SAG c?iwPs?+cros W C ?G?s-{stns
- me?? r? a?aPp?d ??k-r t etrw r?L 5
d Nne d
T"roTA P?
a??en-
by Rm 41 an sm
mow,
runes-rsrc.?L
5/1316+

TIP PROJECT R-3325
?r

CHATHAM COUNTY
r
Purpose and Need Documentation
Western Siler City Transportation Study
TIP Project R-3325
Chatham County
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
TIP Project R-3325 has been included in the 2004-2010 Transportation
Improvement Program (TIP) as a new route from the Siler City Airport to US 421 in
Chatham County. While this project is programmed in the TIP as a new route, no
decisions have been made about the final location of the road or other alternatives that
may be studied.
PROJECT STATUS/SCHEDULE
A scoping meeting was held for the transportation study on May 22, 2003.
Right of way acquisition is scheduled for July 2008 and construction is scheduled
for Post Year. o al ttw, ?_ dl h"I uS.4 c
PROJECT PURPOSE
The purpose of the project is to improve access to the Siler City Municipal `zob 11ow,?,?
Airport,from US 64 and US 421 and improve north/south travel west of town.
PROJECT NEED
• No direct access from the Siler City Municipal Airport and the southwest area
of Siler City to US 421 or US 64.
• No direct access from industries northwest of Siler City to US 64 or US 421.
• No continuous north/south route on the west side of town.
• Residents living south of Siler City and working west of town must drive
through downtown to access US 64 and US 421.
ACCESS
US 64 and US 421 are the two major arterials serving Siler City. US 64 connects
Siler City with Asheboro, Charlotte (via NC 49) and I-85 to the west and Pittsboro and
Raleigh to the east. US 421 connects Siler City with Sanford to the south and
Greensboro and I-40 to the north. US 421 is a freeway in the vicinity of Siler City, with
three interchanges serving the town.
Siler City Airport
The Siler City Municipal Airport is located on SR 1100 (Airport Road) southwest
of Siler City. The airport has a 5,000-foot paved runway, which is long enough to
accommodate jets. Fuel and maintenance facilities exist at the airport and forty planes
are based there. Based on business activity, the Siler City Airport is ranked 28a' of 75 ?sl hey J
airports in the state--- Several of the businesses in the Siler City area use the airportr
4o 'rla rUS Lased ti S g pe t+ 5 / a-'-j
The airport does not have direct access to either US 64 or US 421. The airport
currently has reasonable access to US 64. However, accessing the airport from the
eastern side of town or from US 421 currently requires weaving through downtown
streets. Such cumbersome travel increases travel time (see Figure 1). Because the Siler
City Airport serves as an alternative airport to the Piedmont-Triad Airport, good access to
US 421 is important.
IA1411 7
Businesses t k:s rand :tr -.-Y L-I? wavvt„ ;Gu ..
Several heavy traffic generators exist on the western side of Slier City. Some c f°
these include Carolina Stock Yard (SR 1] 06) and Slier City Elementary School P ? +1,
(SR 1106). There is also an industrial park, located on SR 1106 which includes the - -
following businesses: Jennifer Convertibles, International Vault, L,inrene Furniture, Cox pw?t
and Bleggi, Basic Machinery, Palm Harbor Homes, Precision Steel and Welding, and - hd?.? l? opp,?h
Trussty Building Components (SR 1171 and SR 1108). A number of large trucks serve
these companies. Many of these trucks use US 421 or US 64 to carry goods to and from
L
Siler City. u S F w s . I ?V-' S i-
- U SA CC l YW A daXa wIn aj m o"s rw Cis.
'V'4' .4, kl? led "A° d _`
P A ?w ?Bh ?Na vrn lwis "` c-a p o e ?„ a , ft ?n cLA 1 W & x P'" a? S. l?Y t0
u.. a...,,,.4.,,., _A
L4'5 ACE t-j "Lt A-
r a,z,
Like the airport, this industrial area does not have direct access to either US 64 or
US 421. The industrial area has fairly reasonable access to US 421. However, accessing
US 64 requires either traveling through downtown Siler City (eastbound) or taking
several narrow secondary roads (westbound).
NORTH/SOUTH TRAVEL
Figure 2
There currently are no continuous north/south routes on the western
City. Access between residential and industrial development in the study ai
circuitous travel. Traffic wishing to travel north/south on the western side c
must travel through town. Residents southwest of Siler City wishing to acc
industrial park, US 64 or northbound US 421 must either drive through tow
several turns on secondary roads.
US 64 runs east/west just north of downtown Siler City, while US 421 runs
northwest/southeast around the eastern side of Siler City. US 64 is a multi-lane facility
and US 421 is a freeway (see Figure 2).
1 ?
\ M \
q;,A l s a h ( ,
Oft
H 'n
4 O i f ? I0 ee
n ?n \ I?? r 1
,? t a
la ' > III I? 4 \ Ig ? X o
?b
I I? ? e
n ? Is " ? e? , ?: 4 0
la 4
?? 4• ? o ?? i I la t:
'? • q • ? g (? I? I I I: ?O
A •? I? ? ? Qc ? i ' la ? ?tiw 6
--Os R ! I '
+' ?g 01
w IS i \
e
Y tl ' ?^ u
Ia , I I J 4
I? le IW ?i ,?&I
I -e
30
---- I i? I\ g w
z I I ?? w C Vf
Jr 1 I Ir '?
D
d
0
Airport Road is one of two north/south roads of significant length west of US 421
in Chatham County and the only north/south road west of Siler City. Traffic to and from
southwest of Chatham County, into Siler City and the Triad region use Airport Road.
Commuting numbers from the latest census suggest there are, as many as 1,178 trips per
day going from Chatham county into the Triad thus contributing to the need for a
north/south route on the western side of town (see Figure 1).
0 i 2
MME!
MALES.
NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT
t OF TRANSPORTATION
a DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND
.`+. _ ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS BRANCH
Siler City
SR 1100 (Airport Rd) to
SR 1362 (Piney Grove Church Rd)
Chatham County
TIP Project R-3325 B&C
'J F
V d
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
MICHAEL F. EASLEY
GOVERNOR
May 20, 2004
To: Beth Barnes
NC Division of Water Quality
From: Michael Goins
Project Development Engineer
Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
Subject: Revised May 13, 2004 NEPA/404 Merger Meeting for Western
Siler City Transportation Study, Chatham County, TIP Project R-
3325
A concurrence meeting was held for the subject project on May 13, 2004 at 1:00
p.m. in the Project Development and Environmental Analysis Conference Room (Parker
Lincoln Building). The following persons were in attendance:
Richard Spencer
Gary Jordan
Chris Militscher
Felix Davila
Sarah McBride
Travis Wilson
Beth Barnes
Jack Meadows
Joel Brower
Jim Speer
John Lansford
Rob Hanson
Jay McInnis
Michael Goins
US Army Corps of Engineers
US Fish and Wildlife Service
US Environmental Protection Agency - Raleigh
Federal Highway Administration - Raleigh
State Historic Preservation Office
NC Wildlife Resources Commission
NC Division of Water Quality
Town of Siler City
Town of Siler City
NCDOT - Roadway Design
NCDOT - Roadway Design
NCDOT -PDEA
NCDOT - PDEA
NCDOT-PDEA
WETLANDS/ 401 GROUP
JUL 0 g 2004
WATER QUALITYSEC'I(W
LYNDO TIPPETT
SECRETARY
The meeting was opened and everyone introduced himself or herself.
MAILING ADDRESS:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
1548 MAIL SERVICE CENTER
RALEIGH NC 27699-1548
TELEPHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
WEBSITE: WWW. DOH. DOT. STATE. NC. US
LOCATION:
TRANSPORTATION BUILDING
1 SOUTH WILMINGTON STREET
RALEIGH NC
Mr. Spencer and Ms. Barnes commented they did not receive the meeting handout
prior to the meeting. Following the meeting, PDEA staff confirmed the handouts were
sent out. Mr. Spencer provided a different address to use for future handouts.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the purpose and need for TIP Project
R-3325. This project is included in the 2004-2010 Transportation Improvement Program
(TIP). Right of way acquisition is scheduled for fiscal year 2008 and construction is
scheduled for after 2010.
Mr. Goins stated the purpose of the project is to improve access to the Siler City
Municipal Airport from US 64 and US 421 and improve north/south travel west of town.
Mr. Goins presented the following needs to be addressed by the project.
• There is no direct access from the Siler City Municipal Airport and the
southwest area of Siler City to US 421 or US 64.
• There is no direct access from industries northwest of Siler City to US 64 or
US 421.
• There is no continuous north/south route on the west side of town.
• Residents living south of Siler City and working west of town must drive
through downtown to access US 64 and US 421.
Mr. Goins provided additional information on the airport. The Siler City
Municipal Airport is located on SR 1100 (Airport Road) southwest of Siler City. The
airport has a runway long enough to accommodate jets. Forty planes are based there.
Based on business activity, the Siler City Airport is ranked 28' of 75 airports in the state.
Because the Siler City Airport serves as an alternative airport to the Piedmont-Triad
Airport, good access to US 421 is important.
Mr. Goins explained there is an industrial park located west of Siler City. Like
the airport, this industrial area does not have direct access to either US 64 or US 421.
The industrial area has fairly reasonable access to US 421. However, accessing US 64
requires either traveling through downtown Siler City (eastbound) or taking several
narrow secondary roads (westbound).
Mr. Goins also discussed that there currently are no continuous north/south routes
on the western side of Siler City. Access between residential and industrial development
in the study area requires circuitous travel. Traffic wishing to travel north/south on the
western side of Siler City must travel through town. Residents southwest of Siler City
wishing to access the industrial park, US 64 or northbound US 421 must either drive
through town or make several turns on secondary roads.
Mr. Goins presented a handout at the meeting showing roadways within
downtown Siler City which will operate at or above capacity in the year 2020.
Mr. Spencer asked the Siler City representatives what they saw as the purpose of
Gary Jordan asked how many vehicles a day currently traveled to the airport. Mr.
McInnis stated he did not know how many vehicles entered the airport, but that 700
vehicles per day traveled Airport Road in 2002.
Later, Mr. Jordan stated he was not convinced the needs of the airport justified a
new road. Mr. Jordan presented the example that he himself needed a way to get from
his home to work, but that NCDOT would not construct a new road to serve just him.
Mr. McInnis responded that Mr. Jordan's need to get between home and work is a
valid need, but a new road might not necessarily be a reasonable alternative to meet his
need. In the same way, a new roadway might not be the best alternative to meet the
needs of the airport. A new roadway is presented in the TIP, but a new roadway would
be an alternative, and the purpose of the meeting is to discuss purpose and need.
Mr. McInnis asked if there were any suggestions and/or comments on how the
purpose statement should be worded.
Mr. Chris Militscher (EPA) expressed concerns about the purpose statement for
the project including improving access to the airport from US 421. He did not understand
the need to improve access to the Airport from US 421. He stated improving access to
the airport could be accomplished by extending just to US 64. Mr. McInnis reiterated the
purpose of the meeting was to only discuss the purpose and need for the project. Possible
destinations or alternatives were out of the scope of this meeting. However, Mr. McInnis
acknowledged the study area for the project should extend to the US 421/US 64
interchange in order to prevent limiting alternatives.
Mr. Spencer (ACOE) stated he was not hearing a valid purpose or need for the
project identified. He wanted NCDOT to identify the problem. Mr. Jay McInnis stated
that the purpose of the project is to improve access to the Siler City Municipal Airport
from US 64 and US 421 and improve north/south travel west of town.
Mr. Felix Davila (FHWA) said that he thought the part of the purpose statement
that read "improve access to the Siler City Municipal Airport from US 64 and US 421"
should be omitted. He thought only "improve north/south travel west of town" should be
included in the purpose statement.
Mr. Militscher (EPA), Mr. Gary Jordan (USFWS), and Mr. Travis Wilson
(NCWRC) asked for more information regarding traffic patterns. They wanted to know:
How many people would travel on the proposed Airport Road?
How much traffic is generated by the industrial area?
How many people go to the airport?
How many people south/southwest of Chatham County would use the proposed road?
What are the current and future traffic volumes on roadways in downtown Siler City?
Mr. Spencer asked the Siler City representatives what they saw as the purpose of
the project. Mr. Joel Brower (Town of Siler City manager) stated that the purpose of the
project was exactly what Mr. McInnis had stated.
Mr. McInnis explained that the airport is not accessible from either of the major
routes in the Siler City area. Mr. Spencer repeated that he was not hearing a valid
purpose or need for the project identified.
After some additional discussion, Rob Hanson stated he believed the meeting had
ceased being productive and that the team should adjourn until a later date. The
additional information requested by team members will be obtained and presented at the
next team meeting.
R-3325
Subject: R-3325
From: "Spencer, Richard K SAW" <[e-mail]>
Date: Thu, 8 Jul 2004 07:28:22 -0500
To: "Michael S. Goins (E-mail)" <msgoins @dot. state.nc.us>
CC: "Beth Barnes (E-mail)" <[e-mail]>, "'gary,[e-mail]"'
<gary,[e-mail]>, "' wilsontw @mail. wildlife. state.nc. us"'
<wilsontw @mail. wildlife. state.nc. us>, "'[e-mail]"'
<[e-mail]>, "[e-mail]. nc.us"' <[e-mail]. nc.us>,
"'[e-mail]"' <[e-mail]>,
"'[e-mail]"' <rhanson @dot. state. nc.us>,
"'jmcinnis @dot. state. nc.us "' <[e-mail]. nc.us>,
"'Sarah. McBride@ ncmail. net"' <[e-mail]>,
"'J.brower @ earthlink. net"' <[e-mail]>,
"J ack.meadows @ earthlink. net"' <j ack.meadows @ earthlink. net>, "Franklin, David
SAW" <[e-mail]>, "McCorcle, Justin P SAW"
<Justin.P.McCorcle @ saw02.usace.army.mil>
Mike,
This e-mail is intended as going on record as not agreeing to or concurring with the
meeting minutes that are dated May 20, 2004 and received by me on July 7 2004 for
the Purpose and Need meeting held for TIP R-3325 on May 13, 2004. The minutes
do not accurately reflect the questions asked or the issues raised by me at the
meeting. The same issues and questions were again raised at our meeting on June
29, 2004. If you wish to discuss this further, please call me at the number below.
Richard K. Spencer
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Regulatory Project Manager
Wilmington Field Office
[phone]
Fax [phone]
1 of 1 7/8/2004 9:07 AM

MICHAEL F. EASLEY
GOVERNOR
May 20, 2004
To:
From:
Subject
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Beth Barnes
NC Division of Water Quality
Michael Goins
WETLANDS/ 401 GROUP
JUL. 0 7 2004
WATER QUALITY SECTION
LYNDo TIPPETT
SECRETARY
Project Development Engineer
Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
May 13, 2004 NEPA/404 Merger Meeting for Western Siler City
Transportation Study, Chatham County, TIP Project R-3325
A concurrence meeting was held for the subject project on May 13, 2004 at 1:00
p.m. in the Project Development and Environmental Analysis Conference Room (Parker
Lincoln Building). The following persons were in attendance:
Richard Spencer
Gary Jordan
Chris Militscher
Felix Davila
Sarah McBride
Travis Wilson
Beth Barnes
Jack Meadows
Joel Brower
Jim Speer
John Lansford
Rob Hanson
Jay McInnis
Michael Goins
US Army Corps of Engineers
US Fish and Wildlife Service
US Environmental Protection Agency - Raleigh
Federal Highway Administration - Raleigh
State Historic Preservation Office
NC Wildlife Resources Commission
NC Division of Water Quality
Town of Siler City
Town of Siler City
NCDOT - Roadway Design
NCDOT - Roadway Design
NCDOT -PDEA
NCDOT - PDEA
NCDOT-PDEA
The meeting was opened and everyone introduced himself or herself.
MAILING ADDRESS:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
1548 MAIL SERVICE CENTER
RALEIGH NC 27899-1548
TELEPHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
WEBSITE. WNW ..DOH.DOT.STATE.NC.US
LOCATION:
TRANSPORTATION BUILDING
1 SOUTH WILMINGTON STREET
RALEIGH NC
Mr. Spencer and Ms. Barnes commented they did not receive the meeting handout
prior to the meeting. Following the meeting, PDEA staff confirmed the handouts were
sent out. Mr. Spencer provided a different address to use for future handouts.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the purpose and need for TIP Project
R-3325. This project is included in the 2004-2010 Transportation Improvement Program
(TIP). Right of way acquisition is scheduled for fiscal year 2008 and construction is
scheduled for after 2010.
Mr. Goins stated the purpose of the project is to improve access to the Siler City
Municipal Airport from US 64 and US 421 and improve north/south travel west of town.
Mr. Goins presented the following needs to be addressed by the project.
• There is no direct access from the Siler City Municipal Airport and the
southwest area of Siler City to US 421 or US 64.
• There is no direct access from industries northwest of Siler City to US 64 or
US 421.
• There is no continuous north/south route on the west side of town.
• Residents living south of Siler City and working west of town must drive
through downtown to access US 64 and US 421.
Mr. Goins provided additional information on the airport. The Siler City
Municipal Airport is located on SR 1100 (Airport Road) southwest of Siler City. The
airport has a runway long enough to accommodate jets. Fortulanes are based there.
Based on business activity, the Siler City Airport is ranked 28 of 75 airports in the state.
Because the Siler City Airport serves as an alternative airport to the Piedmont-Triad
Airport, good access to US 421 is important.
Mr. Goins explained there is an industrial park located west of Siler City. Like
the airport, this industrial area does not have direct access to either US 64 or US 421.
The industrial area has fairly reasonable access to US 421. However, accessing US 64
requires either traveling through downtown Siler City (eastbound) or taking several
narrow secondary roads (westbound).
Mr. Goins also discussed that there currently are no continuous north/south routes
on the western side of Siler City. Access between residential and industrial development
in the study area requires circuitous travel. Traffic wishing to travel north/south on the
western side of Siler City must travel through town. Residents southwest of Siler City
wishing to access the industrial park, US 64 or northbound US 421 must either drive
through town or make several turns on secondary roads.
Mr. Goins presented a handout at the meeting showing roadways within
downtown Siler City which will operate at or above capacity in the year 2020.
Gary Jordan asked how many vehicles a day currently traveled to the airport. Mr.
McInnis stated he did not know how many vehicles entered the airport, but that 700
vehicles per day traveled Airport Road in 2002.
Later, Mr. Jordan stated he was not convinced the needs of the airport justified a
new road. Mr. Jordan presented the example that he himself needed a way to get from
his home to work, but that NCDOT would not construct a new road to serve just him.
Mr. McInnis responded that Mr. Jordan's need to get between home and work is a
valid need, but a new road might not necessarily be a reasonable alternative to meet his
need. In the same way, a new roadway might not be the best alternative to meet the
needs of the airport. A new roadway is presented in the TIP, but a new roadway would
be an alternative, and the purpose of the meeting is to discuss purpose and need.
Mr. McInnis asked if there were any suggestions and/or comments on how the
purpose statement should be worded.
Mr. Chris Militscher (EPA) expressed concerns about the purpose statement for
the project including improving access to the airport from US 421. He did not understand
the need to improve access to the Airport from US 421. He stated improving access to
the airport could be accomplished by extending just to US 64. Mr. McInnis reiterated the
purpose of the meeting was to only discuss the purpose and need for the project. Possible
destinations or alternatives were out of the scope of this meeting. However, Mr. McInnis
acknowledged the study area for the project should extend to the US 421/US 64
interchange in order to prevent limiting alternatives.
Mr. Spencer (ACOE) stated he was not hearing a purpose or need for the project.
Mr. Jay McInnis stated that the purpose of the project is to improve access to the Siler
City Municipal Airport from US 64 and US 421 and improve north/south travel west of
town.
Mr. Felix Davila (FHWA) said that he thought the part of the purpose statement
that read "improve access to the Siler City Municipal Airport from US 64 and US 421"
should be omitted. He thought only "improve north/south travel west of town" should be
included in the purpose statement.
Mr. Militscher (EPA), Mr. Gary Jordan (USFWS), and Mr. Travis Wilson
(NCWRC) asked for more information regarding traffic patterns. They wanted to know:
How many people would travel on the proposed Airport Road?
How much traffic is generated by the industrial area?
How many people go to the airport?
How many people south/southwest of Chatham County would use the proposed road?
What are the current and future traffic volumes on roadways in downtown Siler City?
Gary Jordan asked how many vehicles a day currently traveled to the airport. Mr.
McInnis stated he did not know how many vehicles entered the airport, but that 700
vehicles per day traveled Airport Road in 2002.
Later, Mr. Jordan stated he was not convinced the needs of the airport justified a
new road. Mr. Jordan presented the example that he himself needed a way to get from
his home to work, but that NCDOT would not construct a new road to serve just him.
Mr. McInnis responded that Mr. Jordan's need to get between home and work is a
valid need, but a new road might not necessarily be a reasonable alternative to meet his
need. In the same way, a new roadway might not be the best alternative to meet the
needs of the airport. A new roadway is presented in the TIP, but a new roadway would
be an alternative, and the purpose of the meeting is to discuss purpose and need.
Mr. McInnis asked if there were any suggestions and/or comments on how the
purpose statement should be worded.
Mr. Chris Militscher (EPA) expressed concerns about the purpose statement for
the project including improving access to the airport from US 421. He did not understand
the need to improve access to the Airport from US 421. He stated improving access to
the airport could be accomplished by extending just to US 64. Mr. McInnis reiterated the
purpose of the meeting was to only discuss the purpose and need for the project. Possible
destinations or alternatives were out of the scope of this meeting. However, Mr. McInnis
acknowledged the study area for the project should extend to the US 421/US 64
interchange in order to prevent limiting alternatives.
Mr. Spencer (ACOE) stated he was not hearing a purpose or need for the project.
Mr. Jay McInnis stated that the purpose of the project is to improve access to the Siler
City Municipal Airport from US 64 and US 421 and improve north/south travel west of
town.
Mr. Felix Davila (FHWA) said that he thought the part of the purpose statement
that read "improve access to the Siler City Municipal Airport from US 64 and US 421"
should be omitted. He thought only "improve north/south travel west of town" should be
included in the purpose statement.
Mr. Militscher (EPA), Mr. Gary Jordan (USFWS), and Mr. Travis Wilson
(NCWRC) asked for more information regarding traffic patterns. They wanted to know:
How many people would travel on the proposed Airport Road?
How much traffic is generated by the industrial area?
How many people go to the airport?
How many people south/southwest of Chatham County would use the proposed road?
What are the current and future traffic volumes on roadways in downtown Siler City?
Mr. Spencer asked the Siler City representatives what they saw as the purpose of
the project. Mr. Joel Brower (Town of Siler City manager) stated that the purpose of the
project was exactly what Mr. McInnis had stated.
Mr. McInnis explained that the airport is not accessible from either of the major
routes in the Siler City area. Mr. Spencer repeated that he was not hearing a purpose or
need for the project.
After some additional discussion, Rob Hanson stated he believed the meeting had
ceased being productive and that the team should adjourn until a later date. The
additional information requested by team members will be obtained and presented at the
next team meeting.
s/1 3/ 04 9- 334z5'
Jn??/J L??7{U??
?"CL iX LA
?-
GAY J 6?ar
'H2is m 1L? TSc_N?;rt
J?4cK ???-.?o r?s
Joe,( ,???o,,?c
?f?CE
/4J c,D -o7
NLpo T
r
US F'^?S
Nc??.
P"6'C Z
05 18 , 9
4yw- r 33,2

O i . f.rp ?'G / G ^ c /? r O ?JL7'jC .?C `vtY ?i-•""b4'1 Y•4_.

-_.. ?._ i4 - .' 414 . ?, SrLa-? rn ,-Y E /Q..?.IT •• ; 4 nok

,e- 3325
6)/3 10 ¢
S" Ne?,cs : r. pa, ?iwt
I me k- F D D{A11? ?7 G T
`DoT yc?"4" 4,x Sam" WttYds
U'SAG c?iwPs?+cros W C ?G?s-{stns
- me?? r? a?aPp?d ??k-r t etrw r?L 5
d Nne d
T"roTA P?
a??en-
by Rm 41 an sm
mow,
runes-rsrc.?L
5/1316+

TIP PROJECT R-3325
?r

CHATHAM COUNTY
r
Purpose and Need Documentation
Western Siler City Transportation Study
TIP Project R-3325
Chatham County
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
TIP Project R-3325 has been included in the 2004-2010 Transportation
Improvement Program (TIP) as a new route from the Siler City Airport to US 421 in
Chatham County. While this project is programmed in the TIP as a new route, no
decisions have been made about the final location of the road or other alternatives that
may be studied.
PROJECT STATUS/SCHEDULE
A scoping meeting was held for the transportation study on May 22, 2003.
Right of way acquisition is scheduled for July 2008 and construction is scheduled
for Post Year. o al ttw, ?_ dl h"I uS.4 c
PROJECT PURPOSE
The purpose of the project is to improve access to the Siler City Municipal `zob 11ow,?,?
Airport,from US 64 and US 421 and improve north/south travel west of town.
PROJECT NEED
• No direct access from the Siler City Municipal Airport and the southwest area
of Siler City to US 421 or US 64.
• No direct access from industries northwest of Siler City to US 64 or US 421.
• No continuous north/south route on the west side of town.
• Residents living south of Siler City and working west of town must drive
through downtown to access US 64 and US 421.
ACCESS
US 64 and US 421 are the two major arterials serving Siler City. US 64 connects
Siler City with Asheboro, Charlotte (via NC 49) and I-85 to the west and Pittsboro and
Raleigh to the east. US 421 connects Siler City with Sanford to the south and
Greensboro and I-40 to the north. US 421 is a freeway in the vicinity of Siler City, with
three interchanges serving the town.
Siler City Airport
The Siler City Municipal Airport is located on SR 1100 (Airport Road) southwest
of Siler City. The airport has a 5,000-foot paved runway, which is long enough to
accommodate jets. Fuel and maintenance facilities exist at the airport and forty planes
are based there. Based on business activity, the Siler City Airport is ranked 28a' of 75 ?sl hey J
airports in the state--- Several of the businesses in the Siler City area use the airportr
4o 'rla rUS Lased ti S g pe t+ 5 / a-'-j
The airport does not have direct access to either US 64 or US 421. The airport
currently has reasonable access to US 64. However, accessing the airport from the
eastern side of town or from US 421 currently requires weaving through downtown
streets. Such cumbersome travel increases travel time (see Figure 1). Because the Siler
City Airport serves as an alternative airport to the Piedmont-Triad Airport, good access to
US 421 is important.
IA1411 7
Businesses t k:s rand :tr -.-Y L-I? wavvt„ ;Gu ..
Several heavy traffic generators exist on the western side of Slier City. Some c f°
these include Carolina Stock Yard (SR 1] 06) and Slier City Elementary School P ? +1,
(SR 1106). There is also an industrial park, located on SR 1106 which includes the - -
following businesses: Jennifer Convertibles, International Vault, L,inrene Furniture, Cox pw?t
and Bleggi, Basic Machinery, Palm Harbor Homes, Precision Steel and Welding, and - hd?.? l? opp,?h
Trussty Building Components (SR 1171 and SR 1108). A number of large trucks serve
these companies. Many of these trucks use US 421 or US 64 to carry goods to and from
L
Siler City. u S F w s . I ?V-' S i-
- U SA CC l YW A daXa wIn aj m o"s rw Cis.
'V'4' .4, kl? led "A° d _`
P A ?w ?Bh ?Na vrn lwis "` c-a p o e ?„ a , ft ?n cLA 1 W & x P'" a? S. l?Y t0
u.. a...,,,.4.,,., _A
L4'5 ACE t-j "Lt A-
r a,z,
Like the airport, this industrial area does not have direct access to either US 64 or
US 421. The industrial area has fairly reasonable access to US 421. However, accessing
US 64 requires either traveling through downtown Siler City (eastbound) or taking
several narrow secondary roads (westbound).
NORTH/SOUTH TRAVEL
Figure 2
There currently are no continuous north/south routes on the western
City. Access between residential and industrial development in the study ai
circuitous travel. Traffic wishing to travel north/south on the western side c
must travel through town. Residents southwest of Siler City wishing to acc
industrial park, US 64 or northbound US 421 must either drive through tow
several turns on secondary roads.
US 64 runs east/west just north of downtown Siler City, while US 421 runs
northwest/southeast around the eastern side of Siler City. US 64 is a multi-lane facility
and US 421 is a freeway (see Figure 2).
1 ?
\ M \
q;,A l s a h ( ,
Oft
H 'n
4 O i f ? I0 ee
n ?n \ I?? r 1
,? t a
la ' > III I? 4 \ Ig ? X o
?b
I I? ? e
n ? Is " ? e? , ?: 4 0
la 4
?? 4• ? o ?? i I la t:
'? • q • ? g (? I? I I I: ?O
A •? I? ? ? Qc ? i ' la ? ?tiw 6
--Os R ! I '
+' ?g 01
w IS i \
e
Y tl ' ?^ u
Ia , I I J 4
I? le IW ?i ,?&I
I -e
30
---- I i? I\ g w
z I I ?? w C Vf
Jr 1 I Ir '?
D
d
0
Airport Road is one of two north/south roads of significant length west of US 421
in Chatham County and the only north/south road west of Siler City. Traffic to and from
southwest of Chatham County, into Siler City and the Triad region use Airport Road.
Commuting numbers from the latest census suggest there are, as many as 1,178 trips per
day going from Chatham county into the Triad thus contributing to the need for a
north/south route on the western side of town (see Figure 1).
0 i 2
MME!
MALES.
NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT
t OF TRANSPORTATION
a DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND
.`+. _ ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS BRANCH
Siler City
SR 1100 (Airport Rd) to
SR 1362 (Piney Grove Church Rd)
Chatham County
TIP Project R-3325 B&C
'J F