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401 ISSUED
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TPANSPORTATION
JAMES B. HUNT, JR. DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS
GOVERNOR P.O. BOX 25201, RALEIGH, N.C. 27611-5201
May 16, 1995
District Engineer
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
P.O. Box 1890
Wilmington, NC 28402-1890
ATTN: Regulatory Branch
R. SAMUEL HUNT III
SECRETARY

>r
SUBJECT: Johnston County, Replacement of Bridge No. 78 over Hannah Creek on
SR 1227, TIP No. B-2841, State Project No. 8.2311401, Federal
Project No. BRZ-1227(3).
Dear Sir:
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) proposes to
replace Bridge No. 78 over Hannah Creek in Johnston County. This replacement
will require a maximum wetland impact of 0.37 acres based on right of way
limits. It is likely that this number will be significantly reduced when the
final design is prepared. -
Attached for your informa is copy of the project planning report
for the subject project. The oject s being processed by the Federal
Highway Administration as a ' ategor' al Exclusion" in accordance with 23 CFR
771.115(b). Therefore, we not ticipate requesting an individual permit
but propose to proceed under a ionwide Permit in accordance with
33 CRF 330 Appendix A (B-23) issued November 22, 1991, by the Corps of
Engineers. The provisions of Section 330.4 and Appendix A (C) of these
regulations will be followed in the construction of the project.
We anticipate that 401 General Water Quality Certification No. 2734
(Categorical Exclusion) will apply to this project, and are providing one
copy of the CE document to the North Carolina Department of Environment,
Health and Natural Resources, Division of Environmental Management, for their
review.
0
May 10, 1995
Page 2
If you have any questions or need any additional information, please
contact Mr. Gordon Cashin at [phone] extension 315.
Sincer 1
H. Franklin Vick, P. E., Manager`
Planning and Environmental Branch
HFV/GEC/tp
Attachments
cc: Ms. Jean Manuele, COE, Raleigh
Mr. John Dorney, NCEHNR, DEM
Mr. Kelly Barger, PE, Program Development Branch
Mr. Don Morton,-State Highway Engineer - Design
Mr. A. L.. Hankins, Hydraulics Unit
Mr. Tom Shearin, PE, State Roadway Design Engineer
Mr. D. R. Dupree, Division 4 Engineer
Mr. Davis Moore, Planning and Environmental Branch
Mr. Wayne Fedora, Project Planning Engineer
Johnston County
Bridge No. 78
Over Hannah Creek
Federal Project BRZ-1227(3)
State Project 8.2311401
TIP B-2841

CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION
AND
N.C. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS
APPROVED:
r?
t -2o-q5 P y
Date -,?,H. Franklin Vick, P.E., Manager
r Planning and Environmental Branch
vob?
Date Nicholas L. Graf, P.E.
FV- Division Administrator, FHWA
Johnston County
Bridge No. 78
Over Hannah Creek
Federal Project BRZ-1227(3)
State Project 8.2311401
TIP B-2841
CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION
January 1995
Documentation Prepared in Planning and Environmental Branch By:
-i?ZeW bJ ? U" $?n
Richard W. Fedora Sr.
Project Planning Engineer
h4
VCL.
Wayne Elliott '
Bridge Project Planning Engineer, Unit Head
Lubin V. Prevatt, P.E., Assistant Manager
Planning and Environmental Branch
Johnston County
Bridge No. 78
Over Hannah Creek
Federal Project BRZ-1227(3)
State Project 8.2311401
TIP B-2841
I. SUMMARY OF PROJECT
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) proposes to
replace Bridge No. 78 in Johnston County. This bridge crosses over Hannah
Creek (Figure 1). NCDOT includes this bridge in the 1995-2001
Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) as a bridge replacement project.
NCDOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) classify this project
as a federal Categorical Exclusion. These agencies expect no substantial
environmental impacts.
NCDOT will replace Bridge No. 78 at the existing location as shown in
Figure 2. NCDOT recommends replacing the bridge with a reinforced
concrete box culvert with four barrels, each at 2.7 meters x 1.8 meters
(9.0 feet x 6.0 feet). The project will require approximately 65 meters
(210 feet) of new approach roadway. The new roadway approaches will have
a 6.0-meter (20-foot) wide travelway plus 1.2-meter (4-foot) wide
shoulders at approximately the same grade as the existing roadway. The
shoulders will be increased to 2.1 meters (7 feet) where the project uses
guardrail. The completed project will provide a design speed of
approximately 50 km/h (30 mph) due to vertical alignment on the bridge.
Traffic will be maintained on a one lane temporary on-site detour during
construction. The detour structure will be four 1800-millimeter (72-inch)
pipes. The detour alignment will be south of the existing alignment, and
it will be 3.0 meters (10 feet) wide. If the detour requires guardrail,
the alignment will be 4.2 meters (14 feet) wide from face to face of
guardrail.
The estimated cost is $ 222,000. The estimated cost shown in the
1995-2001 TIP is $ 267,000.
II. ANTICIPATED DESIGN EXCEPTIONS
NCDOT expects that a design exception will be required for this
project due to the substandard design speed resulting from the vertical
alignment over the structure.
III. SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENTS
All standard procedures and measures will be implemented to avoid or
minimize environmental impacts. Best Management Practices will be used
during construction.
3
V. ALTERNATIVES
There is only one feasible build alternative for replacing Bridge
No. 78.
The "do-nothing" alternate is not practical. The bridge would
continue deteriorating until unusable. This would require closing the
road, or continued intensive maintenance.
VI. COST ESTIMATE
Table 1 shows the estimated cost and component costs of the project.
Table 1. Cost Estimate
RECOMMENDED
COMPONENT ALTERNATE
CULVERT $ 65,000
BRIDGE REMOVAL 10,000
TEMPORARY
DETOUR 80,000
ROADWAY &
APPROACHES 20,000
ENGINEERING &
CONTINGENCIES 25,000
TOTAL CONSTRUCTION $ 200,000
RIGHT OF WAY $ 22,000
TOTAL COST ESTIMATE $ 222,000
VII. RECOMMENDED IMPROVEMENTS
NCDOT will replace Bridge No. 78 at the existing location as shown in
Figure 2. Traffic will be maintained on a one lane temporary on-site
detour during construction.
NCDOT will replace Bridge No. 78 with a reinforced concrete box
culvert with four barrels, each at 2.7 meters x 1.8 meters (9.0 feet x 6.0
feet).
The completed project will provide a design speed of approximately
50 km/h (30 mph). The project will require approximately 65 meters
(210 feet) of new approach roadway. The new roadway approaches will have a
6.0-meter (20-foot) wide travelway plus 1.2-meter (4-foot) wide shoulders
at approximately the same grade as the existing roadway. The shoulders
will be increased to 2.1 meters (7 feet) where the project uses guardrail.
5
The biologist conducted cursory surveys of the aquatic habitats using a
long-handled triangular sweep net and identified and released captured
organisms. The basis for impact calculations is 24 meters (80 feet) of
right of way required for the replacement plus 18 meters (60 feet) of
temporary easement for the temporary detour.
The proposed project occurs in a rural area of Johnston County
approximately 96 meters (315 feet) from I-95. Land use is floodplain
forests and urban/disturbed areas. There is a concentration of floodplain
forests along Hannah Creek. The areas adjacent to the existing bridge and
road are the urban/disturbed areas.
B. Soils and Topography
Johnston County is within the Upper to Middle Coastal Plain Province.
The topography has moderately large areas of nearly uplands with gentle
valley slope relief, resulting in moderate drainage. Elevations in the
immediate project area range from 33.5 meters (110 feet) along the creek
bottom to 36.6 meters (120 feet) along the roadside.
Primarily sedimentary rock underlies Johnston County. Local changes
in subsurface geology are common, and large, homogeneous masses of a
single rock type are rare.
The dominant soils in the project vicinity are Bibb sandy loams (Bibb
Series) in the floodplain areas. Bibb soils have poorly drained, level to
nearly level soils of flood plains. The classification of Bibb sandy loam
is as a hydric soil or having hydric soils as a major component.
C. Biotic Communities
1. Plant Communities
Two distinct plant community types occur within the immediate
area of the proposed project. Specific communities exhibited slight
variation dependent upon the location and physical characteristics of
the site (soils, topography, human uses, etc.).
Floodplain Hardwood Forests (Coastal Plain Bottomland
Hardwoods-Brown water subtype) are on level areas adjacent to SR 1227
and has a mixture of hardwoods. The canopy includes sycamore,
sweetgum, red maple, live oak, and cottonwood. Sub-canopy trees
include the canopy species plus sweetbay and winged elm. The shrub
layer includes saplings of red maple, sweetgum, winged elm, and
possum haw. Vines present are greenbrier, poison ivy, grape, and
trumpet creeper. Herbs and grasses present are cattail, panic-grass,
juncos, beak-rush, sensitive fern, and southern lady fern.
This community classification includes disturbed areas adjacent
to Hannah Creek and roadside margins in the vicinity of the project.
The primary composition of the area is invasive grasses and herbs
including: fescue grass, multiflora rose, Japanese honeysuckle,
Virginia creeper, milkweed, Carolina geranium, little barley,
broomsedge, yellow woodsorrel, henbit, and greenbriar. The
shrub/sapling layer is sparse and composed of sweetgum and red maple.
7
The only impacts to plant communities as a result of the project
are on narrow strips adjacent to the existing bridge and roadway
segments. Bridge and approach improvements occur primarily within
disturbed right-of-way limits and floodplain hardwood forest edges
which currently do not support significant communities.
The proposed action will not result in significant loss or
displacement of known terrestrial plant or animal habitat. Habitat
affected by the proposed action includes Urban/Disturbed and
Floodplain Hardwood Forested areas. The species using the
Urban/Disturbed area are opportunistic plants such as greenbriar and
Japanese honeysuckle and mobile species such as rodents, lizards, and
snakes that can recover quickly from construction impacts. The
hardwood forest areas bordering Hannah Creek will receive
disturbances next to the existing bridge area. Hannah Creek should
continue to provide adequate habitat areas for mammals, reptiles and
birds.
The proposed action can potentially have substantial affects on
the aquatic ecosystem unless the project implements strict sediment
control measures. The disturbance of the creek bed and sedimentation
from the banks could affect aquatic life, (fish, mollusks, and
benthic invertebrates) both at the project site as well as down
stream reaches. NCDOT will use Best Management Practices to minimize
affects in the aquatic ecosystem.
D. Water Resources
Bridge No. 78 crosses Hannah Creek approximately 96 meters (315 feet)
upstream of Interstate 95. Hannah Creek flows east into the Neuse River.
Hannah Creek and subsequent receptor systems are part of the Neuse River
Basin.
The Division of Environmental Management (DEM) assigns
classifications to waters of the State of North Carolina based on the
existing or contemplated best use of various streams or segments of
streams in the basin (DEM 1993). Hannah Creek is a Class C NSW stream.
This indicates suitability for aquatic life propagation and survival,
fishing, wildlife, secondary recreation, and agriculture, plus a
supplemental classification for nutrient sensitive waters which require
limitations on nutrient inputs.
The DEM National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
report lists one source (Benson WWTP) within four miles upstream of the
proposed crossing.
No High Quality Waters (HQW), Anadromous Fish Spawning Areas,
Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW), WS I or WS II Waters occur within 1.6
kilometers (1.0 mile) of the project site.
The Benthic Macroinvertebrate Ambient Network (BMAN) addresses long
term trends in water quality at fixed monitoring sites by the sampling for
benthic macro invertebrates. Certain organisms are sensitive to very
subtle changes in water quality. The basis for good water quality is an
9
these waters. This permit authorizes activities undertaken, assisted,
authorized, regulated, funded or financed in whole, or in part, by another
Federal agency or department. That agency or department has determined
that the activity is categorically excluded from the environmental
documentation, because it will neither individually or cumulatively have a
significant environmental effect.
The DEM also requires a Section 401 Water Quality General
Certification. This permit must be acquired prior to issuance of the
Nationwide Permit.
Projects authorized under Nationwide Permits usually do not require
compensatory mitigation according to the 1989 Memorandum of Agreement
between the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of the
Army. However, best management practices (BMP's) will be used as an
effort to minimize impacts.
2. Federally Protected Species
The Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (1978, 1979, 1982, and
1988 Amendments) protects species with federal classifications of
Endangered (E) or Threatened (T). The United States Fish and Wildlife
Service lists the following federally protected species for Johnston
County:
Red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) - E
Dwarf wedge mussel (Alasmidonta heterodon) - E
The following sections are brief descriptions of these organism's
characteristics and habitat requirements.
Red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis)
Status: E
Family: Picidae
Listed: 10/13/70
This federally Endangered woodpecker occurs in scattered locations
throughout the southeast. The bird measures 180 to 200 millimeters (7 to
8 inches) long with a wing span ranging from 350 to 380 millimeters (14 to
15 inches). The male has a small red spot on each side of the head. Both
males and females show a black cap and stripe on the side of the neck. The
throat is also black while the cheeks and under parts are white. Black
and white horizontal stripes are visible on the back. Nesting habitat
consists of open pine stands (minimum age 60 years) or mixed pine/hardwood
stands, (50 percent or more pine). Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) is
most commonly used, but other species of southern pine are also
acceptable.
BIOLOGICAL CONCLUSION: NO EFFECT
No suitable habitat exists along the bridge replacement project.
Also, a review of NC Natural Heritage Program data revealed no records of
this species in the subject project study area. It can be concluded that
project construction will have no impact on the Red-cockaded woodpecker.
11
IX. CULTURAL RESOURCES CHARACTERISTICS AND EFFECTS
A. Farmland
The Farmland Protection Policy Act requires all federal agencies, or
their representatives, to consider the impact of land acquisition and
construction projects on prime and important farmland soils, as designated
by the U.S. Soil Conservation Service (SCS). Projects that do not result
in the conversion of land to non-agricultural uses are exempt from the
requirements of the Act.
The location of the project is in a 20-year Transition Area according
to the Johnston County Land Use Plan. This designation includes all areas
in the process of changing from rural to urban land uses. The extension
of public utilities supports the transition in uses. Because the Land Use
Plan includes urban development for the project area, the analysis
requires no further consideration of potential impacts to farmland soils.
B. Historic Architectural and Archaeological Resources
There are no historic architectural resources located within the area
of potential effect. The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)
recommends no survey be conducted for this project (see Appendix for SHPO
letter).
The SHPO comments that it is unlikely the project will affect
National Register eligible archaeological resources and recommends no
archaeological investigation for this project (see Appendix for SHPO
letter).
X. CONCLUSION
Based on the above discussion, NCDOT and FHWA conclude that the
project will cause no significant environmental impacts. Therefore, the
project may be processed as a Categorical Exclusion.
WF/plr
FIGURES
NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION
DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS
PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL
BRANCH
BRIDGE NO. 78
ON SR 1227 OVER HANNAH CREEK
JOHNSTON COUNTY
T.I:P. NO. B-2841
FIG I
0 kilometers 3.2 0 miles . 2
1 1 1 1 1 i

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a t
B-2841
BRIDGE NO. 78
JOHNSTON COUNTY
LOOKING EAST
LOOKING WEST
SIDE VIEW
FIGURE 3
APPENDIX
??Io
,K
North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources
James B. Hint. Jr.. Governor
Betty ltay McCain. Secretary
Division of Archives and History
WiWam S. Price, Jr., Director
March 22, 1994
MEMORANDUM
TO: Wayne Fedora
Planning and Environmental Branch
Division of Highways
Department of Transportation n•??
FROM: David Brook ? V
Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer
SUBJECT: Bridge 78 on SR 1227 over creek, B-2841, Johnston
County, ER 94-8032
Thank you for your letter of March 2, 1994, concerning the above project.
Based on current information, it is unlikely that the temporary detour to be placed
to the south of the existing bridge will affect National Register-eligible
archaeological resources. We, therefore, recommend that no archaeological
investigation be conducted in connection with this project as currently proposed.
The above comments are made pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act of 1966 and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's
Regulations for Compliance with Section 106, codified at 36 CFR Part 800.
Thank you for your cooperation and consideration. If you have questions
concerning the above comment, please contact Renee Gledhill-Earley,
environmental review coordinator, at 919/733-4763.
DB:slw
cc: N. Graf
H. F. Vick
T. Padgett
109 East Jones Street • Raleigh, North Carolina 27601-2807
?° r w
North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources
James B. Hunt. Jr.. Governor
Betty Ray McCain. Swretary
February 23, 1994
Nicholas L. Graf
Division Administrator
Federal Highway Administration
Department of Transportation
310 New Bern Avenue
Raleigh, N.C. 27601-1442
Re: Replace Bridge 78 on SR 1227 over Hannah
Creek, Johnston County, B-2841, ER 94-8032
Dear Mr. Graf:
Division of Archives and History
William S. Price. Jr.. Director
GEI
6
FOlSM
22 DIVISIV.4F
C?HIGHWAYS
?'RONME
On January 19, 1994, Robin Stancil of our staff met with North Carolina
Department of Transportation (NCDOT) staff for a meeting of the minds
concerning the above project. We reported our available information on historic
architectural and archaeological surveys and resources along with our
recommendations. NCDOT provided project area photographs and aerial
photographs at the meeting and for our use afterwards.
Based upon our review of the photographs and the information discussed at the
meeting, we offer our preliminary comments regarding this project.
In terms of historic architectural resources, we are aware of no historic structures
located within the area of potential effect. We recommend that no historic
architectural survey be conducted for this project.
It is our understanding that the bridge is to be replaced on tthe existing location
but that an on-site detour will be built. When the location of the on-site detour
bridge and its approaches are available, please forward that information so we can
complete our review.
Having provided this information, we look forward. to receipt of either a
Categorical Exclusion or Environmental Assessment which indicates how NCDOT
addressed our comments.
The above comments are made pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act of 1966 and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's
Regulations for Compliance with Section 106, codified at 36 CFR Part 800.

109 Fast Jones Street - Raleigh. Nosh Cazalina 276012807