20030680 Ver 1_Meeting Minutes_20010619

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
MICHAEL F. EASLEY LYNDO TIPPETT
GOVERNOR SECRETARY
June 11, 2001
MEMO TO: Mike Bell US Army Corps of Engineers
Cathy Brittingham NC Division of Coastal Management
Bill Arrington NC Division of Coastal Management
Ron Sechler National Marine Fisheries Service
David Cox NC Wildlife Resource Commission
John Hennessey NCDENR
Sara Winslow NC Division of Marine Fisheries
Bob Capehart NCDOT -Division 1 Construction Engineer
Don Conner NCDOT -Division 1 Division Engineer
Tom McCartney US Fish and Wildlife Service
Gary Foster NCDOT -Roadway Design
John Wadsworth FHWA
Scott Hidden NCDOT -Soils and Foundations
Dean Argenbright NCDOT - Geotechnical
Allen Raynor NCDOT -Structure Design
FROM: Stacy Harris, P.E.
Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
SUBJECT: Bridge Replacement over Tulls Creek on SR 1222 in Currituck County,
TIP No. B-2950
Please plan to attend the NEPA/404 Merger Team Meeting for the following project or
have a representative present.
The meeting has been scheduled for June 20, 2001, in the Photogrammetry Conference
Room, NCDOT Century Center Building B as follows:
TIME PROJECT
1:00 pm B-2950, Currituck County, Replace Bridge No. 4 on SR 1222 over .Tuns
Creek, Federal-Aid Project No. BRZ-1222(2)
Attached for your review and use at the meeting are handouts and functional designs for
the subject project. The purpose of the meeting is to select the LEDPA.
If you have any questions, please contact me at 733-7844, ext. 264
MAILING ADDRESS: TELEPHONE: [phone] LOCATION:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FAX: [phone] TRANSPORTATION BUILDING
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS 1 SOUTH WILMINGTON STREET
1548 MAIL SERVICE CENTER WEBSITE: WWW.DOH.DOT.STATE.NC.US RALEIGH NC
RALEIGH NC 27699-1548

CONCURRENCE MEETING
Bridge No. 4 on SR 1222
Over Tull Creek in
Currituck County
TIP No. B-2950
Meeting June 20, 2001 @ 1:00 p.m.
NCDOT-
Photogrammetry Conference Room

TIP No. B-2950 Preliminary Planning Information
6/11/01
Page 1 of 5
Replace Bridge No. 4 Over Tull Creek on SR 1222 in Currituck County
Federal-Aid Project No. BRZ-1222(2)
State Project No. 8.2040301
PURPOSE AND NEED
Bridge Maintenance Unit records indicate the bridge has a sufficiency rating of 31.2 out
of a possible 100 for a new structure. The bridge is considered functionally obsolete and
structurally deficient. The replacement of an inadequate structure will result in safer and
more efficient traffic operations.
EXISTING CONDITIONS
SR 1222 is classified as a rural minor collector. Land use in the project area is
predominantly marshland, rural, residential, and agricultural. Private residences and
agricultural fields are located in the northeast and southeast quadrants of the study area.
Undeveloped coastal marsh lies on both sides of the roadway approaching from the
northwest side of the bridge. There is a marina located approximately 800 feet (244
meters) downstream of the existing bridge.
Bridge No. 4 was constructed in 1970. The existing bridge is 236 feet (72 meters) in
length with a deck width of 28 feet (8.5 meters) providing 20 feet (6 meters) of travelway
and 4-foot (1.2-meter) shoulder on both sides. The superstructure consists of seven
spans of steel plank flooring on I-beams with an asphalt-wearing surface. The end bents
are timber abutment walls and the interior bents are timber caps on timber piles. The
center bent has a double steel crutch on both sides. The posted weight limit is 15 tons
for single vehicles (SV) and truck-tractors semi-trailers (TTST).
The existing bridge and west approach on SR 1222 is on a horizontal tangent. The east
approach is on an 8.5-degree curve. SR 1222 has two 10-foot (3-meters) lanes with 6-
foot (1.8 meter) grass shoulders. The structure provides approximately 9 feet (2.7
meters) of clearance above the average water level. The posted speed limit is 45 miles
per hour (mph) (70 kilometers per hour (km/h)).
The projected traffic volumes are 2300 vehicles per day (vpd) for the construction year
2002 and 6000 vpd for the design year 2025. The volumes include two percent TTST
and three percent dual-tired vehicles (DT).
This section of SR 1222 does not correspond to a bicycle TIP request nor is it a
designated bicycle route. However, SR 1222 has been identified as a desired bike route
in the Currituck County's land use plan.
There is a private driveway at the northwest end of the bridge providing access to a local
marina. Telephone and power lines cross the stream parallel to the roadway on the
north side of the structure. There is a county owned water line along the south side of
the bridge, which runs parallel to the roadway, and is buried on the bottom of the creek.
Utility impacts are anticipated to be low.
Three (3) accidents were reported in the vicinity of the bridge during the period from
September 1, 1993 to August 31, 1996.
Six (6) Currituck County school busses cross Bridge No. 4 twice daily.

TIP No. B-2950 Preliminary Planning Information
6/11/01
Page 2 of 5
ALTERNATIVE DESCRIPTIONS
The proposed structure will provide a 24-foot (7.2-meter) travelway with 4-foot (1.2-meter)
shoulders for a clear roadway width of 32 feet (9.6 meters). The proposed approach roadway
will consist of a 24-foot (7.2 meter) travelway with 8-foot (2.4 meter) shoulders including 4-foot
(1.2 meter) paved. The design speed will be 50 mph [80 kmh].
A. Reasonable and Feasible Alternatives
Six (6) "reasonable and feasible" alternatives studied for replacing the existing bridge are
described below.
Alternate C1 and Alternate C2 involve replacing the bridge on a new alignment
downstream (north) of the existing bridge with a bridge. During construction of the
structure, traffic will be maintained on the existing structure. During construction of the
approaches, traffic will be routed off-site. The canal on the northeast quadrant is
completely filled. The proposed bridge is approximately 420 feet (128 meters) in length,
tangent and on a vertical crest. The approach curve to the bridge from the east is
5° 30".
Alternate C1 provides driveway access to the marina perpendicular to SR 1222.
Alternate C2 provides driveway access provided to the marina parallel to SR 1222.
Alternate D1 and Alternate D2 involve replacing the bridge on new alignment
downstream (north) of the existing bridge with a bridge. During construction of the
structure, traffic will be maintained on the existing structure. During construction of the
approaches, traffic will be routed off-site. The canal on the northeast quadrant is
completely filled. The proposed bridge is approximately 900 feet (274 meters) in length,
tangent and no vertical crest on the bridge. The approach curve to the bridge from the
east is 5° 30".
Alternate D1 provides no access to the marina.
Alternate D2 provides a driveway access to the marina.
Alternate F1 and Alternate F2 involve replacing the bridge on new alignment
downstream (north) of the existing bridge with a bridge. During construction of the
structure, traffic will be maintained on the existing structure. During construction of the
approaches, traffic will be routed off-site. The proposed bridge is approximately 965 feet
(294 meters) in length, tangent and no vertical crest on the bridge. The approach curve
to the bridge from the west is 2° 30" and from the east is 7° 30".
Alternate F1 provides no access to the marina.
Alternate F2 provides a driveway access to the marina.

TIP No. B-2950 Preliminary Planning Information
6/I 1/Ol
Page 3 of 5
B. Alternatives Eliminated From Further Study
Alternate A involves replacing the bridge along the existing alignment with an on-site
detour north of the existing bridge. Traffic will be maintained on the temporary on-site
detour during construction. This alternate was eliminated because of the increased
environmental impacts and construction period.
Alternate B1 and Alternate 62 involve replacing the bridge along the existing alignment
with a slight shift north to avoid closing the canal on the southwest quadrant with
proposed fill. The canal in the northeast quadrant has minor fill. During construction,
traffic will be maintained by an off-site detour. The proposed bridge is approximately 300
feet (90 meters) in length, tangent and on a vertical crest. The approach curve from the
east is 7° 30".
Alternate B1 provides a driveway access to the marina perpendicular to SR 1222.
Alternate B2 provides a driveway access to the marina parallel to SR 1222.
Alternate 61 and Alternate B2 were eliminated because of the length of the off-site
detour and the burden it would cause the public that use the road.
Alternate E involves replacing the bridge on existing alignment with a bridge. The
proposed bridge is approximately 1200 feet (365 meters) iri length which includes
approximately 600 feet (183 meters) will be in a 3 degree curve on the east end and a
vertical crest requiring prestressed girders. The remaining structure will be tangent and
no vertical crest. Minor fill is proposed in the northeast canal and the southwest canal.
During construction, traffic will be maintained by an off-site detour. No access is
provided to the marina. Alternate E was eliminated because of the length of the off-site
detour and the burden it would cause the public that use the road.
The proposed detour route along SR 1214, NC 168, and SR 1232 is approximately
17 miles (27.4 kilometers) in length. A road user analysis was performed based on 2300
vehicles per day (vpd) for construction year 2002 and an average of 17 miles of indirect
travel. The cost of additional travel will be approximately $4.6 million dollars during a
twelve-month construction period.
The "do-nothing" alternative will eventually necessitate closure of the bridge. This is not
desirable due to the traffic service provided by SR 1222.
Investigation of the existing structure by the Bridge Maintenance Unit indicates the
rehabilitation of the old bridge is not feasible due to its age and deteriorated condition.

TIP No. B-2950 Preliminary Planning Information
6/1 1/O1
Page 4 of 5
PROJECT SCHEDULE, COST, AND IMPACTS

ALTER-
NATE PROJECT
LENGTH
(FEET) BRIDGE
LENGTH
(FEET) TIDAL
MARSH
IMPACTS
ACRES AQUATIC
IMPACTS
(ACRES) WETLAND
RESTORATION
(ACRES) RELOC-
AT/ONS CONSTR.
COST R/GHT OF
WAY COST TOTAL
COST
C1 2,600 420 1.994 0.47 1.07 4 $ 3,400,000 $550,000 $3,950,000
C2 2,600 420 2.039 0.47 1.07 4 3,400,000 $575,000 $3,975,000
D1 3,200 900 1.286 0.53 1.30 6 4,400,000 $800,000 $5,200,000
D2 3,200 900 1.795 0.53 1.30 5 4,400,000 $1,000,000 $5,400,000
F1 3,200 965 1.57 0.38 1.31 3 4,650,000
F2 3,200 965 2.13 0.38 1.31 3 4,750,000
Right of Way acquisition for this project is scheduled to begin in 2001 and construction is
schedule to begin in 2002. The Cost Estimate for the project included in the draft 2002 - 2008
Transportation Improvement program is as follows:
Ri ht of Wa Ac uisition $ 344,000
Construction $ 600,000
Total Estimated Cost $ 944,000
WATER RESOURCES
Tull Creek is a low flowing, coastal creek, which discharges into Tull Bay approximately 0.50
miles (0.80 kilometers) northeast of the project study area. Within the project study area of
Bridge No. 4, Tull Creek flows east to northeast and is approximately 200 feet (61 meters) wide.
Tull Creek has a Class B, Sw rating from the North Carolina Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (NCDENR), Division of Water Quality (DWQ). The Class B rating indicates
Tull Creek is protected for primary recreation, aquatic life propagation and survival, fishing,
wildlife and secondary recreation and agriculture. The secondary classification of Sw indicates
these are waters that have low velocities and other natural characteristics which are different
from .adjacent streams.
Tidal Freshwater Marsh
This community is located on both sides of the northwest approach to the bridge. Dominant
vegetation includes cord grass (Spartina cynosuroides), needlerush (Juncus sp.), southern wild
rice (Zizaniopsis miliacea), cattail (Typha /atifolia) and widely scattered wax myrtle (Myrica
cerifera) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum).

TIP No. B-2950 Preliminary Planning Information
6/11/01
Page 5 of 5
Aquatic Communities
The Tull Creek area represents a high quality fishery habitat and functions as a nursery area for
numerous freshwater and estuarine species. NCWRC and NCDENR, Division of Marine
Fisheries (DMF) recommended no instream work from February 15 to September 30.
The DMF has no sampling stations at Tull Creek at Bridge No. 4. This area is designated as an
inland primary nursery area for blueback herring (A/osa aestivalis) and alewife (Alosa
pseudoharengus). This area is also used by estuary dependent species as well as resident and
anadromous species. DMF also recommended a construction moratorium from February 15 to
September 30.
COMMITMENTS
Tull Creek is designated as an Inland Primary Nursery Area including the canal on the north
side. Tull Creek and adjacent canals (if navigable by canoe) are considered public trust waters.
Public Trust Waters must have "same current and potential navigable use" after construction.
No in-water work will occur from February 15 to September 30, as requested in the North
Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR) memorandum dated
June 21, 1999. This is longer than the standard anadromous fish moratorium due to the primary
nursery area designation.
If any trees will be removed, bald eagle nest surveys will be performed as requested by the
North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission (NCWRC) in a memorandum dated July 27,
1998.
Construction activities will adhere to the guidelines outlined in Precautions For Construction In
Areas Which Mav Be Used By The West Indian Manatee In North Carolina.
PROJECT STATUS
3/22/01 Concurrence Meeting was held to present Concurrence Point 1 and 2. All team
members present signed Concurrence Point 1. At this meeting the agencies requested an
additional alternate to be evaluated with the proposed bridge as close as possible to the existing
bridge. This is Alternate F1 and F2 (attached).

Section -104/NEPA Merger Project Team Meeting Agreement
Concurrence Point No. l -Purpose and Need
Project Name/Description:
Replace Bridge No. 4 on SR 1222 over Tulls Creek in Currituck County
TIP Project No. B-2950
Federal Aid Project No. BRZ-1222(2)
State Project No. 8.2040301
Purpose and Need of the Proposed Project:
To replace a functionally obsolete and structurally deficient structure with a safer and improved
structure and approaches. To do-nothing will eventually necessitate removal of'the bridge and
this is not desirable due to the traffic service provided by SR 1222.
The Project Team has concurred on this date of March 14, 2001 with the purpose and need for
the proposed project as stated abewe.
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NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OP TRANSPORTATION
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS BRANCH
CURRITUCK COUNTY
BRIDGE N0.4 ON SR 1222
OVER TULL CREEK
TIP No. B-2950
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