US 701 (6)

R-4903 Concurrence Point 3 Discussion Information
July 13, 2010
CE Draft Revised Verbiage (Section IV-C)
Alternative 4 was selected as the recommended alternative for the proposed
project. Alternative 4 is a partial cloverleaf interchange with loops and ramps in the
northeast and southwest quadrants of the interchange.
Although Alternative 4 will affect more wetlands and streams than Alternative 2,
Alternative 2 does not fully meet the purpose and need of the project because specific
components of the alternative do not meet design standards related to safety. This could
potentially lead to safety and operational issues. The concern is that with Alternative 2,
entrance ramp traffic will c= ict with traffic wishing to turn right at the adjacent
intersections. Alternative 4 provides sufficient distance to meet design standards between
- the NC 87 entrance ramps and the downstream at-grade intersections of NC 87 with
_ SR 1700 and SR 1145.
Drivers merging onto NC 87 will require sufficient time and distance to react to
v traffic slowing to turn at the adjacent intersections. The Alternative 2 entrance ramp in
the northwest quadrant of the interchange only provides approximately 103 feet of
distance between the end of the taper for the ramp and the beginning of the taper for the
turn lane for the nearby SR 1145 intersection. At 60 MPH, 103 feet provides a driver with
only 1.2 seconds of reaction time. The design value typically used for reaction time is 2.5
seconds. The Alternative 2 entrance ramp in the southeast quadrant would provide 3.7
seconds of reaction time.
In contrast, the Alternative 4 entrance ramp in the northeast quadrant would
;.? provide approximately 1,636 feet between the ramp taper and the turn lane taper, which
would provide 18.6 seconds of reaction time. The Alternative 4 entrance ramp in the
southwest quadrant would provide 21.6 seconds of reaction time. Alternative 4 was
selected due to the increased reaction time and the operational and safety advantages
provided.
At the August 2009 citizens informational workshop, a majority of the attendees
preferred Alternative 4. Following the informational workshop, changes were made to
this alternative based on comments heard at the workshop. A retaining wall was added to
avoid a business in the southwest quadrant of the interchange. NC 242 was also shifted to
avoid wetland impacts, another business, and to provide for a full movement intersection
outside the controlled access area for the interchange.
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R-4903 Alternative Comparison
0 t/f
V
Alternative 2 Alternative 4
Residential Relocatees 6 6
Business Relocatees 0 0
Wetlands Affected (Acres) 1.09 C 1.44
Stream Impacts (Linear Feet) 1,295 1,529
Habitat for Federally Protected
Species?
No
No
Historic Properties? None are considered
eligible for the
National Register None are considered
eligible for the
National Register
Involve Section 4(f)? No No
Total Length (mi) _ -1 -1
Forested Areas Affected (Acres) 29.40 > 24.39
Farmland Affected (Acres) 21.14 7 11.08
Right of Way Cost $1,335,000 > $1,043,000
Construction Cost $16,200,000 $15,600,000
Wetland/Stream Mitigation Cost $1,028,000 G $1,216,000
Total Cost $18,563,000 $17,859,000
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