U-5204 (2)

L? _ S2oCI
Following is a list of questions/concerns that need to be answered in order for
the USACE to proceed with their permitting process:
* Purpose and Need - According to the USACE, this project currently looks more
like a business expansion project with a road component rather then a road
project. To proceed with NCDOT as the sole permit applicant, the roadway aspect
of it should be separated out and justification should be provided for building
the roadway connector even if the MDI expansion was not .a component.
The proposed roadway is essential for the area and provides for a reconnection of
the local network removed with the construction of the existing MDI facility. The
growing population of the area as well as the increased amount of traffic along
US 321 in the project study area has resulted in congested intersections with
poor operating characteristics at Alex Lee Boulevard, New Farm Road, and Grace
Chapel Road. The proposed connector roadway will allow motorists to avoid delays
along US 321 at these intersections.
* If the business expansion cannot be separated out, it would be more
appropriate for NCDOT and MDI to be co-applicants on the permit, in which case
MDI would need to provide NCDOT with its expansion plans including any and all
anticipated impacts to jurisdictional streams and/or wetlands as well as
stormwater management plans (NCDWQ noted that their stormwater treatment
requirements for non-linear project is more stringent).
The business expansion portion of the project should be removed from the need as
this project is to reduce current and future congestion along US 321, therefore
removing MDI as an option for being a co-applicant. Additionally, the connector
road project re-establishes the interconnectivity for the local community that
was present before the construction of the MDI facility.
* Is it anticipated that any other industries will develop along the roadway
connector (what is the land zoned for)? DWQ stated that currently hazardous
spill basins would not be required as it is anticipated that only the grocery
distributor and proposed residential areas will be developed on this roadway.
However, if other types of industry are anticipated to develop, the spill basins
would be required. If MDI proposes to distribute things other than food
products, this needs to be presented.
It is anticipated that similar businesses with distribution functions or
residential development are planned as the adjacent land uses.
* Avoidance and Minimization - The EA was written and the project designed with
the assumption that there would be no impacts to jurisdictional waters.
Therefore, impacts were already avoided and minimized to the fullest extent.
However, once it became apparent that bottomless culverts were not possible, the
only major aspect of the design that changed was the type of crossing. The 2009
EA examines two alternatives - build and no-build. It needs to be shown that the
current proposed road alignment and design avoids and minimizes impacts to the
fullest extent that is practicable. Were there any other alignments examined?
Is there an alternative that could potentially eliminate the need for one of the
two proposed crossings? Is the roadway width of 12' lanes and 8' shoulders the
minimum required for this situation? (Is the lane width related to the width of
the roads the connector ties into?) etc... .
Given the location of the existing development, natural features, and the
challenging topography, no opportunities were available to avoid stream impacts.
Both the horizontal and vertical alignments of Y1 and L were revised several
times in the design development to minimize impacts to both stream crossings and
wetland. The changes including lowering the profile to lessen the footprint from
the embankment and modifying the horizontal to cross the streams perpendicularly
with the orientation of the existing channel. These alignment changes also
reduced the impact to the wetland site.
Changes in the alignment were examined early on in the project development. The
area is limited for roadway development due to the MDI facility, terrain and
natural resources such as wetlands. The build scenario was studied looking at an
alignment that resulted in the least impacts to wetlands and stream impacts.
* A nearby project, U-4700, proposes to widen US-321 in the vicinity of U-5204.
The intersections of New Farm Road, Poovey's Grove Church Road and Alex Lee Blvd
will likely be upgraded as a result of this project. Does the design of the
proposed roadway connector take this into account?
Project U-5204 was coordinated with Project U-4700. The design limits for U-5204
do not extend to US 321. No modifications to U-4700 functional plans were
required as a result of the final design plans of U-5204.
Michelle Peele
The Louis Berger Group
1001 Wade Ave
Suite 400
Raleigh NC 27605
[phone] D
[phone] M
[phone] F
w .louisberger.com