20040275 Ver 3_Information Letter_20090224

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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
BEVERLY EAVES PERDUE
GOVERNOR
February 20, 2009
US Army Corps of Engineers
3331 Heritage Trade Drive, Suite 105
Wake Forest, NC 27587
Attn: Mr. John Thomas
NCDOT Coordinator, Division 9
EUGENE A. CONTI, JR.
SECRETARY
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Subject: Permit Extension Request for Section 404 permit for improvements to I-85 North
of SR 2120 (Exit 81) in Rowan County to US 29-52-70/I-85 Business (Exit 87) in
Davidson County, Division 9. Federal Aid Project No. NHF-85-3(164)80, State
Project No. 8.1631403, WBS Element No. 34156.1.3, TIP No. I-2304A.
References: Section 404 Individual Permit, issued December 16, 2004, USACE Action ID
199821203; TIP No. 1-2304A
Section 401 Individual Water Quality Certification, issued March 19, 2004,
Certification No. 3455
Section 401 Permit Modification of Certification No. 3455, issued November 22,
2004
Dear Sir:
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) proposes to make improvements to
I-85 from north of SR 2120 (Long Ferry Road, Exit 81) in Rowan County to north of NC 150 in
Davidson County and from north of NC 150 to just north of US 29-52-70/1-85 Business (Exit 87)
in Davidson County. Proposed improvements involve widening of the existing highway to eight
lanes with a 46-foot median.
The project was scheduled to start construction in 2004, however funding for the project was cut
and the project was never constructed. At this time, new funding for the project is anticipated
and the NCDOT plans to proceed with construction. This project has a current Section 404
Individual Permit that expires on December 31, 2009. The project also has a current Section 401
Individual Water Quality Certification that according to the permit will expire at the time of the
Section 404 Individual Permit. At this time, the NCDOT would like to request an extension of
the Section 404 Individual Permit. It is estimated that construction of the project will take
approximately four years. The four year construction estimate is due in part because some of the
MAILING ADDRESS: LOCATION:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TELEPHONE: [phone] ATLANTIC AVE.
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS FAX: [phone] SUITE 116
1598 MAIL SERVICE CENTER RALEIGH NC 27604
RALEIGH NC 27699-1598 WEBSITEI HMNJ.NCDOT.ORG
?\- improvements'to 1-85 are on new location and there are several bridges to be replaced as part of
this project." It is expected that replacing these bridges and demolishing the old ones will take
sometime. With the extension of the Section 404 Permit, we expect the Section 401 Permit will
be extended as well without any written approval from DWQ. By extending the permit we
would like confirmation from the USACE that the verification of the wetlands and streams in the
permitted areas remain valid unless a permit modification is applied for.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please call Sara Easterly at (919) 431-
1605.
Sincer
?Gregory . Thorpe, Ph.D.
Environmental Management Director, PDEA
cc:
Mr. Brian Wrenn, NCDWQ
Ms. Kathy Matthews, USEPA
Mr. Keith Raulston, P.E., Division 9 Construction Engineer
Mr. Kent Boyer, Division 9 Environmental Officer
Mr. Scott McLendon, USACE, Wilmington
Mr. Travis Wilson, NCWRC
Mr. Gary Jordan, USFWS
Ms. Karen Reynolds, P.E., PDEA Project Planning Engineer
Mr. Keith Eason, P.E., NCDOT