20201519 Ver 1_BR-0108 CE 01.22.20_Final-Signed_20210111

1 Form date 4/25/17

Type I and II Ground Disturbing Categorical Exclusion Action
Classification Form

TIP Project No. BR-0108
WBS Element 67108.1.1
Federal Project No. N/A

A. Project Description:

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) proposes to replace Bridge No.
4 on South Windy Gap Road (S.R. 2418) over Little Hunting Creek in Wilkes County. The
bridge will be replaced on the existing alignment while detouring traffic offsite during
construction. (See attached figures.)
Bridge No. 4 was originally built in 1960 and reconstructed in 1987. The existing structure
is 41 feet long with a deck width of 25 feet. The structure is a timber floor on salvaged I-
Beams with timber substructure. NCDOT proposes to construct a 70 foot long single span
structure with a deck width of 30 feet. The new structure will include 10-foot lanes and
variable width shoulders that average 3-foot, 11-inches. The length of the overall
improvement project is 510 feet. The project is scheduled for Right of Way (ROW) in
January 2020 and Let in July 2020.
B. Description of Need and Purpose:
The purpose of the proposed project is to replace a deficient bridge. NCDOT Structure
Management Unit (SMU) records indicate Bridge No. 4 has a sufficiency rating of 48.41 out
of a possible 100 for a new structure. The bridge is considered structurally deficient due to
insufficient load-carrying capacity and a superstructure condition rating of 4 out of a
possible 9.
The replacement of Bridge No. 4 is part of the Growing Rural Economy and Agriculture
through Transportation and Technology Enhancement or Replacement in North Carolina
(GREATTER-NC) Project under the United States Department of Transportation’s 2018
Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant program. The
purpose of the grant and this bridge replacement project is to provide transportation
infrastructure to support economic development and improve physical and digital
connectivity in rural communities in North Carolina. The posted weight restriction (23 tons
for single vehicle and 29 tons for a truck/tractor/semitrailer) on Bridge No. 4 prohibits large
or heavy vehicles, typically used in transporting agricultural and manufactured products,
from using the bridge. Vehicles above the posted weight must detour approximately 1.3
miles to avoid the bridge. Replacing the existing bridge will eliminate posted weight limits
by providing a safe crossing for all legal loads and will make accommodations for
broadband installation in order to support economic competitiveness.  
C. Categorical Exclusion Action Classification:

☒ TYPE I A

DocuSign Envelope ID: A7F67EB8-9EAC-4FDD-BE16-047652DB3EA2
2 Form date 4/25/17

D. Proposed Improvements:

28. Bridge rehabilitation, reconstruction, or replacement or the construction of grade
separation to replace existing at-grade railroad crossings, if the actions meet the
constraints in 23 CFR 771.117(e)(1-6).

E. Special Project Information:
Offsite Detour:
The proposed 1.3-mile offsite detour for this project is on Little Hunting Creek Road (S.R.
2419) and Bowman Branch Road (S.R. 2420) as shown on the Detour Map.
Wilkes County Emergency Services indicated a low impact to response services if the
bridge were closed for up to a year. Wilkes County Schools staff indicated a high impact
on overall school transportation if the bridge were closed for up to a year.
NCDOT should coordinate with Wilkes County Emergency Services (Mr. Timothy
Pennington, 336.651.7363) and with Wilkes County Public Schools (Mr. Eric Barker,
336.667.1126) at least one month prior to construction.
Cost:
The estimated costs of the proposed project are as follows:
Right of Way: $ 24,000
Utilities: $ 24,000
Construction: $ 600,000
Total: $ 648,000
Design:
Design Standards: Sub-regional Tier
Design Speed: 30 miles per hour (mph)
Design Exceptions (horizontal): Design speed of 30 mph and stopping sight distance for
20 mph.
Construction Type: Replace in-place
Estimated Traffic:
Average Daily Traffic 2020: 120 vehicles per day
Average Daily Traffic 2045: 240 vehicles per day
Alternatives Discussion:
No Build – The no build alternative would result in eventually closing the road, which is
unacceptable given the volume of traffic served by South Windy Gap Road (S.R. 2418).
Rehabilitation – The bridge was originally constructed in 1960. The timber materials within
the bridge are reaching the end of their useful life. Rehabilitation would require replacing
the timber components, which would constitute effectively replacing the bridge.
Replace In-Place with Onsite Detour – An onsite detour was not evaluated due to the
presence of an acceptable offsite detour. A temporary onsite detour would unnecessarily
increase temporary project impacts to Little Hunting Creek.
DocuSign Envelope ID: A7F67EB8-9EAC-4FDD-BE16-047652DB3EA2
3 Form date 4/25/17

Replace In-Place using Staged Construction – Staged construction was not considered
because of the availability of an acceptable offsite detour.
Replace on New Alignment – Given that the alignment for South Windy Gap Road is
acceptable, and a new alignment would unnecessarily increase project impacts (especially
to Little Hunting Creek), replacing the bridge on new alignment was not considered as an
alternative.
Replace In-Place with Offsite Detour (Preferred) – Bridge No. 4 will be replaced on the
existing alignment. Traffic will be detoured offsite (see attached Detour Map) during the
construction period. The offsite detour for this project (approximately 1.3 miles in length)
would include South Windy Gap Road, Little Hunting Creek Road (S.R. 2419) and
Bowman Branch Road (S.R.2420).
Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodations:
This portion of South Windy Gap Road is not designated as a bicycle route. No specific
accommodations will be included in the project.
Human Environment:
Cultural Resources
Under NCDOT’s programmatic agreement with the NC State Historic Preservation Office
(SHPO) for bridge replacement projects, NCDOT reviewed the study area to determine the
potential for historic architectural and archeological resources. The reviews concluded no
survey required for historic architecture and archeological resources.
Environmental Justice
While census data indicates low-income populations are present in the Demographic
Study Area (DSA), no notably adverse community impacts are anticipated with this project;
thus impacts to minority or low-income populations do not appear to be disproportionately
high and adverse. Benefits and burdens resulting from the project are anticipated to be
equitably distributed throughout the community. No disparate impacts are anticipated
under Title VI and related statutes.
Natural Environment:
Water Resources
Water resources within the project study area include Little Hunting Creek and two
unnamed tributaries to Little Hunting Creek. The best usage classification for all three
resources is WS-III.
The project is located in the Yadkin – Pee Dee River Basin and is not subject to NCDEQ
regulated riparian buffer rules.
Three potential jurisdictional streams and one potential jurisdictional wetland are located in
the study area.
The floodplain associated with Little Hunting Creek at the project site is identified as Zone
AE.
Threatened and Endangered Species
As summarized in the July 2019 Natural Resources Technical Report (NRTR), and
subsequent memorandum, NCDOT anticipates to have no effects on any federally-
protected species.
DocuSign Envelope ID: A7F67EB8-9EAC-4FDD-BE16-047652DB3EA2
4 Form date 4/25/17

Anticipated Permit or Consultation Requirements:
A Nationwide Permit (NWP) will likely be required for impacts to “Waters of the United
States” resulting from this project.
In addition, an NCDWR Section 401 Water Quality General Certification (GC) may be
required prior to the issuance of a Section 404 Permit. The USACE holds the final
discretion as to what permit will be required to authorize project construction.
Since completion of the NRTR, the gray bat (Myotis grisescens) has been added to the
threatened and endangered species list for Wilkes County by the US Fish and Wildlife
Service (USFWS) as of 11/13/19. NCDOT’s Biological Surveys Group will survey the
project study area as appropriate for this species. Construction authorization will not be
provided, and work on the Project will not start, until consultation with the USFWS is
complete. NCDOT’s Environmental Analysis Unit (EAU) will coordinate as appropriate with
the USFWS under Section 7 until concurrence is obtained. This commitment is noted in
the green sheet / project commitments.
Public Outreach:
A newsletter was distributed in the mail to notify the public of the proposed project and
proposed detour during the construction period. The newsletter provided contact
information for the public if they had any questions or comments. The public comment
period was open from December 17, 2019 to January 10, 2020. No comments have been
received to date.
Tribal coordination letters were distributed on December 16, 2019 to the Eastern Band of
Cherokee Indians (EBCI), the Catawba Indian Nation, the Cherokee Nation, and the
United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee. Comments on the proposed project were
requested by January 17, 2020. NCDOT received responses from the Cherokee Nation
and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee; however, neither response indicated the
presence of any previously unknown resources. The Cherokee Nation requested that,
should any items of cultural significance be discovered as the project progresses, NCDOT
cease all work and contact the tribe immediately for further consultation. In addition, it was
requested that NCDOT coordinate with other appropriate tribal and cultural resource
representatives regarding any other potential resources not included in the Cherokee
Nation’s records; as noted in this document, NCDOT has completed this coordination.

DocuSign Envelope ID: A7F67EB8-9EAC-4FDD-BE16-047652DB3EA2
5 Form date 4/25/17

F. Project Impact Criteria Checklists:

Type I & II - Ground Disturbing Actions
FHWA APPROVAL ACTIVITIES THRESHOLD CRITERIA
If any of questions 1-7 are marked “yes” then the CE will require FHWA approval. Yes No
1 Does the project require formal consultation with U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (USFWS) or National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)? ☐ ☒ 
2 Does the project result in impacts subject to the conditions of the Bald and
Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGPA)? ☐ ☒ 
3 Does the project generate substantial controversy or public opposition, for any
reason, following appropriate public involvement? ☐ ☒ 
4 Does the project cause disproportionately high and adverse impacts relative to
low-income and/or minority populations? ☐ ☒ 
5 Does the project involve a residential or commercial displacement, or a
substantial amount of right of way acquisition? ☐ ☒ 
6 Does the project require an Individual Section 4(f) approval? ☐ ☒ 
7
Does the project include adverse effects that cannot be resolved with a
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) under Section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act (NHPA) or have an adverse effect on a National Historic
Landmark (NHL)?
☐ ☒ 
If any of questions 8 through 31 are marked “yes” then additional information will be required for those
questions in Section G.
Other Considerations Yes No 
8
Does the project result in a finding of “may affect not likely to adversely affect”
for listed species, or designated critical habitat under Section 7 of the
Endangered Species Act (ESA)? ☐ ☒ 
9 Is the project located in anadromous fish spawning waters? ☐ ☒
10
Does the project impact waters classified as Outstanding Resource Water
(ORW), High Quality Water (HQW), Water Supply Watershed Critical Areas,
303(d) listed impaired water bodies, buffer rules, or Submerged Aquatic
Vegetation (SAV)?
☐ ☒
11 Does the project impact waters of the United States in any of the designated
mountain trout streams? ☐ ☒
12 Does the project require a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Individual
Section 404 Permit? ☐ ☒
13 Will the project require an easement from a Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (FERC) licensed facility? ☐ ☒
14 Does the project include a Section 106 of the NHPA effects determination
other than a no effect, including archaeological remains? ☐ ☒
DocuSign Envelope ID: A7F67EB8-9EAC-4FDD-BE16-047652DB3EA2
6 Form date 4/25/17

Other Considerations (continued) Yes No
15 Does the project involve hazardous materials and/or landfills? ☐ ☒ 
16
Does the project require work encroaching and adversely affecting a
regulatory floodway or work affecting the base floodplain (100-year flood)
elevations of a water course or lake, pursuant to Executive Order 11988 and
23 CFR 650 subpart A?
☒ ☐
17
Is the project in a Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) county and
substantially affects the coastal zone and/or any Area of Environmental
Concern (AEC)?
☐ ☒
18 Does the project require a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) permit? ☐ ☒
19 Does the project involve construction activities in, across, or adjacent to a
designated Wild and Scenic River present within the project area? ☐ ☒
20 Does the project involve Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA) resources? ☐ ☒
21 Does the project impact federal lands (e.g. U.S. Forest Service (USFS),
USFWS, etc.) or Tribal Lands? ☐ ☒
22 Does the project involve any changes in access control? ☐ ☒
23 Does the project have a permanent adverse effect on local traffic patterns or
community cohesiveness? ☐ ☒
24 Will maintenance of traffic cause substantial disruption? ☐ ☒
25
Is the project inconsistent with the STIP or the Metropolitan Planning
Organization’s (MPO’s) Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) (where
applicable)? ☐ ☒
26
Does the project require the acquisition of lands under the protection of
Section 6(f) of the Land and Water Conservation Act, the Federal Aid in Fish
Restoration Act, the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, Tennessee Valley
Authority (TVA), or other unique areas or special lands that were acquired in
fee or easement with public-use money and have deed restrictions or
covenants on the property?
☐ ☒
27 Does the project involve Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
buyout properties under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)? ☐ ☒
28 Does the project include a de minimis or programmatic Section 4(f)? ☐ ☒
29 Is the project considered a Type I under the NCDOT's Noise Policy? ☐ ☒
30 Is there prime or important farmland soil impacted by this project as defined by
the Farmland Protection Policy Act (FPPA)? ☐ ☒
31 Are there other issues that arose during the project development process that
affected the project decision? ☐ ☒ 

Response to Question 8: Since completion of the NRTR, the gray bat (Myotis grisescens)
has been added to the threatened and endangered species list for Wilkes County by the US
Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as of 11/13/19. NCDOT’s Biological Surveys Group will
survey the project study area as appropriate for this species. Construction authorization will not
be provided, and work on the Project will not start, until consultation with the USFWS is
complete. The NCDOT EAU will coordinate with the USFWS under Section 7 until concurrence
is obtained. This commitment is noted in the green sheet / project commitments.

DocuSign Envelope ID: A7F67EB8-9EAC-4FDD-BE16-047652DB3EA2
7 Form date 4/25/17

Response to Question 16: This project involves construction activities on or adjacent to
FEMA-regulated stream(s). Therefore, the Division shall submit sealed as-built construction
plans to the Hydraulics Unit upon completion of project construction, certifying that the
drainage structure(s) and roadway embankment that are located within the 100-year floodplain
were built as shown in the construction plans, both horizontally and vertically.
The Hydraulics Unit will coordinate with the NC Floodplain Mapping Program (FMP) to
determine status of the project with regard to applicability of NCDOT’s Memorandum of
Agreement, or approval of a Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR) and subsequent
final Letter of Map Revision (LOMR). This is noted in the green sheet / project commitments.
DocuSign Envelope ID: A7F67EB8-9EAC-4FDD-BE16-047652DB3EA2
8 Form date 4/25/17

H. Project Commitments

Wilkes County
Replace Bridge 4 on South Windy Gap Road (S.R. 2418) over Little Hunting Creek.
WBS No. 67108.1.1
TIP No. BR-0108

NCDOT Environmental Analysis Unit (EAU)/ Biological Surveys Group (BSG) - Complete
Section 7 Consultation
NCDOT’s Biological Surveys Group will survey the project study area as appropriate for the
gray bat (Myotis grisescens). Construction authorization will not be provided, and work on the
Project will not start, until consultation with the USFWS under Section 7 is complete. EAU will
continue to survey and coordinate with the USFWS and/or USACE until concurrence is
obtained.
NCDOT Division 11 - Continued Coordination with Emergency Services
NCDOT should coordinate with Wilkes County Emergency Services (Mr. Timothy Pennington,
336.651.7363) at least one month prior to construction.
NCDOT Division 11 - Continued Coordination with School Transportation Services
NCDOT should coordinate with Wilkes County Public Schools (Mr. Eric Barker, 336.667.1126)
at least one month prior to construction.
NCDOT Division 11 Construction, NCDOT Structures Management Unit (SMU) - FEMA
Floodplains and Floodways
This project involves construction activities on or adjacent to FEMA-regulated stream(s).
Therefore, the Division shall submit sealed as-built construction plans to the Hydraulics Unit
upon completion of project construction, certifying that the drainage structure(s) and roadway
embankment that are located within the 100-year floodplain were built as shown in the
construction plans, both horizontally and vertically.
NCDOT Hydraulics Unit - Floodplain Mapping Coordination
The Hydraulics Unit will coordinate with the NC Floodplain Mapping Program (FMP), to
determine status of project with regard to applicability of NCDOT’S Memorandum of
Agreement, or approval of a Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR) and subsequent
final Letter of Map Revision (LOMR).
NCDOT Division 11 Construction - Tribal Coordination
In the event any tribal artifacts, items of cultural significance, and/or human remains are
located during the course of the project, the NCDOT Division 11 Construction Engineer’s
Office will notify Matt Wilkerson, NCDOT Cultural Resources Archaeology Team lead, at
[phone] or [e-mail] to coordinate with the appropriate tribal entities,
including the Cherokee Nation and/or Catawba Indian Nation.

DocuSign Envelope ID: A7F67EB8-9EAC-4FDD-BE16-047652DB3EA2
9 Form date 4/25/17

I. Categorical Exclusion Approval

TIP Project No. BR-0108
WBS Element 67108.1.1
Federal Project No. N/A

Prepared By:

1/22/2020
Date Darren Even, AICP, Senior Planner
Dewberry Engineers Inc.

Prepared For:

Reviewed By:

Date Philip S. Harris, III, PE, Environmental Analysis Unit
North Carolina Department of Transportation

☒ Approved
If all of the threshold questions (1 through 7) of
Section F are answered “no,” NCDOT approves this
Categorical Exclusion.

☐ Certified
If any of the threshold questions (1 through 7) of
Section F are answered “yes,” NCDOT certifies this
Categorical Exclusion.

Date Kevin Fischer, PE, Assistant State Structures Engineer
Structures Management Unit
North Carolina Department of Transportation

FHWA Approved: For Projects Certified by NCDOT (above), FHWA signature
required.

N/A
Date John F. Sullivan, III, PE, Division Administrator
Federal Highway Administration

NCDOT Structures Management Unit
DocuSign Envelope ID: A7F67EB8-9EAC-4FDD-BE16-047652DB3EA2
1/23/2020
1/23/2020