20151246_Scoping Comments_20110225

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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ?s /
MICHAEL F. EASLEY LYNDO TIi?k1T
GOVERNOR SECRETARY
February 18, 2011
Rob Ridings
NC Division of Water Quality
1650 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1650
Subject: Start of Study for Capital Boulevard Bridge Replacements at Peace Street and Wade Avenue
WBS No. 42263.1.1, TIP Project Nos. B-5121/B-5317, Raleigh, Wake County
Dear Mr. Ridings:
The Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch of the North Carolina Department of
Transportation (NCDOT) is preparing environmental documentation and engineering studies for the
replacement of the bridges at the interchanges of Capital Boulevard with Peace Street and Capital
Boulevard with Wade Avenue. Currently, both bridges have a substandard safety rating. The projects are
included in the NCDOT State Transportation Improvement program as Project Nos. B-5121 (Peace Street)
and B-5317 (Wade Avenue). Project No. B-5121 is scheduled for right of way acquisition in FY 2014 and
construction beginning in FY 2015 in the draft 2011-2020 STIP. Project No. B-5317 is scheduled for right
of way acquisition in FY 2016 and construction beginning in FY 2017 in the draft 201 1-2020 STIP.
Attached for your review and comments are the seeping information sheets for the proposed project. We
would appreciate any information you might have that would be helpful in evaluating potential
environmental impacts of the project. If applicable, please identify any permits or approvals that may be
required by your agency. A seeping meeting will be scheduled with NCDOT staff to discuss the proposed
project in more detail. In order to include your comments in our materials for this meeting, we would
appreciate your response by April 11, 2011. If you would like to attend the scoping meeting, please notify
the project engineer.
It is anticipated that a federally funded Categorical Exclusion will be prepared for this project. This
document will be prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act.
If you have any questions concerning the project,, please contact Mr.
Planning Engineer at [phone], Ext. 261. Please include
correspondence and comments.
Sincerely,
Vince Rhea, P.E., Consultant Unit
the TIP Project Numbers in all
Gregory J. Thorp _, Ph.D., DiFector
Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
Attachment
cc: Mr. Ron Hairr, Project Manager, KHA
Ms. Brenda Moore, P.E., Roadway Design, NCDOT
MAILING ADDRESS:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
1548 MAIL SERVICE CENTER
RALEIGH NC 27699-1548
TELEPHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
WEBSITE. WWW.NCDOT.ORG
LOCATION:
TRANSPORTATION BUILDING
1 SOUTH WILMINGTON STREET
RALEIGH NC
Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
Scoping Information Sheet
TIP No.: B-5121/B-5317
WBS No.: 42263.1.1
Federal Aid No:

Division: 5
Sent Date: February 18, 2011
Revision Date:
Meeting Date: Aril 26, 2011
County: Wake
Project Description:
The proposed project is to replace the bridges at the interchanges of Capital Boulevard
(US 70/US 401) with Peace Street (B-5121) and Capital Boulevard with Wade Avenue
(B-5317).
The proposed action is to address a sufficiency rating below 50 percent for both bridges.
Metropolitan / Rural Planning Organization Capital Area Metropolitan Planning
Area: Organization
NEPA/404 Merger Candidate?: FX Yes 0 No Not sure
Feasibility Study Completed?: =Yes=No Date
Type of Environmental Documents to be Prepared / Project Schedule:
Type: Dates:
Environmental Document: CE April 2012
Right of Way: FY 2014 B-5121 /FY 2016 B-5317
Let: FY 2015 B-5121 /FY 2017 B-5317
Air Quality Status: Non-attainment Maintenance Attainment
Design Criteria:
Length of Project Limits: 0.7 miles between Peace St and Wade Ave
Type of Access Control:
(Existing / Proposed)
Structure Inventory:
Functional
Classification:
Existing: No access control;
Proposed: To be studied.
There are two bridges (Bridge No. 227 at Peace St and Bridge
No. 213 at Wade Ave) within the project limits.
Capital Blvd: Freeway; Peace St: Collector; Wade Ave: Principal
Arterial
Strategic Corridor Information: N/A
SHEET 1 OF 5
CTP/Thoroughfare Plan
Designation (Facility Type):
Roadway Typical
Section:
(Existing / Proposed)
Capital Blvd: Principal Arterial, Peace St & Wade Ave:
Major Thoroughfare
Existing - Capital Blvd: Six lanes C&G, Peace St: 5 lanes C&G,
Wade Ave: Four lanes C&G
Proposed - Capital Blvd: Six lanes C&G, Peace St: 5 lanes C&G,
Wade Ave: Four lanes C&G
Typical Section in Compliance with Conformity Determination:
FX Yes = No
Right of Way:
(Existing / Proposed)
Existing: Unknown
Proposed: To be studied.
Existing Posted Capital Blvd: 55 mph Proposed Design Capital Blvd: 55 mph
Speed: Peace St: 35 mph Speed: Peace St: 35 mph
Wade Ave: 35 mph Wade Ave: 35 mph
Traff ic (AADT):
Current Year:
Design Year:
(2009) Capital Blvd: 58,800 vpd
Peace St: 18,000 vpd
Wade Ave: 28,000 v pd
(2035) Capital Blvd: 76,800 vpd
Peace St: 43,600 vpd
Wade Ave: Unknown
% TTST: 1%
O/C Dual: 2%
% DHV: 59% (Capital Blvd)
65% (Peace St east
of Capital Blvd)
52% (Peace St west
of Capital Blvd)
Wade Ave unknown
Design Standards Applicable: = AASHTO = 3R
Railroad Involvement:
N/A - Capital Boulevard is located between two sets of railroad tracks. Peace Street crosses
both tracks, and Wade Avenue crosses the western (Norfolk Southern) track.
Cost Estimate:
TIP Estimate':
Current Estimate:
Construction: Riaht of Wav: Total Cost:
$16,285,000 $2,593,000 $18,878,000
TBD TBD TBD
' Includes both STIP Projects B-5121 and B-5317
SHEET 2 OF 5
Natural / Human Environmental Information (include
comments from aqencies):
Bridge No. 227 on Capital Boulevard at Peace Street was built in 1948 and has a sufficiency rating of
42.9 out of a possible 100. Bridge No. 213 on Capital Boulevard at Wade Avenue was built in 1954, has
a sufficiency rating of 34.1, and is posted with a limit of 23 tons for single vehicles and 27 for tractor
trailers. Both bridges are structurally deficient and functionally obsolete.
Mapping. The proposed project is located in the Raleigh West USGS topographic quadrangle. GIS data
is available for the project study area.
Streams and Rivers. Capital Boulevard runs parallel to Pigeon House Branch, which also crosses under
Wade Avenue. This section of Pigeon House Branch is classified as Nutrient Sensitive Waters (NSW) by
the Division of Water Quality (DWQ), and is part of the Neuse River Basin. It also is included in
NCDWQ's 2010303(d) List with an aquatic life Use Support Rating of Impaired.
No Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW) or High Quality Waters (HOW) occur within the project study
area. The study area is situated in the NCDWQ Sub-basin 03-04-02. The 14-digit Hydrologic Unit Code
(HUC) is #03020201080020. It is within an area designated as a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System (NPDES) Phase II area.
Wetlands. There are no wetlands in the project study area.
Historic Properties. According to the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office website, the
Raleigh Cotton Mill is state-listed and eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The
Cotton Mill is located in the northwest quadrant of Capital Boulevard and Peace Street. The Roanoke
Park Historic District overlaps with the study area near Fairview Road west of the railroad track.
Endangered and Threatened Species. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) lists four endangered
species for Wake County. According to the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program database, an
additional 34 species in Wake County are state-listed threatened or endangered, but no federally-
threatened, endangered, or species of concern listed have been documented within a 2-mile radius of the
proposed project corridor.
SHEET 3 OF 5
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Legend Vicinity Map
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OF Streams Public Open Areas TIC Projects B-5121 & B-5317
Jar, TRAPISPORTATiCN 11 HU7I1WaV'_i 0 Wake County ir,lt? Eou evard Bridge Repiacement
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?•: TR411 t:?uRT?PCN - Railroads TIP Pr'?iect_ B-5121 & B-5
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SHEET 5 OF 5
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• NCDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Beverly Eaves Perdue Coleen H. Sullins Dee Freeman
Governor Director Secretary
March 10, 2011
MEMORANDUM
TO: Gregory J. Thorpe, Ph.D., Director, NCDOT PDEA
FROM: Rob Ridings, NCDWQ Transportation Permitting Unit
SUBJECT: Scoping Review of NCDOT's Proposed Bridge Replacement Projects: B-5121 & B-5317
in Wake County.
Reference your correspondence dated received February 25, 2011 in which you requested comments for
the referenced project. Preliminary analysis of the project reveals the potential for impacts to perennial
streams and riparian buffers in the project area. Streams in the project area include:

Stream Name River Basin & Stream
I

Stream Index Number

301 Listing?
Subbasin Classifications
Pigeon House NEU 02 C; NSW 27-33-18 Yes.
Branch
Williamson Branch NEU 02 C; NSW 27-33-18-1 No.
Further investigations at a higher resolution should be undertaken to verify the presence of other streams
and/or jurisdictional wetlands in the area. In the event that anyjurisdictional areas are identified, the
Division of Water Quality requests that NCDOT (or the consultant(s) that requested the comments)
consider the following environmental issues for the proposed project:
Project-Specific Comments

Pigeon House Branch and Williamson Branch are class C, NSW waters of the state. Additionally,
Pigeon House Branch is listed as 303(d) impaired waters of the State. NCDWQ is very concerned
with sediment and erosion impacts that could result from this project. NCDWQ recommends that
the most protective sediment and erosion control BMPs be implemented in accordance with Design
-Standards in Sensitive Watersheds to reduce the risk'ofnutrient runoff-to these waters. NCDWQ - - --
requests that road design plans provide treatment of the storm water'runoff through best
management practices as detailed in the most recent version of NCDWQ Stormwater Best
Management Practices.
2. This project is within the Neuse River Basin. Riparian buffer impacts shall be avoided and
minimized to the greatest extent possible pursuant to 15A NCAC 2B.0233.
Transportation Permitting Unit - One
.1650 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1650 N???fffOTthCaTO11Da
_ iftlirall
Phone, 919-807-63011 FAX. [phone] NKs•
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Internet: http:llh2o.enrstatenc.uslnm6tiandsl., .• r •? K LL"/?
An Equal Opportunity 1 Affirmative Action Employer

3. Any anticipated bank stabilization associated with culvert installations or extensions should be
addressed igthe Categorical Exclusion (CE) document and permit applications: It is understood that
final designs are not determined at the time the CE is developed. However, the CE should discuss
the potential for bank stabilization necessary due to culvert installation.
4. Any anticipated dewatering or access structures necessary for construction of bridges should be
addressed in the CE and permit applications. It is understood that final designs are not determined at
the time the CE is developed. However, the CE should discuss the potential for dewatering and
access measures necessary due to bridge construction.
General Comments Regarding Bridge Replacement Projects
I. NCDWQ is very concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that could result from this project.
NCDOT shall address these concerns by describing the potential impacts that may occur to the
aquatic environments and any mitigating factors that would reduce the impacts.
2. If foundation test borings are necessary; it shall be noted in the document. Geotechnical work is
approved under General 401 Certification Number 3687/Nationwide Permit No. 6 for Survey
Activities.
3. If a bridge is being replaced with a hydraulic conveyance other than another bridge, NCDWQ
believes the use of a Nationwide Permit may be required. Please contact the US Army Corp of
Engineers to determine the required permit(s).
4. If the old bridge is removed, no discharge of bridge material into surface waters is allowed unless
otherwise authorized by the US ACOE. Strict adherence to the Corps of Engineers guidelines for
bridge demolition will be a condition of the 401 Water Quality Certification.
5. Whenever possible, NCDWQ prefers spanning structures. Spanning structures usually do not -
require work within the stream or grubbing of the streambanks and do not require stream channel
realignment. The horizontal and vertical clearances provided by bridges shall allow for human and
wildlife passage beneath the structure. Fish passage and navigation by canoeists and boaters shall
not be blocked. Bridge supports (bents) should not be placed in the stream when possible.
6. Bridge deck drains shall not discharge directly into the stream. Stormwater shall be directed across
the bridge and pre-treated through site-appropriate means (grassed swales, pre-formed scour holes,
vegetated buffers, etc.) before entering the stream. Please refer to the most current version of
NCDWQ's Stormwater Best Management Practices.
7. If concrete is used during construction, a dry work area shall be maintained to prevent direct contact
between curing concrete and stream water. Water that inadvertently contacts uncured concrete shall
not be discharged to surface waters due to the potential for elevated pH and possible aquatic life and
8. If temporary access roads or detours are constructed, the site shall be graded to its preconstruction
contours and elevations. Disturbed areas shall be seeded or mulched to stabilize the soil and
appropriate native woody species shall be planted. When using temporary structures the area shall ,
be cleared but not grubbed. Clearing the area with chain saws, mowers, bush-hogs, or. other
mechanized equipment and leaving the stumps and root mat intact allows the area to re-vegetate
naturally and minimizes soil disturbance.
9. Sediment and erosion control measures sufficient to protect water resources must be implemented
and maintained in accordance with the most recent version of North Carolina Sediment and Erosion
Control Planning and Design Manual and the most recent version of NCS000250.

10. All work in or adjacent to stream waters shall be conducted in a dry work area unless otherwise
approved by'NCDWQ. Apprbved BMP measures from the most current version of NCDOT "
Construction and Maintenance Activities manual such as sandbags, rock berms, cofferdams and
other diversion structures shall be used to prevent excavation in flowing water.
11. Heavy equipment shall be operated from the bank rather than in stream channels in order to
minimize sedimentation and reduce the likelihood of introducing other pollutants into streams. This
equipment shall be inspected daily and maintained to prevent contamination of surface waters from
leaking fuels, lubricants, hydraulic fluids, or other toxic materials.
12. In most cases, the NCDWQ prefers the replacement of the existing structure at the same location
with road closure. If road closure is not feasible, a temporary detour shall be designed and located
to avoid wetland impacts, minimize the need for clearing and to avoid destabilizing stream banks.
If the structure will be on a new alignment, the old structure shall be removed and the approach fills
removed from the 100-year floodplain. Approach fills shall be removed and restored to the natural
ground elevation. The area shall be stabilized with grass and planted with native tree species. Tall
fescue shall not be used in riparian areas.
General Comments if Replacing the Bridge with a Culvert
Placement of culverts and other structures in waters, streams, and wetlands shall be below the
elevation of the streambed by one foot for all culverts with a diameter greater than 48 inches, and 20
percent of the culvert diameter for culverts having a diameter less than 48 inches, to allow low flow
passage of water and aquatic life. Design and placement of culverts and other structures including
temporary erosion control measures shall not be conducted in a manner that may result in dis-
equilibrium of wetlands or streambeds or banks, adjacent to or upstream and down stream of the
above structures. The applicant is required to provide evidence that the equilibrium is being
maintained if requested in writing by NCDWQ. If this condition is unable to be met due to bedrock
or other limiting features encountered during construction, please contact the NCDWQ for guidance
on how to proceed and to determine whether or not a permit modification will be required.
2. If multiple pipes or barrels are required, they shall be designed to mimic natural stream cross section
as closely as possible including pipes or barrels at flood plain elevation, floodplain benches and/or
sills may be required where appropriate. Widening the stream channel shall be avoided. Stream
channel widening at the inlet or outlet end of structures typically decreases water velocity causing
sediment deposition that requires increased maintenance and disrupts aquatic life passage.
3. Riprap shall not be placed in the active thalweg channel or placed in the streambed in a manner that
precludes aquatic life passage. Bioengineering boulders or structures shall be properly designed,
sized and installed.
.
.Thank youforrequegting our input at,thisdime.. NCDWT is reminded that issuance of .a 40I,Water.
Quality Certification requires that appropriate measures be instituted to ensure that water quality
standards are met and designated uses are not degraded or lost. If you have any questions or require
additional information, please contact Rob Ridings at 919-807-6403.
cc: Eric Alsmeyer, US Army Corps of Engineers, Raleigh Field Office
Chris Murray, Division 5 Environmental Officer
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