20120285 Ver 1_Merger Process Documentation_20080205

�J Turnpike Authority
Gaston East-West Connector
GasWn and Mecklenburg Counties
STIP No. U-3321
Mexgex Pxoceee Concvrxence Poi�rt 2a - PxopoeeA Appxoacli
Handwt 1—Pebruaxy 5, 2008
ihenext step intM mngn process FortheGazmn EazbWest Co`viecmrprojectis
Conc�vxenre Polrit2a (CP2a)-6nd�ng andAlig�muit Aev3ew. AtCP2a,'tM profect
team w3ll 3dentify bndgeloations and lmgtlss,aM drte�mvie wtuchnatwalresrnvices
rrarit additional avmdancemeasurzs. iM teazn will review tM preliminary desig�s
maidewfy any ctanges tlutmay be neededbefore finalizationoF tM preliminary
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1mn is m descnbe tM proposed approach and mrequest your commmt andinput
before fssaliz3ngtheagsaachaM proceedssig w3thpreparations ForMe Q2a meetvig.
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�s�ss.

The approach is described below.
• Bridge Locations. There are 20 crossings having a bridge as the recommended
preliminary crossing structure based on hydraulic considerations.
Triple-Box Culverts. There are 6 crossings having a triple-box culvert as the
recommended preliminary crossing structure based on hydraulic considerations.
A cost comparison of these culverts versus bridges will be prepared for the
meeting.
Hi¢h Quality Wetland Crossin�s. Of the 26 high quality wetlands identified
within the detailed study corridors, 12 are crossed by the preliminary
engineering designs. Of these twelve, six are not at a recommended bridge or
triple-box culvert location (crossings already identified in the bullets above), and
will be added to the list of crossings to be discussed.
303d Listed Stream Crossin¢s. Each crossing of a 303d listed stream that has a
major hydraulic structure recommended will be discussed. Within the project
study area, three water resources: Abemethy Creek, Catawba Creek, and
Crowders Creek, are designated as biologically impaired water bodies regulated
under the Fina12006 provisions of the Clean Water Act (CWA) 303(d). (NCDENR
2006b). Abemethy Creek is not crossed by the proposed preliminary engineering
designs. Crossings of Catawba Creek and Crowders Creek are recommended to
be bridges, so they have already been included in the list of crossings to discuss
at the CP2a meeting.
• Major Non-Bridge Crossin�s. Each major non-bridge crossing not already
included from the bullets above will be reviewed by the projecYs engineering
team to identify those where a bridge may be more cost-effective than the culvert
or pipe recommended for hydraulic purposes. The engineering team will use
engineering judgment and review factors such as the height of fill at the crossing,
the existing topography, potential length of a bridge, and the length of stream
impact to identify locations where a cost comparison should be conducted. The
cost comparisons will be completed and presented at the CP2a meeting. At this
time, it is not known how many crossings will be identified for a cost
comparison.

Based on the approach described above, it is estimated there will be a minimum of
approximately 32 major crossings to be presented and discussed at the CP2a meeting;
plus the structure locations where a cost comparison was prepared and a bridge was
calculated to be more cost effective than the non-bridge structure. Major crossings not
discussed at the meeting will retain the preliminary major structure recommended in the
Final Preliminary Hydraulic Technical Memorandum for purposes of reporting in the
Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Please note there will be another opportunity
for review of stream/wetland crossings at the CP4a meeting that will be held for the
Preferred Altemative.
Prior to the CP2a meeting, tables and maps showing all the major crossings, wetlands,
and streams in relation to the preliminary engineering designs will be provided. Also,
members of the Merger Team can request specific additional crossings to be added to
the discussion agenda.
Please respond as soon as possible with your input regarding the approach described
above. For your reference, the NRTR (without impact calculations), the Final
Preliminary Hydraulic Technical Memorandum, and the NRTR Field Visit Summary are
all posted on the NCTA TEAC website.