20120285 Ver 1_Meeting Minutes_20080205

oNORTH CAROLINA
Turnpike Authority
Gaston East -West Connector
Gaston and Mecklenburg Counties
STIP No U -3321
Merger Process Concurrence Point 2a — Proposed Approach
Handout 1— February 5, 2008
The next step in the merger process for the Gaston East West Connector project is
Concurrence Point 2a (CP2a) - Bridging and Alignment Review At CP2a the project
team will identify bridge locations and lengths and determine which natural resources
warrant additional avoidance measures The team will review the preliminary designs
to identify any changes that may be needed before finalization of the preliminary
engineering and completion of the environmental document Additionally the need for
expensive structural items such as wildlife crossings large retaining walls special
pedestrian accommodations etc will be considered at this time
(http / /www ncdot or /g doh /1reconstruct /pe/MERGER01 /)
Due to the large size of the project NCTA would like to propose a methodology to focus
on the major stream crossings to be discussed at the CP2a meeting The purpose of this
letter is to describe the proposed approach and to request your comment and input
before finalizing the approach and proceeding with preparations for the CP2a meeting
The studies that provide the data needed for the CP2a meeting have been completed
Namely these include the Final Preliminary Hydraulic Technical Memorandum the
preliminary engineering designs and the Final Natural Resources Technical Report
(with impact calculations) (The draft NRTR was reviewed by NCTA and NCDOT and
their comments have been incorporated into the version of the NRTR to be used for
CP2a but this version has not yet been formally approved as final)
Based on the hydraulic analysis there are a total of 129 crossings having a
recommended structure equal to or larger than a 72 inch pipe (major crossings) (see
attached overview map from the Final Preliminary Hydraulic Technical Memorandum
For this large number of major crossings present on the Gaston East West Connector a
screening approach is proposed to identify those most important for the Merger Team to
discuss

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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
• High Quality Wetland Crossings 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 Crossings 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 Abernethy Creek Catawba Creek and
Crowders Creek are designated as biologically impaired water bodies regulated
under the Final 2006 provisions of the Clean Water Act (CWA) 303(d) (NCDENR
2006b) Abernethy 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 Crossings Each major non bridge crossing not already
included from the bullets above will be reviewed by the project s 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 Alternative
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

aston East-West Connector
Agenda
August 12, 2009
30OPM to500PM
Purpose Discuss comments received from the agencies and the public on the Draft EIS
introduce information in order to achieve agreement on the Least Environmentally
Damaging Practicable Alternative and Preferred Alternative
Previous Action Items Obtain concurrence for Concurrence Points 1 2 and 2a
New Action Items Agencies review information provided for further discussion on Least
Environmentally Damaging Practicable Alternative and Preferred Alternative at September
8 2009 TEAC meeting
Post Draft EIS Activities
Archaeological investigations
Quantitative ICE Scoping
Practical Design Workshop
Project Issues of Concern
Public Comments
Agency Comments
Wrap Up / Next StepsFW7T-..J
TEAC Meeting — September 8, 2009
6 Preferred Alternative Report
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10110 NORTH CAROLINA
Turnpike Authority
Gaston East -West Connector
Gaston and Mecklenburg Counties
STIP No U -3321
Merger Process Concurrence Point 4B — Hydraulic Review
Project Description
The Gaston East West Connector also known as the Garden Parkway would be a
controlled access toll road extending from 185 west of Gastonia in Gaston County to
1485 near the Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Mecklenburg County
A Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS) was published in April 24 2009
The Draft EIS evaluated twelve Detailed Study Alternatives (DSAs) with DSA 9
identified as the Recommended Alternative Public Hearings were held in June 2009
Based on the Draft EIS and comments received during the public review period the
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) North Carolina Turnpike Authority (NCTA)
and North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) identified DSA 9 as the
Preferred Alternative and documented this alternative in the Final EIS published in
December 2010
Final roadway design and schematic hydraulic design have been completed for the
portion of the project from NC 279 (S New Hope Road) to the project terminus east of
I -485 an approximately 6 mile section including mainline bridge crossings of the South
Fork Catawba and Catawba Rivers This section is highlighted in Figure 1
Project Schedule
• Concurrence Point 1 Purpose and Need
• Concurrence Point 2 Detailed Study Alternatives
• Concurrence Point 2A Bridging
• Draft EIS
• Concurrence Point 3 LEDPA
• Concurrence Point 4A Avoidance & Minimization
• Final EIS
• Concurrence Point 4B Hydraulic Review
• Concurrence Point 4C Permit Drawing Review
• Record of Decision
• Submit Permit Application
• Award Construction Contracts
• Open to Traffic
June 9 2011
Complete Oct 2008
Complete Oct 2008
Complete Oct 2008
Complete Apr 2009
Complete Oct 2009
Complete Feb 2010
Complete Dec 2010
June 9 2011
August 10/11 2011
Late August
Late August
March 2012
Dec 2015

Gaston East Y['est Connector (STIP U 3321)
Concurrence For m — CP 41 CP #2 CP 92a
September 23 2008
The Project Team concurred on this date of with CP 91 — Purpose and Need
CP #2 — Detailed Study Alternatives and CP2a — Bridging and Alignment Decisions
USACE
USFWS
NCTA
NCDW
NCDCR
I' •
FHWA
USEPA
NCDOT
NCWRC

W A T F9QG
r
Michael F Easley Governor /
William G Ross Jr Secretary 11111 C
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Coleen H Sullins Director
Division of Water Quality
August 2 2007
Ms Kimberly D Berets
PBS &J
5200 — 77 Center Drive Suite 500
Charlotte NC 28217
SUBJECT On Site Determination for Applicability to the Mitigation Rules [15A
NCAC 2H 0506(h)], Gaston East West Connector, Gaston County
Dear Ms Berets
Polly Lespinasse of the Division of Water Quality (DWQ) and Steve Lund of the U S Army Corps of
Engineers met with various representatives from The Catena Group J H Carter & Associates and
S &ME on April 12 13 2007 May 2 3 2007 May 10 -11 2007 and June 25 26 2007 in order to
provide verification of potential jurisdictional features previously identified by these consulting firms for
the above referenced project These features were evaluated for applicability to the mitigation rules
set forth in [15A NCAC 2H 0506(h)] The maps containing the project corridor were provided in the
final jurisdictional verification package received by this office on July 26 2007 and the jurisdictional
features are approximated on this map
Due to the size of the project a selection of sites were identified and visited to represent stream and
wetland determinations conducted by the above referenced firms Several changes were made to the
stream determinations wetland boundaries and wetland quality rating sheets based on the field
verifications These changes were submitted to this agency for review in the jurisdictional
determination package received July 26 2007 and appear to accurately reflect the changes required
pursuant to the field verifications
Based on the site reviews of the jurisdictional determinations made by the consulting firms listed
above DWQ will consider all sites Identified in the revised jurisdictional verification package as
accurate (package revised 07/25/07 and received by this office on 07/26/07)
This letter only addresses the applicability to the mitigation rules and does not approve any activity
within buffers Waters of the United States or Waters of the State Any impacts to wetlands streams
and buffers must comply with 404/401 regulations water supply regulations (15A NCAC 2B 0216)
applicable buffer rules and any other required federal state and local regulations Please be aware
that even if no direct impacts are proposed to any protected buffers sheet flow of all new stormwater
runoff as per 15A NCAC 2B 0250 is required
Landowners or affected parties that dispute a determination made by the DWQ or Delegated Local
Authority that a surface water exists and that it is subject to the mitigation rules may request a
determination by the Director A request for a determination by the Director shall be referred to the
Director in writing c/o John Hennessy DWQ 401 Transportation Permitting Unit 1650 Mail Service
Center Raleigh NC 27699 1650
NorthCarohna
Naturally
North Carolina Division of Water Quality 610 East Center Avenue Suite 301 Phone [phone]
Internet h2o enr state nc us Mooresville NC 28115 Fax [phone]
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer— 50 / Recycled /10 / Post Consumer Paper

Ms Kimberly Bereis
Page Two
Individuals that dispute a determination by the DWQ or Delegated Local Authority that exempts a
surface water from the mitigation rules may ask for an adjudicatory hearing You must act within 60
days of the date that you receive this letter Applicants are hereby notified that the 60 day statutory
appeal time does not start until the affected parties (including downstream and adjacent landowners)
are notified of this decision DWQ recommends that the applicant conduct this notification in order to be
certain that third party appeals are made in a timely manner
To ask for a hearing send a written petition which conforms to Chapter 150B of the North Carolina
General Statutes to the Office of Administrative Hearings 6714 Mail Service Center Raleigh N C
27699 6714 This determination is final and binding unless you ask for a hearing within 60 days
If you have any additional questions or require additional information please contact Polly Lespinasse
at [phone]
Sincerely
Robert B Krebs
Surface Water Protection Regional Supervisor
cc Steve Lund USACE Asheville Field Office
Sonia Gregory DWQ Wetlands Unit
File Copy

r
Section 404/NEPA Merger Protect Team Meeting Agreement
Concurrence Point 1— Purpose and Need
Concurrence Point 2 — Detailed Study Alternatives
Concurrence Point 2a — Bridging and Alignment Decisions
Project No /TIP No /Name/Descnption
Federal Project Number STP 1213(6) State Project Number 8 2812501
TIP Number U 3321
Description Gaston East West Connector in Gaston and Mecklenburg Counties
CP #1 Purpose and Need
The purpose of the proposed action is to improve east west transportation mobility in the area
around the City of Gastonia, between Gastonia and the Charlotte metropolitan area, and
particularly to establish direct access between the rapidly growing area of southeast Gaston
County and west Mecklenburg County This project purpose is based on the following
Need to improve mobility access and connectivity within southern Gaston County and
between southern Gaston County and Mecklenburg County
Need to improve traffic flow on the sections of 185 US 29 74 and US 321 in the project
study area and improve high speed safe reliable regional travel service along the 185
corridor
CP #2 Detailed Study Alternatives (DSAs)
Twelve Final Detailed Study Alternatives
Altered Study
Alternative #
West Area —
Generally west of US
321
Central Area —
Generally east of US 321 and west
of NC 279 or the South Fork
Catawba River
East Area —
Generally east of
NC 279 or the South
Fork Catawba River
H Segments
J Segments
K Segments
4
H2A H3
J4a Job J2c J2d J5a J5b
K2A KX1 K36 K3C
5
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J4a J2b J2c J2d JX4 Jle Jlf
K1A K1B KiC K4A
9
H2A H3
J4a J2b J2c J2d JX4 Jle Jlf
K1A K3A K3B K3C
22
1-12A H2B H2C
J3 J2c J2d J5a J5b
K2A KXl K36 K3C
23
H2A H26 H2C
J3 J2c J2d JX4 Jle Jlf
K1A K113 K1C K4A
27
H2A H2B H2C
J3 J2c J2d JX4 JIe Jlf
K1A K3A K3B K3C
58
H1A 1-116 H1C
J1a JX1 J2d J5a J5b
K2A KXl K3B K3C
64
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K1A K1B K1C K4A
68
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K1A K3A K3B K3C
76
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J2a J2b J2c J2d J5a J5b
K2A KXl K3B K3C
77
H1A HX2
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K1A K1B K1C K4A
81
H1A HX2
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K1A K3A K3B K3C

Gaston East West Connector (STIP U 3321)
Concurrence Form — CP #I CP #2 CP #2a
September 23 2008
CP 42a Bridging and Alignment Decisions
Wildlife Passage Structures Wildlife passage structures will be studied at the following
crossings of Stream S156 during final design The crossing location depends on DSA
• Crossing JD6 —crossing of Stream S156 on Detailed Study Alternative (DSA) Segment
J 1 c (west of Robinson Road) (DSAs 64 68 and 76)
• Crossing JD 19 — crossing of Stream S156 on DSA Segment JXl (DSA 58)
• Crossing JD31 — crossing of Stream S156 on DSA Segment J2c (DSAs 4 5 9 22 23
27 77 and 81)
Bridging Beyond What is Required for Hydraulic Conveyance Bridges will be provided at the
following locations depending on DSA
L�
• Crossing HD27 — DSA Segment 142A over Bessemer Branch (Stream S25) Change
from triple box culvert to a bridge (DSAs 4 5 9 22 23 and 27)
• Crossing HD32 — DSA Segment H2C over Stream S70 adjacent to Chapel Grove Road
Extend mainline bridges over Chapel Grove Road to span Stream S70 (DSAs 22 23
and 27)
• Crossing HD 17 — DSA Segment HX2 over Stream S79 adjacent to Camp Rotary Road
Extend mainline bridges over Camp Rotary Road to span Stream S79 (DSAs 76 77 and
81)
• Crossing HD48 — DSA Segment H3 over Stream 5135 (Blackwood Creek) Change from
a triple box culvert to a bridge (DSAs 4 5 and 9)
• Crossing JB2 — DSA Segment J3 and DSA Segment J2a over Crowders Creek Extend
mainline bridges over Crowders Creek to span Wetland 103 (DSAs 22 23 27 76 77
and 81)
• Crossing JD9 —DSA Segment Jlc over Stream S178 Change from a triple box culvert
to a bridge (DSAs 58 and 68)
• Crossing KD3 — DSA Segment K3A over Stream S259 (Catawba Creek) Extend
mainline bridges over Catawba Creek to span main body of Wetland W248 (DSAs 9
27 68 and 81)
• Crossing KD17 — DSA Segment K1B over Stream S259 (Catawba Creek) Extend
mainline bridges over Catawba Creek to span main body of Wetland W248 (DSAs 5
23 64 and 77)
Alignments of Preliminary Engineering _ Designs within the DSAs The alignments of the
preliminary engineering designs dated January 2008 for the DSAs were reviewed and accepted by
the NEPA/404 Merger Team at the April 8 2008 Turnpike Environmental Agency Coordination
(TEAC) meeting
2

Gaston East West Connector (STIP U 3321)
Concurrence Form — CP #1 CP #2 CP #2a
September 23 2008
The Project Team concurred on this date of with CP #1 — Purpose and Need
CP #2 — Detailed Study Alternatives and CP2a — Bridging and Alignment Decisions
USACE
USFWS
NCTA
NCDWQ
NCDCR
1' •
FHWA
USEPA
NCDOT
NCWRC
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