HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012_Informational meeting packet to agenciesSTATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
BEVERLY EAVES PERDUE EUGENE A. CONTI, JR.
GOVERNOR SECRETARY
December 13, 2012
Merger Team Informational Meeting
NC 215 from US 64 at Cherryfield to SR 1326 South of Balsam Grove, Transylvania
County, Federal Aid Project No. STP 215 (1), State Project No. 8.1000601,
TIP Project No. R -2594. WBS Element 34475.1.1
Purpose of the Update
The Merger Team last met to review this project in 2007. Since that tune, NCDOT has
coordinated with the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office (NC -HPO) about
the effect of the project on resources protected under Section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act, developed /revised alternatives in an attempt to minimize these effects,
and completed a detailed constrictability report. The purpose of the November 8, 2012,
meeting is update the Merger Team about these activities, as well as to provide the latest
stream crossing recommendations and cost information to the Merger Team for their
review and input.
Concurrence Team History
Concurrence Point 1: Purpose and Need of the Project
Concurrence Point 2: Project Alternatives to be Carried Forward
A Merger Team meeting was held on July 7, 2000. The purpose of the meeting was to
discuss Concurrence Point 1, the Purpose and Need of the proposed improvements to NC
215 as well as Concurrence Point 2, the project alternatives to be carried forward. At that
tune, concurrence was not reached. The second Merger Team meeting was held on
October 18, 2000. The Merger Team reached agreement at this time for both Concurrence
Points 1 and 2. The signed Concurrence Forms are attached.
Two constriction alternatives ( "Improve Existing" and "New Location ", described below)
and the No Build Alternative were carried over for fiirther evaluation.
Concurrence Point 2(a)
On November 4 and 5, 2002, the Merger Team conducted a field site visit to review the
stream crossings and proposed strictures for the NC 215 improvements. Based on
decisions reached at the field meeting, preliminary crossings strictures were agreed upon
MAILING ADDRESS: TELEPHONE: 919 - 707 -6000 LOCATION:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FAX: 919- 707 -6052 CENTURY CENTER, BUILDING A
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS 1000 BIRCH RIDGE DRIVE
1548 MAIL SERVICE CENTER WEBSITE: WWW..NCDOT.ORG /DOH /PRECONSTRUCT /PE/ RALEIGH NC 27610
RALEIGH NC 27699 -1548
by the Merger Team. The third Merger Team meeting was held on May 18, 2004. The
purpose of this meeting was to discuss Concurrence Point 2a, concurrence on major stream
crossing stricture types and lengths. Concurrence was reached on the stream crossing
strictures at the 2a meeting. The signed Concurrence Form, maps, and table are attached.
Subsequent to the 2002 meeting, updated hydraulics information led to proposed changes
to several crossing strictures on NC 215. Based on this new information, a second
Concurrence Point 2a meeting was held on August 14, 2007, at which time the Merger
Team reached concurrence on the following crossing strictures:
New Location Alternative
• Major crossing strictures (crossings lOR, 20R, 40R, and 60R) will be bridged
• Culverts or concrete pipes will be utilized for all other stream crossings on this
alternative.
Improve Existing Alternative
• Crossings 310E and 40E will be bridged
• All other crossings strictures will be extended or replaced
The signed Concurrence Form and table are attached.
Proiect Overview
NCDOT proposes to improve NC 215 from US 64 to Macedonia Church Road (SR 13126)
in Transylvania County (see Figure 1). This 5.9 -mile portion of NC 215 is a narrow,
curvy, two -lane mountain roadway located partly within the Pisgah National Forest and is
part of a Forest Heritage Scenic Byway. Portions of the route lie between nearly vertical
rock walls on one side and steep cut slopes leading to the North Fork French Broad on the
other side. These topographical constraints, as well as the scenic and environmental
concerns within the Pisgah National Forest present constriction challenges. The existing
roadway alignment is characterized by numerous curves and restricted sight distance. The
sharpest curves reach a maximum of 75 degrees. Current design speeds range from 15 to
31 5 mph.
In some areas, the soil shoulders are failing and the guardrails are settling, thereby
potentially compromising the ability to protect vehicles from running off the roadway.
Routine roadway maintenance is needed every few years to patch cracks in the failing
pavement surface. In addition, the narrow (8 -foot) travel lanes provide difficulty for buses
and large vehicles using the facility.
Two alignment alternatives were originally considered in this study:
• "Improve Existing" Alternative — This proposed alternative widens existing NC 215 to
the extent practical and straighten areas of the road with dangerous curves. The road
would be unproved from two 8 -foot lanes to two 11 -foot lanes; shoulders would be
increased from approximately 3 feet to 8 feet.
• "New Location" Alternative — This proposed alternative relocates NC 215 from the US
64 /01d US 64 intersection in Cherryfield to the NC 215/ Macedonia Church Road (SR
13126) intersection near Balsam Grove. The new roadway would consist of two 12-
foot lanes with 8 -foot shoulders. This alternative would include measures to preserve
the scenery and natural resources along the new roadway.
Proiect History
Initiated in response to citizens' concerns about the poor alignment of NC 215, NCDOT
began the planning studies for the development of a new location to existing NC 215 in
1993 and completed an Environmental Assessment (EA) in 1998. In 1999, high project
costs, low projected traffic volumes, and stakeholder concerns about a new location facility
in within US Forest Service (USFS) lands led to the development of an alternative to
improve existing NC 215. A history of the NEPA/404 Merger Process and public
involvement activities are shown below:
• Initiation of Merger Process March, 2000
• Concurrence Point 1 (Purpose and Need) October 18, 2000
• Concurrence Point 2 (Alternatives Analysis) October 18, 2000
• Citizen's Information Workshop September 25, 2001
• Meeting with Agencies, USFS
August 19, 2002
• Concurrence Point 2a Field Meeting
November 2 &4, 2002
• Concurrence Point 2a Agreement
May 18, 2004
• Meeting with Public Officials, USFS
March 6, 2007
• Revised Concurrence Point 2a Agreement
August 14, 2007
• Initial Effects Determination for Project Alternatives June
23, 2008
• Citizen's Informational Workshop
October 28, 2008
• Local Official's Informational Meeting
October 28, 2008
• Section 106 Effects Determination for Revised Project
Alternatives
December 21, 2010
• Draft Constructability Report to NCDOT for Review
December 30, 2010
• Constructability Review Meeting
July 18, 2011
• Constructability Report Finalized
October 1, 2012
Proiect Status
Initial 0rltnral Resource Effects Determinations
NCDOT, FHWA, and NC -HPO met on June 23, 2008 to determine the potential impacts
to cultural resources associated with the NC 215 build alternatives. The following
resources were evaluated:
Summer Cottage Historic District, NRHP Eligible under Criteria A (Social History)
and C (architecture). The Improve Existing alternative presented to NC -HPO in 2008
would impact the Summer Cottage Historic District. The preliminary design had cut /fill
impacts within the eligible boundary of the district. Based on a design review, NCDOT
determined that retaining walls would not be a good option for minimizing slope impacts in
this area, as the walls would need to be approximately 40 feet tall in some locations. It was
determined that the Improve Existing alternative would have an adverse effect on the
resource.
Gloucester Gap Road NRHP Eligible under Criteria A (Events/History). The New
Location alternative presented to NC -HPO in 2008 would impact Gloucester Gap Road.
Gloucester Gap Road, in addition to having been initially identified as an archaeological
resource, is also a historic architecture resource. The design presented crossed the
resource in several locations: It would require bridges be constricted at low- integrity
portions of the resource in the vicinity of Jason Branch and Sawmill Creels. There were
also impacts to moderate and high integrity areas of the resource in the vicinity of three
USFS logging roads as well as impacts in the vicinity of Big Mountain Branch. It was
determined that the New Location alternative would have an adverse effect on the
resource.
Revised Designs
Based on the above effects to the determinations, NCDOT developed and revised project
alternatives to avoid or minimize impacts to cultural resources in the project area. This
included the following modifications to existing designs:
• The Improve Existing alternative was modified to pass to the south of the Summer
Cottage Historic District, eliminating the direct impacts associated with the Improve
Existing alternative. NCDOT Roadway approved these designs in June 2010.
• A second New Location alternative (revised 3b) was developed to the west of the
current New Location Alternative in the vicinity of Big Mountain Branch. This design
eliminates impacts to high- and moderate- integrity areas of Gloucester Gap Road.
NCDOT Roadway approved these designs in June 2010. NCDOT developed
visualizations to assess viewsheds impacts for hikers walking through high or moderate
integrity sections of Gloucester Gap Road.
All current alternatives are included in Figure 2.
NCDOT, FHWA, USFS, and NC -HPO met on December 21, 2010 to determine the
potential impacts to cultural resources associated with the revised NC 215 build
alternatives. It was determined that the revised Improve Existing Alternative had no
adverse effect on the Summer Cottage Historic District. It was also determined that the
New Location alternative (revised 3b) had an adverse effect on Gloucester Gap Road due
to changes in setting and visual impacts associated with bridges in the vicinity of Big
Mountain Branch.
USF,S Tvpical ,Section Request
NCDOT had initially recommended 11 -foot lanes for the Improve Existing Alternative and
12 -foot travel lanes for the New Location Alternative. Both alternatives would include 8-
foot shoulders, four feet of which would be paved to fiinction as a bicycle lane, since NC
215 is currently listed in Transylvania County as County Bicycle Route 5. This would
satisfy the purpose and need of the project, which was to improve the safety of this portion
of NC 215 and would provide a conservative estimate of the potential impacts of the
project.
USFS requested that a narrower typical section be used, similar to that developed for the
Cherohala Skyway. They stated a preference to minimizing impacts to USFS lands. After
a review of updated traffic and current design standards, FHWA and NCDOT determined
that a typical section for all build alternatives that included 11 -foot travel lanes with six -
foot shoulder, the first four feet of which will be paved could be used. It was decided that
these designs would be reflected in the FEIS.
C'onstructability Report
Based on information provided in the Draft Constrictability Report, NCDOT met on May
25, 2011 and determined that an outside Constrictability Review would be appropriate for
the project to develop realistic estimates of constriction duration and design issues,
specifically those associated with the Improve Existing Alternative.
The Constrictability Review was conducted on July 18, 2011 and included three
contractors familiar with the challenges associated with constriction in the North Carolina
mountains. Based on contractor input, traffic maintenance issues, and the need to dispose
of fill outside USFS lands, it is unlikely that it would be possible for waste disposal
operations for any build alternative to exceed 7,500 cubic yards per day. Under this
scenario, disposing of 8 million cubic yards of waste would take three years even if 24 -hour
operations were employed. Some concurrent work, such as utilities relocations, could be
performed during these operations. Contractors further estimated that limiting waste
disposal to on -road equipment only would add another 12 to 18 months to the constriction
schedule. Restrictions on blasting could add an additional 18 months to the project, and it
is anticipated that a year would be required for final cleanup and performance of asphalt
pavement. Based on this information, it is estimated that constriction of the Improve
Existing Alternative under the likely site conditions would take approximately six and a half
to seven years. Subsequent correspondence further indicated that if traffic is required to be
maintained on -site, constriction could take up to eight years. The contractors and
NCDOT concluded that, because of the added time, money, and inconvenience to area
residents, school buses, and emergency services (EMS) the Improve Existing alternative
has substantial constrictability concerns.
The New Location alternatives would not have the traffic maintenance issues or blasting
restrictions associated with the Improve Existing alternative. Off -site detours would not be
necessary. Under the likely constriction conditions, the estimated constriction time of the
"New Location" alternative is approximately three to five years. This timeframe is
considered to be a feasible option from a constrictability standpoint, as it would not
substantially affect area residents, school buses, or EMS during constriction.
(101111ty Input
On September 13, 2011, NCDOT received communications from Transylvania County
officials with regards to the suitability of an extended off -site detour should the "Improve
Existing Alternative" be chosen. The Transylvania County Board of Commissioners
passed a resolution favoring the "New Location Alternative" due to the expected duration
of the off -site detour required for an "Improve Existing Alternative ". Transylvania County
Schools voiced their support for a "New Location Alternative" and cited the increased
costs and travel tunes for students associated with potential off -site detours. On October
28, 2011, Transylvania County EMS expressed their opposition to delays associated with
off -site detours. In subsequent correspondence, EMS officials stated that they opposed the
Improve Existing alternative for three reasons:
• Off -site detours create significant barriers to the provision of emergency services to
Balsam Grove - They note that the area has an aging population and has frequent need
for EMS services. In 2011, County EMS responded to 81 requests for medical
services in the Balsam Grove area, 54 of which were classified as advanced life support
medical emergencies.
• Existing challenges to providing care to Balsam Grove - Currently, response tunes to
Balsam Grove are less than optimal for positive patient outcomes. Off -site detours,
would substantially increase response tunes, especially in areas of the county to the
Northeast of NC 215, which is served only by the Rosman, Quebec, and Brevard EMS
units.
• Off site detours would limit mutual aid capabilities - Rosman Fire Rescue is the primary
mutual aid department for the Balsam Grove Fire Department, providing support
during fire- related incidents to ensure adequate water flow and manpower capabilities.
The results of the constrictability review and stakeholder input were included in the final
version of the Constrictability Review, which was completed in October 1, 2012.
Current Activities
NCDOT is currently working with USFS to conduct Forest Service surveys for the project
build alternatives. NCDOT is working to conduct preliminary verifications of streams and
wetlands in the project area, with review by USACE and NCDWQ. NCDOT is also in the
process of developing a project website and planning fiiture public involvement activities.
Impact Matrix
See enclosed matrices at conclusion of packet. Table 1 shows the impacts for all
alternatives.
Table 1. Current Impact Estimates Associated with the Project Build Alternatives
Item
Improve Existing
(W /Detour)
New Location 3a
New Location
3b
Length
5.41 miles
3.71 miles
3.69 miles
Clearing /grubbing
156 acres
137 acres
147 acres
Stream Impacts (maximum)
1,788 to 1,798 feet*
2,901 feet*
4,914 feet **
Wetland Impacts
0 acres
0 acres
0 acres
On -site Restoration Potential
Yes
Yes
Yes
Utility Impacts
One -cable telephone pole
35
0
0
Electric distribution poles
(1- phase)
31
0
0
Cemeteries
1 (31TV799)
0
0
Relocations
2 Business, 1
Residential
None
None
Other Impacts
Alligator Rock
0
0
Archaeological Sites
1 (31TV800)
3 (31TV801,
31TV802,
31TV859)
0
Historic Architecture sites/
(4(f)
Summer Cottage
District/ No Adverse
Effect
Gloucester Gap
Road /Adverse
Effect
Gloucester Gap
Road /Adverse
Effect
Estimated Construction
Duration
6.5 -7 Nears (8 Nears
if traffic maintained
on -site)
3 -5 years
3 -5 Nears
Estimated Costs
Construction Costs
$77,400,000
$75,800,000
$85,200,000
Utilities Costs
$621,024
$276,593
$276,593
Right of Way Costs
$4,018,350
$3,247,150
$3,321,860
Estimated Stream Mitigation
Costs
$1,208,690
$1,215,480
$ 1,961,080
$3,294,150
Detour User Costs
$26,038,000
$0
$0
Detour Construction Costs
$1,473,018
$0
$0
Total Costs
$110,760,000 to
5110,765,900
81,284,800
592,045,600
*- buffered impacts (25-feet) from slopestakes includes a culvert on Big Beanvallow Creek as per the hydraulics report recommendation.
Bridging would reduce impacts by 260 feet
* *- this is classified as a functional design, so typically the design would be buffered by 40 feet. Impacts buffered by 25 feet to alloy, direct
comparison (impacts with a 40 -foot buffer are 5,290 feet)
** *New Location alternatives include stream impacts associated with replacing the culvert on Jason's Branch on existing NC 21
(additional 41 feet of stream impacts)
Proposed Project Schedule
Task
USFS Surveys
Streain/Wetland
Verif,
DEIS
Public Hearings
LEDPA Meeting
Jul-13
Aug-
13
Sep -13
Oct-
13
Nov-
13
Dec-
13
Jun-
14
Oct-
14
Nov -
14
Dec014
95%
100%
80%
100%
95%
100%
100%
100%
DEIS assumes 6 months for NCDOT/FHWA review, 4 months from DEIS to hearing
Double black lines indicate time breaks in activities for reviews, etc.