20161220_Meeting Minutes_20121108

0HO¢THC4 G
ne�1 T+c 4,n �KL1tf �F ey 'uti+*�Sr!St�it�k +MHi<+�lA�� Hf F1YN }sb�«.. �yt lF'r t1b+WJL =tuyt+a utY'" ^i +ftS -ti v.i>wJ -LrM RFtt.�tfHtt�f� � O
1 -35 / US 321 Interchange Geometric ! �*
Improvements
O
OF nANSQ
Concurrence Point 2A /4A
1 -85 / US 321 Interchange
Gaston County
TIP Project 1 -5000
NABS No. 41153.1 1
North Carolina Department of Transportation
November 8, 2012
Prepared By
Elmo Vance
Project Manager
Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
North Carolina Department of Transportation

Ao� HO�IN
;�'ror rn�NS�oC
Purpose of Today's Meeting
I -85 / US 321 Interchange
Geometric Safety Improvements
Gaston, NC
T I P No I -5000
Table of Contents
Project Decsription
Need for and Purpose of the Proposed Action
Project Schedule and Status
Project Cost
Permit Information
Hydraulic Structure Recommendation
Floodplain Management
Federally Protected Species
Minimization Efforts
List of Figures
Figure 1 Vicinity Map
Figure 2 Study Area Environmental Feature Map
Figure 3 Jurisdictional Resources
Figure 4 Natural Communities
Figure 5 NCDOT Preferred Alternative
List of Tables
Table 1 Summary of Impacts
Table 2 Stream Crossings and Impacts in Project Study Area
Table 3 Jurisdictional Wetlands and Impacts in Project Area
Table 4 Hydraulic Recommendations
Table 5 Federally Protected Species for Gaston County
Page
4
4
7
7

h0, NOYIN � fO�y,
4' 1
a
v
;�� OF A ISMS
Purpose of Today's Meeting
I -85 / US 321 Interchange
Geometric Safety Improvements
Gaston, NC
T I P No I -5000
A merger screening meeting was held for the subject project on April 29, 2009 The protect
is needed in order to relieve congestion and improve traffic flow at the 185 / US 321
interchange
It was agreed that in lieu of holding Concurrence Points 1, 2 and 2A, the full merger team
would convene after preliminary plans were available It was decided that this meeting
would be scheduled after environmental field studies were completed, but prior to
completion of the Categorical Exclusion At that time, The North Carolina Department of
Transportation ( NCDOT) would conduct a combined Concurrence Point 2A /4(A) meeting`
where the least environmentally damaging practicable alternative would be presented and
measures of minimization and avoidance would be discussed
Three alternatives for the project were explored in the vicinity of the 185 / US 321
interchange Two design options alternatives were carried forward for detailed analysis
After review of the functionality, environmental impacts and cost, it was decided that the
Split -Left Alternative (alternative 3) would be the preferred design alternative option
NCDOT has compiled information to obtain consensus from the Merger Project Team on
Concurrence Point 2A and 4A which is to review preliminary designs to perform a bridging
and alignment review and to ensure that avoidance and /or minimization to the human
environment and natural environment have been achieved for the preferred alternative for
the proposed interchange improvement project
This packet includes a description of the project, the project study area and summarizes the
conclusions of Concurrence Points 2A and 4A It also provides the project status and
schedule, and describes the impacts associated with the project
The following information is also included for the alignment review of the project
hydraulic structure recommendation table, and stream and wetland impact data
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Gaston Urban Area Thoroughfare Plan classifies US 321 (North Chester Street) as a
Mayor Thoroughfare The North Carolina Functional Classification of US 321 is a Principal
Arterial US 321 is the only mayor north -south route in Gaston County Interstate 85 is the
only major freeway traveling east -west through the county
The project is funded as TIP I -5000 in the Draft 2013 -2023 Transportation Improvement
Program The proposed project would relieve congestion and improve traffic flow in
proximity of the 1 -85 / US 321 interchange in Gastonia
2

" °" "`'• I -85 /ITS 321 Interchange
Geometric Safety Improvements
Gaston, NC
T I P No I -5000
Three conceptual alternatives were initially considered One alternative (Alternative 1,
Direct Left) was eliminated early in the process due to its operational deficiencies Two
alternatives, Alternative 2 (Flyover) and Alternative 3 (Split Left), were carried forward for
detailed study After detailed analysis the Split Left was chosen as the Preferred
Alternative due to its superior operational efficiency, lower impacts, constructability, and
significantly lower cost
The detailed study alternative will have the following characteristics
• Multi -lane lane ramp configuration
• Controlled access facility
See Figure 2 for the project study area
Need for and Purpose of the Proposed Action
The existing interchange cannot adequately accommodate the current or future traffic
exchange between 185 / US 321
The proposed project evaluated several design alternatives, with Alternative 3 being
selected as the NCDOT preferred alternative Alternative 3 would add a ramp to the
northeast and southeast quadrants that will tie into US 321 at the intersection with Rankin
Lake Road, which is adjacent to the north of the current intersection with the northbound I-
85 ramps The additional ramp in the northeast quadrant will reduce the volume of vehicles
using the loop in the northwest quadrant, allowing it to be a one lane ramp for drivers going
south on US 321 The additional ramp in the southeast quadrant will eliminate the loop in
the southwest quadrant
As a result of the changes to the roadway with Alternative 3, the following changes to other
infrastructure will be necessary
Box culverts in the northeast and southeast quadrants will be extended to
accommodate the new ramps
• The existing pedestrian trail will be relocated near its existing path New culverts
will carry the pedestrian trail under the new ramps in the northeast and southeast
quadrants
• Bulb Avenue will be extended from its current terminus close to US 321 to Marietta
Street This extension is necessary because the current connection from US 321 to
Marietta Street, Rankin Lake Road, will be disconnected due to the new ramps in
the northeast quadrant
3

�� °•N ° " "`,•�� I -85 / US 321 Interchange
Geometric Safety Improvements
Gaston, NC
T.I P. No I -5000
Project Schedule and Status
Project development studies for this project began in 2008 The scopmg meeting for the
project was held on December 17, 2008 Right of way acquisition for the project is
scheduled to begin in fiscal year 2014 and construction is scheduled for fiscal year 2016
The project status includes the following
❖ Scopmg Meeting Occurred on
❖ Merger Screening Meeting
❖ Citizen Information Workshop on
❖ Local Officials Meeting
❖ Local Officials Meeting
❖ Citizen Information Workshop on
❖ 2A/4A Meeting
❖ Categorical Exclusion
❖ Right of Way acquisition
❖ Construction
Project Cost
December 17, 2008
April 29, 2009
June 11, 2009
August 26, 2010
January 17, 2012
May 17, 2012
November 8, 2012
Fall 2012
FY 2014
FY 2016
The current estimated cost for the proposed improvements is as follows
Right of Way Acquisition $ 1,220,000
Construction $ 11,500,000
Total Estimated Cost S 12,720,000
rd

I -85 / US 321 Interchange
*� Geometric Safety Improvements
{� 5•� Gaston, NC
'I'.I P No I -5000
Table 1 Summary of Impacts
Impact Category
Alternative 2
(Flyover)
Preferred
Alternative 3
(Split -Left)
Protect (Description
Project Length (miles)
N/A
N/A
Natural Resources Impacts
Federal Listed Species Habitat
Yes -No Effect
Yes -No Effect
100 -Year Flood Plain and Floodway
Impacts
No
No
Wetlands (number of crossings /acres)
1/0 09 ac
1/0 09 ac
Stream Crossings (number/linear feet)
3/579
3/839
Potential Riparian Buffers (acres)
0
0
Water Supply Critical Areas
0
0
Potential 4f Impacts
Yes
Yes
Human Environment Impacts
Residential Relocations (number)
0
0
Business Relocations (number)
8
4
Low Income /Minority Population
0
0
Churches /Church Office (number)
0
0
Cemeteries /Gravesites (number)
0
0
Recorded Historic Sites /Distncts
0
0
Physical Environment Impacts
Railroad Crossings
0
0
Underground Storage Tanks (number)
0
0
Costs
Right -of -Way Costs ($ M 2010)
$4,650,000
$1,220,000
Construction Costs ($ M 2010)
$19,900,000
$12,720,000
Total Construction Cost
$24,550,000
$12,720,000

I -85 / US 321 Interchange
a
Geometric Safety Improvements
Gaston, NC
T I P No I -5000
Table 2. Jurisdictional Streams & Impacts in Proiect Area Alternative 3 (Preferred)
Map ID
Classification
Mitigation
Required
River
Basin
Buffer
Length within Study
Area (ft)
Stream Impacts
(ft)
SA
Perennial
Yes
None
509
0
SB*
Perennial
Yes
None
4,425
839
Sc
Perennial
Yes
None
114
0
*Stream SB is named locally as Hrghlard Creek DWQ does not recognize the name Highland Creek for this stream
Table 3 Jurisdictional Wetlands & Impacts in Project Area- Alternative 3 (Preferred)
Map ID
NCWAM Classification
Wetland Size within
Study Area
Wetland Impacts
WA
Non -Tidal Freshwater Marsh
0 09 acres
0 09 acres
C1

o=
*�'�'ror nwas�t
Permit Information
I -85 / US 321 Interchange
Geometric Safety Improvements
Gaston, NC
T.I P. No. I -5000
Impacts to Jurisdictional surface waters are anticipated In accordance with provisions of
Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, a permit will be required from the USACE for the
discharge of dredged or fill material Into "Waters of the United States " A Nationwide
Permit (NWP) No 14 [33 CFR 330 5 (a) (14)] is likely to be applicable for all impacts to
Waters of the United States resulting from the proposed project Final permitting decisions
rest with the USACE
A Water Quality General Certification (401) is required Section 401 Certification allows
surface waters to be impacted for the duration of the construction and Insures compliance
with the state's water quality standards A Section 401 Water Quality Certification (WRC)
will be required from the NCDWQ
Hydraulic Structure Recommendations-
To accommodate the proposed Improvements, an extension of the existing 3 @ 8' x 9'
reinforced concrete box culvert (RCBC) located on Highland Creek under 1 -85 on the
outlet end will be required The required culvert extension will be approximately 485 ft
Two new culverts will be required, one new 3 @ 8' x 10' RCBC approximately 155 feet in
length on Highland Creek under proposed ramp D and Ramp DD located approximately
170 feet upstream (south) of 1 -85, and the other 3 @ 8' x 10 ' RCBC approximately 144
feet in length will be located on Highland Creek at the proposed Bulb Avenue extension
(see Figure 4)
It is recommended that the existing 15 ft long bridge on Rankin Lake Road located
approximately 250 feet downstream of the culvert extension be removed and the natural
flood plain restored This will help reduce the 100 year flood elevations upstream and
offset impacts due to the culvert extensions
Table 4. hydraulic Recommendations Alternative 3 (Preferred)
Note Based on Hvdraulrc Recommendation
Hydraulic
Stream Name
DWQ
Existing
Proposed
Linear Stream
Site
Class
Hydraulic
Hydraulic
Impacts (ft)
Opening (w x h)
Opening (w x h)
1
UT to Long Creek
C
3 @8'x9'
Retain & Extend
3 @8'x9'
485
2
UT to Long Creek
C
n/a
3 @8'x10'
210
3
UT to Long Creek
C
n/a
3 @8'x9'
144
*UT to Long Creek is named locally as Highland Creek however DWQ does not recognize the name Highland Creek for this stream
V/

�, iaOtlM
a
I -85 / US 321 Interchange
Geometric Safety Improvements
Gaston, NC
T I P No I -5000
Floodplain Management
Gaston Co is a participant in the National Flood Insurance Program, administered by the
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) The project as proposed will cross a
UT to Long Creek UT to Long Creek is listed as Tributary L -8 in the most current Gaston
County Flood Insurance Study Based on mapping the NC Floodplain Mapping Program
(FMP), this stream crossing is in a designated flood hazard zone which is within a detailed
flood study reach, having regulated 100 -year floodway
The Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) in the vicinity of the crossing depict the limits of
the 100 -year floodplain and floodway in the project vicinity it is anticipated that the
proposed roadway and associated drainage accommodations will not have any significant
adverse impact on the affected existing floodplain areas
NCDOT will coordinate with the FMP, the delegated state agency for administering
FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program, to determine the status of the project with
regard to applicability of NCDOT's Memorandum of Agreement with FMP, or approval of
a Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR) and subsequent final Letter of Map
Revision (LOMR)
Federally- Protected Species
Plants and animals with federal classifications of Endangered, Threatened, Proposed
Endangered and Proposed Threatened are protected under provisions of Section 7 and
Section 9 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended
As of January 31, 2008 the USFWS lists the following federally protected species for
Gaston County (Table 5)
Table 5. Federally- Protected Species for Gaston County
Scientific Name
Common Name
Federal Status
Habitat Present
Biological
Conclusion
Glyptemys muhlenbergu
Bog Turtle
T(S /A)
No
Not Required
Hehanthus schweimtzu
Schweinitz's sunflower
E
Yes
No Effect
E Endangered is defined as a species that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range
T(S /A) Threatened due to similarity of appearance These species are not biologically endangered or threatened and are not subject to Section 7 consultation
MANLAA May affect, not likely to adversely affect

�o
Minimization Efforts
I -85 / US 321 Interchange
Geometric Safety Improvements
Gaston, NC
T I P No I -5000
The following minimization measures will be implemented to reduce environmental
impacts
• The southbound 1-85 off ramp was adjusted to minimize impacts to Highland
Creek to the best extent possible
• The design for the typical section along US 321 has been revised to stay within the
existing edge of pavement, therefore, minimizing impacts to existing businesses
9

°•"° " "�� I -85 / US 321 Interchange
s' t
Geometric Safety Improvements
Gaston, NC
T.I P No I -5000
Concurrence Point No. 2A. Bridging Decisions
Concurrence Point No 4A: Avoidance and Minimization
Protect Name/Description: 185 /US 321 Interchange Geometric Safety
Improvements
TIP Project No. I -5000
WBS No. 41153.1.1
See attached documents for bridging decisions and avoidance and minimization measures
The Project Team has concurred on this date of November 8, 2012, on Concurrence Point 2A
(Bridging Decisions) and Concurrence Point 4A (Avoidance and Minimization) for the 185 / US
321 Interchange Geometric Safety Improvements for TIP Project I -5000
USACOE
USEPA
DWQ
NCDOT
USFWS
WMC
SBPO MPO
10

i
O of
,
NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT
f
" OF TRANSPORTATION
rT%DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS BRANCH
a
1 -85 / US 321 INTERCHANGE
GASTON COUNTY
WBS No. 41153.1.1
TIP No. 1 -5000
0
N
0 2,000 4,000
Feet
VICINITY MAP
FIGURE 1

/ ` �� • /^
321
ankin La/
/ •r � � r! � � h, � � b �. try:- � '�._/
I
cre e k f
„ iii �\ _ ✓
1 ,
t �
• d • �� Sims ; a..• 4 �` r
Park%
hift
f '
Q f f � l ,� 5� "� i 11 � 1� '• •'
J �} '• � rw
Per 321
Legend =� ("-
y' ® Study Area J Fee :•
'. ! 0 375 750 1,500 2,250 3,000 4, '
How 4�0% NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT 1 -85 / US 321 INTERCHANGE
OF TRANSPORTATION GASTON COUNTY STUDY AREA
z DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND WBS No. 41153.1.1
A ° ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS BRANCH TIP No. 1 -5000 FIGURE 2

1 -5000 (ALTERNATIVE 3)
o
0
O
m
`
'r-
D'�
PUBLIC OFFICIALS MAP TM
NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT
T!
c
o
m
;
w
"'
O
1-851 US 321 INTERCHANGE OF TRANSPORTATION
z GEOMETRIC DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS
m
No
:A
La
I _�
c
Z
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND
SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS BRANCH
N
°o
GASTON COUNTY
TIP PROJECT 1 -5000