HomeMy WebLinkAbout20211041 Ver 1_MCDC Ashe 273 B-4016_20210804
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MINIMUM CRITERIA DETERMINATION CHECKLIST
State Project No. 17BP.11.R.145
W.B.S. Project No. 33384.1.2
Project Location: Bridge No. 273 over Big Horse Creek on SR 1347 (Teaberry Road) in Ashe County
Project Description: The purpose of this project is to replace Ashe County Bridge No. 273 on SR 1347
(Teaberry Road) over Big Horse Creek. Bridge No. 273 is 40 feet long.
The Project Study Area (PSA) includes: sanitary sewer line on I‐beam that crosses Big Horse Creek
upstream of the existing bridge, a water line that crosses under Big Horse Creek. Big Horse Creek is a
“delayed harvest” trout stream. Greenway trail runs along Big Horse Creek. Just north of the PSA is the
Lansing Historic District.
The replacement structure will be a bridge approximately 160 feet long providing a minimum 25‐foot
clear deck width. The bridge will include two 10‐foot lanes and 2.5‐foot offsets. The bridge length is
based on preliminary design information and is set by hydraulic requirements. The roadway grade of the
new structure will be higher than the existing structure.
The approach roadway will extend approximately 580 feet from the southwest end of the new bridge
and 55 feet from the northeast end of the new bridge. The approaches will be widened to include a 20‐
foot pavement width providing two 10‐foot lanes. Three‐foot grass shoulders will be provided on each
side (7‐foot shoulders where guardrail is included). The roadway will be designed as a Rural Local Route
using Sub Regional Tier Guidelines with a 30 mile per hour design speed.
Traffic will be maintained onsite during construction (see Figure 1).
Purpose and Need: NCDOT Bridge Management Unit records indicate Bridge No. 273 has a sufficiency
rating out of 20.6 out of a possible 100 for a new structure.
The bridge is considered structurally deficient due to substructure condition appraisal of 4 out of 9
according to Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) standards. The bridge also meets the criteria for
functionally obsolete due to deck geometry of 3 out of 9 and an approach roadway alignment appraisal
of 3 out of 9.
The superstructure of Bridge No. 273 has timber elements that are fifty‐six years old. Timber
components have a typical life expectancy between 40 to 50 years due to the natural deterioration rate
of wood. Rehabilitation of a timber structure is generally practical only when a few elements are
damaged or prematurely deteriorated. However, past a certain degree of deterioration, most timber
elements become impractical to maintain and upon eligibility are programmed for replacement. Timber
components of Bridge No. 273 are experiencing an increasing degree of deterioration that can no longer
be addressed by reasonable maintenance activities. Components of the concrete substructure have also
experienced an increasing degree of deterioration, therefore the bridge is approaching the end of its
useful life. The posted weight limit on the bridge is down to 17 tons for single vehicles and 21 tons for
truck‐tractor semi‐trailers. Replacement of the bridge will result in safer traffic operations.
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Anticipated Permit or Consultation Requirements:
A Nationwide permit 23 (33 CFR 330.5(a) 23) will likely be required for impacts to “Waters of the United
States” resulting from this project. Other permits that may apply include a NWP No. 33 for temporary
construction activities such as stream dewatering, work bridges, or temporary causeways that are often
used during bridge demolition.
In addition, the 404 permit will likely be applicable. An NCDWQ Section 401 Water Quality General may
be required prior to the issuance of a Section 404 Permit. Other required 401 certifications may include
a GC 3366 for temporary construction access and dewatering. The USACE holds the final discretion as to
what permit will be required to authorize project construction.
Special Project Information:
Environmental Commitments: Greensheet Commitments are located at the end of the checklist.
Estimated Costs: The estimated costs, based on 2016 prices, are as follows:
Alternative 1 Alternative 2 Alternative 3
Structure 577,200 372,500 446,700
Roadway Approaches 203,820 360,118 335,772
Structure Removal 9,260 9,260 9,260
Misc. & Mob. 182,220 222,122 224,268
Eng. & Contingencies 160,000 162,000 147,000
Total Construction Cost $ 1,132,500 $ 1,126,000 $ 1,163,000
Right‐of‐way Costs 100,000 530,000 495,000
Right‐of‐way Utility Costs 37,692 66,034 92,882
Total Project Cost $ 1,270,192 $ 1,722,034 $ 1,750,882
Estimated Traffic:
Current (2019) 170 vpd
Year 2039 340 vpd
TTST 4%
Dual 3%
Accidents: Traffic Engineering has evaluated a recent ten year period and found two accidents (one
“fixed object” type and the other “rear‐end, slow, or stop” type) occurring in the vicinity of the project.
Neither accident was associated with the geometry of the bridge or its approach roadways.
Design Exceptions: Using the Sub Regional Tier Guidelines, the proposed Design Speed will be set at 20
mph. Existing SR 1347 is a sinuous gravel road with low ADT providing access for residential parcels and
does not warrant a high design speed. Therefore, this project does not support the use of a higher
design speed. Attempts will be made to design to the highest design speed possible, however, the
Design Speed may differ depending on the alternative under consideration. The Bridge Design Speed
Investigation indicated a reasonable bridge speed would be 15mph.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Accommodations: This portion of SR 1347 is not a part of a designated bicycle
route nor is it listed in the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) as a bicycle project nor are there
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are a high number of bicyclists crossing the bridge. Neither permanent nor temporary bicycle or
pedestrian accommodations are required for this project.
Bridge Demolition: Bridge No. 273 includes a superstructure composed of steel and timber and can be
removed by standard techniques with no resulting fill. The substructure is composed of two mass
concrete piers (in‐water) which will likely result in cumulative temporary fill of 56 cubic yards.
Alternatives Discussion:
No Build – The no build alternative would result in eventually closing the road which is unacceptable
since SR 1347 is the main access for many residences in the project study area as well as for Creeper
Trail Park.
Rehabilitation – The bridge was constructed in 1960 and the timber materials within the bridge are
reaching the end of their useful life. The mass concrete abutments have also experienced increased
amounts of deterioration. Rehabilitation would require replacing the timber and concrete
components which would constitute effectively replacing the bridge.
Alternative 1 – Alternative 1 proposes to relocate Bridge No. 273 approximately 450’ downstream
maintaining traffic on existing bridge (This alternative was investigated in 2004 and began right‐of‐
way plan preparation in 2007 before the project lost funding.) Refer to Figure 4. Alternative 1 allows
for no relief from flooding on H Street because it did not relocate any ‐Y‐ lines. If desired, ‐Y‐ line
work may be added but it will drive up the cost and impacts of this alternate even further. It has
steeper grades than the other two alternatives and will require a vertical abutment on the eastern
approach. The greenway would not be impacted. The structure for this alternative will likely be
more expensive due to use of concrete or steel girder construction. Refer to Figure 4.
Alternative 2 (Preferred) – Alternative 2 proposes to relocate Bridge No. 273 approximately 125’
upstream maintaining traffic on existing bridge. Refer to Figure 5. Alternative 2 requires rebuilding
150’+/‐ of greenway in order to obtain vertical clearance under the proposed bridge for the
greenway. The profile for this alternative does not clear the approximate 100 year flood elevation by
0.1 to 0.2 ft. However, further hydraulic modeling indicates that extending this bridge another 10’ to
the west would result in a satisfactory design that results in no‐rise on the base flood elevations to
the structures upstream. Note that the design shown in Figure 5 does not reflect this change to the
functional design.
Alternative 3 – Alternative 3 proposes to relocate Bridge No. 273 approximately 180’ downstream
maintaining traffic on existing bridge with short temporary onsite detour. Refer to Figure 6.
Alternative 3 avoids the greenway vertical clearance issue but a vertical abutment will be required
on the eastern approach to avoid impacting the greenway horizontally. The proposed structure will
likely be a 33” box beam. The profile for this alternative clears the approximate 100 yr flood
elevation. Refer to Figure 6.
Offsite Detour – During construction, offsite detours will impede access and accessibility. A portion
of the detour route on SR 1347 (Teaberry Road) is unpaved, steep, and narrow. During the winter
and during wet conditions, this road is potentially impassable and possibly dangerous. Therefore,
the use of offsite detour was eliminated from further consideration.
Onsite Detour – An onsite detour would be necessary if the bridge was replaced in place. However,
this option was not considered since a new alignment would address the frequent flooding of the
bridge and the inadequacy of the existing alignment.
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Staged Construction – Staged construction was not considered since staged construction is used to
construct proposed bridges in close proximity to the existing bridge and therefore is not suitable to
the proposed alternatives. The proposed alternatives are not in close proximity to the existing
bridge since a new alignment would address the frequent flooding of the bridge and the inadequacy
of the existing alignment.
Replace‐in‐place: Given that the alignment for SR 1347 is unacceptable, replacing Bridge No. 273 in
its existing location was not considered as an alternative.
Structure Type: The current structure is a low‐water bridge built in 1960 and has a drainage area of 55.3
square miles. Based on the drainage area and design discharges, a two‐span (each 100 feet in length) 21‐
inch cored slab structure was determined to be adequate from a hydraulics standpoint.
Low‐water bridges are economical structures for broad flat streams like the North Fork New River,
however, they have several deficiencies:
frequent flooding
debris tends to be trapped by the substructure and thereby decreases the conveyance and
contributes to further flooding
normal bridge railings cannot be used and therefore traffic safety is a concern
Due to these insufficiencies, low‐water structures are not preferred. The bridge will not be replaced with
another low‐water structure.
Other Agency Comments:
The N.C. Wildlife Resource Commission in a standardized letter provided a request that they prefer
any replacement structure to be a spanning structure.
Response: NCDOT will be replacing the existing bridge with a new bridge.
The N.C. Wildlife Resource Commission requested a moratorium to protect the egg and fry stages
of trout from October 15 to April 15 and that Design Standards in Sensitive Watersheds be
implemented.
Response: NCDOT will commit to using Design Standards in Sensitive Watersheds and to
imposing the October to April moratorium on in‐stream and land disturbances within the
25‐foot trout buffer.
The Town of Lansing has concerns about how the proposed replacement of Bridge 273 will impact
the town park, Big Horse Creek, and the municipal sewer system.
Response: NCDOT has met with the Town’s aldermen in order to hear the concerns and
discuss the potential impacts to the Town’s resources. Due to proximity of the Creeper Trail
Greenway, any proposed replacement of Bridge 273 may impact the greenway. Alternative
2 (Preferred) will require reconstruction of 150ft of Creeper Trail.
The New River Conservancy was included in outreach as a stakeholder and invited to the Public
Officials’ Meeting. They stated that they were in favor of Alternative 2. They are concerned with
potential damage to the streambanks and riparian zone especially if the greenway is relocated as
required in Alternative 3.
Response: Alternative 2 has been selected as the preferred alternative.
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The US Environmental Protection Agency, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Army Corps of
Engineers, and NC Department of Natural Resources Division of Water Quality did not respond to
start of study requests.
Public Involvement: A letter was sent by the Location & Surveys Unit to all property owners affected
directly by this project. Property owners were invited to comment. No comments have been received
to date.
A newsletter inviting residents to a public meeting was been sent to all those living along SR 1347
between the intersection with NC 194 and the intersection with SR 1350. A Public Meeting was held on
January 8, 2017 in the Lansing Town Hall in Lansing, NC following a Local Officials Informational Meeting.
Approximately 10 people attended the public meeting. Three public comments have been received to
date and two commenters were in favor of Alternative 2 while one was in favor of either Alternative 1 or
3. In addition, two public officials submitted comments and both were in favor of Alternative 2.
Census data indicates a notable presence of low‐income populations meeting the criteria for
Environmental Justice within the Demographic Study Area (DSA) but no minority or low‐income
communities were observed within the Direct Community Impact Area (DCIA) during the site visit.
No notably adverse community impacts are anticipated with this project and no Environmental Justice
populations appear to be affected; thus, impacts to minority and low income populations do not appear
to be disproportionately high and adverse. Benefits and burdens resulting from the project are
anticipated to be equitably distributed throughout the community, and no denial of benefit is expected.
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PART A: MINIMUM CRITERIA
YES NO
1. Is the proposed project listed as a type and class of activity which would
qualify as a Non‐Major Action under the Minimum Criteria rules?
If “yes”, under which category? Category # 8
(Note: If either Category #8 or #15 is used, complete Part D of this checklist.)
If “no”, then the project does not qualify as a Non‐Major Action. A state environmental impact
statement (EIS) or environmental assessment (EA) will be required.
PART B: MINIMUM CRITERIA EXCEPTIONS
YES NO
2. Would the proposed activity cause significant changes in land use
concentrations that would be expected to create adverse air quality impacts?
3. Will the proposed activity have secondary impacts or cumulative impacts that
may result in a significant adverse impact to human health or the
environment?
4. Is the proposed activity of such an unusual nature or does the proposed
activity has such widespread implications, that an uncommon concern for its
environmental effects has been expressed to the NCDOT?
5. Does the proposed activity have a significant adverse effect on wetlands;
surface waters such as rivers, streams, and estuaries; parklands; prime or
unique agricultural lands; or areas of recognized scenic, recreational,
archaeological, or historical value?
6. Will the proposed activity endanger the existence of a species on the
Department of Interior’s threatened and endangered species list?
7. Would the proposed activity cause significant changes in land use
concentrations that would be expected to create adverse water quality or
groundwater impacts?
8. Is the proposed activity expected to have a significant adverse effect on long‐
term recreational benefits of shellfish, finfish, wildlife, or their natural
habitats?
9. Is the proposed project likely to precipitate significant, foreseeable alterations
in land use, planned growth, or development patterns?
10. Does the proposed action divide or disrupt an established community?
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11. Does the proposed action bypass an existing community?
12. Is the proposed action likely to have a significant detrimental impact on
ambient noise levels for adjoining areas?
13. Is the proposed action likely to have a significant impact on travel patterns or
traffic volumes?
14. Does the proposed action require the relocation of significant numbers of
people?
Note: If any of Questions 2 through 14 in part B are answered “YES”, the proposed project does not
qualify as a Non‐Major Action. A state EIS or EA will be required.
PART C: COMPLIANCE WITH STATE AND FEDERAL REGULATIONS
YES NO
Ecological Impacts
15. Is a federally protected threatened or endangered species, or its habitat, likely
to be impacted by the proposed action?
16. Does the action require the placement of fill in waters of the United
States?
17. Does the project require the placement of a significant amount of fill in high
quality or relatively rare wetland ecosystems, such as mountain bogs or pine
savannahs?
18. Does the project require stream relocation or channel changes?
19. Is the proposed action located in an Area of Environmental Concern, as
defined in the Coastal Area Management Act?
Cultural Resources
20. Will the project have an “effect” on a property or site listed on the National
Register of Historic Places?
21. Will the proposed action require acquisition of additional right of way from
publicly owned parkland or recreational areas?
Questions in PART C are designed to assist the Engineer in determining whether a permit or consultation
with a state or federal resource agency may be required. If any question in PART C is answered “YES”,
refer to the Environmental Guidance section of this document and contact the appropriate individual for
assistance.
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15. Habitat for Virginia spiraea does occur within the project study area. However, Field surveys were
conducted June 3, 2015, during the optimal survey window and no stems were found. A search of the
January 2015 NCNHP database March 23, 2015, found no occurrence of Virginia spiraea within 1.0 mile
of the project study area. NCDOT will conduct another survey for Virginia spiraea during the flowering
season just prior to the construction let date to ensure that Virginia spiraea is not affected.
16. Placement of fill in the Waters of the U.S. will be required for permanent bank stabilization.
PART D: (To be completed when either category #8 or #15 of the rules is used.)
22. Project length:
785 ft
23. Right of Way width:
variable 50 ft to 60 ft
24. Total Acres of Disturbed Ground Surface:
1.8 acres
25. Total Acres of Wetland Impacts:
0
26. Total Linear Feet of Stream Impacts:
0
27. Project Purpose:
The purpose of the project is to replace a
load‐posted, structurally deficient,
functionally obsolete bridge to ensure safe
traffic operations.
Reviewed by:
Date Michael G. Wray, PE
Project Planning Engineer
NCDOT ‐ Project Management Unit
Date Derrick G. Weaver, PE
Senior Project Manager – Divisions 11‐14
NCDOT ‐ Project Management Unit
Date Gail F. Kogut, PE
MA Engineering Consultants, Inc. (MAEC)
Firm License Number: F‐0160
598 East Chatham Street, Suite 137
Cary, NC 27511
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1/4/2018
1/4/2018
1/4/2018
State Project 17BP.11.R.145 State Minimum Criteria Checklist Page 1 of 2
January 2018
PROJECT COMMITMENTS:
Ashe County
Bridge No. 273 on SR 1347 (Teaberry Road)
over Big Horse Creek
W.B.S. No. 33384.1.2
State Project 17BP.11.R.145
Division 11 Construction, Resident Engineer’s Office – Offsite Detour
In order to have time to adequately reroute school buses, Ashe County Schools should be contacted at
(336) 246‐7175 least one month prior to road closure.
Ashe County Emergency Services and Lansing Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department will be contacted
at (336) 846‐5521 and (336) 384‐4545 respectively at least one month prior to road closure to make the
necessary temporary reassignments to primary response units.
NCDOT shall ensure that Lansing Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department has access to Big Horse Creek
during construction to fill the Department’s firetruck tanks.
NCDOT shall ensure that both the wastewater treatment plant on SR 1347 (Teaberry Road) and the
community well on H Street are readily accessible during an emergency by using Bridge No. 273.
Design Branch, Division Office – Trout
NCWRC has identified Big Horse Creek as supporting a trout population. Therefore, a
moratorium on all in water work will be in place from October 15 to April 15 of any given year.
NCDOT will implement Guidelines for Construction of Highway Improvements Adjacent to or
Crossing Trout Waters in North Carolina in the design and construction of this project.
Hydraulics Unit – FEMA Coordination
The Hydraulics Unit will coordinate with the NC Floodplain Mapping Program (FMP), the delegated state
agency for administering FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program, to determine status of 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).
Division Construction – FEMA Coordination
This project involves construction activities on or adjacent to FEMA‐regulated stream(s). Therefore, the
Division shall submit sealed as‐built construction plans to the Hydraulics Unit upon completion of
project construction, certifying that the drainage structure(s) and roadway embankment that are
located within the 100‐year floodplain were built as shown in the construction plans, both horizontally
and vertically.
NES, Roadside Environmental Unit, Division 11 Resident Engineer – Sensitive Watersheds
Big Horse Creek has been designated a High Quality Water. Therefore, Design Standards in Sensitive
Watersheds will be implemented during project construction.
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Page 2 of 2 State Project 17BP.11.R.145 State Minimum Criteria Checklist
January 2018
Division 11, PDEA – Natural Environment Unit
While specimens of Virginia spiraea have not been found during previous surveys, NCDOT shall conduct
another survey during the flowering season prior to the construction let date to ensure that Virginia
spiraea is not affected.
Office of Natural Environment – Bridge Demolition
The existing superstructure consists of a timber deck with an asphalt wearing surface on steel beams.
The superstructure will be removed without dropping components into Waters of the United States. The
abutments are mass concrete (in‐water). There is the potential that portions of the concrete sill and
footings may enter the stream upon removal. The maximum resulting temporary fill associated with the
removal of the interior bent is 56 cubic yards.
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NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Figure 2:
PHOTOGRAPHS
ASHE COUNTY State Project No. 17BP.11.R.145
Replace Bridge No. 273 on SR 1347 (Teaberry Road)
over Big Horse Creek
East Approach (looking west)
West approach from Bridge (Looking Northwest) Western approach (Looking East)
Upstream Face of Bridge No. 337 (Looking North)
outlet of JS in foreground
Upstream face of Bridge No. 337 (Looking north)
outlet of JS in foreground
Possible right‐of‐way acquisiƟon..
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Figure 4. Natural Communities Map
(Overlaid on Aerial Photograph)
State Project No. 17BP.11.R.145 7
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Project
17BP.11.R.145
ASHE COUNTY
State Project No. 17BP.11.R.145
Bridge No. 273
on SR 1347 (Teaberry Road)
over Big Horse Creek
Warrensville NC Quad Map
Figure 8
NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT &
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
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