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Home My WebLink About20020672 Ver 3_Meeting Minutes_20140611Np K'1 11 NORTH CAROLINA A i Turnpike Authority P ^fUF.TRPyS Monroe Connector/Bypass STIP Nos. R -3329 / R -2559 AGENDA June 11, 2014 1 1:OOAM-1 2:00 PM and 1:OOPM -3:00 PM NCDOT Century Center — Building B — Hydraulics Conference Room Meeting Purpose: Provide updates on the NEPA process and the status of design -build activities in order to facilitate upcoming submittal of a new permit application. 1. Overview of events since the original ROD a. Summary of May 2012 4tt' Circuit ruling b. Actions taken since 4th Circuit Court ruling c. FHWA and NCDOT supplement original EIS to address court ruling 2. Summary of Draft Supplemental Final EIS a. Overview of what was evaluated in the Draft Supplemental Final EIS b. Additional /updated studies conducted for the Draft Supplemental Final EIS 3. Public Hearings on the Draft Supplemental Final EIS a. Overview of open houses and public hearings held in December 2013 b. Summary of comments raised during public comment period 4. Updated Indirect and Cumulative Effects Analysis a. ICE review b. New studies /information c. Methodology /data review d. ICE Study Results (Land Use and Water Quality) 5. Final Supplemental Final EIS and ROD a. Combined document b. Allowed under MAP -21 and in accordance with FHWA Guidance c. FHWA decision on combined document 6. USFWS Coordination a. New Biological Assessment and concurrence b. Future plant survey updates c. Potential species listings (Northern Long -Eared Bat, Georgia Aster and Savannah Lilliput) Monroe Connector /Bypass Meeting Page 1 of 2 7. Design -Build update a. Design -Build Team b. Original project schedule c. Section map (6 Sections — 1, 2A, 2B, 2C, 3A and 3B) d. Overview of Preliminary Design Map 8. Agency Needs for Permitting a. Permitting approach b. Permitting schedule i. Schedule remaining field meetings ii. Schedule remaining 4C meetings 9. Q &A / Close Monroe Connector /Bypass Meeting Page 2 of 2 Monroe Connector /Bypass Agency Meeting North Carolina DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Monroe Connector /Bypass Agency Meeting June 11, 2014 Meeting Purpose • Provide updates on the NEPA process • Provide updates on the status of design - build activities • Facilitate upcoming submittal of permit applications 6/11/2014 1 Monroe Connector /Bypass Agency Meeting Litigation history • After Aug. 2010 ROD, SELC (on behalf of Clean Air Carolina, NC Wildlife Federation, and Yadkin Riverkeeper) brought suit against NCDOT and FHWA • Alleged that the environmental study did not comply with requirements of NEPA • Federal district court ruled in favor of NCDOT and FHWA— Oct 2011 6/11/2014 2 Monroe Connector /Bypass Agency Meeting Litigation history (cont'd) • SELC appealed to the 4th .US Circuit Court of Appeals • 4th Circuit overturned the lower court's decision — May 2012 • NCDOT filed a petition for rehearing, which was denied June 2012 4th Circuit Court Ruling N. CAROLINA WILDLIFE y. N. CAROLINA DEPT TRANSP. 15 In sum, although we need not and do not decide whether NEPA permits the Agencies to use MUMPO's data in this case, we do hold that by doing so without disclosing the data's underlying assumptions and by falsely responding to public concerns, the Agencies failed to take the required "`hard look' at environmental consequences." Shenandoah Valley, 669 F.3d at 196. We therefore vacate the judgment of the district court and remand so that the Agencies and the public can fully (and publicly) evaluate the "no build" data.' 6/11/2014 3 Monroe Connector /Bypass Agency Meeting Actions after 4t" Circuit Ruling • ROD rescinded July 2012 • 401 permit withdrawn June 2012 • 404 permit initially suspended in 2012 and revoked in April 2013 due to project delay • NCDOT /FHWA prepared a Draft Supplemental Final EIS — Nov 2013 6/11/2014 4 Monroe Connector /Bypass Agency Meeting The Draft Supplemental Final EIS • Updated environmental conditions in the project area • Evaluated changes that have occurred since the Final EIS and new information that became available since the Final EIS • Addressed issues raised in litigation 6/11/2014 5 Monroe Connector /Bypass Agency Meeting Additional /Updated Studies -Traffic • US 74 travel time studies • Review of recent improvements to US 74 • Additional analysis of scenarios to upgrade existing US 74 • Evaluation of traffic forecasts considering new data and updated regional travel 6/11/2014 Monroe Connector /Bypass Agency Meeting Additional /Updated Studies -Traffic • US 74 travel time studies • Travel time runs (March 2013) • INRIX data • Existing average travel speeds are below 50 mph and are expected to decrease in the future supports need for project See Draft SFEIS Section 1.2.4 Additional /Updated Studies - Traffic • Looked at recent improvements to US 74 • With improvements, US 74 will continue to experience congestion during peak periods • Does not meet purpose and need See Draft SFEIS Section 2.4 6/11/2014 7 Monroe Connector /Bypass Agency Meeting Additional /Updated Studies - Traffic • Additional analysis of scenarios to upgrade existing US 74 • Comparative planning level analysis of four scenarios for upgrading US 74 • Concluded acceptable LOS could not be achieved for design year See Draft SFEIS Section 2.4 Additional /Updated Studies -Traffic • Re- evaluation of traffic forecasts in light of new information • Effect of updated SE data on No -Build and Build traffic forecasts • Effect of changes in SE data from indirect and cumulative effects • Effect of Monroe Connector /Bypass on US74 See Draft SFEIS Section 2.5 6/11/2014 F7 Monroe Connector /Bypass Agency Meeting Additional /Updated Studies - Traffic • Conclusions of traffic forecast evaluation • Existing forecasts still valid for the purposes for which they were used • Differences between the SE data sets would not substantially change the traffic forecast • Traffic volumes are expected to be less on existing US 74 with the bypass in place See Draft SFEIS Section 2.5 Additional /Updated Studies - ICE • Updated quantitative ICE analysis • Review conditions and trends in study area and update baseline land use data • Review SE data • Develop no -build and build land use scenarios • Report revised induced growth results and conclusions See Draft SFEIS Section 4.5 6/11/2014 0 Monroe Connector /Bypass Agency Meeting Additional /Updated Studies — Protected Species • Updated protected species surveys • New Biological Assessment and Technical Report See Draft SFEIS Section 4.4.5 Additional Public Involvement and Agency Coordination • 7 small group meetings, 3 MUMPO meetings • 7 agency meetings • 2 Citizen Update Workshops in June 2012 • Open houses and public hearings in December 2013 See Draft SFEIS Section 5.3 6/11/2014 10 Monroe Connector /Bypass Agency Meeting What Questions Does This Review Seek to Answer? Based on agency input, a quantitative ICE study was required to examine the ICEs associated with the Monroe Connector /Bypass and how their associated land use changes can impact federally protected species, wildlife habitat, and water quality. 6/11/2014 11 Monroe Connector /Bypass Agency Meeting Protected Species Carolina Heelsplitter Smooth Coneflower Schweinitz's Sunflower Michaux's Sumac �.'' Study Area and ns %_. MW1lpi w. ^.r � P.•o - 11 `"°k Watersheds .'Goose F- -'""' Irvin Creek Creek FourmiN r Creek, ) Crooked reek P-D 1�� Creek e Richardson Twelvemile Stewerts Creek Creek Gourdvinel Creek (Lower) Creek vpedp � of Salem Creek j Bearskin Richlydson yyike Creek w..,. Creek Mouth (Middle) h^s+• f �,. Branch i r� Richardson Rays Fork i w Creek Beaverdam Creek .�.. r.�" (Upper) I rMrrr rr. sr+m r dwr Bakers Branch 6/11/2014 12 Monroe Connector /Bypass Agency Meeting How Did We Analyze ICEs? • Assessed existing land use • Developed future land -use scenarios: • No -Build and Build Scenarios • Assessed differences between scenarios to assess indirect and cumulative impacts What's Changed Since 2010? • Reviewed growth factors for Union County • Interviewed local planners, MUMPO (now CRTPO), and Rocky River RPO • Reviewed updated data sets, planning documents, and land cover information 6/11/2014 13 Monroe Connector /Bypass Agency Meeting Future Scenarios • How to project future land use? • Need to project changes: • Out to year 2030 (the design year of the project) • At a small geographic scale • Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) are the only entities that develop long -range forecasts at the scale needed for ICE -type analyses. 6/11/2014 14 Monroe Connector /Bypass Agency Meeting Traffic Analvsis Zones in the FLUSA Example of MPO Projections 2010 2030 F— — Zone b 9060 601 zone r 9M Populat— Empmen oyt 1.006 314 Zone #9083 Lone a 931U Zone a 9021 ZOne A 9 - Zone a 9081 Z-e e 9231 Zone N 9062 Population Employment 1,041 647 Zonc p 9083 �FiLy 6/11/2014 15 Monroe Connector /Bypass Agency Meeting MPO Projection Assessment Reviewed and assessed: • How projections were developed • Pattern of growth in MPO projections • How other researchers have used these MPO projections for other purposes • What projections from other sources show • Demographic and other growth trends in the region MPO Projection Development Timeline Development Timeline: Metrolina Regional Model Socioeconomic Projections 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 I � I Forecast "Bottom -Up" 2005 development allocation Projections begins with process by Completed "Top -Down" Paul Smith MUMPO 2030 projections by LRTPAdopted Dr. Thomas in April m Hamer developed May 2010 An Quality developed Conformity Au Quality completed MUMPO begins 2008 and 2009 I MUMPO 2035 update 2008 Interim Projections LRTP adopted process with Projections developed May 2010 base year developed using LUSAM Au Quality data updates using LUSAM Model Conformity Models completed 6/11/2014 T Monroe Connector /Bypass Agency Meeting MPO Projection Development No influence from the project in: • 2008 and 2009 Adjustments (LUSAM Models) • 2003 Top -Down Control Total Development Potential influence from the project in: • 2004 Bottom -Up Projection Development • Travel Time to Employment Factor 6/11/2014 �SS 1�.•� O O7 fts 17 Monroe Connector /Bypass Agency Meeting Development of Future Scenarios Used the MUMPO Projections as basis to develop a No -Build Scenario: • Converted growth to acres of development Next, assessed potential for induced growth: • Added that induced growth to the No -Build land use to create the Build Scenario 6/11/2014 10 Monroe Connector /Bypass Agency Meeting North Caroilir .. No -Build Resultsl(2030) •- % '= FLUSABoundary ' eaa. ra. Watersheds oi..s IafaaN 6 �. % Land Use Change , 12% wawa.« �t.w ® _ Developed M14we - Agricultural er.ie sn.n r - Forested Induced Growth Estimation Used a combination of four methods: • Accessibility Analysis • Scenario Writing Approach • Build -out Analysis • Hartgen Analysis 6/11/2014 IM Monroe Connector /Bypass Agency Meeting Scenario Writing and Build Out Analysis Based on interviews and planning information: • Key information I uture I and Ur Plan. • Wingate and Marshville Economic Development Plan • Updated Union County Comprehensive Plan • Showed strong desire for development in eastern 77� t Union County r , 6/11/2014 Pill ncdot Av fiY, Accessibility rN N• __ pine Analysis. Creek .!�� , J QQpN Fa•� C I ,Ins CFeekp Creek Foutmlk C \Cr 801 1Welvemlk! rle Creek 7. � • titiRlillyFF wrmnrnO.OVMai•a wr.�ar. lsereki —F ...n. LW Sh c, c �A—ea wwr•sa �i �M 74 Tavel Tm Lti A m Cnelr ' �o Crook W Buid b eiild (An) ctier• Bum tD Ob2e• )b,Y 5b73 Ob10 � ' "°a'q ►.. _ .'^may. Scenario Writing and Build Out Analysis Based on interviews and planning information: • Key information I uture I and Ur Plan. • Wingate and Marshville Economic Development Plan • Updated Union County Comprehensive Plan • Showed strong desire for development in eastern 77� t Union County r , 6/11/2014 Pill Monroe Connector /Bypass Agency Meeting Hartgen Analysis Yields a qualitative level of likely commercial and industrial development at interchange Har rgrn {nnla ala al lotrrrkrn6ea t US ?4 Buaons 95,600 1! 0 1.5 Crowd Feu Good Goad 6rdr Trial F—n Rod 25.700 14 0 35 Crowd Feu Good Goa6 l.LawitL6u Tod ' Rod Ii,200 1.1 0 51 Omd Fm Goad Poor i Rr—Rod 16,100 1.1 0 7.l Goad Farr Good Poor 5 Coned 54,300 2.1 0 11.0 Good Fee God goer 6 . Rod 2040 2.1 0 1247 God Fair Goad Fear ' A-U. Ctoory Rod 1740 O.f 0 16.7 Fair Good Fee Fear d F—t Hdh School Rod 340 1! 0 It.d Pow Poor Poor Poor 9 US 74 B- 37,100 11 0 19.6 Fee Feu F� 5bor For details, see Appendix L of the Quantitative ICE Report 6/11/2014 21 ,Study Area and McAlpine �. Crook ° Watersheds' . "Goose f1ibYi Imins Creek Creak j I Fourmile Creek �` ,. �_.e ' CrookoclQzek — 4 Samda �- Creek .,. .� . Twelvemile Richardson Stewerts Creek Creek Gourcivine r, �.,w,,, Q eak (Lower) Creek Salem Creek • I Bearskin Richardson Wide Creek r,,,.., - a— r Creek ^ Mouth ir.r.Jr- - Branch Nnw,e.....,... Richardson Rays Fork a,w Creek Beaverdam Creek ` (Upper ) ° Bakers Branch 6/11/2014 21 Monroe Connector /Bypass Agency Meeting ICE Land Use Results • Induced Growth Impacts: • Approximately 2,100 acres of additional development • In addition to 1,200 acres of direct impact • Approximately 1,800 acres of additional residential development: • Yields approximately 4,900 additional households. • Additional commercial and industrial development of about 300 and 100 acres, respectively. • Total additional development = approximately 1% additional developed area 6/11/2014 22 Monroe Connector /Bypass Agency Meeting North C-�.i,rollinp .... Medtkenburg All Others Regional Total Carolina Heelsplitter 9,253,669 44,616,030 Goose 105,450,650 rune• \ Creek 4 wen � \ I VHT waeur O,eee, 4 ' w.a I al sa/AJwl.,4..n wr 1,659,686 44,747,461 1,533,217 51,525,166 u.�nw.lb e.ua ara.- a..- 601 Projected VMT and VHT (induced travel) County Union Medtkenburg All Others Regional Total id+'. ' YM 9,253,669 44,616,030 51,580,950 105,450,650 VHT 307,176 1,659,686 44,747,461 1,533,217 51,525,166 9;612,867 105,885,514 Build 12009 Prol4alonsl ,. -: ' — _ - __- VHT 302,260 1,664,994 1,529,494 51,543,589 106,237,079 r VMT 9,948 .279 44,745,210 Bulld(Adl. Prajeaions) VHT %Change VMT 315,582 N6 1,665,283 0% 1,529.690 0% 0% No-Ov ldvs Build 12009 Proje lions) %Change VMT -2% 0% 0% %Change VMT 8% 0% 0% 1% N"ulldvs Build (Adl. PmZU —) %Change VHT %Change VMT 3% 3% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% Build (2009 Proleaions) ni Build JAdj. Projeaians) %Change VHT 4% 096 0% 6/11/2014 23 Monroe Connector /Bypass Agency Meeting ICE Impact Results • Induced growth is concentrated in eastern Union County • Not likely to adversely affect any protected species • Indirect losses of forest and farmland are marginal in context New CRTPO Projections 1 Completed in January 2014 • Adopted in May 2014 • Anticipate the construction of the Monroe Connector /Bypass • Reviewed for possible changes to results 6/11/2014 24 Monroe Connector /Bypass Agency Meeting Wde Mouth Bran(h Fsvekemiie (reek St-sts Creek Sionle(reek Sakm(reek Ruhardson (reek (Upper) Nc erkdw(reek khardw (reek (laser) Ran Fork WAlpine(reek Issas Cmk 4ourdwse(mk Gow(reek Foremie Creek (iooked(mk Be dam Creek Beankn Creek Bakm Rran(h 2000 , Figure 1: Household Change 2010 to 2030 by Watershed Adjusted 2009 and 2014 Projections - 2014 Projections ■ Adjusted 2009 Projections Me � i I 6 �- – - -�_ 0 2,000 1,000 6,000 8,000 10,000 pane in ikons Ids 2010 to 2030 Flgure 2: DiRerence Bet,een 2030 Household Projections 2009 and 20 to Projections e.rh,w c�.w uprwa lOM nerAMare DOWN ]c0enaruwert>rs sass: Y Difference in Projections 6/11/2014 25 Monroe Connector /Bypass Agency Meeting • Draft Supplemental Final EIS - November 2013 • Three public hearings - December 2013 • A total of 524 people signed in • 64 written comment forms, 22 speakers, 20 letters, and 24 emails • Responses to all comments in Appendix A of Final Supplemental Final EIS 6/11/2014 26 Monroe Connector /Bypass 6/11/2014 Agency Meeting Overview of comments received • NCDOT is not clearing the misconception that the project will relieve congestion on US 74 • No consideration is being given to lower cost alternatives, including improvements to existing US 74 • NC 218 should be the bypass • The amount of growth predicted as a result of the project is underestimated • Flawed traffic forecasts were not updated • Tolls will never pay for the project Overview of comments received • An origin- destination study was not performed • Trucks will not use the toll road • The purpose and need is too narrow, resulting in a predetermined solution • NCDOT is paying the design -build team to lobby support for the project • Boggs Paving is corrupt and yet allowed to stay on project 27 Monroe Connector /Bypass 6/11/2014 Agency Meeting Overview of comments received • The project is being done for financial benefit of politicians and developers • The bypass will only save drivers about 8 to 12 minutes of driving time • Project cost estimates are higher than what is allocated in the STIP Monroe Connector /Bypass Agency Meeting Combined Final Supplemental Final EIS and ROD — May 2014 • Section 1319(b) of MAP -21 directs the lead agency to develop a single document that consists of a Final EIS and ROD, unless certain conditions exist • Substantial changes to the proposed action • Significant new circumstances or information that bear on the proposed action or its impacts FHWA Guidance — 5 questions to consider in deciding whether a combined document is practicable 1. Are there any coordination activities that are more effectively completed after the Final EIS is available? 2. Are there any unresolved interagency disagreements over issues that need identification in the Final EIS? 3. Is there a substantial degree of controversy? 4. Does the Draft EIS identify the preferred alternative? 5. Are there compliance issues with substantive requirements that must be resolved before issuance of the ROD, but that do not merit deferring issuance of the Final EIS? See Final SFEIS Section P.2 6/11/2014 F4%i Monroe Connector /Bypass Agency Meeting Updates in Final Supplemental Final EIS • INRIX data for all of 2013 (Section 1.1.1) • Output from new travel demand model (Section 2.1) • New CRTPO socioeconomic projections (Section 2.4) • Updated cost estimates (Section 2.4) 6/11/2014 30 Monroe Connector /Bypass Agency Meeting • New Biological Assessment and Concurrence • Schweinitz's sunflower survey updates • Potential species listings • Northern Long -Eared Bat Georgia Aster • Savannah Lilliput 6/11/2014 31 Monroe Connector /Bypass Agency Meeting Design -Build Team ^UNITED aL United Infrastructure Group, Inc. Anderson Columbia Co., Inc. ® Boggs Paving, Inc. in close association with Lead Designer g�( Rummel, Klepper, & Kahl, LLP LThe Catena Group 6/11/2014 [CPA Monroe Connector /Bypass Agency Meeting What Happened to the Project Schedule Open Bids Begin Design NCTA requested that all work stop Contract Signed (NTP) NCTA requested that all work stop NCTA gave notice to resume all design work October 28, 2010 October 29, 2010 Worked 1 month November 22, 2010 On -Hold November 21, 2011 12 months Worked May 22, 2012 6 months May 18, 2014 224 months Section Map (6 Sections- 1, 2A, 213, 2C, 3A & 313) 6/11/2014 0 %] Monroe Connector /Bypass Agency Meeting 6/11/2014 34 Monroe Connector /Bypass Agency Meeting Permitting Schedule (as of June 11, 2014) 0 Activities Completed 6/11/2014 35 Monroe Connector /Bypass Agency Meeting 6/11/2014 36