20161221_CP3 Follow Up_20150309

Wainwright, David
From: McInnis, Jay
Sent: Monday, March 09, 2015 12:15 PM
To: Wheeler, Tracey L SAW; Gary Jordan (garysjordan @fws.gov); Wainwright, David;
Brittingham, Cathy; Cynthia Van Der Wiele (vanderwiele.cynthia @epa.gov);
Ron.Lucas @dot.gov; Wilson, Travis W.;joakes @mideastcom.org; Gledhill-earley,
Renee
Cc: Gillespie, Allyn K; Eddie McFalls (eddie.mcfalls @aecom.com); Johnston, Mark
(Mark.Johnston @aecom.com)
Subject: R-5311 CP 3 Additional Information
Attachments: R-5311_CP3_minutes_FINAL.PDF; R-5311_CP3_Packet FINAL.pdf
Merger Team,
When we met in November to discuss CP 3 for R-5311 (US 13/NC 11 in Hertford County), much of the discussion
involved comparing Alternative 1 (NCDOT's preferred)with Alternative 3. A couple of agency representatives stated in
the meeting they recognized the safety benefits of Alternative 1, but they would abstain from selecting Alternative 1 due
to wetland impacts. Several others stated they wanted to discuss this further with the Corps of Engineers before making
a decision. John Thomas attended the meeting for Tracey Wheeler. John asked that we follow up with Tracey following
the meeting. Tracey has asked that NCDOT provide additional information supporting our preferred alternative
(Alternative 1). Here is this additional information explaining why NCDOT prefers Alternative 1:
Although Alternative 3 will have less of an impact on wetlands and streams than Alternative 1,Alternative 3 will
provide less benefit than Alternative 1 and result in more impacts to the human environment. Alternative 3 is not
anticipated to provide as great a safety benefit as Alternative 1 (45%decrease in crash rates versus 52%). Alternative 3
will result in the relocation of 53 more homes than Alternative 1 (54 versus 1). Alternative 3 will have high and adverse
impacts to the Pleasant Plains Community, a low-income and minority community(Alternative 1 will have no notably
adverse community impacts on the Pleasant Plains Community). Alternative 3 will have an "adverse effect" on three
historic properties (Alternative 1 will have "no effect" on any historic properties). Alternative 3 will have substantially
more traffic noise impacts than Alternative 1 (26 homes impacted versus 2). Alternative 3 will require relocating 75
graves (Alternative 1 will not relocate any graves). Alternative 3 will also cost approximately 28 percent more than
Alternative 1 ($89.8 million versus$70.4 million).
The design for Alternative 3 was developed in order to minimize impacts of the alternative to homes and historic
properties along existing US 13. A 46-foot median is proposed for all of the alternatives for the project, including
Alternative 3. A 46-foot median is typically the narrowest median provided on a facility such as this due to safety and
drainage concerns. However, a 23-foot median width and symmetrical widening were examined at two of the historic
properties,the Pleasant Plains Baptist Church and the Pleasant Plains Rosenwald School,which are both National
Register eligible. Because the two historic properties are across the road from each other, symmetrical widening and/or
a 23-foot median would still affect both properties. Also, shifting the road enough to completely avoid one property
would increase impacts on the other. Alternative 3 with a 23-foot median along existing US 13 would still relocate
substantially more homes than Alternative 1. In addition, reducing the median width would reduce the safety benefits
provided by Alternative 3, possibly resulting in 11% more crashes than would be expected with a 46-foot median.
Alternative 1 provides greater safety benefits, less human environmental impacts and costs less than
Alternative 3. For these reasons, NCDOT recommends Alternative 1 for the subject project.
1

Attached are the minutes and the handout from the CP3meeting. Unless vxe need to meet again, I'd like to
circulate a concurrence form electronically when everyone isready. |f you have any questions or need additional
information, please let meknow. |f you're ready to sign (or abstain), please let me know that, aswell.
Thanks,
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