10-31-2023 NCDOT-CSX Directional Bore - USACE Permit Narrative

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CSX TransportaƟon (CSXT) Wilmington Bridge Renewal Project
(MP SE 361.10)
DirecƟonal Bore

Project NarraƟve
IntroducƟon

The CSX TransportaƟon (CSXT) Wilmington Bridge Renewal Project, at MP SE 361.10, is part of
the Wilmington Curve Realignment Project. This project will upgrade various components of the
exisƟng railroad draw bridge located off Quality Drive at the Cape Fear River within Brunswick
and New Hanover CounƟes (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Project LocaƟon
Purpose and Need

The purpose of the proposed project is to provide upgraded electric and fiber op Ɵc services from
the west side of the Cape Fear River to the draw bridge equipment located to the east of the
draw bridge porƟon of the structure. Electrical and fiber opƟc services can not be run
suspended from the bridge to the control house and equipment due to the presence of the draw
bridge porƟon of the bridge.
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Proposed Project

New high-density polyethylene (HDPE) conduits will be installed by the horizontal direcƟonal
drill (HDD) method to carry new power feeder conductors and a new fiber opƟc link across the
Cape Fear River channel. Electrical HDPE conduits shall terminate to ground boxes on each side
of the river. No secƟon of HDPE conduit shall be exposed. All work shall be performed within
exisƟng right of way.

The proposed conduit will be located a minimum of six (6) feet below the river boƩom.
CoordinaƟon will occur with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers NavigaƟonal SecƟon to determine
if addiƟonal burial depths are required. The contractor will verify the locaƟon of fender piles to
avoid potenƟal conflicts with exisƟng structures and their foundaƟons. The contractor shall also
verify if any underground uƟliƟes exist in the proposed HDD route to avoid conflicts.

The bore pit on the west side of the river will be located on high ground and will be accessed by
way of an exisƟng service road. The bore pit on the east side of the river will be placed on a high
ground area immediately adjacent to the exisƟng rail bed. Temporary Ɵmber maƫng (20’ x 40’)
will be placed around the exit pit on the east side of the river. The HDD conduit will then run
from this bore pit to the bridge structure, where it will then be hung from the bridge as it is run
to the control house and the draw bridge equipment.

The proposed project will also involve the removal of an exisƟng control house on the bridge
structure, the construcƟon of a new 20’ x 25’ generator pad on the western shoreline and two
new 8’ x 12’ control houses – one on the western shoreline of the project and one in the locaƟon
of the exisƟng control house, along with a new navigaƟon horn and weather staƟon.

Impacts
Wetlands - Permanent
The Proposed project will not result in any permanent impacts to wetlands,
including coastal wetlands.
Wetlands - Temporary
The placement of this maƫng will result in the temporary impact of 0.01 acres
of coastal wetland. The temporary maƫng will be removed in its enƟrety
immediately following project compleƟon.
NavigaƟon
There should be no negaƟve impact on vessels navigaƟng the Cape Fear River.
The HDD conduit will be placed sufficiently below the river boƩom to ensure
that there will be no impacts to navigaƟon or future channel dredging efforts.
Any barges used during the construcƟon process, including demolishing and
replacing the exisƟng control house, will be moored outside of the Federal
Channel.
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Access and Staging Plan
Access to the project from the west side of the river will be by way of an exisƟng
service road adjacent to the railroad bed. Access to the project from the east
side of the project will be by way of the exisƟng railroad bed and/or barges
moored in the river. Any barges used during the construcƟon process will be
moored outside of the Federal Channel.
Avoidance and minimizaƟon
Impacts to wetlands, including coastal wetlands, have been minimized through a
project design that eliminates all permanent impacts to wetlands and waters,
and will only have a temporary impact to wetlands of 0.01 acres.

NavigaƟonal impacts on vessels navigaƟng the Cape Fear River have been
avoided by requiring that any barges used during the construcƟon process be
moored outside of the Federal Channel.
Because HDD projects can present unique potenƟal risks, the contractor will
adhere to the contractor Frac-Out ConƟngency Plan for DirecƟonal Drilling (see
Appendix A) and the Bentonite MiƟgaƟon Plan (See Appendix B). Once chosen,
the contractor may choose to implement their own conƟngency and/or
miƟgaƟon measures, in which case the Contactor will coordinate with the
Division of Coastal Management, Division of Water Resources, and U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers before implementaƟon of any such alternaƟve measures.
Miscellaneous
Other Permits
A separate Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) permit applicaƟon package
has been prepared for this project and submiƩed to the N.C. Division of Coastal
Management.
Pre-filing NoƟficaƟon
A Pre-filing noƟficaƟon was filed with the N.C. Division of Water Resources on
January 19, 2023. Email confirmaƟon of receipt of the Pre-Filing NoƟficaƟon is
aƩached in Appendix C.
Adjacent Property Owner NoƟficaƟons
Based upon evidence provided by Brunswick and New Hanover County GIS, the
following property owners have been determined to be adjacent riparian
property owners.
Edwards Albert M Trustee and Creech V A JR (Northwest Quadrant)
PO Box 3416
Fredericksburg, VA 22402

NCWILI01 Good 100 Quality Drive LLC (Southwest Quadrant)
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1521 Westbranch Drive
Mc Lean, VA 22102-3204

City Of Wilmington (Northeast and Southeast Quadrants)
PO Box 1810
Wilmington, NC 28402

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Appendices

Appendix A Contractor Frac-Out ConƟngency Plan for DirecƟonal Drilling
Appendix B Bentonite MiƟgaƟon Plan
Appendix C NCDWR Pre-Filing NoƟficaƟon ConfirmaƟon