U5710_EScopMin_041615_FINAL

Project:
Meeting
Location:
Meeting Subject
/ Date:
Notes By:
M eeti ng M i n utes
NCDOT U-5710, US 74 (Eastwood Road) at SR 1409 (Military Cutoff Road)
NCDOT Structure Design Conference Room C
External Scoping Meeting
April 16, 2015 @ 10:00 AM
J. Dayton, K. Stull
Job
No:
Meeting Purpose: The purpose of the meeting was to discuss known information about the project and
the project area, receive agency comments, and discuss next steps in the project development process.
Attendees:
Ron Lucas
Rob Hanson
Jay Mclnnis
Kim Gillespie
Christopher Lee
Benjetta Johnson
Karen Collette
phone)
Chad Kimes
phone)
Patrick Riddle
Katie Hite
Stoney Mathis
phone)
Hardee Cox
Brook Anderson
Mark Staley
Tris Ford
Summary:
FHWA
NCDOTPDEA
NCDOTPDEA
NCDOTPDEA
NCDOT Roadway
NCDOT CMS
NCDOT Division 3 (by
NCDOT Division 3 (by
NCDOT Division 3
NCDOT Division 3
NCDOT Division 3 (by
NCDOT STIP
NCDOT Hydraulics
NCDOT REU
NCDOT HES
Emily Murray
Greg Dickey
Jim Armfield
Brad Shaver
Cathy Brittingham
Gary Jordan
Travis Wilson
Cynthia Van Der Wiele
Fritz Rohde
phone)
Mason Herndon
phone)
Renee Gledhill-Earley
Shane Staples
(by phone)
Mike Kozlosky
Kirk Stull
Jeff Dayton
NCDOT SMU
NCDOT SMU
NCDOTPDEA
USACE (by phone)
NCDENR-DCM
USFWS
NCWRC
USEPA
NOAA Fisheries (by
NCDENR-DWR (by
NCHPO (by phone)
NCDENR-DCM Fisheries
WMPO
HDR
HDR
Kim Gillespie began the meeting with introductions and an overview. Jeff Dayton presented a summary
of the project description, existing conditions, project purpose, proposed study area, NCDOT comments,
ongoing studies in the project vicinity and anticipated next steps. The following are key discussion
topics from the meeting:
1. Agency Comments
• Cathy Brittingham said there appears to be no CAMA Areas of Concern for this project. No
CAMA permit is anticipated. A"Federal Consistency Certification" will possibly be needed. The
U-5710 project should be in conformance with CAMA Land Use Plans.
• Renee Gledhill-Earley stated that HPO did not have any concerns with the project.
U-5710 ESM Minutes Page 1 of 3

• Fritz Rohde stated NOAA Fisheries does not have any concerns.
• Mike Kozlosky mentioned the Wilmington MPO is planning to convert Eastwood Road west of
the intersection from a five-lane facility to a four-lane divided facility with a center median.
This project was funded in the 2014 City of Wilmington Transportation Bond, and will likely be
constructed in the next five to seven years.
• Mr. Kozlosky also mentioned bicycle and pedestrian accommodations will be important for this
project. The Cross-City Trail runs along Eastwood Road and crosses Military Cutoff Road. A
multi-use path along Military Cutoff Road is in design to extend south from Drysdale Drive to the
Cross-City Trail at Eastwood Road.
• Ron Lucas said that a Categorical Exclusion (CE) Class of Action could be appropriate, depending
on what impacts are determined.
• Cynthia Van Der Wiele posed a question about what other "Outside the Box" Alternatives are
being considered. HDR's response was that the alternatives are still under development and
nothing has been brought forward.
• Rob Hanson noted public involvement will be a very important element of this project. In
addition, how NCDOT will handle the maintenance of traffic during construction will be an issue
for local commuters and residents. Mike Kozlosky reiterated the importance of public
involvement, especially in light of the new developments in the area (Autumn Hall, etc.). Jay
Mclnnis noted NCDOT will account for any additional impacts in the project footprint.
2. Merger 01 Process Discussion
Brad Shaver noted there are some jurisdictional features in the project area, primarily
northwest of the intersection and also near Lionsgate Drive. However, Mr. Shaver did not think
the Merger process is necessary for this project. The following agencies also concurred with this
statement during the meeting: DWR, FHWA, DCM, HPO, USFWS, NCWRC, WMPO, USEPA, and
DCM Fisheries.
3. Public Involvement
• Tris Ford thought there may be potential LEP and EJ populations in a census block group north of
the intersection. This should be researched and considered in the public involvement. Cynthia
Van Der Wiele asked if the FHWA Class of Action was a CE document, would that have the same
amount of EJ analysis. Jay Mclnnis responded that regardless of the document type, EJ will
receive the same level of analysis.
• Mason Herndon commented with regard to high quality waters, the designs should allow
enough room for storm water best management practices to be installed.
• The group discussed whether to present the project to the public early with less information or
wait until more information is available. Mr. Kozlosky stated he believed the project team
should present the project as soon as they could. He stated he expects there to be a lot of
growth in the surrounding area.
• Pictures of an interchange HDR designed in Mount Pleasant, SC were shown to the group. It was
discussed the Mount Pleasant project might serve as a good model for a proposed interchange.
Stoney Mathis noted the proposed laneage for U-5710 is similar to the laneage in Mt. Pleasant.
U-5710 ESM Minutes Page 2 of 3

Katie Hite suggested showing what the traffic conditions would look like before and after the
construction of the interchange at the future public meeting.
4. Action Items
• NCDOT will update the TIP estimate once project costs are more defined.
� NCDOT/HDR will begin preparations for the upcoming public meeting, anticipated for June 2015.
U-5710 ESM Minutes Page 3 of 3