20240254 Ver 1_NCDOT-CSX Curve Realignment Permit Application Narrative 1-9-2024_20240109

CSX Transportation (CSXT) Wilmington Bridge Renewal Project
CURVE REALIGNMENT & MP SE 362.50 UPGRADES
Project Narrative
Introduction
The CSX Transportation (CSXT) Wilmington Curve Realignment Project is the construction of new
mainline track to allow for a mainline speed increase to 25 mph between MP ACB 243.8 and MP ACB
244.3. As depicted on the attached workplan drawings, the main realignment project will install
approximately 2,600-ft. of new mainline track, shift 215-ft. of existing track, and remove approximately
1,418-ft. of existing track. Additionally, this project includes the installation of a signal and access road at
approximately MP SE 362.5.
This curve realignment project site will be located between King Street and McRae Street and the signal
portion of the project site will be located off US 421 in Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina
(Figure 1).
Figure 1. Project Location
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Purpose and Need
The CSX Transportation (CSXT) Wilmington Curve Realignment Project involves the construction
of a new mainline track to allow for a mainline speed increase to 25 mph between MP ACB 243.8
and MP ACB 244.3. Additionally, this project includes the installation of a signal and access road
at approximately MP SE 362.5.
Proposed Project
Curve Realignment
The curve realignment portion of the proposed project involves construction of approximately
2,488' of a new section of track between Station -5+00 and Station +19+88 (as shown on
attached workplan drawings). Associated with the new section of track, two 36" x 42" RCP
culverts will be constructed near Station -5+00 (near McRae Street) on the west side of the
project, and a 42" RCP culvert, along with a with a rock pipe inlet protection (RPIP) structure,
will be constructed near Station +5+40 (near King Street). Additionally, the project also
includes the construction of a 400' x 100' stockpile area and a 50' x 100' staging area, both
located in upland (non -wetland) areas. The two culverts located near McRae Street will
facilitate the construction of an entrance road. The culvert located near Station +5+40 will be
for the purposes of hydrologic exchange from one side of the rail bed to the other.
The existing main rail line will remain between Stations 5509+24 and 5499+00 (See Drawing EC
07). A portion of the maintenance of this section of track that is to remain, resulting in the
replacement of 97 linear feet of track near Station 5499+00. This section of replaced track,
which will be all on high ground and will involve no ground disturbing activities. An additional
1,418 linear feet of track will be retired, again with no ground disturbing activities.
Impacts
Wetlands and Stream Impacts- Permanent
The proposed curve realignment portion of the project will involve permanent
impacts to 0.04 acres of non -coastal wetlands associated with the new rail bed
in the vicinity of Station +5+00. There will also be stream impacts of 76 linear
feet and 93 linear feet, both necessitated by the placement of the two 26" x 42"
RCP culverts at the west side of the project associated with the construction of
the entrance/exit road.
Wetlands - Temporary
The proposed curve realignment portion of the project will involve temporary
impacts to 0.01 acres of non -coastal wetlands associated with the new rail bed
in the vicinity of Station +5+00.
Roadbed Widening and New Signal House
The roadbed widening portion of the project involves the widening of an existing roadbed by 10'
for a distance of approximately 890 linear feet immediately west of US 421, as well as the

construction of a new signal house and signal. The purpose of the proposed widening is to allow
for greater operational and maintenance access to the new signal house.
Impacts
Wetlands - Permanent
The proposed road widening and new signal house will involve permanent
impact to 0.04 acres of non -coastal wetland associated with the construction of
the new signal house. The signal house is being placed as close as possible to the
existing roadbed to minimize wetland impacts. There will not be any permanent
stream impacts associated with this phase of the project.
Wetlands - Temporary
The proposed road widening and new signal house will involve temporary
impacts to 0.01 acres of non -coastal wetlands associated with the widened
access road, and 0.01 acres of non -coastal wetlands associated with the
construction of the new signal house, for a total of 0.02 acres of temporary
wetland impact.
Avoidance and minimization
The following avoidance and minimization efforts will be implemented during
project construction.
- The curve realignment section of the project has been designed to minimize
impacts to wetlands and waters by crossing these areas at their narrowest
points.
- The proposed road widening will be located as close as possible to the
existing access roadbed to minimize wetland impacts.
- Wetland impacts associated with the proposed new signal house will be the
minimum necessary to allow for construction of the signal house.
- All wetlands temporarily impacted by project construction will be allowed to
naturally re -vegetate following project construction.
- Staging and stockpile areas have been located outside of wetlands.
- Sedimentation and erosion control measures will be implemented to ensure
that project -related sedimentation does not run off into adjacent wetlands
or waters.
Miscellaneous
Other Permits
The N.C. Division of Coastal Management has determined that the proposed
curve realignment, road widening, and new signal house does not fall within
Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) permit jurisdiction. Therefore, a CAMA
permit will not be submitted for this project.

Pre -filing Notification
A Pre -filing notification was filed with the N.C. Division of Water Resources on
January 19, 2023. Email confirmation of receipt of the Pre -Filing Notification is
attached in Appendix A.
Adjacent Property Owner Notifications
Based upon evidence obtained from New Hanover County GIS maps, the
following have been determined to be adjacent property owners:
Seaboard Coast Line Railroad (Curve Realignment Area)
3600 West Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23230
New Hanover County Government (Access Road Widening and Signal Houe Area)
230 Government Center Drive - Suite 190
Wilmington, NC 28403
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Appendices
Appendix A NCDWR Pre -Filing Notification Confirmation