R-5710 External Scoping Meeting Minutes.pdf

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ICA
MEMORANDUM
Meeting Participants/ Invitees
Mark L. Reep, PE
Senior Project Engineer
HDR � ICA
Minutes from March 16, 2016 External Scoping Meeting for R-5710/ R-5721/ U-5765,
NC 73 from NC 16 Business to Northcross Avenue (SR 2316), Lincoln and Mecklenburg
Counties
March 31, 2016
An External Scoping Meeting was held on March 16, 2016 in the Structure Design Conference Room at
NCDOT's Century Center — Building A to seek agency input and discuss the proposed improvements/
widening of NC 73 in Lincoln and Mecklenburg Counties.
Attendees:
Wilson Stroud, PDEA
Kevin Moore, Roadway Design
Nathan Adima, Roadway Design
William Zerman, Hydraulics
Kendra Bridges, Bike and Pedestrian Division
Mark Staley, Roadside Environmental Unit
Carla Dagnino, PDEA
Erin Cheely, PDEA
Harrison Marshall, PDEA
Stuart Basham, Division 10*
Larry Carpenter, Division 12*
Anil Panicker, Division 12*
Stacy Oberhausen, PDEA
James Harris, Rail Division
Meredith McLamb, Rail Division
* indicates participation by phone
Meeting Minutes
Donna Hood, NC DWR
Mike Reese, Congestion Management*
Doug Calhoun, Structures Management
Marella Buncick, USFWS — Western*
Cynthia Van Der Wiele, USEPA
Renee Gledhill-Earley, SHPO*
Crystal Amschler, USACE
Bill Coxe, Town of Huntersville*
Sushil Nepal, Town of Huntersville*
Candice Leonard, CRTPO*
Mark Reep, HDR � ICA
Alex Snider, HDR � ICA*
Clay Oliver, HDR � ICA
David Robinson, HDR � ICA
Background information about the project is described in the attached handout. A summary of the meeti
discussion is provided below:
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Projects R-5710, R-5721, U-5765
March 16, 2016 External Scoping Meeting
• Welcome and Introductions
Mark Reep (HDR � ICA) welcomed everyone and stated the purpose of the meeting is to continue
discussions leading up to the Merger Screening meeting and to seek input from agencies regarding the
candidacy of this project for the merger process. He then opened the floor for introductions and provided
an overview of the agenda.
• Project Description
Three STIP projects (R-5710, R-5721, and U-5765) will be combined into one State-funded environmental
study. These three projects will consider multilane improvements to NC 73 from NC 16 Business in
Lincoln County to Northcross Avenue (SR 2316) in Mecklenburg County.
• Design Data — Existing Conditions
NC 73 is listed as a principal arterial that has no control of access. The right of way varies from 60-220 feet
and has a posted speed of 45 mph in the developed areas and a posted speed of 55 mph in the less
developed areas.
• Long Range Plan History
Multilane improvements to NC 73 have been considered in various longrange plans. The draft
Comprehensive Transportation Plan from the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization
shows a recommended realignment of NC 73 from the McGuire Nuclear Station to Beatties Ford Road.
A list of other plans that have considered multilane improvements can be found in the attached handout.
• Traffic Data
Design AADT data for 2040 is not yet available. As part of the NC 73 Corridor Study performed by
NCDOT's Congestion Management Section, traffic operations were analyzed along the NC 73 corridor for
design year 2021. Interim improvements were recommended based on the findings.
• Cost Estimates and Project Schedule
The total cost estimate listed in the TIP is $93,460,000. The preliminary schedule is for the State
Environmental Assessment to be completed in 2018, the State FONSI to be completed in 2019, right of
way to begin in 2021, and construction to begin 2023. However, Stacy Oberhausen (NCDOT PDEA) noted
the schedule will not be formally established until after the Merger process has begun.
• Initial Scoping Comments
Mark Reep summarized the various comments that were made during the Internal Scoping Meeting.
These comments focused on design considerations and environmental features. Topics included traffic
congestion, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, utilities, rail crossings, structures, water resources, and
preliminary study area resources.
• Design Data — Proposed Conditions
Currently, the proposed conditions consist of a boulevard with no control of access and speeds to be
designed for 50-60 mph. The proposed typical section from NC 16 to West Catawba Avenue (SR 5544) is
four lanes with a minimum 23-foot median with bike lanes and sidewalks. From West Catawba Avenue to
Northcross Avenue, the proposed typical section is four lanes or six lanes with a minimum

Projects R-5710, R-5721, U-5765
March 16, 2016 External Scoping Meeting
23-foot median with bike lanes and sidewalks. Sidewalk locations will be determined in coordination with
local governments and according to NCDOT's Pedestrian Policy.
Cynthia Van Der Wiele (USEPA) questioned why controlled access is not being considered given the traffic
needs and anticipated expansion of facilities and operations at the McGuire Nuclear Station. She stated
that this area is experiencing high growth and she did not believe that incorporating bicycle and pedestrian
facilities on a high speed, uncontrolled roadway was the best way to address the need for the project.
Given the traffic patterns and volumes generated by Southlake Christian Academy and the
McGuire Nuclear Station, she believed the route should be protected. To protect and encourage bike and
pedestrian transportation, she suggested some type of positive separation of those facilities from the
roadway.
Marella Buncick (USFWS) agreed with Cynthia Van Der Wiele's comments and suggested that access
management be explored further.
Bill Coxe (Town of Huntersville) stated that access management, or some type of hybrid access
management, should be embedded into the design of the project. He noted that the draft Project Need
should indicate that NC 73 begins at NC 27 east of Lincolnton.
Mike Reese (NCDOT Congestion Management) gave a background of the NC 73 Corridor Study that
reviewed traffic operations along this corridor and provided recommendations based on design year 2021.
The design year 2021 was chosen for the NC 73 Corridor Study because it was initiated before these
projects were prioritized and funded in the STIP. The Lincoln County portion of the study includes access
management recommendations because that section of the study was performed before prioritization, while
the Mecklenburg County portion of the study includes interim improvements because it was performed after
prioritization.
Kevin Moore (NCDOT Roadway Design) stated that limited and partial control of access facilities require
control of access fencing along the entire length of the facility, except at intersections. This access control
and fencing is undesirable due to the associated expense. However, other types of access management
techniques can be explored to better accommodate bike and pedestrian activity.
Harrison Marshall questioned whether a median-divided roadway is sufficient access management. He
stated that the proposed design conditions appeared to include components of both an expressway and a
boulevard. He suggested streamlining the design to reflect either a high-speed, high-mobility roadway or a
multi-use boulevard.
Larry Carpenter (NCDOT Division 12) suggested that a 60 mph design speed and controlled access would
not be compatible with the ongoing and future development in the area. Additionally, he thought there
would be public opposition against controlled access. He would prefer a 50 mph design speed with
managed access. Stuart Basham (NCDOT Division 10) concurred with Larry's thoughts on controlled
access.
The consensus was to propose design conditions that are more representative of a boulevard. These
conditions include accommodations for bike and pedestrian travel, a 50 mph design speed (to be posted at
45 mph), and access management or controls that enhance mobility through the corridor.
• Purpose and Need
The project is needed because NC 73 in the project area experiences traffic congestion, serves as a
strategic regional highway, and is an evacuation route for the McGuire Nuclear Station. It is also part of the
National Highway System (NHS) and is the only crossing of the Catawba River between NC 150 and

Projects R-5710, R-5721, U-5765
March 16, 2016 External Scoping Meeting
NC 16. The purpose of the proposed project is to improve mobility and increase the roadway carrying
capacity of NC 73 in the project area to support regional transportation needs.
A number of intersections within the study area operate at deficient levels of service (LOS) and other
intersections have one or more movements at LOS E or F and extensive queuing lengths. These findings
are based on design year 2021 data described in the NC 73 Corridor Study performed by NCDOT's
Congestion Management Section. Mike Reese mentioned that the NC 73 Corridor Study assumed a fairly
aggressive 1.5% growth rate.
Crystal Amschler (USACE — Division 10) stated that the purpose should include more specific measures
and reference the bike and pedestrian aspects of the proposed project.
It was stated that currently there is no written or formal cost-participation agreement with the
Town of Huntersville regarding bike and pedestrian facilities, but that such an agreement, preceded by a
written request from the Town (per NCDOT policy), will be required. This will apply to facilities within the
Town of Cornelius, as well.
• Preliminary Study Area Resources
Mark Reep described the study area and highlighted the notable resources within the study area. The
proposed 400-foot study area allows flexibility in widening to one side or the other. The study area bulbs
out west of the Catawba River to account for two large transmission towers that are located on either side
of the roadway. Depending on the proposed design, the alignment may need to shift to the south to avoid
these towers. The study area narrows back down to 400 feet east of the Catawba River to minimize
impacts to Duke Energy's facilities.
Sushil Nepal (Town of Huntersville) noted that while no official change in endorsement has been made,
Town of Huntersville's officials may be moving away from the locally endorsed realignment of NC 73 from
the McGuire Nuclear Station to Beatties Ford Road.
Bill Zerman mentioned that there is a non-inventoried 2@10'x9' RCBC west of the Catawba Bridge on
Tributary 6 of the Catawba River. It is in a FEMA Limited Detail Study Area.
• Discussion and Comments
Marla Chambers (NC Wildlife Resources Commission) e-mailed comments prior to the scoping meeting.
She requested some control of access to be considered for this project to manage future growth and the
traffic it will generate. Otherwise, the same or worse traffic problem will occur on a larger scale and lead to
additional environmental impacts with future improvements. Stormwater treatment for the project area,
including future development, should be a high priority. She recommended low impact development
measures, including pervious pavement for sidewalks, to reduce pollutant input, especially to impaired
waters.
Donna Hood (NC Division of Water Resources) also recommended access management techniques. The
water resources in the project area are very important and include 303(d) water bodies, critical water
supply watersheds, and wetlands. There is a nearby City of Charlotte water treatment plant. She
requested that special attention be given to enhanced stormwater design using tools for Best Management
Practices (BMP's). She also noted that she would provide information about a mitigation plan in the area
that may need to be considered.
Renee Gledhill-Early (State Historic Preservation Office) indicated that historic and archaeological resource
evaluations for this project should be conducted by NCDOT according to the Programmatic Agreement
4

Projects R-5710, R-5721, U-5765
March 16, 2016 External Scoping Meeting
between FHWA, NCDOT, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and the SHPO. NCDOT should
perForm a comprehensive evaluation of resources prior to requesting SHPO comments. She noted that the
GIS maps available on SHPO's website should only be used as a guide and that determinations regarding
National Register eligible or listed resources in the study area should be based upon a comprehensive
evaluation. She noted that very limited cultural resource survey information is available for Lincoln County.
She also supports access controls and is not opposed to the use of fencing if required along the project.
Kendra Bridges (NCDOT Bike and Pedestrian Division) noted that the recommendation for bike and
pedestrian facilities will depend on the ultimate design of the project. Bridge No. 50 should accommodate
bikes and pedestrians. She agreed to review standards pertaining to facilities with controlled access.
Doug Calhoun (NCDOT Structures Management Unit) proposed that Bridge No. 50 be replaced.
Mark Staley (NCDOT Roadside Environmental) noted water resource issues include Class CA waters,
Lake Norman, and Catawba River buffer rules.
James Harris (NCDOT Rail Division) stated that renewed encroachment agreements will be an essential
part of crossing the railroad to the west of the Catawba River. PDEA staff should coordinate with Kirby
Warrick and Meredith McLamb in the Rail Division concerning these encroachment agreements. He also
noted that the crossing should remain at grade and include crossing signals. A grade separated crossing
would not be practical due to the infrequent train traffic, terrain, and close proximity to the Catawba River
bridge.
Harrison Marshall (NCDOT PDEA) suggested that public involvement activities occur at multiple locations
along the corridor (one location in Lincoln County, one location in the middle of the project, and one
location in Huntersville). The project should be coordinated with NCDOT's Traffic Noise Group to
determine the required level of traffic noise analysis.
Larry Carpenter (NCDOT Division 12) mentioned that rehabilitation on the steel on Bridge No. 50 over the
Catawba River had recently been performed. He is not opposed to replacing the bridge.
Sushil Nepal (Town of Huntersville) indicated a speed of 45 mph is desirable for the project.
• Adjournment
Action Items
1. The proposed design conditions will be representative of a multi-use boulevard, incorporating
access management techniques and considering use of access control.
2. The Project Purpose will be revised to include more specific measures and elements related to bike
and pedestrian accommodations.
3. NCDOT will initiate a request to evaluate historic architectural and archaeological resources.
If you have comments, please respond by April 8, 2016 to me at [e-mail] or at
919-900-1635 and Wilson Stroud at wstroud _ncdot.qov or at 919-707-6045.
Attachments
MLR/dkr