U-5760 ESM Summary 09-21-16

TIP Project U-5760
Widen Big Mill Farm Road and Hopkins Road
from south of I-40 Bus/US 421 to West Mountain Street
Kernersville, Forsyth County
NCDOT Division 9
WBS 46381
External Scoping Meeting
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
NCDOT Century Center Structures Design Conference Room
Meeting Summary

Attendees
Name Agency Name Agency
Brett Abernathy NCDOT Div. Project Manager Jeff Hatling* Town of Kernersville
Marella Buncick USFWS Jeff Hemphill NCDOT NES
Marla Chambers NCWRC Pat Ivey Division Engineer
Ron Cribbs NCDOT Roadway Jeff Moore Kimley-Horn
Carla Dagnino NCDOT NES Keith Raulston* NCDOT Div. Const. Eng.
Amy Euliss NCDOT Div. Environmental Officer Caitlyn Ridge Kimley-Horn
Kevin Fischer NCDOT Structures Wilson Stroud NCDOT PDEA
Teresa Gresham Kimley-Horn Hemang Surti* NCDOT TPB
Frederick Haith* Winston-Salem Urban Area MPO John Thomas USACE
Diane Hampton NCDOT Div. Planning Engineer Dave Wanucha* NCDWR
*attended via phone

Purpose
The purpose of this meeting was to introduce the project to the external agencies and gather their
input.
Following introductions, Ms. Gresham described information provided in the scoping packet. Key
information, discussion, and input is summarized below.
Discussion and Input
STIP Project U-5760, scheduled to begin right-of-way in FY 2021 and construction in FY 2023, is part of
the proposed Kernersville Boulevard, an envisioned loop around Kernersville. The project proposes to
widen and extend Big Mill Farm Road and Hopkins Road (SR 2649) from Harmon Creek Road to
W. Mountain Street (NC 66/SR 2377) and construct an interchange at I-40 Business/US 421.
Project U-5760 1 External Scoping Meeting
September 21, 2016

Purpose and Need
This project has been proposed to reduce congestion in downtown Kernersville, especially around the
interchange of S. Main Street (SR 4315) and I-40 Business/US 421. Additional benefits will be improved
mobility and access to major highways in Kernersville and accommodation of economic development
expansion in the area.
Indirect and Cumulative Effects
Attendees discussed the likelihood of indirect and cumulative effects from this project. Although a
benefit of the project is accommodation of expanded economic development, this project alone is
anticipated to have only a minor change on development patterns. Several attendees expressed concern
about whether the land-use and zoning plans are up-to-date with the project and the expected
development near the project. Ms. Gresham noted that the Kernersville Boulevard (which includes this
project) has been on the local transportation plan for 30 years, and all zoning and land use plans have
been designed to support the transportation plan. The Town of Kernersville has planned for commercial
nodes rather than commercial strips (at S. Main Street, there is a local commercial node north of I-40
Business and a regional commercial node south of I-40 Business).
The indirect and cumulative effects report is underway. Based on early findings, this project is generally
expected to accommodate future development rather than induce new development, and may slightly
accelerate the timing of development and redevelopment. This project may open access to
approximately 15 acres of land near the proposed interchange. There is potential for continued
industrial development just north of the project, which is consistent with the local zoning and land-use
plans. Other existing commercial nodes may experience redevelopment, but that potential
redevelopment (likely to higher densities) is expected to occur regardless of this project. No change in
land use is expected along Hopkins Road or Big Mill Farm Road.
Existing and Proposed Design
The existing typical section of Hopkins Road and Big Mill Farm Road is a 2-lane undivided roadway.
Harmon Creek Road is a 4-lane median-divided roadway, which was constructed by a developer (as
required by the Town) in anticipation of this project. The proposed typical section is proposed in local
plans to be a 2- or 4-lane median divided roadway with curb and gutter, sidewalks, and bicycle facilities.
The typical section included on town and MPO plans has changed over the years. In 2008, a feasibility
study proposed a 4-lane median divided facility, which received opposition from much of the adjacent
community. The current local plans have since been revised to recommend a 2-lane median divided
facility, based on adjusted traffic volumes and to incorporate a more context sensitive design. Based on
input received at the Project U-5760 public design charrette held in August 2016, most residents support
a 2-lane typical section. Ms. Gresham noted that many of the neighborhoods along Hopkins Road and
Big Mill Farm Road were built after the Kernersville Boulevard was added to the transportation plan.
Approximately half of those attending the meeting supported either an on-road bicycle facility or multi-
use path, and about a third supported addition of sidewalks. Sidewalks or bicycle facilities are on all local
plans and would serve the larger community, including connecting to the proposed Kerners Mill
Greenway and other nearby multimodal facilities. New sidewalks and multi-use path will require local
participation, per the NCDOT Pedestrian Policy. Ms. Buncick noted that higher impacts may be palatable
Project U-5760 2 External Scoping Meeting
September 21, 2016

by residents and agencies if those impacts are a result of additional amenities that serve both the local
and wider community, and are part of approved transportation and land use plans.
Some key concerns by those in the neighborhood include noise and privacy concerns of moving the road
closer to their homes, attracting large trucks, speed and safety concerns, loss of property, and increased
traffic volumes. Community input, the traffic forecast, environmental and community impacts, and
other engineering factors will be used to determine the typical section appropriate for this project.
An origin-destination study will look at existing travel patterns through this area to see if drivers who are
using the S. Main Street interchange from Hopkins Road are primarily accessing the shopping centers or
the highway. It will also look at the types of vehicles traveling on the road. Although NC 66 is a
designated truck route, residents reported that tractor trailers began using Hopkins Road about two
years ago. The traffic forecast will take into account the sections of the Winston-Salem Northern
Beltway (Project U-2579) that are funded, part of which is currently under construction. The Beltway is
anticipated to attract local drivers and trucks, particularly those coming from Walkertown (including
those from the large regional rail depot and other industries in that area).
Environment and Community
Recent delineations showed multiple streams, wetlands, and ponds within the project area. This area,
particularly near the interchange, is in a FEMA floodway. Mr. Thomas is concerned about impacts to the
Kerners Mill Creek crossing and unnamed tributary parallel to Hopkins Road. Ms. Euliss showed
attendees photos of that crossing area. There are no homes directly across from the parallel stream, and
NCDOT would prefer to widen the road away from the parallel stream to limit impacts. There are no
other major environmental concerns.
Ms. Buncick suggested considering good stormwater detention and some green infrastructure for this
project, especially with the proposed bicycle and pedestrian facilities and greenway connections in the
area. Ms. Chambers encouraged a context sensitive, low-impact design. Ms. Euliss noted that NCDOT’s
hydraulic designers will be involved to ensure the project meets stormwater design requirements.
There is a historic district along Main Street east of Project W-5510, which is close to this project’s study
area. Although this project is not expected to impact that area, Mr. Thomas requested that the historic
districted be noted in case the project corridor changes in the future.
Potential Impacts and Design Issues

Some impacts to residences and businesses are likely, although a narrower typical section would

minimize those impacts.

If Hopkins Road near W. Mountain Street needs modifications, then the project may encroach

into the railroad right of way. If that occurs, a railroad grade separation will be considered.
However, it is not anticipated that the project will encroach on the railroad right-of-way. This
project currently has no funding for a grade separation.

There are multiple utilities at the northern termini of this project and along Hopkins Road.


There are several small streams that cross or are parallel with the corridor. The interchange

would likely bridge over the streams, but widening with a culvert is anticipated for the Hopkins
Road widening.

There are three FEMA crossings along the corridor involving Smith Creek and Kernersville Creek.

Project U-5760 3 External Scoping Meeting
September 21, 2016


Residents surrounding the project have expressed concern in the past about physical and visual

impacts this project would create along Hopkins Road and Big Mill Farm Road.
Key Milestones:

Traffic forecast – Fall 2016


Preliminary designs – Fall 2017


EA – Spring 2018


FONSI – Early 2019


Right of way – FY 2021


Construction – FY 2023

Note: If the project ends up in the merger process, then the schedule may change.
Project Contacts:
This project has been transferred from NCDOT PDEA to NCDOT Division 9. The new contact information
for this project is shown below.
NCDOT Division 9 Kimley-Horn
Brett Abernathy, P.E., PLS Teresa Gresham, P.E.
366-747-7800 919-677-2194
[e-mail] [e-mail]

Merger Screening:
Following the external scoping meeting, USACE, NCDWR, and NCDOT held a merger screening
meeting. The total potential stream impacts for 110-foot and 190-foot wide corridors were
presented and discussed. The two stream crossings at the interchange are proposed to be bridged;
therefore, no impacts are anticipated at those locations. The amount of impacts to the four
potential stream impact areas near Timberwood Trail vary based on the typical section proposed
and the alignment. There are no known competing protected resources along the corridor.
The decision about Merger will be based largely on the likelihood of requiring an Individual Permit,
although attendees agreed that GP 13 may be appropriate. Since that determination will be affected
by the selected typical section, the merger screening team agreed to wait until the traffic forecast
has been completed and typical section has been chosen before a decision is made about whether
to include this project in the merger process.
Ms. Gresham and Ms. Euliss said that if the project is not in Merger, NCDOT would coordinate with
the permitting agencies through the design process so that USACE and NCDWR were comfortable
with the project purpose and alternatives studied before NCDOT submitted the permit application.
Project U-5760 4 External Scoping Meeting
September 21, 2016