Global TransPark Rail Access

STAIZ

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
MICHAEL F. EASLEY LYNDO TIPPETT
GOVERNOR SECRETARY

July 22, 2008

Addressee

SUBJECT: Informational Kick-Off Meeting for the Global TransPark Rail Access in Kinston,
Lenoir County. TIP No. U-2928, State WBS No. 41739.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Rail Division is in the initial stages
of developing the environmental and design studies for a proposed rail connection from the
North Carolina Railroad (NCRR)/Norfolk Southern (NS) main-line near US 70 in Kinston to the
Global TransPark (GTP). This letter serves as an invitation to a Kick-Off meeting that will
describe the general characteristics of the project, the tasks required to bring it to construction,
and the associated schedule.

The Kick-Off meeting for the GTP Rail Access project is scheduled for Thursday July 31,
2008 at 1:00 PM. The meeting will be held in the Global TransPark GTP-2 conference
room. GTP-2 is located on John Mewborne road in Kinston, across from the New Breed
Facility (it is a fire station with offices) and next to the GTP-4 hangar (smaller of the two
hangars adjacent to the runway).

The accelerated schedule for this project is the reason for the relatively short lead time in setting
this meeting. The accelerated schedule is due to the recent announcement that Spirit
AeroSystems, Inc. will be constructing a new facility within the GTP. This new facility is
expected to provide economic and security benefits at the local, regional, and national levels.
The following paragraphs provide a brief description of the project, the purpose and need for the
project, plus the general characteristics and natural resources of the project study area.

Project Description

The proposed project is located near US 70 in Kinston and would provide a new single-track
railroad access from the NCRR/NS main-line, north across Hull Road, Dobbs Farm Road, and
C.F. Harvey Parkway to terminate within the GTP. This rail access is proposed to carry large
aircraft components, at a relatively low frequency, to and from the Spirit AeroSystems site. The
approximate length of the project is 4.5 miles. Exhibit 1 (attached) shows the project study area.

MAILING ADDRESS: TELEPHONE: [phone] LOCATION:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FAX: [phone] TRANSPORTATION BUILDING
RAIL DIVISION 1 SOUTH WILMINGTON STREET
1553 MAIL SERVICE CENTER WEBSITE: WWW.BYTRAIN.ORG RALEIGH NC
RALEIGH NC 27699-1553

Global TransPark Rail Access, Kinston, Lenoir County
Kick-Off Meeting
Page 2 of 2
Purpose and Need
The proposed project would create a rail access into the GTP. Currently rail access to the GTP,
which is necessary for the proposed operations of the Spirit AeroSystems facility, does not exist.

Tasks Underway
The following are the major tasks to be completed prior to constructing the proposed rail access.
Due to the fast track schedule, many elements of these tasks will be developed concurrently.
Discussion of the elements of these tasks will be a subject of the Kick-Off Meeting.

Environmental Assessment (EA) - Prior to acquiring right-of-way and obtaining permits for
construction, an EA will be conducted for this project. The EA addresses the effects of the
proposed action on both the human and natural environments. This evaluation requires many
studies and processes including: public involvement; stream and wetland delineation;
evaluation of historic and archaeological resources evaluation; air quality and noise effects
studies; etc. The EA will document the analysis of design alternatives and their associated
benefits and impacts. Once the EA is compete it is anticipated that it will be followed up
with a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). Once this document is signed by the

appropriate federal authority, final design and subsequently right-of-way acquisition can
begin.

Rail Design - Conceptual design is currently underway on multiple alternatives to meet the
project purpose and need. As the feasibility of these concepts is studied, the preliminary
alternatives will be defined and their potential benefits and effects will be evaluated.
Through comparison of impacts, and in consideration of how the alternatives satisfy the
purpose and need, a recommended alternative will be developed. The analysis and
recommendations will be documented in the EA. As soon as a recommended alternative is
selected, development of construction plans will begin.

As mentioned previously, many of the tasks involved in the environmental and design studies
will be over-lapping in order to accelerate the project schedule. Discussion of these tasks will be
part of the agenda at the Kick-Off Meeting. If there are any questions prior to the meeting, please
contact Marc Hamel at 733-7245, extension 270.

Marc Hamel
Rail Environmental Planning Engineer
Rail Division, Environmental and Planning Branch

MH/prk

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