20190397_R-2566B Merger CP 3 and 4A Minutes 3-15-17_20170522

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
ROY COOPER
GOVERNOR
MEMORANDUM TO
FROM:
March 21, 2017
Meeting Participants
Beverly Robinson
JAMES H. TROGDON, III
SECRETARY
SUBJECT: Minutes of Merger Meeting — Concurrence Points 3 and 4A
R-2566B — Improvements to NC 105 from Clarks Creek Road
(SR 1136) in Foscoe to NC 105 Bypass (SR 1107) in Boone
Watauga County, North Carolina
On Wednesday, March 15, 2017 at 8:30 a.m., a meeting was held in the North Carolina Department of
Transportation Century Center Structures Design Conference Room C in Raleigh, NC for the subject
project. The meeting attendees were as follows:
Meeting Participants
Trent Beaver*
Marella Buncick
Marla Chambers
Pam Cook
Carla Dagnino
Felix Davila
Jason Dilday
Teresa Gresham
Tad Hardy
Jonathan Hefner
Bryan Key
Steve Kichefski*
Dean Ledbetter*
Gary Lovering
Bob May
Beverly Robinson
Caleb Smith
Tony Spacek*
Mark Staley
Eugene Tarascio
Cynthia Van Der Wiele
Dave Wanucha*
William Zerman
*Participated via phone
Division 11
USFWS
NCWRC
NCDOT-TPB
NCDOT-NES
FHWA
NCDOT-NES
Kimley-Horn
Kimley-Horn
Wetherill Engineering
NCDOT-Roadway
USACE
Division 11
NCDOT-Roadway
Wetherill Engineering
NCDOT-PDEA
Archaeology
Kimley-Horn
NCDOT-REU
NCDOT
USEPA
NCDWR
NCDOT-Hydraulics

Purpose
The purpose of this meeting was to select the Least Environmentally Damaging Practicable Alternative
(Concurrence Point 3), and to identify avoidance and minimization efforts (Concurrence Point 4A).
Handouts
• Revised CP 3 and 4A Merger Packet
Summary
Mr. Gene Tarascio opened the meeting, stated the purpose of the meeting, and asked attendees to introduce
themselves. He then handed the meeting over to Ms. Teresa Gresham.
Ms. Gresham reviewed the information provided in the Merger packet. Information for CP 3 and 4A had
been posted prior to the meeting. Revisions had been made to the packet, and were distributed at the
meeting. The updated packet will be posted to the Merger Meetings website following the meeting.
The project length is 5.5 miles, from Clarks Creek Road to NC 105 Bypass. However, to meet the project
purpose and need, improvements were determined to be necessary only along 4.5 miles of that corridor,
from Old Shulls Mill Road to NC 105 Bypass. Therefore, avoidance and minimization efforts have been
evaluated only in that 4.5-mile section.
LEDPA Discussion
Merger members concurred that the Best-Fit Build Alternative was LEDPA for Project R-2566B. Specific
details on avoidance and minimization measures will be handled in the CP 4A discussion.
Threatened and Endangered Species Discussion
An update on the threatened and endangered species along the project corridor was provided. Consultation
is currently underway for the northern long-eared bat and the Virginia big-eared bat. The grey bat has
recently been listed, and consultation will begin soon. Ms. Buncick said that the Hellbender had been
petitioned for inclusion on the list. The Watauga River is healthy and has noted occurrences of the
Hellbender. She suggested that NCDOT conduct a survey for the Hellbender now, in case it becomes listed
before construction begins.
Passing Lane Discussion
Ms. Chambers had previously provided written comments on the EA, including a comment that expressed
concern that extending the passing/climbing lane from Old Shulls Mill Road to Broadstone Road did not
meet the purpose of the project, and would be impactful to the environment, economy, viewshed, and
community. The widening through the passing lane section is a best-fit design that widened toward the river
to minimize cuts into the mountain, while maintaining at least a 2-foot buffer from the edge of the
floodplain. The widening would not impact the Watauga River directly, but impacts in this section include
less than 7001inear feet of impact to tributaries and approximately 0.1 acres of wetlands.
TIP Project R-2566B
NEPA/404 Merger Meeting - Concurrence Points 3 and 4A Page 2 of 4

The passing lane was proposed to improve safety and for design reasons. Trucks are anticipated to
experience nearly a 10°/o reduction in speeds due to the 4°/o grade along this 5,000-foot section.
Approximately 6°/o of the traffic volume is trucks. The passing lane also improves passing and stopping
sight distance.
Ms. Chambers suggested that rather than removing the entire passing lane, it be extended from Old Shulls
Mill to about 1,000 feet south of Broadstone Road. This would remove widening in the area where NC 105
is closest to the Watauga River. Mr. Dean Ledbetter expressed concern that dropping a southbound lane at
Broadstone Road rather than continuing it into the passing lane would result in new safety issues at the NC
lOSBroadstone Road intersection. The Division has experienced similar issues at the NC 105/NC 105
Bypass intersection. He feels that the same problems would likely occur at this location, but may be
exacerbated by the higher speeds compared with the NC 105 Bypass intersection.
More safety data was requested to support the need for the passing lane to justify that it meets the project
purpose. Additional information from the NCDOT Safety Unit will be requested. A summary of design-
related data will also be provided.
Permitting Discussion
A phased permit is anticipated for Project R-2566B and R-2566BA. Final designs will begin for the bridge
project sooner than the remainder of the project. The Concurrence Point 4B and 4C meetings will be used
to discuss permitting and hydraulics.
Design and Minimization Discussion
The preliminary design does not include utility relocation or other temporary easements. There are aerial
power lines along the project corridor that will likely need to be relocated. Detailed utility plans are not
typically developed at this stage of the project, but initial estimates estimate approximately $9 million for
utility relocations.
Concern about the geology throughout the project corridor was expressed. According to the preliminary
geotechnical report, acid rock is not present in this corridor. Detailed geotechnical information was
requested to help determine if proposed minimization measures could be implemented to reduce impacts.
This information is not typically available at this stage of the project, but geotechnical input about the
general area from the Division Geotechnical group will be provided to the Merger Team.
There was some concern about erosion and sedimentation control. The stormwater design along the four-
lane, median-divided section was discussed, including whether retention or other storxnwater management
measures would be built in the grassed median or outside of the lanes. More information on the potential
treatments that could be implemented was requested. Erosion control measures will be included in the final
design.
Other potential minimization solutions were discussed. Retaining walls have been added to stay out of the
floodplain; more vertical walls may further decrease impacts. NCDOT does not support shifting the
alignment away from the river due to the anticipated large cuts into the mountain and associated property
impacts and relocations. Reducing the lane and shoulder widths was requested; however, NCDOT does not
TIP Project R-2566B
NEPA/404 Merger Meeting - Concurrence Points 3 and 4A Page 3 of 4

support narrowing lanes or shoulders for safety and design reasons. NCDOT may consider incorporating
additional minimization measures either now or during final design.
Conclusion
Attendees discussed the project schedule. The bridge replacement project will move into final design this
year. A decision about the passing lane and other mitigation measures that will affect the bridge design will
be made for the R-2566B and R-2566BA project jointly so that the R-2566BA design incorporates a
consistent layout.
The Merger team agreed that the Best-Fit alternative was the Least Environmentally Damaging Practicable
Alternative (LEDPA).
The discussion about avoidance and minimization measures has been deferred until more information has
been provided to the Merger Team.
The foregoing constitutes our understanding of the matters discussed and the conclusions
reached. If there are any questions, corrections, omissions, or additional comments please
advise the author within five working days after receipt of these minutes.
cc: Meeting Participants
Project File
TIP Project R-25668
NEPA/404 Merger Meeting - Concurrence Points 3 and 4A Page 4 of 4