HomeMy WebLinkAbout20190397_R-2566B Merger CP 4A Minutes 8-15-17 - Revised_20170815
S TATE OF N ORTH C AROLINA
D EPARTMENT OF T RANSPORTATION
R OY C OOPER J AMES H. T ROGDON, III
G OVERNOR S ECRETARY
August 15, 2017
MEMORANDUM TO: Meeting Participants
FROM: Gene Tarascio
SUBJECT: Minutes of Merger Meeting – Concurrence Point 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, July 19, 2017 at 1:00 p.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
Marella Buncick* USFWS
Marla Chambers NCWRC
Pam Cook NCDOT-TPB
Felix Davila FHWA
Jason Dilday NCDOT-NES
Teresa Gresham Kimley-Horn
Tad Hardy Kimley-Horn
Herman Huang NCDOT-HES
Bryan Key NCDOT-Roadway
Steve Kichefski* USACE
Dean Ledbetter* Division 11
Brian Murphy NCDOT-Safety
John Pilipchuk* NCDOT-Geotechnical
Beverly Robinson NCDOT-PDEA
Greg Sealy NCDOT-Utilities
Tony Spacek* Kimley-Horn
Mark Staley NCDOT-REU
Chris Steele* NCDOT-ROW
Eugene Tarascio NCDOT
Dave Wanucha* NCDWR
Derrick Weaver NCDOT-Project Development
William Zerman NCDOT-Hydraulics
*Participated via phone
Purpose
The purpose of this meeting was to identify avoidance and minimization efforts and commitments for the
subject project (Concurrence Point 4A).
Handouts
Revised CP 4A Merger Packet Page 2
CP 4A Support Figures
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 4A had been
posted prior to the meeting. Revisions had been made to page 2 of the packet, and revised copies 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 Shull’s Mill Road (south) to NC 105 Bypass. Therefore, avoidance and minimization efforts have
been evaluated only in that 4.5-mile section.
Climbing Lane Discussion
Several agency members had previously expressed concern that extending the climbing lane from where it
currently begins (between Old Shull’s Mill Road (south) and Old Shull’s Mill Road (north)) 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 climbing lane section is a best-fit design that keeps
all permanent construction impacts out of the floodplain, widening asymmetrically in some areas and using
retaining walls to minimize impacts. The widening would not impact the Watauga River directly, but the
impacts calculated (based on a 25-foot buffer of the preliminary design slope stakes) is anticipated to impact
several tributaries.
Ms. Gresham reviewed the information supporting the purpose and need for the climbing lane, which was
detailed in the Merger packet. NCDOT has proposed the climbing lane to address safety concerns, traffic
delays, and based on design guidelines.
Regarding potential safety concerns at the NC 105/Broadstone Road intersection, Ms. Chambers suggested
the use of additional signage to help reduce possible confusion. It was noted that the majority of traffic
traveling southbound on NC 105 turns right onto Broadstone Road. Ms. Buncick said that the numbers
presented do not appear to support the traffic congestion purpose and need.
Ms. Chambers reminded the Merger team that the Hellbender is a federal species of concern that is likely
to be listed. She asked if the climbing lane could be shortened or if other minimization measures could be
TIP Project R-2566B
NEPA/404 Merger Meeting - Concurrence Point 4A Page 2 of 4
applied in this section to further reduce impacts to water resources, and requested that the buffer of trees
between NC 105 and the Watauga be protected as much as possible in order to preserve wildlife travel
corridors, habitat, shading, and water quality.
Design and Minimization Discussion
The preliminary design does not include utility relocation or other temporary easements. There is an
existing utility corridor between NC 105 and the Watauga River, as well as aerial power lines, that may
need to be relocated. Detailed utility plans have not been developed at this stage of the project, but initial
estimates anticipate approximately $9 million for utility relocations. Mr. Sealy noted that approximately 98
utility towers would need to be relocated with the current design, and that utilities cannot be placed
underground for this project.
Concern about the geology throughout the project corridor was expressed. Detailed geotechnical
information is not yet available. Merger members requested this information before the CP 4B Merger
meeting. Detailed geotechnical information is required to determine where retaining walls are feasible. Mr.
Pilipchuk stated that if widening occurred into the mountain, soil nail cut walls may be a good option, but
that additional studies would be needed to determine how steep the cut face could be.
Attendees discussed potential commitments to reduce impacts during construction, including keeping
equipment out of the floodplain or keeping temporary construction easements out the floodplain where
feasible. Reducing the lane and shoulder widths was discussed; however, NCDOT does not support
narrowing lanes or shoulders for safety and design reasons. NCDOT stated that the paved shoulders are
needed to accommodate breakdown areas as well as bicycle facilities.
Several agency members expressed concern about stormwater locations and runoff treatments as well as
the amount of impervious pavement being added. In some locations, there is limited room available for the
treatment of runoff in the existing right-of -way. Stormwater treatments will be included in the final design
and will be addressed during CP 4B and 4C meetings.
Ms. Chambers suggested that the alignment be shifted away from the Watauga River and into the
mountainside to avoid impacts to water resources. Utilities are primarily located between NC 105 and the
Watauga River in the section with the proposed climbing lane, and she suggested holding the existing utility
line where feasible. Shifting the alignment away from the river is likely to result in large cuts into the
mountain, which would result in property impacts and relocations. Mr. Sealy noted that if utilities need to
be relocated to the other side of the road, the utility relocations may have some of the same impacts.
At the major drainage structure #6, Ms. Chambers requested that a third corrugated metal barrel be added
to accommodate wildlife passage across NC 105. She expressed concern about the potential for animals
crossing the road, which could lead to more vehicular collisions with animals. Mr. Kichefski noted that
since the culvert size had been agreed to in the CP 2A meeting, it may not be appropriate to revisit it at this
time.
TIP Project R-2566B
NEPA/404 Merger Meeting - Concurrence Point 4A Page 3 of 4
Conclusion
The Merger team discussed the avoidance and minimization commitments. The following commitments
were agreed upon by the Merger team:
The feasibility of holding the existing utility line between Old Shull’s Mill Road (north) and
Broadstone Road will be investigated.
Temporary construction easements will be kept outside of the 100-year floodplain, floodway, and
Watauga River where feasible.
Permanent construction and slope stakes will stay out of the 100-year floodplain, floodway, and
Watauga River. If not feasible, the Merger team will revisit CP 4A.
Section BA will not be constructed until sufficient information is available to apply for a phased
permit.
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-2566B
NEPA/404 Merger Meeting - Concurrence Point 4A Page 4 of 4