R-2513 Scoping Meeting Summary.pdf

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VHB Engineering NC, P.C. (C-3705)
Venture 1
940 Main Campus Drive, Suite 500
Raleigh, NC 27606
919.829.0328 • Fax [phone]
www.vhb.com
Memorandum To� Meeting Participants �ate: October 18, 2017
From: Lauren Triebert, PE
VHB Engineering NC, P.C.
vH6 Project 38564.10
No.:
Re: R-2513 (US 17 Widening)
Carteret County, North Carolina
Initial Project Meeting
The following is a summary of the R-2513 scoping meeting held on September 21, 2017, at 2:30 PM at the
Division 2 office (sign-in sheet attached):
Bill Kincannon (NCDOT Division 2)
Liz Workman (NCDOT Division 2)
Stephen Lane (NCDCM)
Tom Steffens (USACE)
Ed Eatmon (NCDOT Division 2)
Garcy Ward (NCDWR)
Jim Harris (NCDOT Rail)
Bert W1litehurst (NCDOT Div 2, ROW)
Catherine Bryant (NCDOT — TPB, phone)
Travis Wilson (NCWRC, phone)
Keith Honeycutt (NCDOT L&S)
Jamie Heath (Mid East RPO)
Patrick Flanagan (Down East RI'O)
Lee Johnson (So-Deep Engineering)
Lauren Triebert (VHB)
Kris Dramby (VHB)
Candice Andre (VHB)
Andrew Topp (VHB)
Jimmy Goodnight (VHB)
Tim Goins (VHB)
The main purpose of the meeting was to introduce the proposed project (R-2513) and gain project input from
specific groups within NCDOT and regulatory agencies, as well as discuss project process and coordination
moving forward. Following introductions, the meeting was guided by a powerpoint presentation outlining
Project Overview, Purpose and Need, Existulg Conditions, Environmental Screening, Design Concepts, and
Next Steps and led by L. Triebert. Participants were encouraged to ask questions and provide input during
the presentation. The following was discussed:
Project Overview
o R-2513 extends from NC 43 in Ernul to SR 1127 (Possum Track Road) north of Vanceboro —
approximately 15 miles (project area map attached)
o Widen existing roadway to 4-lane divided section
o Part A(NC 43 in Ernul to Spruill Town Road, approx. 2 mi) is currently programed for
construction; 2019 R/W, 2020/2021 construction
o SEPA document will cover the full 15-mile corridor (Sections A-E)
Project Purpose and Need
Need was presented as improving regional mobility and completing the widening of US 17
to multi-lanes through NC; additionally, grade separations at key locations would
encourage mobility by removing conflict points
T. Steffens commented that Need should be quantifiable and completing the
widening/fulfilling the STC plan should be avoided as a need for the project; safety metrics
should be incorporated
Page 1 of 3

Date: October5,2017
Project No.: 38564.10
■ VHB is currently evaluating the crash data provided by NCDOT to determine if
safety metrics can be used in the P&N for this project
o T. Steffens also suggested reviewing P&N statements for other segments of US 17,
specifically R-2514C (US 17 Widening near Maysville)
■ L. Triebert to coordinate with T. Steffens on P&N revisions
o S. Lane would like to see quantification of safety benefits and travel time savings as they are
available; incorporate into P&N as able
Existing Conditions
o Existing 2-lane highway with 12' lanes, paved shoulders, no bike/ped facilities, 55 mph
posted speed limit
o Existing at grade crossing with Norfolk Southern RR; when stated that a grade separation
would be considered at this location, per recommendation of the NCDOT Rail Division, it
was stated that the rail separation was being submitted as a rail project, separate from R-
2513, due to cost. If this occurs, close coordination between that rail project and R-2513
(Section B) plans will be needed due to a potential grade separation of the US 17/US 17
Bypass intersection located approximately 1,300 feet south of the crossing.
Traffic Forecast and Analysis
o Forecast is still in progress; preliminary results show little to no growth in the area.
o B. Kincannon asked if there was a projected change specific to truck traffic on the corridar
■ L. Triebert to determine from early forecast effort if possible
Existing Hydraulic Structures
0 3 stream crossings; only 2 major structures — both culverts
Environmental Screening
o Potential Impact Summary (based on 300' corridor, 150' symmetric of existing centerline)
■ Wilmar Fire Lookout Tower is determined eligible for NRHP, across from wetland
area - competing resources
4 churches, 3 cemeteries (impacts expected to graves at Palmetto FWB Church if
widening on existing alignment)
• In the area of Palmetto FWB Church and cemetery, project will now
consider a bypass option behind the church due to proximity of graves and
structure to the roadway on the east side and the railroad ROW on the west
side (approx. 60' offset from existing ROW)
o VHB will provide new study area and survey limit request to L.
W orkman.
o Additional NES work will be required to cover the new location
segment.
Hydrology — 3 streams (913'); 65 acres of wetland. These numbers will change
slightly once delineated data is fully reviewed
Potentially affected properties —101 residences; 16 businesses. This number should
come down as the 300' corridor is a conservative impact area. Design will be Best fit
to minimize relocations as possible
o Data shown is all publicly available/NCOneMap
■ Delineations are complete, however were just recently completed and therefare not
shown at this stage. Preliminary review shows very similar features to what is
presented
Adjacent STIP Project
o U-3403B (US 17 Widening Bridgeton to NC 43 in Ernul)
o R-2513 Part A will tie into this design, match typical section (30' median)
Page 2 of 3

Date: October5,2017
Project No.: 38564.10
o Feb 2020 is current accelerated Let projection from U-3403; desirable to construct Part A
alongside U-3403B to minimize disruptions. Consider lettulg them together as separate
projects in a single bid package
Design Concepts
o Proposed Typical section: 4' paved outside shoulder, 12' travel lanes (2 in each direction), 2'
paved inside shoulder, 46'median (narrow as needed to minimize impacts or tie to
endpoints)
o Grade separations to be considered at railroad crossing (previously mentioned) and at US 17
Bypass tie in points
■ These should result in some safety benefit as well as mobility
o New location bypass consideration around Palmetto FWB Church and cemetery (previously
discussed)
o Existing NCDOT ROW along project corridor there may be some, but no one was sure; if
there is, it will guide the best fit alignment. L. Workman to check in to existing ROW
General Discussion
o What is the expected timing between Let of A and B(and other sections)? B. Kincannon
responded that it would depend on how the prioritization process worked out, but he
expects a quick succession between projects
o When will there be a more defined idea of the bypass option(s)? L. Triebert to schedule
meeting with Division 2 to discuss options following scoping meeting
o Discussion of Old Brick Road and its historic standing (determined eligible)
■ Waiting to get input from NCDOT Cultural Resources to see if there may be
viewshed impacts to this resource
■ Historic designation ends prior to Old Brick Road's intersection with US 17 Bypass
(L. Triebert confirmed following meeting)
o Have there been considerations made for Endangered Species Act (ESA) yet?
■ K. Dramby responded that T&E surveys were in progress for RCW and Bald Eagle
■ Include bat species information in NRTR as well
o Do we expect impact to the Post Office noted in the potential impact table in the project data
sheets?
■ Post office is located at NC 43 intersection (which is included in the U-3403B
design). Based on available design map for that project, impact is not likely
o Final design grade surveys will be processed for Part A; shell mapping only will be
provided for Parts B-E and final surveys will be processed once those segments come online
in the STIP
■ We do not expect much topographical change in this area over time, therefore
expect current flight plans to cover eventual Final Survey needs
o Would it make sense to complete a separate environmental document for Part A only?
■ This was discussed at the onset of the project and the determination was that this
would lead to segmentation concerns, considering logical termini and independent
utility requirements
■ L. Triebert to research history of that decision and the segmentation concerns further
and coordinate final decision with Division 2 staff
*Highlighted text indicates action items.
END OF SUMMARY
Page 3 of 3

STIP R-2513
US 17 Widening from NC 43 in Ernul to SR 1127 (Possum Track Road)
Beaufort and Craven Counties, NC
Scoping Meeting
Septembex 21, 2017 n 2:30 PM
NCDOT, Division 2
105 Pactolus Hwy (NC 33)
Greenville, NC 27835
Name Title, Agency Email
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STIP R-2513
US 17 Widening fiom NC 43 in Ernul to SR 1127 (Possum Track Road)
Beaufort and Craven Counties, NC
Scoping Meeting
September 21, 2017 @ 2:30 PM
NCDOT, Division 2
105 Pactolus Hwy (NC 33)
Greenville, NC 27835
Name Title, Agency Email
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