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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20181598_Att. 32 - Super 70 Corridor Commission M_20160222Attachment 3 2 NORTH CAROLINA CRAVEN COUNTY The Highway 70 Corridor Commission met on Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at the Havelock Tourist & Event Center, 201 Tourist Drive, Havelock, Havelock, North Carolina. County members present: Carteret County — Randy Martin, Joan Pulley and Tom Steepy Craven County — Michael Avery, Steve Tyson and Danny Walsh Johnston County — Fleta Byrd, Frank Price and Don Rains Jones County — None Lenoir County — J. Mac Daughety, Brian Lucas and Mark Pope Wayne County — Chuck Allen, Jack Best and W. Lee Smith, III Other persons present: North Carolina Board of Transportation — Hugh Overholt (District 2) North Carolina Department of Transportation — Dwayne Alligood, Haywood Daughtry and Bobby Lewis Highway 70 Corridor Commission Director — M. Durwood Stephenson Craven County Commissioner — Theron McCabe Craven County Planning Director — Donald Baumgarder Down East RPO — Robert Will Havelock Planning Director — Scott Chase LaGrange Town Manager — John Craft MCIEAST — Pam Brown Newport Mayor — Darryl Garner North Carolina State Ports Authority — Stephanie Ayers Wayne County Clerk to the Board — Marcia R. Wilson Wayne County Commissioner — Steve Keen Citizens — Ophelia Davis, Russell Rhodes and others Welcome and Introductions Highway 70 Corridor Commission Chairman Chuck Allen welcomed everyone to the meeting. DeVan Barbour and Fleta Byrd were welcomed as new Johnston County members on the Highway 70 Corridor Commission. Members present introduced themselves. Approval of Agenda Upon motion of Jack Best and seconded by Randy Martin, the members of the Highway 70 Corridor Commission unanimously approved the agenda as presented. Approval of Minutes Upon motion of Jack Best and seconded by Tom Steepy, the members of the Highway 70 Corridor Commission unanimously approved the minutes on January 13, 2011. Gallants Channel Proiect Uudate North Carolina Department of Transportation Division 2 Operations Engineer Dwayne Alligood updated the members of the Highway 70 Corridor Commission on the Gallants Channel project. The right-of-way and utility easement agreement for utility relocation is scheduled to be let in July 2012. The Gallants Channel project design will not begin until the United States Coast Guard permit is received. North Carolina Board of Transportation Division 2 member Hugh Overholt stated the United States Coast Guard believes the 65-foot fixed replacement bridge should suffice in meeting the reasonable needs of navigation transiting Gallants Channel. The United States Coast Guard will make a final decision after the public review process has been completed. Slocum Gate Proiect Update North Carolina Department of Transportation Division 2 Operations Engineer Dwayne Alligood updated the members of the Highway 70 Corridor Commission on the Slocum Gate project. The feasibility study for the Slocum Gate project has been completed. North Carolina Department of Transportation Division 2 Engineer Neil Lassiter requested preliminary engineering funding through the North Carolina Department of Transportation Highway Administrator. No response has been received to the request. The Down East Rural Planning Organization (RPO) has been requested to look at the Slocum Gate project and prioritize the project within its current projects. Highway 70 Corridor Commission member Danny Walsh stated other funding sources for the Slocum Gate project are being explored since Defense Access Roads (DAR) funding does not look feasible. Morehead Citv Median Proiect Update Highway 70 Corridor Commission member Randy Martin updated the members on the Marehead City median project. Improvements are proposed to limit the movement of traffic in order to improve safety in the area. The Morehead City Council supports improvements to the median, but wants to review the specifications of the improvements. Officials with Carteret County General Hospital and Carteret Community College have expressed concerns about the proposed median changes. He suggested letting a local delegation make recommendations on the proj ect. Highway 70 Corridor Commission Director M. Durwood Stephenson stated the organization wanted to support the local recommendations on the Morehead City median project. 2 North Carolina Department of Transportation Division 2 Operations Engineer Dwayne Alligood suggested putting the Morehead City median project proposals on a future agenda so the membership would know what it is endorsing. Highway 70 Corridor Commission Director M. Durwood Stephenson stated the recommendations for the Morehead City median project would be on the next agenda of the Highway 70 Corridor Commission. Lenoir Countv Median Proiect Update Highway 70 Corridor Commission member J. Mac Daughety updated the members on the Lenoir County median project. The median project encompasses approximately one mile along US Highway 70 from NC Highway 258 to NC Highway 58 East. The median project would be a federal and state project. The Lenoir County Commissioners requested 11 revisions. The North Carolina Department of Transportation has worked with local business on their concerns and has designed the median with 10 openings in order to address local concerns. There has been no official local endorsement of the median project proposal. He expected support of the proposal within 30 days. North Carolina Department of Transportation Division 2 Operations Engineer Dwayne Alligood stated the Lenoir County median project is scheduled to be let in May with construction to begin in July. Kinston Bypass Proiect Uudate Highway 70 Corridor Commission member J. Mac Daughety updated the members on the Kinston Bypass project. The Kinston Bypass project is finally moving forward after 30 years of stalemate. Local interest for a northern route has been expressed to the North Carolina Department of Transportation. While a southern route is still being considered, the North Carolina Department of Transportation is designing 5-6 possible northern corridor routes that will be studied in detail within the draft Environmental Impact Statement. The alternate northern corridor routes will be presented in early summer. Highway 70 Corridor Commission Director M. Durwood Stephenson stated the North Carolina Department of Transportation staff is waiting on GIS data. The staff is currently field checking the GIS maps. Hopefully, the GIS data can be analyzed to determine preliminary northern corridor routes and submitted for local review by this summer. The staff is trying to shorten the process by two years. Highway 70 Corridor Commission member J. Mac Daughety thanked Highway 70 Corridar Commission Director M. Durwood Stephenson for his assistance in moving the Kinston Bypass forward. Goldsboro Bvpass Proiect Update North Carolina Department of Transportation Division 4 Engineer Bobby Lewis stated the Goldsboro Bypass is on schedule. The Goldsboro Bypass has been funded. All three sections should be under construction at same time. Completion date is 2016 with hope to ask for a 2015 completion date by providing contractor incentives. Wilson's Mills Proiect Uudate North Carolina Department of Transportation Division 4 Engineer Bobby Lewis stated a public informational workshop was held in Wilson's Mills on February 22, 2011. Local citizens were invited to ask questions about the project and submit comments. The meeting was a good planning session. Another meeting will be held in the future. The future meeting will show alternative solutions. Crash data will be provided. No formal plan has been developed for the Wilson's Mill project since there is no funding for the project. TIP Meetings North Carolina Department of Transportation Division 4 Engineer Bobby Lewis stated the Division 4 TIP meeting was held last night. The meeting was informal and went very well. The participants discussed the next 20 years with 10 year projections and detailed projects for the next five years. The economic outlook for all transportation systems was discussed. There are not as many projects due to the economy. The RPOs and MPOs are educating and providing outreach to local citizens on transportation issues. Pine Level Proiect Uudate Highway 70 Corridor Commission member Frank Price requested an update on the Pine Level project. North Carolina Department of Transportation Eastern Regional Field Operations Engineer Haywood Daughtry stated he unsuccessfully attempted to contact ARCADIS on the design for the project. There is no preliminary design. North Carolina Department of Transportation Division 4 Engineer Bobby Lewis stated the square loop interchange will be utilized at Davis Mill Road. The right-of-way acquisition will begin in May. It is anticipated the project will be underway September 2012. Highway 70 Corridor Commission Director M. Durwood Stephenson stated he requested the Pine Level Mayor and a developer to contact North Carolina Department of Transportation Eastern Regional Field Operations Engineer Haywood Daughtry concerning the project. � Economic Analvsis Studv Highway 70 Corridor Commission Director M. Durwood Stephenson gave the members Part I of the US Highway 70 in Eastern North Carolina Improvement Impact on Local Economies and Inter-modal Transportation study, attached hereto as Attachment A. Part I provides justification for improving US Highway 70. He hoped Part II would contain data beneficial to local communities as they pursue commerce and economic development along an improved US Highway 70 Corridor Freeway and would be available in the next 2-3 months. He requested the members read the Part I of the study and provide feedback to him. North Carolina Railroad and Amtrak Highway 70 Corridor Commission Director M. Durwood Stephenson stated the Highway 70 Corridor Commission promotes all transportation assets, including road, ports and rail. The North Carolina Railroad is actively promoting the Highway 70 Corridor Commission objectives. The Carteret County Board of Commissioners has endorsed the presentation made at the last Highway 70 Corridor Commission meeting concerning Amtrak passenger service with dedicated thruway service in eastern North Carolina. The concept has been well received locally in Carteret County. Highway 70 Corridor Commission Director M. Durwood Stephenson stated he recently met with Scott Saylor with the North Carolina Railroad to discuss the Highway 70 Corridor as it related to rail service along the route. Rail improvements will start at the Morehead City port in order to handle increased freight. The North Carolina Railroad plans to improve its infrastructure by installing a second rail and new signalization system. Amtrak is very much interested in increasing its ridership in eastern North Carolina. The North Carolina Railroad and Amtrak want to join with the Highway 70 Corridor Commission to improve transportation in eastern North Carolina. Highway 70 Corridor Commission member Danny Walsh questioned if the North Carolina Railroad would move its tracks next to Highway 70 and eventually move out of municipal downtown areas. Moving the railroad from downtown areas would open up downtown areas in New Bern, Havelock and Newport for long term improvement and investments. Highway 70 Corridor Commission Director M. Durwood Stephenson stated an efficient rail route from the port in Morehead City to the Global TransPark is needed because increased port traffic will cause a bottleneck on US Highway 70. The North Carolina Department of Transportation is studying running the railroad tracks parallel to the roadway. Highway 70 Corridor Commission Vice-Chairman Tom Steepy and Highway 70 Corridor Commission member Randy Martin stated a study showed placing rail next to the proposed Northern Carteret Bypass would need double the width of the road. Highway 70 Corridor Commission Chairman Chuck Allen stated there is no funding available for rail along the Goldsboro bypass of US Highway 70. 5 In response to questions, North Carolina State Port Authority Director of Planning and Development Stephanie Ayers stated there is no effort to deepen the channel at the Morehead City port. A portion of the channel is 50 feet deep. Large container ships draw 50 feet of water. Large container ships will not utilize ports on the eastern seaboard of the United States. The North Carolina State Ports Authority is working with the North Carolina Department of Transportation to address issues and questions concerning increased freight activity at the port. The Morehead City port has a new biofuels customer, which requires a large number of trucks to transport its product. The number of trains in Morehead City has doubled. Highway 70 Corridor Commission member pon Rains questioned if trains are being utilized as effectively as possible. The Triangle area utilizes light rail. North Carolina Board of Transportation member Hugh Overholt stated discussion on rail vs. truck continues. Currently, truck transportation is more cost effective. Highway 70 Corridor Commission member Randy Martin stated the railroad charges fees, which makes the cost of rail transportation more than truck transportation. Highway 70 Corridor Commission Director M. Durwood Stephenson stated safety is also a consideration in deciding on rail vs. truck transportation. Communication between trains is important. Trains could achieve speeds up to 79 mph with a 2°d track and improved signalization. More train stations are planned between Raleigh and the coast. Highway 70 Corridor Commission Secretary/Treasurer W. Lee Smith, III stated Goldsboro is planning an intermodal transportation hub for buses and trains at Union Station. North Carolina Board of Transportation/Hi�hwav 70 Corridor Subcommittee Highway 70 Corridor Commission Director M. Durwood Stephenson stated he met with North Carolina Department of Transportation Chief Operating Officer Jim Trogdon to discuss the formation of a North Carolina Board of Transportation US 70 Corridor Subcommittee, which was requested by North Carolina Board of Transportation member Leigh McNairy. On March 22, 2011 North Carolina Department of Transportation Chief Operating Officer Jim Trogdon will meet with North Carolina Board of Transportation members Mike Alford, Leigh McNairy, Hugh Overholt and Gus Tulloss; North Carolina Department of Transportation Division 2 Engineer Neil Lassiter and North Carolina Department of Transportation Division 4 Engineer Bobby Lewis; North Carolina Department of Transportation State Highway Administrator Terry Gibson and North Carolina Department of Transportation Assistant State Highway Administrator Shannon Lasater to discuss the format of the proposed subcommittee. North Carolina Board of Transportation member Leigh McNairy will be asked to chair the subcommittee. The US 70 Corridor Subcommittee is scheduled to hold its first meeting on Apri16, 2011. North Carolina Board of Transportation member Hugh Overholt stated US Highway 70 serves two military installations — Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. Both Commanders have given their unofficial support to US Highway 70 improvements and expressed their transportation needs. The Slocum Gate project needs to move � forward as quick as possible. Seymour Johnson Air Force Base is concerned with encroachment issues and wants to protect the base. All Commanders are concerned about their training areas. It is anticipated the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission will meet in 2015. Cuts in defense budgets will cause base closures. Recent meetings with military officials brought transportation issues to the forefront. Financial Report Highway 70 Corridor Commission Secretary/Treasurer W. Lee Smith, III gave the financial report. As of March 16, 2011 the cash on hand is $115,438.66. A detailed financial accounting for the Kinston and James City projects were included in the handout. The Highway 70 Corridor Commission received $336 for every dollar it has invested. The 2011-2012 Highway 70 Corridor Commission budget requests will be sent to the counties next week. Comments Highway 70 Corridor Commission Director M. Durwood Stephenson stated word in the North Carolina General Assembly is the equity formula funding and Powell Bill funding will be changed. The Interstate 85 corridor counties will have the population numbers to make these funding changes after the 2010 census figures are finalized. He urged the Highway 70 Corridor Commission members to contact their legislators to oppose these funding changes. Highway 70 Corridor Commission member Randy Martin congratulated Highway 70 Corridor Commission Director M. Durwood Stephenson for keeping the members informed and up-to-date. Highway 70 Corridor Commission member Frank Price stated media reports continually state road maintenance in North Carolina will be shifted to local governments. North Carolina Department of Transportation Division 4 Engineer Bobby Lewis stated there is discussion of requiring the counties in North Carolina to maintain the state roads with the State of North Carolina responsible for new road construction. Highway 70 Corridor Commission Chairman Chuck Allen stated it is important for the membership to talk with their legislators and let them know forcing counties to maintain state roads is an unfunded mandate. Any changes to the transportation equity formula will change eastern North Carolina for the worse. Highway 70 Corridor Commission Director M. Durwood Stephenson stated the Williams Road intersection at James City has some of the worse crash data along the US Highway 70 Corridor. The McDonald's at the intersection is considering expansion. The oil company at the intersection wants to relocate. Cost estimates to clear up the Williams Road intersection are being determined. Improving the Williams Road intersection would send a message to the communities that the Highway 70 Corridor Commission considers this intersection a priority. 7 In response to a question from Highway 70 Corridor Commission member Steve Tyson, Highway 70 Corridor Commission Director M. Durwood Stephenson stated a connector road from Williams Road and Airport Road is being examined. North Carolina Board of Transportation member Hugh Overholt stated the design phase for the Williams Road intersection encompasses 1.25 miles. The design phase will go back to the basics and determine the best way to improve the intersection. Highway 70 Corridor Commission member Danny Walsh thanked the North Carolina Department of Transportation for the bridge across Slocum Creek, which will eliminate 15,000 cars a day from US Highway 70 in the area. Next Meetin� The next meeting of the Highway 70 Corridor Commission will be held on May 12, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. in Lenoir County. The members will be notified of the location. Adiournment There being no further business, Highway 70 Corridor Commission Chairman Chuck Allen adjourned the meeting at 3:05 p.m. Marcia R. Wilson :