R-2220 Internal-External Scope Meeting Summary_FINAL

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Meeting Summary
Meeting Date: February 20, 2018
8521 Six Forks Rd O 919 926 4100
Suite 400 F 919-846-9080
Raleigh, NC 27615 rsandh. com
Subject: Internal/External Scoping Meeting for STIP Project R-2220
US 64 Widening from I-85 to Asheboro Bypass
Davidson and Randolph Counties, NCDOT Division 8 and 9
Location: NCDOT Century Center, Raleigh, NC
Attendees:
STIP Project R-2220
Name Organization Email
Karen Reynolds NCDOT PMU kreynolds@ncdot. gov
Beverly Robinson NCDOT PMU brobinson@ncdot. gov
Laura Sutton NDCOT PMU Isutton@ncdot. gov
Bryan Key NCDOT PMU bckey@ncdot. gov
Ray Lovinggood NCDOT PMU rlovinqgood@ncdot. gov
Alison Kluttz NCDOT Division 8 awkluttz@ncdot. gov
Bryan Kluchar NCDOT Division 8 bdkluchar@ncdot. gov
Reuben Blakley NCDOT Division 8 rblakley@ncdot. gov
Matt Kitchen* NCDOT Division 8 mwkitchen@ncdot. gov
Jeffrey Teague NCDOT Division 8 Ilteague@ncdot. gov
Brett Abernathy NCDOT Division 9 ibabernathy@ncdot. gov
AI Blanton* NCDOT Division 9 wablanton@ncdot. gov
Amy Euliss* NCDOT Division 9 aeuliss@ncdot. gov
Matt Jones* NCDOT Division 9 mwjones@ncdot. gov
Chris Rivenbark NCDOT EAU — Env Coordination crivenbark@ncdot. gov
Carla Dagnino NCDOT EAU — Env Coordination cdagnino@ncdot. gov
Harrison Marshall NCDOT EAU — PICS hmarshall@ncdot. gov
Doumit Ishak NCDOT Congestion Management dishak@ncdot. gov
Mike Stanley NCDOT STIP mtstanley@ncdot. aov
Steve Grimes NCDOT Right-of-Way sarimes@ncdot. gov
Alla Lyudmirskaya NCDOT WZTC alyudmi@ncdot. gov
James Lastinger USACE lames. c. lastinger@usace. army. mil
Andy Williams* USACE andrew. e. williams2@usace. arm�
mil
April Norton NCDWR april. norton@ncdenr. gov
Trey Cleaton* City of Lexington PSCleaton@IexingtonNC. gov
Charles Cox RS&H charles. cox@rsandh. com
Jared Bond RS&H iared. bond@rsandh. com
Jennifer Farino RS&H lennifer. farino@rsandh. com

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*Joined by phone
Karen Reynolds, NCDOT Project Manager for R-2220, opened the meeting with attendee
introductions and gave a brief project overview. Charles Cox, RS&H Project Manager, then went into
detail about the project using a PPT presentation. The following was discussed.
General Project Information:
• The project is approximately 20 miles in length, spanning two counties, two NCDOT Divisions, and
two environmental resource group areas.
• The existing conditions are as follows:
o Two-lane highway with no control of access, except at the NC 109 interchange, which has full
control of access.
0 45-55 mph posted speed limit.
o There is one gated, at-grade railroad crossing (High Point, Thomasville, and Denton Railroad)
in between SR 2112 (Decker Rd) and SR 2774 (Asheboro St).
o Utility lines are parallel to US 64, throughout.
Feasibility Study:
• A Feasibility Study was completed in 2011.
• The study proposed a four-lane cross-section with a 46-foot median, from east of I-85 in Lexington to
US 220 in Asheboro.
• Traffic projections in 2035 ranged from 11,900 vehicles per day (vpd) to 34,600 vpd, operating at LOS
F in the heaviest sections.
• Approximately 103 residences and 61 businesses were anticipated to be relocated.
• No properties on the National Register were located along the project corridor.
• No parks, recreation areas, or community facilities were identified along the project corridor.
• US 64 crosses the WS-III Water Supply Watershed associated with the Uwharrie River, in addition to
several other creeks and streams.
• Wetland and stream impacts were not calculated.
STIP:
• R-2220 was divided into several sections:
o Section A(from I-85 Business in Lexington to I-85) is complete.
o Section B(from I-85 to NC 109) and Section CA (from NC 109 to Randolph/Davidson County
line) are funded for ROW in FY 2025 and LET in FY 2027.
o Section CB (from the Randolph/Davidson County Line to Lake Park Road) is currently
unfunded. The Uwharrie River bridge is part of this section.
o Section DA (from Lake Park Road to the Asheboro Bypass) is scheduled for ROW in FY 2021
and Let in FY 2023.
Based on STIP estimates, the project cost of R-2220 is $193.5 million.
There has been discussion to combine Sections CA and CB. They were originally split because they
are in two different funding regions, but will be treated as one section during SPOT 5. 0. The
combined Section C will need to score high enough in both regions to be funded.
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• Scoring for this project will be dependent on Division/Regional scoring and input points assigned by
the RPOs, MPOs, and Divisions.
• Statewide programming release is anticipated early April 2018, so we will know whether any of these
segments obtain funding by then. Regional Impact Programming is anticipated in August/
September 2018 timeframe. Both Divisions need programming to be complete December/January;
afterwards, the draft STIP will be released. STIP Unit will work closely with Project Management Unit
(PMU) to determine scheduling of all segments together and delivery dates.
• Three STIP projects are located nearby:
o R-4734 — NC 109 widening from Denton to I-85 in Thomasville; ROW in FY 2026 and LET in FY
2027.
o U-5813 — US 64 widening and interchange reconstruction from the Asheboro Bypass to east
of I-73/I-74/US 220; ROW in FY 2019 and LET in FY 2020.
o R-2536 — Asheboro Southern Bypass; project is currently under construction.
• R-4734 will also go through the Spot 5.0 analysis as it is not yet a committed project.
Traffic/Purpose and Need:
• In the feasibility study, the traffic volumes ranged from 7,300 to 26,000 vpd in 2011 and increased to
11,900 to 34,000 vpd by year 2035. The higher volumes occurred at each end of the original project,
near I-85 and US 220. Current 2016 AADT traffic volumes on US 64 range between 6,400 and 13,000
vpd, with the higher traffic near I-85 and the Asheboro Bypass.
• Based on the feasibility study, the primary purpose of the project is to improve the level of service
(LOS) of the corridor. The traffic study showed that parts of US 64 would have a failing LOS (F) in the
design year (2035).
• The traffic forecast will be updated as part of this study.
• A crash analysis will also be updated, to determine whether crash rates are a problem along the
corridor.
Environmental Studies:
• The project is currently state-funded. A Categorical Exclusion (CE) checklist will be completed in early
2019 to determine if a CE (or state Minimum Criteria since it is state funded) can be completed or if a
State Environmental Assessment/Finding of No Significant Impact (SEA/FONSI) will be required.
Sections B, CA, CB, and DA will be combined in one environmental document.
• PMU suggested decreasing the study area width from 600 feet to 500 feet; with 250 feet on either
side of the centerline. The study area may need to remain at a 600-foot width at the Uwharrie River
crossing and the railroad crossing.
• The study area boundaries for R-4734 and R-2220 should be consistent, where they overlap at the
NC 109 interchange.
• Tabernacle Elementary School, Tabernacle Volunteer Fire Station, seven places of worship, and the
Asheboro Country Club are located along the project corridor.
• A CCR/CIA checklist seems appropriate for this project.
• It might be useful to look at regional cumulative effects, so all segments will have the same answer on
indirect effects, even if their individual direct effects differ. This could be done through either a
narrative approach or the traditional format. Further discussion on this is needed from EAU.
• Spanish-speaking communities may be present along the corridor and should be considered for
public involvement.
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• Based on a GIS review of resources, there could be approximately eight acres of wetland impacts and
approximately 10,000 feet of stream impacts, incurred from the R-2220 widening project. The stream
and wetland calculations were derived from NWI mapping. It was noted that NWI wetland limits are
not always reliable. Wetland/stream surveys will be completed early, to verify the actual impact
amounts.
• Davidson and Randolph Counties address the Northern Long-Eared Bat differently — one is
programmatic while the other is case by case.
• Species such as the Schweinitz's sunflower may be present and may warrant specialized surveys.
• Endangered aquatic species and anadromous fish presence was identified in the feasibility study.
EAU staff is not sure if that is an issue, this far inland, and will check on it.
• USACE saw the benefit (for future permitting) to seeing how natural resources are avoided/
minimized.
• DWR noted that all waterbodies along the project corridor are Class C, except for the Uwharrie River,
which is a WSW III. DWR asked that impacts are kept to a minimum.
Design Alternatives:
• US 64 is proposed to be widened to a four-lane, median-divided facility.
• Various median widths will be considered, especially where the project will tie to the I-85 interchange
and the Asheboro Bypass. Neither interchange will be a part of this project.
• PMU has decided to primarily study one "best fit" alignment, without the need for full northern and
southern design concepts. "Best fit" alignment will seek to avoid/minimize impacts to the
surrounding environment. In the event that no significant impacts can be avoided in a particular
section, the design team will analyze, compare, and present these impacts to the NCDOT and
resource agencies in order to determine the preferred alignment. The design team will document
impacts that are avoided, why, and how.
• The bridge over the Uwharrie River is a candidate for replacement. It was built in 1952 and has a
sufficiency rating of 66. 91. It is functionally obsolete and is probably not a good candidate for
widening.
• At the Uwharrie River crossing, a northern and southern bridge alternative will be considered.
• USACE stated that it would be beneficial to see other concepts, to show avoidance and minimization.
• Due to Section DA being a committed project and driving the schedule, right-of-way plans will be
completed at least a year before the right-of-way date in the STIP.
• Division 9 has determined that the NC 109 interchange will stay with R-4734, at this time.
• NCDOT PMU will only manage the project through the environmental document and preliminary
design. Both of the Divisions will be in charge of their own final design.
• The bridge inspection reports have been uploaded to the NCDOT Connect project site.
• Traffic control will be important part of the project design.
Merger Discussion:
• Since the project is state funded, the USACE will be the lead agency, if project goes into the Merger
Process.
• USACE expressed that the jurisdictional determination should be started as soon as possible, in order
to make an informed decision on determining whether the project needs to stay in Merger.
• Given the current information, the USACE (both Andy Williams and James Lastinger) felt that the
project should go into the Merger Process. James Lastinger saw this primarily as a Division 8 project
and felt that Andy Williams should be USACE leader on this project.
• Merger concurrence points will be combined as allowed, to help with the short project schedule.
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A Regional General Permit (RGP) 31 can be used, if the project stays in the Merger process. If it is
determined later than a nationwide permit (NWP) or Section C of RGP 31 is more appropriate, the
project could be taken out of Merger.
The USACE considers the general impact thresholds to be 500 feet for streams and 1 acre for wetlands
at each crossing.
Right-of-Way:
• NCDOT ROW staff is concerned that there is a very short timeframe for right-of-way acquisition.
However, several options are available to minimize right-of-way duration:
o Protective purchasing may be an option, when properties are identified early that they will
likely be total acquisitions.
o Early acquisition for complex parcels (churches, cemeteries) could be available, once the
environmental document is complete.
• There are 24 months of right-of-way scheduled into the STIP for the DA Section. That is not enough
time for the entire project, but may be enough if only the DA section moves forward (as currently
scheduled in the STIP).
Utilities:
There are three transmission lines crossing the project corridor. Early coordination with utility
providers will be important in keeping the project on schedule.
NCDOT Utilities unit will be contacted to determine schedule duration.
Comments via Emails to Karen Reynolds:
• EAU Noise and Air Section (Missy Pair) — Both traffic noise and air quality analyses will be required.
NCWRC (Travis Wilson) — Specific to this project, there are several mussel species of concern located
in Caraway Creek. NCDOT should review all stream crossings, to identify the presence or absence for
these species and conduct surveys, where applicable.
• Rail Division (Jim Harris) — Recommends grade separation at the existing railroad crossing due to
the proposed four-lane, median-divided cross-section.
eike/Pedestrian (John Vine-Hodge) — Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation
recommends the crossings for bicyclists be considered in project design. For the three existing bike
routes in the project area, improved signage indicating bike routes, and paved shoulders on bridges
with bike safe railing, could be applied. If a superstreet is part of the design, provide bicycle direct
crossings. Coordinate with the Piedmont Triad Regional Council (PTRC) on progress with potential
greenway development, such as the proposed shared-used path along Caraway Creek, shared-use
path at Tabernacle School Road, and shared-used path crossing US 64 at NC 109 and Conrad Hill
Mine Road.
USFWS (GaryJordan) — The USFWS Raleigh office (Gary Jordan) will handle all coordination for this
project. Specific to this project, a survey for the Schweinitz's sunflower (Helianthus schweinitzii) is
recommended during the optimal window (late August — October).
PMU (Ray Lovinggood) — The upper reach of Lake Reese passes under US 64 at the Uwharrie River
crossing.
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• City of Lexington (Trey Cleaton) — Regarding further coordination with the City of Lexington, please
include Trey Cleaton (PSCleaton@LexingtonNC. gov) and Roger Jones (RDJones@LexingtonNC. gov).
Roger is the City Engineer.
Schedule:
• The State EA/FONSI (if required) will be due in early 2020. The schedule will reflect that the project
will undergo the Merger process.
• Traffic studies will begin this spring. Roadway design will begin later this year.
RS&H Scope:
• The current scope of work proposed for RS&H includes:
o Planning (data collection & documentation, environmental document)
o Public Involvement
o Traffic Forecast
o Traffic Operations Analysis
o Roadway Design (conceptual, functional)
o Natural Resources Evaluation
o Traffic Noise Analysis
o Air Quality Analysis
o Community Impact Assessment
o Preliminary Hydraulic Evaluation
o Project Management and Coordination
Action Items:
• RS&H will prepare the scoping meeting summary.
• RS&H will prepare a scope of work and fee estimate.
• PMU will provide access to the Connect project site.
RS&H Contacts:
• Planning — Charles Cox (charles. cox@rsandh. com, 919-926-4126)
• Design — Jared Bond (jared. bond@rsandh. com, 919-926-4111)
If there are any additional and/or corrections to the meeting summary, please contact Charles Cox.
Copies to: Meeting Attendees
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