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Home My WebLink About20190397_R-2566B C P 4A Merger Meeting Summary - Revised_20180806Wanucha, Dave From: Frosch, Colin <Colin.Frosch@kimley-horn.com> Sent: Monday, August 06, 2018 12:10 PM To: Adima, Nathan N; Tarascio, Eugene; Weaver, Derrick G; Dagnino, Carla S; Dilday, Jason L; Ledbetter, Dean; Zerman, William S; 'Buncick, Marella'; Chambers, Marla J; Davila, Felix (FHWA; Steve Kichefski; Wanucha, Dave; dgraham@regiond.org; Miles, Daneil S; Staley, Mark K; Lipscomb, Brian S; Smith, Caleb Cc: Gledhill-earley, Renee; Pilipchuk, John L; Beaver, G Trent; kwfischer@ncdot.gov; Sealy, Stephen G; Clark, Shane C; Kuhne, Jody C; Robbins, Jamille A; dpetty@tgsengineers.com; Lee, Craig J; Teresa Gresham; Spacek, Tony Subject: [External] R-2566B C.P. 4A Merger Meeting Summary - Revised Attachments: R-2566B Merger CP 4A Minutes 03-21-2018.docx Good afternoon all, Attached is a revised summary of the March 21 C.P. 4A meeting for NCDOT STIP Project No. R-2566B which reflects comments we have received since distributing the draft summary. The summary has also been uploaded to Connect: htt s: ccrnnect.ncdcrt. crv site I�reccrnstructicrn divisicrn div�� I�-25�a�al� I�rcr°ect%2�1�7evelcr rrr�ent I�- ..............�........� ./........................................................................�............./..................../............................................................................/.................................../........................./......................................../...................V....................................................................�........................./.......... 25_��%_2,�IMI_e_r�er% 2�1C� % 2�1�A% ��11MI.i n utes % 2�1�13-2� -2�1� 8. dcrcx ...................................................................................................................................... Have a great rest of the day! lin r sc �,I, ) I Transportation Analyst Kimley-Horn � 421 Fayetteville Street, Suite 600, Raleigh, NC 27601 Direct: 919-677-21�4 I Mobile: 304-365-1623 Cor�r�ect with us: :::�w.i.tt�.r I Il,,,.i.rr.l<.�.�.:frr. I IF.�.��.ra.r�.r�.l< I:f.rr..�;t�,c�..r�.m.. I Kimley-Horn.com � `! ._: 1� `._ . •f- • •t l 11 :- •��t.f - • 1 • � • STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ROY COOPER GOVERNOR MEMORANDUM TO FROM: March 30, 2018 Meeting Participants Nathan Adima 7AMES H. TROGDON, III SECRETARY 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, March 21, 2018 at 9:00 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: Meetin� Participants Mer�er Team Derrick Weaver Marella Buncick Marla Chambers Felix Davila David Graham* Steve Kichefski* Dave Wanucha* NCDOT Nathan Adima Carla Dagnino Jason Dilday Dean Ledbetter* Brian Lipscomb Daneil Miles* NCDOT-Project Management Unit USFWS NCWRC FHWA High Country RPO USACE NCDWR NCDOT-Project Management Unit NCDOT-NES/ECAP NCDOT-NES/ECAP Division 11 NCDOT-Hydraulics Division 11 Caleb Smith NCDOT-Archaeology Mark Staley* NCDOT-REU Eugene Tarascio NCDOT-Project Management Unit William Zerman NCDOT-Project Management Unit Consultant Tony Spacek* Kimley-Horn Teresa Gresham Kimley-Horn *Participated via phone Purpose Since the July 2017 CP 4A meeting, NCDOT developed a conceptual alignment to shift improvements to the west between Old Shull's Mill Road and Broadstone Road ("western alignment"). The purpose of this meeting was to revisit avoidance and minimization efforts and commitments for the subject project (Concurrence Point 4A), and select the alignment to carry forward in that section. Summary Mr. Nathan Adima opened the meeting, stated the purpose of the meeting, and asked attendees to introduce themselves. Ms. Teresa Gresham reviewed the information provided in the Merger packet. Information for CP 4A had been posted prior to the meeting. The bridge (Section BA) is part of the same environmental document as the remainder of the project (Section B), and is included in today's discussion. The new western alignment presented today would end at the bridge, tying in at almost the exact location as the original alignment. Ms. Marella Buncick asked about specific impacts around the bridge, both temporary and permanent. She requested that construction techniques and bridge design be discussed with the Merger Team. She is particularly concerned about the hellbender, which has known occurrences by the bridge. The hellbender has been petitioned for inclusion on the list but as of this meeting, has not been listed. The Species Status Assessment (SSA) report, expected to be completed in September 2018, will inform the 12-month finding by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service whether the Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) warrants listing as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. NCDOT will coordinate with USFWS if the SSA report and review process results in the species being proposed for listing. Mr. Steve Kichefski noted that although the packet for today's meeting focuses on the alternatives between Old Shull's Mill Road and Broadstone Road, bridge impacts were not detailed in the previous CP 4A meeting packet, and so the Merger Team has not had an opportunity to discuss those. Mr. David Graham said that the bridge proj ect was important for the RPO and local community, and he did not want to delay that proj ect. Ms. Gresham agreed that information will be provided at the CP 4B/design review meetings, including constructability and phasing details. Ms. Kichefski asked how utility relocation costs were calculated. Mr. Derrick Weaver said that at this point, the estimate uses an average cost per pole. The new western alignment minimizes utility relocations compared with the original alignment through this section. It is unknown how the utility company would choose to move the poles with the original alignment — they may choose to move closer to the river, into the mountain, or offsite. Mr. Weaver has spoken with a representative of Blue Ridge Mountain EMC, who said where possible, they would choose to move toward the river, which would likely require cutting down vegetation for construction and maintenance. He said that the additional $32 million cost for the western alignment is acceptable to NCDOT as it is only approximately 5% more than the original alignment. The figures in the packet showed differences in the retaining walls east of the Broadstone Road bridge compared with the original alignment. This change was due to new geotechnical information, and would have been applied to the original alignment as welL (No changes were made to the original alignment design in preparation for this CP 4A meeting.) The two options may be slightly closer in cost and impacts if the original alignment were updated with the new geotechnical information. TIP Project R-25668 NEPA/404 Merger Meeting - Concurrence Point 4A (March 2018) Page 2 of 5 Mr. Dave Wanucha said there is an unused dam on the Watauga River. Mr. Caleb Smith noted that this is a historic dam (meaning, it is over 50 years old, but has not been evaluated for value and potential mitigation/documentation). It was originally part of the Saw Mill upriver. The section below the dam has rapids and is used by kayakers. Ms. Buncick said that the dam has been partially breached, and that removal would be good for the river. If someone was proposing to remove it, Ms. Buncick said it would be a good idea. Removal would have to be assessed for impacts to hellbender, which has many occurrences downstream, but having the structure removed would ultimately benefit the river and hellbender. If the dam is removed, it is anticipated to improve habitat. Mr. Jason Dilday asked if there is concern about spreading whirling disease by removing the dam. Ms. Marla Chambers suggested evaluating this further, and also noted that she has seen an email about a group wanting to work with the Hounds Ears community regarding removing the dam. With the western alignment, there is not a new retaining wall by this dam, and removing it would be out of scope for Project R-2566B. However, Mr. Kichefski said that additional analysis will be needed, since changing the flow of the river may affect the roadway and bridge design. Mr. Wanucha asked if there is animal passage under the bridge. Ms. Buncick and Ms. Chambers believe there is a little high ground that can be used. There are no other safe crossings of NC 105 for large animals nearby, so it is likely used. As part of LEDPA (March 15, 2017), the Merger Team agreed to a best fit alternative with the proposed typical section, including a westbound passing lane in the section from Old Shull's Mill Road to Broadstone Road. Mr. Kichefski said that the additional cost and potential relocation of the western alignment is concerning, but the unknowns of the utility relocation as part of the original alignment are also concerning. The western alignment appears to provide more assurances for minimizing impacts to and near the Watauga River, including to the hellbender. Ms. Chambers agreed, noting that she encourages holding the existing eastern edge of pavement to the extent practicable. The rest of the Merger Team agreed as well. Several agency members thanked NCDOT for gathering additional geotechnical information, and for evaluating this potential new alignment. Ms. Buncick noted that the western alignment may be more difficult for NCDOT to build, but also is anticipated to provide additional opportunities for stormwater treatment. Mr. Bill Zerman said that NCDOT has done an early assessment of potential stormwater treatment options. He provided a brief overview of these options. (1) Bio swales are likely not feasible with the western alignment. (2) Shallow infiltration basins are now possible with the western alignment, but would have been more difficult with the original alignment. (3) Bio embankments may be feasible. A decision about the status of the hellbender should be known by September 2018. The impacts to the hellbender at the bridge will be mostly temporary during construction. Final designs have begun on Section BA, but not on the remainder of Section B. A CP 4B meeting will be scheduled once there is sufficient information on the entire corridor. However, a design review meeting will be scheduled for the bridge section sooner to keep the final design on schedule. Constructability, phasing, and temporary and permanent impacts at the bridge will be discussed at that time. NCDOT will TIP Project R-25668 NEPA/404 Merger Meeting - Concurrence Point 4A (March 2018) Page 3 of 5 provide information on the hellbender locations (from Ms. Chambers) at that meeting. A map of previously found locations is attached to this meeting summary. Ms. Buncick asked for additional consideration of a retaining wall near Laurel Fork and its tributary. Mr. Dilday said that NCDOT anticipates completing a phased permit application before the CP 4B meeting. Mr. Kichefski noted that preliminary numbers will also be needed for Section B(slope stakes plus 25' buffer is acceptable). He also asked NCDOT to present a list of compensatory mitigation measures for the bridge at the CP 4B/design review meetings. Conciusion The Merger Team agreed to carry forward the western alignment from Old Shull's Mill Road to Broadstone Road. The Merger Team discussed the avoidance and minimization commitments. The following avoidance and minimization measures were included in the design: • Selected a best-fit alignment that minimizes impacts to Watauga River, Laurel Fork, and Big Branch, including widening asymmetrically in several locations. • Shifted the alignment to the west between Sta 176+00 and 265+00 to reduce impacts on animal passageway parallel with the Watauga River and floodplains. • Added several retaining walls and concrete barriers to further reduce impacts to streams. • Used steeper slopes to minimize or avoid impacts in several locations. The following commitments have been made, and will be discussed again at the CP 4B and 4C meetings: • 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 floodplain, floodway, and Watauga River where feasible. • Permanent construction and slope stakes will stay out of 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-25668 NEPA/404 Merger Meeting - Concurrence Point 4A (March 2018) Page 4 of 5 Previousiy identified helibender locations: q� + � � �: � ;:�1�� w � ��7�� i` � j . � �, i „ � � ,. „� � "'�p ,y� � e �, �, � � , .� � , r��w t � r�� ,t �J �� . � , „ „ � � v , � ,,, P. „ „. � ,;v ,, ,A , „ , „ �...�, �,' .� .Wd .� "i : � t P�� h � ; _ / � �. 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