20181341 Ver 1_cover_letter_20181004

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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
ROY COOPER
GOVERNOR
Donna Hood
Mooresville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources
610 East Center Avenue, Suite 301
Mooresville, NC 28115
October 1, 2018
SUBJECT: Bridge repair on bridge 178 (I-40WB), Catawba County
Dear Ms. Hood:
JAMES H. TROGDON, III
SECRETARY
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) proposes to repair a failing
bridge protection slope under bridge 178 on I-40WB in Catawba County. The I-40
Bridge over Lyle Creek in Catawba County has had a continual issue with drift over the
years. The excess amount of rainfall from CY2018 has produced a particularly large
amount of drift and as such, there are now issues with the concrete slope protection being
undermined on the east slope of the westbound structure. NCDOT proposes to remove
the undermined sections of the slope protection and replace it with Class II rip rap.
NCDOT proposes to cross Lyle Creek using siX (6) 48" diameter, 0.5" thick steel caissons
16-feet in length to allow stream flow to continue while supporting the track excavator
(see attached drawings). NCDOT will ensure that not more than 50% of the stream will
be blocked at one time. Using a temporary stream crossing to access the site would be the
quickest (less time in construction) and least impactful (only temporary impacts for
access) to Lyle Creek and the surrounding area. The stream embankments have eroded
due to drift and over widened to approximately 72-feet wide. Stream cross-sections taken
downstream of the bridge indicate a natural width of approximately 44-feet wide.
NCDOT proposes to reestablish the over widened area to more natural dimensions by
constructing a 200 foot long, 17-foot wide rip rap bench (Class II) on the east side of the
creek. The restored bench will connect natural benches upstream and downstream of the
project and provide additional structural support for the rip rap slope protection. Also, rip
rap will be placed in a small section (11-foot wide) across from the constructed bench for
approximately 50-feet to help reestablish a more natural width of the stream.
The scope of work will be to Lyle Creek which is classified as Class WS-IV waters by the
Division of Water Resources. If needed a sandbag temporary diversion will be used to

Lyle Creek Bridge Repair, Catawba County
October 1, 2018
Page 2
divert the stream around the construction site during placement of causeway. Area
affected by causeway will be graded and restored back to pre-project conditions.
The Division 12 Environmental Office conducted a threatened/endangered species survey
(attached NRTR Memo) on September 28, 2018 for I-40 and surrounding area. The
federally listed species for Catawba County (USFWS listed date June 27, 2018) include:
Schweinitz's Sunflower (Helianthus schweinitzii) — Endangered
Biological Conclusion — No Effect
Dwarf-Flowered Heartleaf (Hexastylis naniflora) - Threatened
Biological Conclusion — No Effect
Northern Long-Eared Bat (Myotis septentrionalis) - Threatened.
Biological Conclusion — May Affect; Not Likely to Adversely Affect
There are no sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places are located in the
vicinity of the project nor did there appear to be any eligible structures. The project will
be constructed within NCDOT previously disturbed Right-of-Way.
The project area is not located within '/2 mile of any critical watershed area and therefore,
hazardous spill basins are not required. Enclosed is the hazardous spill basin checklist.
I have enclosed a pre-construction notification for a NW#3, plan sheets, location maps,
and other documentation relative to the project.
Project information for the 401 Automated Payment Procedure is as follows:
• Work order number: 150455-55120005-12B.101811-3126
• TIP#: NA
• Project Category: $240.00 Fee
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me at [phone].
Thank you for your time and consideration on this matter.
Sincerely,
Mark Stafford, P.E.
Division Engineer
Twelfth Division
:
Trish Beam
Division 12 Environmental Supervisor