20190223 Ver 1_Draft_17BP6R90_Bladen178_MCDC_02152019_20190219

MINIMUM CRITERIA DETERMINATION CHECKLIST
TIP Project No.: N/A
State Project No.: 17BP.6.R.90
Project Location: Bridge No. 178 over Browns Creek on SR 1145 (Martin Luther King
Drive) in Bladen County.
Project Description: The proposed project will replace Bridge No. 178 over Browns
Creek on SR 1145 (Martin Luther King Drive) in Bladen County. See Figure 1 for
project location. Right of way acquisition and construction are scheduled for state fiscal
years 2018 and 2019, respectively.
The replacement structure will be a bridge approximately 80 feet long providing a 30-
foot 10-inch clear roadway width. The bridge will include two 11-foot lanes and four-foot
five-inch shoulders on both sides of the lanes. The bridge length is based on preliminary
design information and is set by hydraulic requirements. The roadway grade of the new
structure will be approximately the same as the existing structure.
Project construction will extend approximately 385 feet from the west end of the new
bridge and 289 feet from the east end of the new bridge. The approaches will provide two
11-foot and three-foot shoulders. The roadway will be designed as a local road with a 35-
mile per hour design speed. It will also be posted at 35-mile per hour.
Several alternatives were evaluated; however, the current design with a three-mile off-site
detour (NC 87 to SR 1150 to SR 1148) was determined the best option for the proposed
project. During construction of the new bridge, traffic will be maintained via an off-site
detour.
Purpose and Need:
The purpose of the proposed project is to replace the bridge.
Bridge No. 178 was built in 1970. The bridge is 53 feet long with a 24-foot clear roadway
width. NCDOT Bridge Management Unit records indicate Bridge No. 178 has a
sufficiency rating of 52.68 out of a possible 100 for a new structure.
Bridge No. 178 is a three-span structure that consists of a reinforced concrete deck on
timber stringer with asphalt wearing surface. There are transverse and longitudinal cracks
across the travel lanes. The end bents and interior bents are timber piles and caps. The
end bents show signs of decay. Pile 3 at end bent 2 has been repaired with a concrete
encasement.
The existing bridge is considered not deficient. As of July 2, 2015, the deck condition
rating was 5 out of a possible 9 points. The superstructure and substructure condition
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ratings were 5 out of a possible 9 points. The bridge is approaching the end of its useful
life. Replacement of the bridge will result in safer traffic operations.
Bridge No. 178 is expected to carry 874 vehicles per day (2018) with 1675 vehicles per
day projected for the future (2040). The substandard deck width, bridge railing and
approach guardrail is becoming increasingly unacceptable and replacement of the bridge
will result in safer traffic operations.
The posted weight limit on this bridge is 20 tons for single vehicles and 29 tons for truck-
tractor semi-trailers.
Anticipated Permit or Consultation Requirements: Nationwide Permit 23 and 33 will
likely be required for impacts to "Waters of the United States" resulting from this project.
In addition, the 404 permit will likely be applicable. An NCDWQ Section 401 Water
Quality General may be required prior to the issuance of a Section 404 Permit. Other
required 401 certifications may include a GC 3366 for temporary construction access and
dewatering. The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) holds the final
discretion as to what permit will be required to authorize project construction.
Construction activities for this project will not take place until Endangered Species Act
compliance is satisfied for the Northern long-eared bat (NLEB). The NCDOT Biological
Surveys Group will be responsible for the surveys for the NLEB if required.
Special Project Information:
Environmental Commitments:
The list of project commitments is located at the end of the checklist.
Estimated Costs:
The estimated costs, based on 2017 prices, are as follows:
Prior Costs: TBD
R/W: TBD
Const: TBD
Total: TBD
Desi _ n E�xceptions:
There are no anticipated design exceptions for this project.
Brid�e Demolition:
Bridge No. 178 should be possible to remove with no resulting debris in the water based
on standard demolition practices.
No Build:
The no build alternative would result in eventually closing the bridge as its condition
continues to deteriorate.
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Rehabilitation:
The bridge was constructed in 1970 and conditions continue to deteriorate which would
constitute effectively replacing the bridge.
On-Site Detour:
An on-site detour was not evaluated due to the presence of an acceptable off-site detour.
Sta�ed Construction:
Staged construction was not considered because of the availability of an acceptable off-
site detour.
Off-Site Detour:
Bridge No. 178 will be replaced on existing alignment. Traffic will be detoured off-site
(see Figure 1). The off-site detour is approximately three miles long and would use
existing roads NC 87 to SR 1150 (Peanut Plant Road) to SR 1148 (Quail Street). Local
EMS, Schools, and Fire Department will be adequately notified of the off-site detour and
construction schedule.
If all existing traf�c (874 vehicles per day) from Martin Luther King Drive is diverted
along the proposed three-mile detour or another local route, traffic along this route could
increase especially at peak times. The road network around the bridge project has a
sufficient level of interconnectivity and the potential detours are in good condition.
Other A�v Concerns:
There are no agency concerns.
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PART A: MINIMUM CRITERIA
Item 1 to be completed by the Engineer. YES
1. Is the proposed project listed as a type and class of activity allowed �
under the Minimum Criteria Rule in which environmental
documentation is not required?
If the answer to number 1 is "no", then the project does not qualify as a
minimum criteria project. A state environmental assessment is required.
If yes, under which category? Cate�ory # 9
If either category #8, #12(i) or #15 is used complete Part D of this
checklist.
PART B: MINIMUM CRITERIA EXCEPTIONS
Items 2— 4 to be completed by the Engineer. YES
2. Could the proposed activity cause significant changes in land use ❑
concentrations that would be expected to create adverse air quality
impacts?
3. Will the proposed activity have secondary impacts or cumulative
impacts that may result in a significant adverse impact_to human
health or the environment?
4. Is the proposed activity of such an unusual nature ar does the
proposed activity have such widespread implications, that an
uncommon concern far its environmental effects has been
expressed to the Department?
NO
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1
/1
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n
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Item S-8 to be completed by Division Environmental Officer.
5. Does the proposed activity have a significant adverse effect on ❑
wetlands; surface waters such as rivers, streams, and estuaries;
parklands; prime or unique agricultural lands; or areas of
recognized scenic, recreational, archaeological, or histarical value?
6. Will the proposed activity endanger the existence of a species on
the Department of Interior's threatened and endangered species
list7
7. Could the proposed activity cause signiiicant changes in land use
concentrations that would be eXpected to create adverse water
quality or ground water impacts?
�/
❑ �
❑ �
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8. Is the proposed activity expected to have a significant adverse
effect on long-term recreational benefits or shellfish, finfish,
wildlife, or their natural habitats
YES NO
❑ �
If any questions 2 through 8 are answered "yes", the proposed project may not qualify as
a Minimum Criteria project. A state environmental assessment (EA) may be required.
For assistance, contact:
Manager, Environmental Analysis Unit
1598 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1598
(919) 707 — 6000
Fax: [phone]
PART C: COMPLIANCE WITH STATE AND FEDERAL REGULATIONS
Items 9-12 to be completed by Division Environmental Officer.
9. Is a federally protected threatened or endangered species, or its
habitat, likely to be impacted by the proposed action?
10. Does the action require the placement of temporary or permanent
iill in waters of the United States?
11. Does the project require the placement of a significant amount of
fill in high quality or relatively rare wetland ecosystems, such as
mountain bogs or pine savannahs?
12. Is the proposed action located in an Area of Environmental
Concern, as defined in the coastal Area Management Act?
Items 13 — I S to be completed by the Engineer.
13. Does the project require stream relocation or channel changes?
Cultural Resources
14. Will the project have an "effect" on a property or site listed on the
National Register of Histaric Places?
15. Will the proposed action require acquisition of additional right of
way from publicly owned parkland or recreational areas?
YES NO
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Question 9: The US Fish and Wildlife Service has developed a programmatic biological
opinion (PBO) in conjunction with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the US
Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and NCDOT far the northern long-eared bat
(NLEB) (Myotis septentrionalis) in eastern North Carolina. The PBO covers the entire
NCDOT program in Divisions 1-8, including all NCDOT projects and activities. The
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programmatic determination for NLEB for the NCDOT program is "May Affect, Likely
to Adversely Affect". The PBO provides incidental take coverage for NLEB and will
ensure compliance with Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act for five years for all
NCDOT projects with a federal nexus in Divisions 1-8, which includes Bladen County,
where Bridge No. 178 is located. Prior to construction, NCDOT will coordinate with the
USFWS or the USACE to satisfy Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act for the NLEB.
The Natural Resources Technical Report (NRTR) completed by NCDOT in October
2017 identified two Federally protected species listed for Bladen County with
"Unresolved" biological conclusions: the Wood stork (Mycteria Americana) and the
Rough-leaved loosestrife (Lysimachia asperulaefolia).
Wood stork: Suitable habitat in the form of inedium to tall trees that occur in stands
located either in swamps or on islands surrounded by relatively broad expanses of open
water was present in the study area for the Wood stork. However, an August 30, 2017
survey of the project area revealed no individuals of wood stork. Additionally, an August
15, 2017 review of NCNHP database indicates no known wood stork occurrence within
1.0 mile of the study area. Pending surveys by NCDOT personnel the biological
conclusion for the wood stork remains unresolved.
Rough-leaved loosestrife: Suitable habitat in the form of disturbed habitats as roadside
depressions, maintained power and utility line rights-of-way, frebreaks, and trails was
present in the study area. However, an August 30, 2017 survey of the study area revealed
no individuals of rough-leaved loosestrife present. Additionally, an August 15, 2017
review of NCNHP database indicates no known occurrences within 1.0 mile of the study
area. Pending surveys by NCDOT personnel in the appropriate survey window the
biological conclusion for the rough-leaved loosestrife remains unresolved.
Question 10: Temporary impacts to Browns Creek would be required to remove the
existing bridge piers within the creek. In addition, permanent fill would be anticipated to
accommodate new piers for the proposed two-span bridge.
Reviewed by:
Lead Engineer
Consultant Engineer
Division Environmental Officer
Date:
Date:
Date:
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H. Proiect Commitments
Bladen County
Bridge No. 178 on SR 1145 (Martin Luther King Drive)
Over Browns Creek
State Project No. 17BP.6.R.90
Division Six Construction
Bladen County Schools should be contacted to determine/construct appropriate locations for
bus turn-arounds on each side of the bridge closure.
In order to have time to adequately reroute school buses, Bladen County Schools,
Transportation Department will be contacted at [phone] at least one month prior to
bridge closure.
Bladen County Manager will be contacted at [phone] at least one month prior to road
closure to provide project schedules and alternative routes to ensure the appropriate County
offices are aware of the project. The County's Emergency Management department will need to
make the necessary temporary reassignments to primary response units.
Hydraulics Unit — FEMA Coordination
The Hydraulics Unit will coordinate with the NC Floodplain Mapping Program (FMP) to
determine status of the project with regard to the applicability of NCDOT's Memorandum of
Agreement, or approval of a Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR) and subsequent final
Letter of Map Revision (LOMR).
Division Construction-FEMA
This project involves construction activities on or adjacent to FEMA-regulated stream(s).
Therefore, the Division shall submit sealed as-built construction plans to the Hydraulics Unit
upon completion of project construction, certifying that the drainage structure(s) and roadway
embankment that are located within the 100-year floodplain were built as shown in the
construction plans, both horizontally and vertically.
Environmental Analysis Unit
Construction activities for this project will not take place until Endangered Species Act
compliance is satisfied for the Northern long-eared bat (NLEB). Prior to construction, NCDOT
will coordinate with the USFWS or the USACE to satisfy Section 7 of the Endangered Species
Act for the NLEB.
178P.6.R.90 State Minimum Criteria Checklist Page 1 of 1
April 2018

NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT VICINITY MAP
OF TRANSPORTATION
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DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS Replace Bridge #178
PROJECT DEVELOPMENTAND on SR 1145 (Martin Luther King Jr. Drive)
ENVIRONMENTALANALYSIS UNIT Over Browns Creek in Bladen County
County: BLADEN
Div: 6
WBS: 17BP.6.R.90
APRIL 2018
Figure 1