Description

The N.C. Department of Transportation proposes to build a new bridge to replace the existing swing bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway on N.C. 50/210 in Surf City. This is one of two bridges providing access to Topsail Island.

The existing bridge is a steel truss swing span bridge that was built in the 1950s and is due for replacement. The new bridge will address the existing needs as follows:

• Provide a connecting structure between the mainland and the island with sufficient capacity allowing for emergency access, hurricane evacuation, and acceptable travel times.
• Improve the structural capacity of the bridge.
• Provide consistency with state/local land use and transportation plans.

News and Updates

NCDOT will hold a Citizens Informational Workshop on Thursday, June 25, 2009 from 2:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Surf City Community Center, located at 201 Community Center Drive, Surf City, 28445. The workshop will be informal. Citizens may drop in anytime during the workshop hours. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services for disabled persons who wish to participate in the workshop. Persons requiring special services are requested to call 1-877-392-5996 as early as possible so that arrangements can be made.

The purpose of this workshop will be to listen to the community’s issues, concerns, ideas and comments concerning the project and to introduce the NCDOT project team. Your answers to the following questions and others will help the NCDOT team as they move forward with project development.

• How often do you travel over the bridge (via automobile), or under/through the bridge (via boat)?
• How does the bridge support your community or business?
• If the bridge were closed short-term or long-term, how would this impact you?
• How are you affected by delays due to the opening of the draw bridge?
• Do you use the bridge at North Topsail to avoid delays at Surf City?
• Do you think a high span bridge similar to the bridge at North Topsail is appropriate to replace the existing bridge? How about a bascule bridge (draw bridge)?
• Should the new bridge accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists?
• Do you have specific issues or ideas that you would like to share concerning the bridge replacement?

Now is the time for you to talk with the planners and engineers responsible for the proposed replacement project you use every day. We encourage you to bring your responses to the questions above to the workshop and we will have comment cards available for your use. Comments may be left at the workshop, mailed in, posted using Contact Us or recorded on the toll-free project hotline 1-877-392-5996.

After the meeting, the project team will categorize the comments received to determine the community’s highest concerns, preferences and ideas. These items will be analyzed to determine how best to implement into the design process. Results from this analysis will be included at the next community workshop to be scheduled once design alternatives have been prepared.

• Newsletter #1 (June 2009)

Project Highlights

Schedule:

• June 25, 2009 - Citizens Informational Workshop #1 – Project Information
• Spring 2010 - Citizens Informational Workshop #2 – Project Alternatives Evaluation
• Fall 2010 - Environmental Assessment Complete
• Spring 2011 – Project Public Hearing
• Summer 2011 – Selection of Recommended Alternative
• Fall 2011 – Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) Complete
• 2013 – Right-of-Way Acquisition Begins
• 2015 – Construction Begins

Current Activities:
The Topsail Island Bridge Replacement project development, environmental studies, and engineering will be conducted in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). NEPA is a federal law enacted in 1970 that requires the Federal Government to consider the environmental impacts of, and alternatives to, major proposed actions in its decision-making processes. The act is the basic national charter for the protection of the environment. Under NEPA, an environmental document is required for any projects that receive federal funds.

As a part of this process, the project team will prepare several studies to evaluate the direct or indirect potential project impacts in the study area. The project study area will include the entire Topsail Island including the towns of Topsail Beach, Surf City and North Topsail Beach and the mainland portion of Surf City between the Intracoastal Waterway and US 17.

Over the next few months, you can expect to see different project team members visit the area. You may notice biologists, environmental scientists, engineers, planners, surveyors and architectural historians surveying the area. Each has a different field of expertise that provides information the project team needs to develop an effective project as well as minimize the impacts to the community and environment.

Team members may snap photographs, make notes, take measurements or mark important locations. However, these markers are only surveying and documentation guides and they do not necessarily indicate that your property will be impacted by the project.

As representatives of the State of North Carolina, we strive to treat you and your land, home or business with respect and courtesy. NCDOT kindly asks that you allow our staff on your property to conduct the necessary studies. If the highest standards of customer service are not observed or if you have questions, please contact the project team at 1-877-392-5996.

Project Photos

Contact Information

Resources for Local Property Owners

In many cases, it is inevitable that a certain amount of private property must be acquired. The displacement of homes and businesses is minimized to the extent practicable. The following brochures will answer questions about this process.

• Relocation Assistance Brochure
• Right-of-Way Acquisition FAQs
• Right-of-Way Acquisition FAQs (Spanish)