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Extensive and innovative use of GIS data layers and ARCVIEW software were utilized. Environmental variables were ranked, evaluated, and mapped showing areas of environmental concern for avoidance. A matrix analysis was employed to determine which environmental variables were most important.
A series of environmental constraints maps were produced detailing environmental avoidance areas with low priority areas targeted for potential roadway location. Subsequently, three alternative road alignments were generated that conform to NCDOT design standards.
Several stakeholder meetings were conducted to encourage agency participation. Agency personnel were provided the constraints mapping during the six-month planning process to locate areas of environmental significance. Agency cooperation was deemed imperative to the success of the project.
The final report included a discussion of the constraints analysis and the variables used to determine priority resources. A series of constraint maps showed significant resources and the roadway alignments that were selected and placed as to avoid important resources. This information is expected to be used by NCDOT to move forward in the environmental process with some level of confidence that consideration has been given to protection and avoidance of high priority resources.
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