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HomeMy WebLinkAbout25 Road AssessmentROAD ASSESSMENT O\OLSSON ASSOCIATES ACCESS ROAD ASSESSMENT URSA Battlement Mesa PUD Phase II, BMC L Special Use Permit The Access Road that is intended to serve BMC L for URSA Operating Company within the Battlement Mesa PUD gains access from Spencer Parkway in the West 1/2 of Section 8, Township 7 South, Range 95 West of the 6th P.M. and terminates at the URSA Well BMC L. The total distance to the URSA Well BMC L from the Spencer Parkway is approximately 879 feet. The following figure more adequately describes the access road to the adjacent roadways: Statement of Adequacy This access road is typical of roads providing access to natural gas production facilities in Garfield County. The roadway is adequate for the intended use. Geometry of Road The following table compares this access road to the Garfield County Roadway Standards found in Table 7-107 of the Land Use and Development Code for Semi Primitive Roadways and Driveways. Table 7-107: Roadway Standards Design Standards Semi Primitive 21-100 URSA BMC LAccess Road 25 Vehicles per Day Design Capacity (ADT) Minimum ROW Width (Feet) 40 feet > 40 feet Lane Width (Feet) Two Lanes (8 feet each) Two Lanes (9 feet each) Shoulder Width (Feet) 2 feet 2 feet Ditch Width (Feet) 4 feet 4 feet Cross Slope 3% for Gravel 2% for Gravel Shoulder Slope 5% 2% (continuance of lane) Design Speed n/a n/a Minimum Radius (Feet) 50 feet 50 feet Maximum % Grade 12% 6.00% Surface Gravel 8" of Class 6 Road Base (Gravel) It is noted when comparing the proposed access road construction with that of the Semi Primitive standards, the access road for URSA BMC L is being constructed at a standard that generally exceeds the County's standard with the exception of the cross slope being 2% versus 3%. This variance from the standard is justified by making sure that adequate drainage is provided for the roadway to not allow ponding in the road surface. Also, as the roadway needs to tie to both the well pad and an existing roadway, varied cross slopes to transition to the existing (and proposed) grading at those locations is necessary. This standard has proven to be a successful standard for access to URSA Operating Company on all of its facilities throughout Garfield County. URSA has proven its ability to safely perform all operations from drilling to production and to properly maintain its roadways constructed to this standard. Safety/Structural Issues As access to the pad is gained from Spencer Parkway focus has been given to determining adequate sight distance and structural issues related to the intersection with Spencer Parkway. For sight distance, the sight distance from the access road to the north has revealed that the entire 879' of roadway to the intersection with Spencer Parkway to be clear of obstructions. Likewise, at least 500 feet of sight distance exists to the south. For a 35 mph speed on Spencer Parkway, the minimum stopping sight distance would be 275 feet thus the sight distance available exceeds the minimum. For the access road to the pad itself, the entire roadway is visible to traffic flows on the access road so sight distance is not an issue. From a structural standpoint, the access road for the pad is to be constructed of 8" of class 6 aggregate base course over 18" of scarified and compacted native soil subgrade. With the given construction, and in-sitsu soil conditions consisting of an R value of at least 15, the road section will adequately support the 20 year projected EASL's from production traffic. For the existing roadway (Spencer Parkway), we have found the roadways to be in an aged, but fair condition. Given the road bond that URSA has in place with the County Road and Bridge department, any funding necessary to repair damages directly resulting from URSA's activities and Spencer Parkway are already in place. Maintenance Maintenance for the access road to the pad is to be performed by URSA contractors sufficiently tooled to adequately maintain not only access roadways, but the pad facilities as well. Anticipated maintenance is snow plowing, borrow ditch grading, storm water BMP maintenance, weed/vegetation control (mowing and spraying), re -surfacing and compaction. From well pad construction through completion operations, necessary personnel and equipment will be on site or on nearby facilities to perform the needed maintenance. Through production, URSA production personnel will monitor maintenance needs and direct the URSA contractors to perform such on an as needed basis. Travel Demand Average Daily Traffic (ADT) is expected to be equal to or less than 25 trips per day (in the worst case) for drilling operations as shown in the following table prepared by Olsson Associates. Stages of Development Duration Average Trips/Day Max Trips/Day Total Trips/Phase Light Truck Heavy Truck Drill Rig Heavy Equipment Construction of the Drill Pad requiring little excavation 21 days/ 1 pad 14 60 290 84 202 4 Construction of the Drill Pad requiring significant excavation and material removal 21 days/ 1 pad 14 90 380 84 292 4 Drilling Operations 5 days/ 1 well 25 42 125 75 47 1 2 Completion Operations 10 days/ 1 well 16 36 160 80 80 Production 20 years/ 1 pad 2 2 29200 14.600 14.600 Reclamation 5 days/ 1 pad 10 25 50 34 12 4 Pipeline Construction 60 days/1 mile 31 46 1844 1200 540 120 This roadway is being assessed according to the standards for a Semi Primitive Driveway. Traffic associated with the additional stages of development includes light and heavy trucks, heavy equipment and a drill rig. As is noted in the table, the worst stage of development, from a traffic demand standpoint is that of the drilling operation stage. In this stage, there is anticipated an ADT of Light Trucks to be 15 light trucks, 9 heavy trucks and 1 drill rig. Other Evidence of Compliance Section 7-107.A Access to Public Right -of -Way Legal access to the site is gained, as previously noted, from Spencer Parkway and through a surface use agreement with Battlement Mesa. Section 7-107.B Safe Access Access to the site is consistent with other similar uses. Section 7-107.0 Adequate Capacity Traffic congestion is not anticipated as a result of the proposed URSA BMC L oil and gas development activities. Section 7-107.D Road Dedications The access road is a private road. No rights-of-way will be dedicated to the public. Section 7-107.E Impacts Mitigated Based on the expected trip generation rates discussed in the Basic Traffic Study, the increase in average daily traffic is not expected to increase on County Roads such that a modification of the existing access permit would be required. The total traffic volumes will remain very low and are anticipated to be accommodated by the existing roadway. Additionally, the majority of existing traffic on this road is associated with the natural gas industry and/or the maintenance personnel for the Battlement Mesa Water and Wastewater District facilities. Conclusions The URSA BMC L Access Road is proposed to be constructed to a standard that exceeds those of a Semi Primitive Driveway standard noted in the County's Design Standards in Table 7-107 of the Land Use Code. As such, the road is anticipated to function adequately as proposed and is typical of existing roads providing access to natural gas production in Garfield County.