Final Environmental Impact Report - Whittier Bridge/I-95 ...

Whittier Bridge/I-95 Improvement Project FEIR
Chapter 2.0: Response to Comments on the Environmental Assessment/Draft Environmental Impact Report
110 Widening and the Hines Bridge Construction. Additionally, the Reconstruction of Route 150-Hillside and
Sparhawk Streets has been shifted in the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission Transportation Improvement
Program and is scheduled for construction in 2015. Knowing that the Whittier Bridge project needs to be completed
by the end of 2016, has MassDOT reviewed the traffic impacts that could arise if these other projects are not
completed in a timely manner
Response: The Route 150 Improvement project is currently scheduled for an advertisement date of
November 1, 2014 and scheduled for construction in 2015.
The currently scheduled completion date for the Hines Bridge is July 2012. The Route 110 widening
project is currently scheduled for completion in the summer of 2012.
If these projects are delayed, MassDOT will address the issue at that time. However, with no traffic
diversions from the project, no real effect on traffic is expected.
Amesbury-9: The DEIR indicates there will be no offsite traffic impacts on neighboring roadways or arterials and that
all traffic will remain within the existing corridor. The DEIR references the use of signage to direct motorists to
roadway detours during construction, indicating that traffic may be diverted to other routes. It is a concern that traffic
will seek alternate routes resulting from backups during construction as speeds are reduced in the construction zones
and drivers must make lane shifts as the project construction is phased. This could cause traffic impacts to other
roads such as Route 110 in Amesbury and Salisbury and Route 1 in Newburyport and Salisbury.
Response: No traffic diversions are anticipated during the construction of the Whittier Bridge
project. MassDOT is committed to maintaining traffic flow through the project corridor throughout the
construction period. No lane closures except limited closures during late night/early morning hours to
accommodate lane crossovers during various phases of construction or for specific bridge
reconstruction/ rehabilitation activities will be required to construct the project. Six lanes of traffic will
be maintained throughout the project corridor; no significant traffic diversions are anticipated.
2.4.3 Town of Salisbury
The Town of Salisbury submitted two comment letters, one dated December 23, 2011 and the
second dated December 27, 2011.
Salisbury-1: The Draft EIR identifies the Main Street/Evans Place connection and the Amesbury Visitors Center
adjacent to I-95 as one of the existing transportation and recreation nodes to be connected to the Shared Use Path,
but the Draft EIR does not contain any investigation of the feasibility of making the connection either via a spiral
pedestrian ramp, a stairway or some other acceptable solution. Any of these alternatives could easily be
accomplished from municipally-owned property directly adjacent to the Shared Use Path. This is a vital connection
that would give convenient and safe pedestrian and bicycle access to the Shared Use Path from the Amesbury
Visitors Center adjacent to I-95 and from Main Street and all of downtown Amesbury. It would also serve a much
wider regional need as numerous bicyclists travel the scenic roadways along the Merrimack River from communities
west of Amesbury and would be able to access the Shared Use Path from this location.
We think that some sort of pedestrian access connection is the best solution at this location because it would provide
convenient access~ for the elderly and handicapped from the Amesbury Visitors Center to overlooks on the Whittier
Bridge. It would also provide a safe and convenient route for Amesbury bicycle commuters heading to and from the
Route 113 Park & Ride or jobs in Newburyport.
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