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
Salisbury-1C: Further, the proposed design does not meet the requirements of the Certificate of the Secretary of
Energy and Environmental Affairs on the Environmental Notification Form for the project that required the Draft EIR
to:
(1) “investigate the feasibility of providing additional bicycle path and pedestrian connections” (EEA-16); and
(2) “identify additional commitments to improved connections” (EEA-16).
Response: Compared with existing conditions, the Shared-Use Path does provide additional bike
path and pedestrian connections.
Salisbury-1D: (3) “demonstrate …how this project will advance public safety interests” (EEA-21).
Response: The reference to public safety interests in the comment was contained in a portion of the
Certificate of the ENF. There, the reference to public safety was in the context of avoiding or
minimizing direct impacts to wetland resources and any ORWs along the project corridor in the
context of the project requiring a variance from the Wetlands Protection Act or the Section 401
Water Quality Certificate Regulations. The reference to public safety interests was not related to the
construction of the Shared-Use Path as is suggested in the comment from the Town of Salisbury.
The construction of the Shared-Use Path will provide safe operating conditions for pedestrians and
bicyclists along the I-95 corridor.
Salisbury-2: The Draft EIR does not include any commitment to improve the connection between Salisbury's Ghost
Trail and Amesbury. … MassDOT's representatives stated informally in Whittier Working Group meetings that the
agency would provide assistance in making this connection, but no official commitment has been made to date.
Committing to acquire a short section of the old railroad right of way as part of the Whittier Bridge I-95 Improvement
Project would open the door to the trail connection and permit the two towns to proceed with its design. Owning the
right of way under the I-95 overpasses also would facilitate MassDOT's reconstruction of the overpasses during the
project and as well as long-term maintenance of the underpasses. We request that you require MassDOT to acquire
an appropriate section of the railroad right of way as part of the project.
Response: MassDOT has determined that the requested acquisition of the former railroad ROW
under I-95 to enable a future connection between the Powow River trail in Amesbury and the Ghost
Trail in Salisbury is beyond the scope of the Whittier Bridge project. The proposed widening and
reconstruction of the I-95 bridges over the railroad ROW will not impede future development of a
connection between Powow River and Ghost trails. The connection of the Powow River and Ghost
Trails is an independent project that can be subsequently pursued by the municipalities through
regular project development process. It would not be precluded by this project
As noted in the DEIR, MassDOT has recently completed improvements to the intersection of Merrill
Street and Rabbit Road with Route 110 (Elm Street) in Amesbury. A pedestrian crossing and a
pedestrian phase for the traffic circle and widening of Rabbit Road to incorporate a 5-foot-wide
shoulder for bicycle accommodation will meet the current termination of the Salisbury Point Ghost
Trail north of the intersection. The intersection improvements and Rabbit Road widening will link the
proposed shared use path to the Ghost Trail.
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