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
the trail is currently proposed at that location. A physical connection should be considered to provide access to an
existing rest area and because publicly-owned land adjacent to I-95 is available to construct such a connection.
Response: The project considered a number of potential connections from the Shared-Use Path to
the vicinity of the existing Visitor Information Center at 520 Main Street. The visitor center, the former
Smith‘s Chain Bridge Filling Station No. 3, has been determined by the State Historic Preservation
Officer to be eligible for individual listing in the National Register of Historic Places. As such, any
construction on its lot or modifications of the building would trigger review under Section 106 of the
National Historic Preservation Act and would require modification of the project‘s Section 106
Memorandum of Agreement. If determined to be an adverse impact under Section 106, Section 4(f)
would be triggered. Additionally, the limited space available at the 520 Main Street location and the
difference in elevation between the visitor center parcel and the Shared-Use Path (approximately 40
feet) would make the connection infeasible, require a large ramp structure with grades in excess of
handicapped accessibility requirements, and result in additional wetland impacts to Wetland I,
located behind the visitor center building. Additional wetland impacts in excess of 40 square feet at
Wetland I would result in the need for wetlands Variance for the project, the timeline for which would
push the project outside of the Accelerated Bridge Program funding schedule.
WB-5: Some amenities will be necessary for walkers on long walking routes. It would be appropriate to provide
benches along the walk routes. The existing Amesbury Visitor Center at 505 Main Street would be a logical place for
visitor services and restrooms, and is fortunately very close to the center of the bridge.
Response: MassDOT will continue to coordinate with the three municipalities for the design of the
Shared-Use Path and the location of amenities along the path, including benches or other
opportunities for rest and observation. Three overlooks are planned on the new I-95 northbound
bridge. Picnic benches will be provided at the trailhead at the southern end of the path and at the
interconnection points at Ferry Road in Newburyport and Old Merrill Street in Amesbury. It is
anticipated that the final design of the path will incorporate benches at intervals along the path. As
noted in the previous response, modification to the existing Visitor Information Center building would
trigger additional compliance requirements under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation
Act, which might push the project outside of the Accelerated Bridge Program funding schedule.
WB-6: A new trail access ramp could be connected directly to Merrill Street and the Amesbury Visitor Center. This
ramp would connect directly with existing rest facilities and a parking area, both of which would benefit walkers. The
Amesbury Visitor Center, only 1,000 feet from the center of the bridge, could become a new focus for walkers,
cyclists and all visitors. The ramp could be a loop from the trail to the ground, as was done on the Maryland side of
the Woodrow Wilson Bridge on the Washington Beltway (I-495).
Response: As noted above, there is limited space available to construct such a connection without
impacting either the wetlands behind the Visitor Information Center or the Visitor Information Center
property itself. Either would result in additional permitting, which might push the project outside of
the Accelerated Bridge Program funding schedule.
WB-7: The Merrill Street alignment provides direct access to Salisbury and Amesbury trails. From the Amesbury
Visitor Center to Route 110 and Rabbit Road (the Merrill Street extension), Merrill Street could serve as the route of
the shared use path, as it provides a straight alignment to connect with both the existing Ghost Trail in Salisbury and
the potential connection into the Amesbury Riverwalk Trail. Sidewalks are already in place along the full length of the
west side of Merrill Road and the part of Rabbit Road that leads to the Ghost Trail.
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