Final Environmental Impact Report - Whittier Bridge/I-95 ...
Final Environmental Impact Report - Whittier Bridge/I-95 ...
Final Environmental Impact Report - Whittier Bridge/I-95 ...
- No tags were found...
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
<strong>Whittier</strong> <strong>Bridge</strong>/I-<strong>95</strong> Improvement Project FEIR<br />
Chapter 2.0: Response to Comments on the <strong>Environmental</strong> Assessment/Draft <strong>Environmental</strong> <strong>Impact</strong> <strong>Report</strong><br />
Response: The alignment along Merrill Street referenced in the comment was considered as a<br />
possible route for the Shared-Use Path during the preparation of a feasibility study for the path. It<br />
was eliminated from further consideration because of the difficulties in providing direct access to the<br />
Merrimack River crossing portion of the path along the new I-<strong>95</strong> northbound bridge and the desire to<br />
provide an off-road path for pedestrians and bicyclists.<br />
MassDOT recently completed improvements to the intersection of Merrill Street and Rabbit Road<br />
with Route 110 (Elm Street) in Amesbury. A pedestrian crossing and a pedestrian phase for the<br />
traffic circle and widening of Rabbit Road to incorporate a 5-foot-wide shoulder for bicycle<br />
accommodation will meet the current termination of the Salisbury Point Ghost Trail north of the<br />
intersection. The intersection improvements and Rabbit Road widening will link the proposed<br />
Shared-Use Path to the Ghost Trail.<br />
WB-8: Possible route modifications. If the portion of the <strong>Whittier</strong> <strong>Bridge</strong> Trail between Main Street and Route 110<br />
were not constructed directly alongside vehicular traffic on the bridge, but was diverted by construction of a ramp to<br />
the Amesbury Visitor Center and to Merrill Street, would there be cost savings and access benefits The cost of the<br />
new ramp from I-<strong>95</strong> to Merrill Street may be offset by the elimination of the walkway directly alongside the<br />
expressway between Main Street and Route 110. Cost savings may also result from eliminating the parking area at<br />
Ferry Road and the special measures required to avoid existing wetlands (such as the bridge of the shared use path)<br />
installed to avoid impacts near the NB off-ramp to Route 110 (or to mitigate their loss through replacement such as<br />
Wetland H). Added together, these savings might be sufficient to build the Merrill Street pedestrian/ bicycle access<br />
ramp.<br />
Response: MassDOT has not examined potential cost implications of the scenario suggested in the<br />
comment. As noted in the response to previous comments, cost is not the determining factor in a<br />
decision not to provide a Merrill Street pedestrian access ramp.<br />
WB-9: New riverfront trail connections should be included in plans for the <strong>Whittier</strong> <strong>Bridge</strong>. On the south side of the<br />
bridge, the existing network of riverfront trails is incomplete for walkers, hikers and joggers. All planning for regional<br />
trails includes a connection between segments of the existing 2.0 miles of Merrimack River Trail already in use. This<br />
riverfront connection can only be made directly underneath the <strong>Whittier</strong> <strong>Bridge</strong> on the Newburyport side and<br />
MassDOT should not preclude it by the bridge design.<br />
Response: The Merrimack River shoreline option was not included in the project because of<br />
potential wetland impacts, the presence of Bartlett Springs Pond, (an active drinking water reservoir<br />
to the west of I-<strong>95</strong>), the regulations against work unless it is for water supply purposes, and the need<br />
for extensive grading to the east of I-<strong>95</strong> to ensure that the path would meet accessibility standards.<br />
East-west connectivity for alternative transportation modes will be available along the new Pine<br />
Hill/Ferry Road <strong>Bridge</strong>, which will include widened shoulders and sidewalks. The design of the<br />
replacement bridges will not preclude a future connection under the bridge. The abutments for the<br />
new bridges will be located 50-feet further inland than the existing bridge abutment and adequate<br />
room will be available for a future city connection project.<br />
WB-10: I-<strong>95</strong> currently prevents connection of two existing trails. The existing Ghost Trail in Salisbury and the<br />
Riverwalk Trail in Amesbury are not connected, though they should be. Both end at or near I-<strong>95</strong>, but the connection<br />
beneath the highway cannot currently be made because there is a short length of privately-owned property directly<br />
beneath the highway. The construction process of widening these highway bridges may involve use of this property.<br />
It would be highly desirable if the state were to procure the land for the construction process of rebuilding and<br />
2-54