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
Response: The alignment along Merrill Street referenced in the comment was considered as a
possible route for the Shared-Use Path during the preparation of a feasibility study for the path. It
was eliminated from further consideration because of the difficulties in providing direct access to the
Merrimack River crossing portion of the path along the new I-95 northbound bridge and the desire to
provide an off-road path for pedestrians and bicyclists.
MassDOT 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.
WB-8: Possible route modifications. If the portion of the Whittier Bridge Trail between Main Street and Route 110
were not constructed directly alongside vehicular traffic on the bridge, but was diverted by construction of a ramp to
the Amesbury Visitor Center and to Merrill Street, would there be cost savings and access benefits The cost of the
new ramp from I-95 to Merrill Street may be offset by the elimination of the walkway directly alongside the
expressway between Main Street and Route 110. Cost savings may also result from eliminating the parking area at
Ferry Road and the special measures required to avoid existing wetlands (such as the bridge of the shared use path)
installed to avoid impacts near the NB off-ramp to Route 110 (or to mitigate their loss through replacement such as
Wetland H). Added together, these savings might be sufficient to build the Merrill Street pedestrian/ bicycle access
ramp.
Response: MassDOT has not examined potential cost implications of the scenario suggested in the
comment. As noted in the response to previous comments, cost is not the determining factor in a
decision not to provide a Merrill Street pedestrian access ramp.
WB-9: New riverfront trail connections should be included in plans for the Whittier Bridge. On the south side of the
bridge, the existing network of riverfront trails is incomplete for walkers, hikers and joggers. All planning for regional
trails includes a connection between segments of the existing 2.0 miles of Merrimack River Trail already in use. This
riverfront connection can only be made directly underneath the Whittier Bridge on the Newburyport side and
MassDOT should not preclude it by the bridge design.
Response: The Merrimack River shoreline option was not included in the project because of
potential wetland impacts, the presence of Bartlett Springs Pond, (an active drinking water reservoir
to the west of I-95), the regulations against work unless it is for water supply purposes, and the need
for extensive grading to the east of I-95 to ensure that the path would meet accessibility standards.
East-west connectivity for alternative transportation modes will be available along the new Pine
Hill/Ferry Road Bridge, which will include widened shoulders and sidewalks. The design of the
replacement bridges will not preclude a future connection under the bridge. The abutments for the
new bridges will be located 50-feet further inland than the existing bridge abutment and adequate
room will be available for a future city connection project.
WB-10: I-95 currently prevents connection of two existing trails. The existing Ghost Trail in Salisbury and the
Riverwalk Trail in Amesbury are not connected, though they should be. Both end at or near I-95, but the connection
beneath the highway cannot currently be made because there is a short length of privately-owned property directly
beneath the highway. The construction process of widening these highway bridges may involve use of this property.
It would be highly desirable if the state were to procure the land for the construction process of rebuilding and
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