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
2.6.3 Leonard Johnson
Leonard Johnson submitted a letter dated December 16, 2011.
LJ-1: NOISE: It is not clear why Site 4 (525 Main Street, Amesbury) and Site 5 (508 Main Street, Amesbury) were
eliminated as "Candidate Barriers" in the Environmental Assessment Report. Table 5-18 at page 5-25 measured 79
and 77 decibels at Sites 4 and 5, respectively. Are these two critical locations were feasible and reasonable Would
they have met the DOT's cost-effectiveness criteria
Response: Although the loudest hour (5:00 pm to 6:00 pm) at Site 4 (525 Main Street, Unit #4) was
measured at 68 dBA, future conditions which include the addition of the Shared-Use Path, a full
breakdown lane and shoulder, and jersey barriers between the I-95 northbound lanes and the
Shared-Use Path and a snow fence on top of a jersey barrier on top of the retaining wall adjacent to
the property are projected to result in a slight reduction of noise levels to 63 dBA in the loudest hour.
The loudest hour at Site 5 (9:00 am to 10:00 am) was measured at 69 dBA. Future noise levels are
anticipated to be 62 dBA Leq(h) at Site 5, a reduction due primarily to the shift of the I-95 northbound
travel lanes to the east, farther from the site. These levels would be below the threshold of 66 dBA
for consideration of a noise barrier.
Table 5-18 provides, as noted, validation information. The locations of the noise meter at the location
closest to Whittier Point (Site 4) and Hawkswood Estates (Site 5) for the validation exercise were
within the I-95 ROW. In comparison, the measured and predicted noise levels above are at the
receptor location itself, some distance from the highway. Noise lessens as a function of distance
from the source, thus the projected levels are lower.
LJ-2: NOISE: the residents of Hawkswood, Evans Place and the Salisbury Point area in Amesbury will suffer
considerable traffic noise. Would the Department consider planting an evergreen screen (perhaps cedar, spruce)
from the Hawkswood area north to the Route 110 interchange along I-95 South to absorb and diffuse the
considerable traffic noise
Response: MassDOT is developing landscaping plans as part of the design process for the project.
The requested landscaping will be evaluated as part of the design.
LJ-3: LIGHTING: Ambient Light Mitigation: Although there are light poles on the median strip of the Whittier Bridge,
the lights not lit. Since there is no lighting on Whittier Bridge, there is no light pollution coming from the bridge area. It
is unclear from the Environmental Impact Report what type of light fixtures will be used within the Project Limits.
Figure 5-13G (Night Time Lighting) appears to show "cobra" type lights. Is the Night Time Lighting limited to the new
bridge What are their height, location and number How will ambient light be mitigated to Whittier Point
Condominiums Hawkswood Estate Condominiums Main Street and Evans Place
Response: MassDOT will reestablish the existing highway lighting in the project area. The current
highway lights in the project area are largely non-operable. Figure 8-1 in Chapter 8 of the EA/DEIR
illustrated the location and type of highway lighting throughout the project area. Existing highway
lighting on the approaches to and on the Whittier Bridge and in the I-95/I-495 interchange area will
be repaired or replaced. Lights in the area of the Whittier Point and Hawkswood Estates
Condominiums and Main Street/Evans Place will be installed in the highway median and are
intended to replace existing highway lights, many of which are not currently operating.
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