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
throughout the work area and will be maintained on all temporary alignments during construction.
Traffic crossovers will be designed to provide safe operating conditions at posted speeds.
Construction of the new bridges and the realigned and widened I-95 alignment will occur outside the
existing travelled way. Specific provisions to be included in the TMP include measures such as
advanced signage prior to the work zone, traffic controls (lights, cones, variable message signs),
detailed public information, (including Smart Routes traveler reports, press releases, information on
the project website), and the presence of police details and roadway traffic flaggers within the work
zone. MassDOT believes safe operating conditions will be provided for all traffic.
Project construction will be completed within the limits of the existing I-95 ROW and will not intrude
on the Whittier Point Condominium property. One exception is the need to access the property to
construct a new retaining wall on the eastern edge of the I-95 ROW. Temporary construction
easements would be required for construction of the wall. These easements will be finalized after the
completion of the environmental review process, and in advance of construction. This activity will be
limited in duration and will be closely coordinated with the condominium association to minimize
adverse impacts. A MassDOT ROW representative will assess the impacts and contact property
owners directly once the impacts are determined. All MassDOT ROW activities are governed by the
federal Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, as
amended (Uniform Act).
As described in the response to Comment CST-1 above, MassDOT will construct a large snow fence
along the edge of the ROW adjacent to the Whittier Point Condominiums, as described in section 6.2
of the DEIR. This fence will provide an adequate measure of safety to the property, preventing
damage to the building from snow and ice clearing operations along the highway. Jersey barriers
and a snow fence extending 12-feet above the roadway will be installed along the eastern edge of
the relocated roadway and will ensure safe traffic operations during construction when the I-95
northbound traffic will be running along the eastern edge of the ROW. After project completion in a
safe configuration, northbound traffic will be separated from the edge of the ROW be a full 10-foot
breakdown lane, the jersey barrier and fence between the roadway and the 16-foot Shared-Use
Path, and the jersey barrier and the snow fence along the eastern edge of the shared use path.
CST-4: There are five families who will be most affected by the changes to the Whittier Bridge, and we have put forth
a proposal to sell our properties, allowing them to be used by the project team during construction and potentially
ultimately be developed as a park or other public venue. We have put forth this proposal because of the untenable
situation we are facing with the bridge project. There are many benefits for the project itself, as well as for the
residents most affected by this project. We ask that you please do whatever you can to facilitate the sale of our
properties so that we do not have to experience the negative side effects of the construction and so that the project
can continue unimpeded.
Response: The comment is noted.
2.6.9 Kempton E. Webb
Kempton E. Webb submitted a letter dated December 22, 2011.
KW-1: The discussion of permanent and temporary easements on p. 3-29 stresses that de jury “no fee takings would
be required for this alternative" (the Preferred Bridge Design Alternative). Our point is that MassDOT, by locating the
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