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
ROW 15 feet from our property, with all the horrible effects of their project, is de facto taking our property and
therefore making our living conditions unbearable, especially during the 4 year construction period.
Response: The I-95 ROW directly borders the Whittier Point Condominium property; the
condominium building was constructed within 15-feet of the 1951 state highway layout. The
design/build contractor will be required to prepare a Construction Management Plan (CMP)
describing project activities and their schedule and sequencing, site access and truck routing, and
BMPs that will be used to avoid and minimize adverse environmental impacts. The CMP will address
potential construction period impacts (including, but not limited to, land disturbance, noise, vibration,
dust, odor, nuisance, vehicle emissions, construction and demolition debris, and construction-related
traffic) and analyze and outline feasible measures that can be implemented to eliminate or minimize
these impacts. The construction period is scheduled to occur starting in early 2013 and will be
completed by the end of September 2016.
KW-2: …the EIR report does not include a sound recording of the noises of actual construction which are listed in
detail on page 5-88. Under section 5.18.3 on that page we learn that the daytime work interval extends from 7 am to
10 pm! The report also states that “blasting is not anticipated for this project.” Elsewhere in the report are many
statements about mitigation being required, as if that solves the problem.
Response: The comment is noted. Construction noise levels are expected to comply with criteria
guidelines during limited nighttime activities (e.g., final work to enable traffic crossovers), but may
exceed criteria guidelines during the daytime for receptors at Whittier Point Condominiums (an
estimated exceedence of 3 dBA above the daytime limit of 75 dBA) due to the expected use of pile
drivers to set new bridge piers in the Merrimack River. Noise threshold levels are reduced for the
overnight hours. MassDOT will require that particularly noisy activities, such as pile driving, hoe
ramming, rock drilling, and pneumatic tools to operate only during the day. Blasting is not anticipated
for the project.
KW-3: I was surprised to note the distance of the new ROW from the edge of the Whittier point property as 150 feet
on page 4-1, and as 15 feet on page 5-8!
Response: MassDOT regrets the inadvertent typographical error. The correct distance to the
building from the edge of the ROW is 15 feet.
KW-4: A general problem concerns the cartographic integrity of numerous maps in the report. For example, Figure 3-
6 does not include key features in the Legend, namely ROW boundaries, Wetlands, etc. In Figure 5-8E the Legends'
yellow dashed line showing the ROW is invisible.
Response: MassDOT regrets any errors contained in the EA/DEIR.
2.6.10 Gary Peters
Gary Peters submitted a letter dated December 22, 2011.
GP-1: The EA/DEIR identifies two fish species that enjoy special status, the short nose sturgeon and the Atlantic
Sturgeon. Also, anadromous fish migrate up the river to spawn. Blueback Herring have shown a steady decline.
When they were counted at the Essex Dam, they found 51 in1996, 24,576 in 2000 and 517 in 2010. This species is
being proposed as endangered. Shad and Rainbow Smelt spawn in the Merrimack and are sensitive to silting, noise
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