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
2.6.11 Karen L. Amundsen
Karen L. Amundsen submitted a letter dated December 24, 2011.
KA-1: Unfortunately, the increase of traffic flow due to popularity of I-95 as a major passageway for commercial
vehicles plus the expansion will now result in more noise, more pollution, and significant disruption of opportunities to
enjoy many outdoor activities. I feel that the barriers proposed are more to protect from land erosion, not for sound
protection.
Response: Future highway noise conditions at 525 Main Street in Amesbury are expected to produce
slightly lower traffic noise levels with the addition of the snow fence and jersey barrier on top of the
retaining wall. Consequently, the worst-case future predicted traffic noise levels using the FHWA‘s
TNM model are only 63 dBA Leq(h). Thus, the property is not impacted because the noise levels at
this location are expected to remain below the threshold level of 66 dBA Leq(h).
KA-2: When construction begins, I fear that our buildings will show signs of significant stress fractures and settling of
the land. The significant monies spent thus far to maintain and improve the appearance will be for naught. It is
obvious that this will result in a significant negative impact on the value of our real estate.
Response: Vibration monitoring will be performed during construction with the placement of
seismographs to measure pre-construction background levels and those occurring during
construction. Pre- and post-construction inspections, vibration monitoring and protective vibration
limits included in the construction specifications are measures to be used to mitigate impacts on
neighboring properties. During construction, the contractor will be required to monitor for vibration
impacts at nearby locations. Post-construction, the new roadway will be designed to accommodate
the anticipated traffic type and volumes and will not create additional vibration. However, as with all
matters of concern to abutters to the state highway, the MassDOT District office is available for
concerns such as these and others.
KA-3: I would like to ask you to address where your dump trucks, wire lathing machines, cement trucks, vans,
personal vehicles, etc. will be stored on a daily basis during this construction period How will your workers get from
their cars to the worksite every day Will they be walking and driving through our residential areas, adding to this
already unsatisfactory lifestyle
Response: MassDOT will require the design/build contractor to identify staging area locations along
the project alignment for approval prior to construction. The nature of the project construction allows
for use of closed sections of the I-95 roadway for staging. In addition, the majority of the new bridge
construction will be performed from barges to be located in the Merrimack River.
KA-4: There has been an offer to consider a purchase these 5 residences which has a lot of merit. It has been said
that there was no room in the budget for a land acquisition; however, if you consider that this represents only 1/10 of
1% of the $280 Million already approved for the project, I feel that it is money well spent. The land could be used as a
staging area for all of the construction vehicles. This would be significantly easier than dealing with barges as it is
presently proposed. Tying up on a very tricky tidal river, especially during inclement weather, is not easy. The
Merrimack River has massive ice floes in the winter and it will be difficult to keep the barges in place, or were you
planning to attach them to our land Upon completion of the project, the land could then be offered to the Town of
Amesbury for purchase.
Response: The comment is noted.
2-69