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
The Shared-Use Path segment on the I-95 northbound bridge will include ―viewing areas‖ where
path users will be able to enjoy views of the river corridor, including observation of Bald Eagles in the
area.
2.7.12 Tom Horth, Newburyport – Coastal Trails Coalition
Tom Horth, Newburyport – Coastal Trails Coalition
TH-1: We’d like to congratulate you in including the shared use path. This is going to be an incredible amenity to our
area and eventually to general bicycle transportation up and down the east coast.
Response: The comment is noted.
TH-2: We'd also like to reinforce and support the points that Andy Port made about Newburyport, and in particular we
very strongly support the building of a better sound barrier for the Laurel Road people. They really deserve it. And
frankly, Mass. Highway's standards in this regard are inadequate.
Response: The project will relocate the existing articulated noise barrier within the limits of the I-95
ROW in order to accommodate the construction of the shared use path.
TH-3: Finally, I'd like to make sure that you – at least when you re-build the old bridge over the old railroad north of
the northern end, that you don't do anything that would make it more difficult to connect the Ghost Trail to the Powow
Riverwalk in the future.
Response: The proposed widening and reconstruction of the I-95 bridges over the railroad ROW will
not impede future development of a connection between Powow River and Ghost trails.
2.7.13 Deb Carey, Amesbury – Coastal Trails Coalition
DC-1: I would like to express my personal concern, the concern of many people I spoke with about the connection of
Evans Place. I understand and sympathize with the fact that there is more than a little difficulty in making any
connection there given the requirements of ADA, and also I understand there's also some wetlands in that area, and
to get this built you need to get it built fast.
Response: The comment refers to the requested connection from Main Street/Evans Place to the
Shared-Use Path in the vicinity of the existing Visitor Information Center at 520 Main Street. The
visitor center, the former Smith‘s Chain Bridge Filling Station No. 3, has been determined by the
State Historic Preservation Officer to be eligible for individual listing in the National Register of
Historic Places. As such, any construction on its lot or modifications of the building would trigger
review under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and would require modification of
the project‘s Section 106 Memorandum of Agreement. If determined to be an adverse impact under
Section 106, Section 4(f) would be triggered. Additionally, the limited space available at the 520
Main Street location and the difference in elevation between the visitor center parcel and the
Shared-Use Path (approximately 40 feet) would make the connection infeasible, require a large
ramp structure with grades in excess of handicapped accessibility requirements, and result in
additional wetland impacts to Wetland I, located behind the visitor center building. Additional wetland
impacts in excess of 40 square feet at Wetland I would result in the need for wetlands Variance for
the project, the timeline for which would push the project outside of the Accelerated Bridge Program
funding schedule.
2-74