Final Environmental Impact Report - Whittier Bridge/I-95 ...
Final Environmental Impact Report - Whittier Bridge/I-95 ... Final Environmental Impact Report - Whittier Bridge/I-95 ...
EEA #14427 DEIR Certificate December 30, 2011 • Implement Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) to promote the existing Park-and-Ride Lot in Newburyport (Exit 57) and carpooling during and after construction in addition to existing static roadside signs that direct patrons to Park-and-Ride Lots; • Implement incentives for Carpool Program to encourage ride sharing and use of highoccupancy vehicles (HOV) including discounts and carpool lanes; • Promote MassRIDES, a statewide ridesharing program developed to connect commuters to an array ofbus, vanpool, and carpool support services to encourage drivers to carpool and vanpool; • Implement a project website to post current transportation information; • Implement Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS); • Permanent Traffic Data Collection - include upgrading the existing MassDOT permanent count station (Station #5087) on 1-95 in Salisbury; • Provide Real-time Traveler Information - MassDOT, either through the project website or through the statewide 511 program. The contractor will be required to notify MassDOT and coordinate with Newburyport, Amesbury, and Salisbury for any exceptions to the standard work hours. The Merrimack River navigation channels will remain open to marine traffic for most of the construction period, except for temporary closures of short duration for the bridge construction. Directives of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) regarding navigational traffic will be followed, and the USCG and local harbormasters will be kept informed of all construction activity potentially affecting marine traffic. Transit The DEIR describes the commuter rail, commuter bus, and local bus services in the project area. MassDOT will continue to work with the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority (MVRTA) to maintain existing bus service in the project area and ensure that service is not impacted by the project. Bus route 51 uses 1-95 in the study area and will be maintained throughout the project duration. MVRTA received a grant to initiate a new flexible fixed bus route in Salisbury, Amesbury, and Newburyport and is in the midst of the designing the proposed route. In addition to local bus service, there are a number of commuter buses to Boston which use 1-95 and stop at the Park-and-Ride Lot in Newburyport (Exit 57). MassDOT will continue to work with transit authorities to ensure that service is not disrupted during construction. Commuter rail service is also provided from the Newburyport Commuter Rail Station which is serviced by bus route 51. Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities MassDOT has been responsive to the comments on the ENF that enumerated the benefits of expanding the region's alternative transportation network and improving pedestrian and bicycle connections in the project area. MassDOT's Preferred Alternative incorporates a shared- 8
EEA#I4427 DEIR Certificate December 30, 2011 use path as a means of providing increased transportation connectivity for alternative transportation modes as well as providing a connection to existing and planned bicycle/recreational trails within the project area. The DEIR describes the location and route of the proposed shared-use path and its interconnections with the existing recreation trail network in the project area. The path will originate at the Park-and-Ride Lot in Newburyport (Exit 57) at Route 113, south of the project limits and will run adjacent to the 1-95 northbound roadway north from the Park-and-Ride Lot, cross the Merrimack River on the new 1- 95 northbound bridge, leave the 1 95 northbound roadway and run east to the intersection ofRoute 110 with Merrill Street and Rabbit Road in Salisbury. Improvements to the Route 110 intersection and widening of Rabbit Road north of the intersection are being constructed as part of the ongoing Route 110 Widening Project. The improvements to the intersection and Rabbit Road will serve to connect the proposed shared use-path with the existing Ghost Trail in Salisbury. Connections to Ferry Road in Newburyport and Old Merrill Road in Amesbury are also included in the proposed shared-use path, along with trailhead parking accommodations at the southern end of the path, at Ferry Road in Newburyport and at Old Merrill Street in Amesbury. The incorporation ofthe shared-use path is consistent with the United States Department ofTransportation (USDOT) Policy Statement on Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodation Regulations and Recommendations (March 15, 2010) and MassDOT's GreenDOT Initiatives Policy. Inclusion of the shared-use path and other bicycle and pedestrian accommodations in the project area will: provide for the eventual hub connection to the Amesbury Riverwalk and Ghost Trail; provide connections to existing and planned trails; and improved access to and interconnections between Moseley Woods and Maudslay State Parks. Wetlands Notices of Intent (NOls) have been submitted to the Newburyport, Amesbury and Salisbury Conservation Commissions to conduct the proposed work located in wetland resource areas and buffer zones. The project requires Section 401 Water Quality Certification from MassDEP. The proposed project is estimated to directly impact (permanent and temporary) the following wetland resource areas: • approximately 4,960 sf of Bordering Vegetated Wetlands (BVW); • approximately 55,740 sfLand Under the Ocean (LUO)/Fish Run; • approximately 1,300 sf ofIsolated Vegetated Wetlands (IVW); • approximately 190 sfof Coastal Beach; • approximately 4,027 sf of Land Subject to Coastal Storm Flowage (LSCSF); and • approximately 98,809 sfof Riverfront Area. Wetland resource areas were characterized according to 310 CMR 10.00 and were mapped to show temporary and permanent impacts in the DEIR. The DEIR examined options that avoid impacts to wetland resource areas, their associated buffer zones, and the lOO-year 9
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EEA #14427 DEIR Certificate December 30, 2011<br />
• Implement Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) to promote the existing Park-and-Ride Lot in<br />
Newburyport (Exit 57) and carpooling during and after construction in addition to<br />
existing static roadside signs that direct patrons to Park-and-Ride Lots;<br />
• Implement incentives for Carpool Program to encourage ride sharing and use of highoccupancy<br />
vehicles (HOV) including discounts and carpool lanes;<br />
• Promote MassRIDES, a statewide ridesharing program developed to connect commuters<br />
to an array ofbus, vanpool, and carpool support services to encourage drivers to carpool<br />
and vanpool;<br />
• Implement a project website to post current transportation information;<br />
• Implement Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS);<br />
• Permanent Traffic Data Collection - include upgrading the existing MassDOT permanent<br />
count station (Station #5087) on 1-<strong>95</strong> in Salisbury;<br />
• Provide Real-time Traveler Information - MassDOT, either through the project website or<br />
through the statewide 511 program.<br />
The contractor will be required to notify MassDOT and coordinate with Newburyport,<br />
Amesbury, and Salisbury for any exceptions to the standard work hours. The Merrimack River<br />
navigation channels will remain open to marine traffic for most of the construction period,<br />
except for temporary closures of short duration for the bridge construction. Directives of the U.S.<br />
Coast Guard (USCG) regarding navigational traffic will be followed, and the USCG and local<br />
harbormasters will be kept informed of all construction activity potentially affecting marine<br />
traffic.<br />
Transit<br />
The DEIR describes the commuter rail, commuter bus, and local bus services in the<br />
project area. MassDOT will continue to work with the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit<br />
Authority (MVRTA) to maintain existing bus service in the project area and ensure that service<br />
is not impacted by the project. Bus route 51 uses 1-<strong>95</strong> in the study area and will be maintained<br />
throughout the project duration. MVRTA received a grant to initiate a new flexible fixed bus<br />
route in Salisbury, Amesbury, and Newburyport and is in the midst of the designing the proposed<br />
route.<br />
In addition to local bus service, there are a number of commuter buses to Boston which<br />
use 1-<strong>95</strong> and stop at the Park-and-Ride Lot in Newburyport (Exit 57). MassDOT will continue to<br />
work with transit authorities to ensure that service is not disrupted during construction.<br />
Commuter rail service is also provided from the Newburyport Commuter Rail Station which is<br />
serviced by bus route 51.<br />
Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities<br />
MassDOT has been responsive to the comments on the ENF that enumerated the benefits<br />
of expanding the region's alternative transportation network and improving pedestrian and<br />
bicycle connections in the project area. MassDOT's Preferred Alternative incorporates a shared-<br />
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