Final Environmental Impact Report - Whittier Bridge/I-95 ...

THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS
OFFICE OF COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT
251 Causeway Street, Suite 800, Boston, MA 02114-2136
(617) 626-1200 FAX: (617) 626-1240
MEMORANDUM
TO:
ATTN:
FROM:
DATE:
RE:
Ian Bowles, Secretary, EEA
Purvi Patel, MEPA Unit
~::'~:~~~l~irector,CZM ~jlIII.'"_:...-~•.•~""~."~"""."-;.·.f"-"""-
EEA 14427-Whittier Bridge 1-95 Improvement Project; Newburyport, Amesbury,
Salisbury
_
The Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) has completed its review 'of
the above-referenced Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR), noticed in the Environmental
Monitor dated November 23, 2011. CZM requests that the issues described below be addressed
within the final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) or during permitting, as appropriate.
Project Description
The proposed project includes replacement of the existing 1-95 six-lane John Greenleaf
Whittier Memorial Bridge over the Merrimack River with an 8-lane bridge span. The project also
includes widening the highway from six to eight lanes for a distance of approximately 4.25 miles,
from the area immediately north ofthe I-95/Route 133 interchange in Newburyport to just north of
the 1-495 entrance ramp to 1-95 in Salisbury. In addition, 8 bridges and overpasses within the
project area are proposed to be widened, rehabilitated or replaced as necessary to accommodate the
widened 1-95 roadway and improve the condition of these structures. The DEIR examines 7
possible river crossing alternatives, and 5 highway widening alternatives. Based on the analysis
presented in the DEIR, the preferred river crossing alternative will provide a new bridge to the east
of the existing bridge, on to which all traffic would be temporarily relocated. The existing Whittier
Bridge would then be demolished, and a second new bridge would be constructed in its place.
When construction is completed, the two new bridges would be configured to accommodate four
lanes of traffic northbound and four lanes of traffic southbound. This alternative will also
incorporate a "shared-use path" designed to accommodate pedestrian and bicycle traffic, which will
originate in Newburyport, cross the Merrimack River on the proposed 1-95 northbound bridge, and
continue north into Amesbury. The preferred highway widening alternative would begin at the
Route 110 interchange and end at the Route 286 interchange, and would widen the northbound and
southbound highway within the existing median.
Comments
The DEIR demonstrates sign.ificant Massachusetts Department of Transportation
(MassDOl) coordination with local, state and federal stakeholders since the issuance of the
Secretary's Certificate on the Environmental Notification Form in July 2009 and addresses many of
CZM's concerns. Details of implementation will be important considerations as the project
proceeds to permitting.
DEVAL L PATRICK GOVERNOR TIMOTHY P. MURRAY UEUTENANT GOVERNOR RICHARD K. SUWVAN JR. SECRETARY BRUCE K. CARUSLE DIRECTOR
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