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

Whittier Bridgell..gS Improvement Projget - Newburyport, Amesbury, Salisbury
December 23 n1 , 2011
PageS 017
Path. Newburyport's own Clipper City Rail Trail and Harborwalk, a similar shared-use path
has been welcomed by the community, and a Phase II extension of this trail system is being
developed at this time. .
A number of those attending the public hearings for this project earlier this year have the
misconception that this element of the project could be eliminated, allowing the cost of this
portion of the project to be spent elsewhere. We suggest that MassDOT make greater effort
to explain the mandates expressed in MassDOT and US· DOT policies (referenced above)
and that adherence to these policies are tied back to ·the federal and state funding for this and
Mure projects undertaken by MassDOT.
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Design of the Shared-Use Path and Related Am~nities
The DEIR and Shared-Use Path Feasibility Study suggest various design elements whi~h
would improve the Shared-Use Path as a pedestrian element and which would prevent it from
being merely an afterthought within the· overall bridge-replacement project. Several
illustrations depict overlooks at the center of the proposed new bridge, and at each abutment
(three In total). Several other illustrations suggest welcOming amenities and design elements
at each access point to the proposed Shared-Use Path. We expect. that MassDOT will
continue to consult with the City bf Newburyport, Town of Amesbury and Town of Salisbury in NEW-6
order to ~ppropriately int~rate these trailheads and ~elated amenities at each site, including
signage, bollards, fencing, landscaping, and safetransitibn to adjacent uses, su·ch as parking
and roads.
We are pleased to see that·the recommended path alignment within the City of Newburyport
will extend from the Whittier Bridge itself to the Park-and-Ride Facility adjacent to 1-95 and
Storey Avenue (113, Exit 57). While we understand the need to keep this Shared-Use. Path
relatively close to the Northbound Lane (within the Right-of-Way and away from resource
areas), we ask that MassDOT consider the incorporation of berms, fencing and or vegetative NEW-7
barriers (trees and shrubs) which· will soften the impact to trail-users from being directly
adjacent to 1-95. Concrete Jersey Barriers and a chain-link fence may be both inadequate
and inappropriate, given that the path -itself will be used by pedestrians and cyclists.. That
said, we recognize that this stretch of the Shared-Use Path is long and do not anticipate that
every section of the path can accommodate the width or cost of additional screening. We ask
that MassDOT seriously consider alternative fencing and barriers· Which would .provide a
"softer" and less industrial aesthetic for trail users.
Utility·Relocations
The MassDOT project team has been responsive to the City's concerns regarding the
.relocation of citY utilities under 1-95 and around the proposed neW abutment between Spring NEW-8
Lane and Ferry Road. The plans also include the relocation of existing utilities so that they
can be easily accessed adjacent to the Merrimack under the 1-95 abutment. The most recent
.plans include a gravel maintenance drive for these utilities under the new Whittier Bridge