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

Revised 12/19/11
pedestrian and bicycle access to the Shared Use Path from the Amesbury Visitors Center
adjacent to 1-95 and from Main Street and allofdowntown Amesbury. It would also
serve a much wider regional need as numerous bicyclists travel the scenic roadways
along the Merrimack River from communities west ofAmesbury and would be able to
access the Shared Use Path from this location.
Main StreetlEvans Place which crosses under 1-95 is the closest potential public access
point to the Shared Use Path's crossing over the Merrimack River. The river crossing
will provide sensational views, eagle viewing and a series ofinterpretive signs for
visitors. It is especially important to have public access to the Shared Use Path at this
location because the next closest path connection at Ferry Road in Newburyport will not
have a parking area. Without convenient public access points (with public parking) the
usefulness ofthe Shared Use Path as part ofthe regional alternative transportation
network will be severely compromised. We think that some sort ofpedestrian access
connection is the best solution at this location because it would provide convenient acces~
for the elderly and handicapped from the Amesbury Visitors Center to overlooks on the
Whittier Bridge. It would also provide a safe and convenient route for Amesbury bicycle
commuters heading to and from the Route 113 Park & Ride or jobs in Newburyport.
Please see the enclosed picture ofa spiral pedestrian/bicycle ramp on 1-394 in Minnesota.
This ramp connects a lower level pathway to an elevated shared use path along an
interstate highway. This is the same'situation as the proposed connection to Main
StreetlEvans Place. We request that you require MassDOT to install a spiral pedestrian
ramp or an alternative acceptable pedestrian access solution at this location.
Ghost TraillAmesbury Connection
The Draft EIR does not include any commitment to improve the connection between
Salisbury's Ghost Trail and Amesbury. A proposed route for this connection was
identified in Drawings C-I0 and C-l1 ofthe Project's Shared Use Path Feasibility Study.
(See drawings enclosed.) MassDOT could easily and inexpensively acquire the old
privately-owned railroad right ofway beneath the 1-95 overpasses as part ofthe Whittier
Bridge 1-95 Improvement Project. This would permit the Towns ofAmesbury and
Salisbury to design a safe and short off-road connection between the Ghost Trail in
Salisbury and Old Elm Street in Amesbury. The off-road connection would allow people
walking or bicycling between Amesbury and Salisbury to avoid two highly dangerous
pedestrian and bicycle crossings ofthe 1-95 ramps to and from Route 110.
MassDOT's representatives stated informally in Whittier Working Group meetings that
the agency would provide assistance in making this connection, but no official
commitment has been made to date. Committing to acquire a short section ofthe old
railroad right ofway as part ofthe Whittier Bridge 1-95 Improvement Project would open
the door to the trail connection and permit the two towns to proceed with its design.
Owning the right ofway under the 1-95' ~verpasses also would facilitate MassDOT's
reconstruction ofthe overpasses during the project and as well as long-term maintenance
ofthe underpasses. We request that you require MassDOT to acquire an appropriate
section ofthe railroad right ofway as part ofthe project.
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