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

The Secretary's Certificate on the Environmental Notification Form for the project
required the Draft EIR to "investigate the feasibility ofproviding additional bicycle path
and pedestrian connections" (EEA-I6) and to "identify additional commitments to
improved connections" (EEA-I7). The Draft EIR did not include any investigation ofthe
feasibility ofmaking this vital connection. We request that you require MassDOT to
make this vital pedestrian/bicycle connection as part ofthe project.
The connection between Salisbury's Ghost Trail and Amesbury is critical to public
safety. The Ghost Trail now terminates only a few yards from 1-95 and the
Salisbury/Amesbury town line. The connection can be made easily by using the three
abandoned railroad underpasses beneath 1-95 that are part ofthe same abandoned railroad
line as is used by Salisbury's Ghost Trail and Amesbury's Riverwalk. The connection
would allow people walking or bicycling between Salisbury and Amesbury and those
using the Ghost Trail and Amesbury's Riverwalk to do so safely by avoiding two
extremely dangerous crossings ofthe 1-95 ramps on Route 110. The connection was
shown in Drawings C-IO and C-Il ofthe project's Shared Use Path Feasibility Study.
Unfortunately, the railroad right ofway beneath the 1-95 underpasses was sold to a
private party years ago. We request that you require MassDOT to acquire a segment of
the right ofway beneath and near the underpasses that would permit making the
connection shown in the Feasibility Study. This would permit Amesbury and Salisbury
to design and construct the connection. Owning this segment ofthe right ofway would
also facilitate widening the highway over the underpasses which is part ofthe project as
well as MassDOT's long-term maintenance ofthe highway and the underpasses.
CTC earnestly requests your assistance in making these vital trail connections. They will
greatly enhanc blic safety and convenience and are critical to realizing the full
potentia the shar d use path.
cc. Thomas F. Broderick, P.E., Acting ChiefEngineer, MassDOT Highway Division
Senator Stephen Baddour
Representative Michael Costello
Mayor Thatcher Kezer, Amesbury
Mayor Donna Holaday, Newburyport
Town Manager Neil Harrington, Salisbury