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

COl\1MENTS BY THE
·FOU·NDATION FOR RESlLIEoNT SOCIETIES
ON WHITTIER. BRIDGE /1-95 IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
.PROJECT FILE NO. 601096
Submitted December 21, 2011
PROTECTING EVACUATION CORRIDORS DURING CONCURRENT
WHITTIER BRIDGE AND OTHER BRIDGE REPLACEMENTS
AND
ELEVATED RISKS OF SOLAR GEOMAGNETIC STORMS
IN THE PERIOD 2013 - 2016
COMMENT SUMMARY
Studies on the efficacy of emergency evacuations anticipating hurricanes since the year 1998
demonstrate that one of the primary impediments to reliable regional evacuation involves the
abandonment of construction equipment and the blockage of lanes on Interstate Highways. These
interstate highways are relied upon as emergency evacuation corridors for contraflow evacuations during
emergencies.
The Project to replace the Whittier Bridge and four other Interstate 95 bridges south of the New
Hampshire border is scheduled for years 2013-2016. This is a period with above average risks of solar
geomagnetic storms and related-risks to Seabrook Nuclear Station. Ifaugmented on-site backUp electric
power and protections for an extra high voltage transformer are not installed at Seabrook Station before a
severe solar geomagnetic storm, there will be an elevated risk of mandatory regional evacuation along
Interstate 95. It is essential that highway and bridge contractors, their employees, and subcontractors
and their employees receive training in the reliable clearance of construction-related lane closures,
including removal of all obstructing equipment, and reopening of all Interstate 95 lanes so they are
effective as emergency evacuation corridors.
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