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

December 22, 2011
Pamela Stephenson
Division Administrator
Federal Highway Administration
55 Broadway, 10 th floor
Cambridge, MA 02142
Richard K. Sullivan, Secretary
Mass. Environmental Policy Act
100 Cambridge St. 9 th floor
Boston, MA 02114
RE:
Whittier Bridge, 1-95 Project
Environmental Assessmentand Draft Environmental Impact Report
Amesbury, Newburyport and Salisbury, MA
WalkBoston is the Commonwealth's leading advocate for pedestrians and safe walking. We work
throughout the state encouraging walking, advocating for pedestrian improvements and working
for design improvements. We have worked with over 65 communities throughout the state,
helping residents and local government with pedestrian issues, safe routes to school, and safer
street crossings. To contribute positively to the planning process we have contacted and worked
with people in each ofthe three communities affected by the Whittier Bridge project: Salisbury,
Amesbury and Newburyport.
The state has made walking and pedestrian facilities a major organizing feature ofthe
Whittier Bridge 1-95 Project, and should be highly commended for having the foresight in
planning to accommodate so many users. The shared-use path on the bridge will be an
extraordinary accomplishment for all of us.
The details of this worthy project reflect many goals of pedestrians and the local communities,
and must thus be analyzed thoroughly as the project moves forward. We suggest further analysis
and consideration of the additional issues described below. The issues are important because by
this project is one ofthe most significant to be constructed by the state that will include a new
generation of facilities for pedestrians and bicyclists.
We welcome the project and hope that it will serve walkers well by encouraging walking, creating
a safe route for pedestrians, and contributing to public health because of the opportunities it
offers.
Background
The bridge links two areas attractive to walkers. North of the Merrimack River most of the land is
privately owned and, along Main Street in Amesbury at the 1-95 bridge, it lies within the Salisbury
Point Historic District. The wooded vacant parcels along Merrill Street help give the roadway its
MAKING OUR COMMUNITIES MORE WALKABLE
Old City Hall I 45 School Street I Boston MA 02108 I T: 617.367.9255 I F: 617.367.9285 I info@walkboston.org I www.walkboston.org