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

Transportation Demand Management
Expand Park-and-Ride Capacity in the Project Area
Whittier Bridge/I-95 Improvement Project FEIR
Chapter 3.0: Mitigation and Commitments
Although it is outside the project area, an existing park-and-ride facility exists in Newburyport at Exit
57, which influences traffic in the study area. Currently, there are 510 parking spaces with an
average 100 percent occupancy on both weekday and weekends. There are existing bike racks and
bus shelters at the facility. MassDOT has completed expansion of the park-and-ride facility with the
addition of 105 parking spaces and resurfacing the existing lot.
Promote Alternative Transportation Options with Signage
Alternative modes of transportation will be promoted as part of the project. Variable Message Signs
used for construction will be used to promote park-and-ride lots and carpooling during and after
construction in addition to existing static roadside signs that direct patrons to park-and-ride lots. In
addition to signs on I-95, signage will be added along Routes 110 and 113 to promote alternative
transportation options.
Carpooling and Vanpooling
MassDOT has an annual Carpool Program to encourage ride sharing and the use of high-occupancy
vehicles (HOV). As an incentive, they offer a discount to commuters who travel with three or more
people in their private vehicle and use the Massachusetts Turnpike or the Sumner/Ted Williams
Tunnels. Carpool registrants receive a discount on the regular price of daily tolls as long as three or
more passengers are in the vehicle.
In addition to toll discounts, the I-93 North of Boston Carpool Lane was developed to encourage
ridesharing and to improve the flow of traffic during weekday morning and afternoon commutes. The
2-mile southbound HOV lane runs between Medford and Boston. Vehicles with two or occupants or
motorcycles can use this lane.
MassRIDES, a statewide ridesharing program, was developed to connect commuters to an array of
bus, vanpool, and carpool support services. MassDOT will promote this program to encourage
drivers to carpool and vanpool.
Project Website
The project website will be used to provide current information to users. Website information will
include current construction-related activities information, including detours, work schedules, and
road closures.
Intelligent Transportation Systems
Permanent Traffic Data Collection
The project will include upgrading the existing MassDOT permanent count station. Station #5087, on
I-95 in Salisbury at the Amesbury Town Line (north of Route 110 Ramps), will need to be upgraded
to count traffic on the interstate due to roadway widening.
Real-time Traveler Information
As with any construction project, there may be minor delays to drivers traveling through the area,
including those on buses. MassDOT, either through the project website or through the statewide 511
program, will evaluate the need to provide real-time traffic information during the construction of the
project.
3-4