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

Whittier Bridge/I-95 Improvement Project FEIR
Chapter 3.0: Mitigation and Commitments
MGL Chapter 111 Part 7.01B regulates dust emissions under construction activities. In order to
comply with the PM 10 and PM 2.5 standards, and to reduce nuisance dust, the contractors will be
required to keep dust down at all times including non-working hours, weekends, and holidays.
Dust control measures are described in the MassDOT – Highway Department Standard
Specifications for Highways and Bridges Manual. These requirements are intended to control
excessive nuisance dust and their use on this project will include one or more of the following
measures:
Using wet dust suppression, alone or with approved binding agents;
Using calcium chloride instead of wet suppression when freezing conditions exist;
Using wind-screen fabric or solid-wood barriers around the perimeter of construction site;
Using wheel-wash stations or crushed stone at construction ingress/egress areas;
Covering active stockpiles with plastic tarps, and seeding or using approved soil stabilizers on
inactive stockpiles; and
Covering dump trucks during material transport on public roadways.
A specification on air quality will be incorporated into contract documents to ensure compliance with
the provisions of MGL Chapter 111 Section 142A, ―Pollution or Contamination of Atmosphere:
Prevention; Regulations; Violations; Enforcement,‖ and the MassDEP Code of Massachusetts
Regulations (CMR) 310 CMR 7.09, ―Dust, Odor, Construction and Demolition.‖
Implementation of these emission-control measures will serve to reduce emissions to avoid
potentially adverse public health impacts.
3.6 NOISE
The traffic noise analysis performed in accordance with FHWA and MassDOT‘s 2011 Policy and
procedures predicted that as many as 39 residential, commercial and park area receptors within the
project‘s study area would be exposed to future traffic noise levels in excess of applicable abatement
criteria limits. Traffic noise mitigation measures would therefore be warranted for consideration and
further evaluation.
Since this project is classified as a Type I highway project, FHWA and MassDOT noise abatement
criteria and funding for mitigation would be applicable. FHWA policy recognizes five different
potential means of mitigating traffic noise; however, the only option requiring quantitative evaluation
is that of noise barriers. Other mitigation measures, such as highway realignments, traffic vehicle
type or speed restrictions, and soundproofing for buildings are typically not evaluated unless
required by special circumstances.
A traffic-noise mitigation analysis was completed in accordance with updated FHWA and MassDOT
policy. The TNM was used to evaluate the noise reduction performance and cost-effectiveness of
numerous candidate noise barriers. Although a number of receptors have been identified as
impacted by future noise conditions, no noise barriers can be justified as being both ―feasible‖ and
―reasonable.‖ Not enough receptors benefit from the noise reduction to sufficiently distribute the cost
of a barrier; consequently, noise barriers are not recommended for further consideration.
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