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

Whittier Bridge/I-95 Improvement Project FEIR
Chapter 3.0: Mitigation and Commitments
- A written historical narrative similar to a Historic American Engineering Record ―narrative
format‖ report, describing the bridge and discussing its engineering, architectural, and
historical significance at the local, state, and national levels.
- Archival quality photographic documentation of the bridge and its surroundings in the form of
black and white prints made from medium format (2½" x 2½") and large format (4" x 5")
negatives. Photographs will include views of the bridge‘s elevations, deck, abutments, piers,
and plaques, and context views showing the bridge in relation to its setting. Black and white
prints also will be provided showing individual exterior views of the following structures and
buildings: the National Register-eligible Essex-Merrimack Bridge between Amesbury and
Newburyport, the National Historic Landmark Lowell‘s Boat Shop in Amesbury, and the
National Register-eligible Smith‘s Chain Bridge Filling Station No. 3 in Amesbury, as well as
at least one streetscape view of the National Register-eligible Salisbury Point area in
Amesbury. Views also will be provided of the Whittier Memorial Bridge from the Salisbury
Point area in Amesbury and from Moseley Pines Park in Newburyport.
- Photocopies of selected pages from the original 1951 construction plans for the Whittier
Memorial Bridge, including a site plan, elevations, and details.
- The original archival materials, including photographic negatives, will be submitted to the
SHPO for transfer to the State Archives. Sets of archival quality copies, without photographic
negatives, will be submitted to each of the three historical commissions of Amesbury,
Newburyport, and Salisbury for transmittal to appropriate local repositories.
FHWA and MassDOT will afford the local historical commissions, the WWG, and the SHPO the
opportunity to review and comment on the structural type and the sketch plans for the new
replacement bridge, as those plans are developed.
FHWA and MassDOT will ensure that certain ornamental artifacts on the existing bridge are
salvaged for reuse on the replacement bridge or at the trailheads of the Shared-Use Path;
specifically including the four porcelain state seals on the bridge portals, the four carved granite
state seals on the bridge wingwalls, and the two bronze state seal medallions and the two
bronze builder‘s plaques on the bridge end posts. Other artifacts from the bridge also may be
salvaged for reuse on the replacement bridge or along the Shared-Use Path, as determined to
be appropriate by FHWA and MassDOT in consultation with the SHPO, the local historical
commissions, and the WWG.
FHWA, with the assistance of MassDOT, will ensure that interpretive signage will be prepared,
designed, fabricated, and installed at the overlooks along the Shared-Use Path on the new
bridge and abutments and at the trailheads and termini of the Shared-Use Path. At a minimum,
these signs will address the following themes: (1) the life, works, and time of John Greenleaf
Whittier; (2) a transportation history of the lower Merrimack River, including a discussion of the
design of the existing John Greenleaf Whittier Memorial Bridge; and (3) the natural heritage of
the crossing, including a discussion of native wildlife. The text, graphics, and design of the signs,
additional thematic subjects, and the total number and locations of the signs will be determined
by FHWA and MassDOT in consultation with the SHPO, the Council, the local historical
commissions, and the WWG.
FHWA and MassDOT will choose an appropriate paint color for the structural steel on the
replacement bridge in consultation with the SHPO, the Council, the local historical commissions,
and the WWG.
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