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

EEA#14427 DEIR Certificate December 30,2011
for an improved bridge crossing that meets current Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
Interstate Highway design standards; to improve overall safety by reducing the incidence of
accidents and reducing peak hour traffic backups with a consistent eight-lane configuration and
full breakdown shoulder in each direction; and to improve local and regional air quality by
reducing congestion and improving traffic flow. The project is part of the Commonwealth's
Accelerated Bridge Program (ABP), which consists of the replacement, reconstruction or
modification of the following seven additional bridges along the 1-95 alignment to accommodate
eight lanes of traffic on 1-95 and meet the FHWA Interstate Highway design standards:
• Pine HilllFerry Road Bridge over 1-95 in Newburyport;
• 1-95 over Evans Place in Amesbury;
• 1-95 northbound and southbound over Route 110 (Elm Street) in Amesbury;
• Two railroad bridges just north of Route 110 (Elm Street) in Amesbury; and
• One railroad bridge on 1-95 northbound on-ramp from Route 110.
The Whittier Bridge/l-95 Improvement Project is the most significant project that will be
undertaken as part of that program.
Project Changes Since Review of the Environmental Notification Form (ENF)
According to the DEIR, changes to the proposed project since the filing of the ENF
include:
• Construction of a shared-use path paralleling the 1-95 alignment;
• Reduction in the amount of work required to the south of the Merrimack River in
Newburyport - the Pine Hill RoadlFerry Road Bridge over 1-95 will be reconstructed
rather than rehabilitated resulting in a shorter length of highway that requires
reconstruction; and
• Direct and indirect impacts of the Preferred Alternative are not anticipated to meet or
exceed any of the regulatory thresholds that would trigger the requirement of a Variance
from the Wetlands Protection Act (WPA) Regulations at 310 CMR 10.00 as previously
indicated in the ENF (and therefore, may not exceed the MEPA review threshold at 301
CMR 11.03(3)(a)(2) for alteration requiring a variance in accordance with the WPA).
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) established the Whittier
Working Group (WWG) which serves as a conduit of information about the Whittier Bridge
project between MassDOT and the local communities and provides suggestions and
recommendations to MassDOT about the project. The WWG is comprised of representatives
from the communities of Newburyport, Amesbury, and Salisbury along with the Merrimack
Valley Planning Commission.
MEPA Jurisdiction and Permitting
The project is undergoing MEPA review and is subject to preparation of a mandatory
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