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

Whittier Bridge/I-95 Improvement Project FEIR
Chapter 1.0: Changes Since the Draft Environmental Impact Report and Resolution of Additional Issues
cannot be located away from the waterway. The project is subject to a Mandatory Public Benefit
review because an ENF was filed after November 15, 2007, and is required to file an EIR, and is
completely or partially located in tidelands or landlocked tidelands.
In accordance with 301 CMR 13.03, projects undergoing a Mandatory Public Benefit Review must
provide the following detailed information describing the:
Nature of the tidelands affected by the project and the public benefit of the project, (including
purpose and effect);
Impact on abutters and surrounding community;
Enhancement to the property; and
Benefits to the public trust rights in tidelands or other associated rights, including but not limited
to: benefits provided through previously obtained municipal permits, community activities on the
site, environmental protection and preservation, public health and safety, and the general
welfare.
Nature of Tidelands Affected by the Project
The Merrimack River is the largest river in the eastern part of Massachusetts. The river is tidally
influenced from the mouth for approximately 22 miles upstream to Haverhill. Salt water intrudes up
the river from approximately 5 miles (location of Whittier Bridge) to 11 miles, depending on the tide.
Salinity is further affected by river flow, which is high in the spring when runoff from snowmelt is
high, and low in the summer during dry months. In the project location, there is a high volume of
seasonal boating traffic including canoes, kayaks, s power boats, large recreational vessels and
commercial charters. The river is used mainly by recreational and power boats with 6-foot draft at
high tide up to Haverhill and about 12-foot draft at high tide to Newburyport.
Work within Chapter 91 jurisdiction is limited to the demolition of the existing Whittier Bridge and the
construction of the two I-95 parallel bridges across the Merrimack River in Newburyport and
Amesbury. The existing Whittier Bridge abutments will be demolished and a total of six new piers will
be constructed within the river. Bridge abutments, two on each bank, will be constructed 50 feet
further inland and outside of Chapter 91 jurisdiction. Dredging activities within the Merrimack River to
enable the demolition of the existing bridge piers and the construction of the new bridge piers is also
included.
Public Benefit of the Project, including Purpose and Effect
The public need to replace the existing bridge and improve the I-95 corridor provides greater benefit
than detriment to public rights in tidelands. MassDOT has determined there is a need to replace the
existing I-95 six-lane Whittier Bridge over the Merrimack River to remedy the structural deficiencies
and functional obsolescence of the existing bridge. In addition, MassDOT has determined that there
is a need to improve the existing three-lane cross section of I-95 to address existing safety issues
and capacity deficiencies from immediately north of the I-95/Route 113 Interchange (Exit 57) in
Newburyport, through Amesbury, to just north of the I-495 northbound entrance ramp to I-95 in
Salisbury (Exit 59), a distance of approximately 4.25 miles.
The new Merrimack River crossing includes three sets of piers for each bridge structure, totaling six
piers in the waterway for the northbound and southbound structures. There will be four spans or
openings beneath both bridges, with the existing navigable federal and steamboat channels
1-57