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

Whittier Bridge/I-95 Improvement Project FEIR
Chapter 2.0: Response to Comments on the Environmental Assessment/Draft Environmental Impact Report
2.0 Response to Comments on the Environmental
Asessment/Draft Environmental Impact Report
This section of the FEIR includes responses to all comments received on the EA/DEIR. Also
included are responses to the issues raised in the Certificate of the Secretary of Energy and
Environmental Affairs (DEIR Certificate), dated December 30, 2011.
2.1 MASSACHUSETTS EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL
AFFAIRS – MEPA DEIR CERTIFICATE
The EEA issued the DEIR Certificate on December 30, 2011, including a finding that the EA/DEIR
―adequately and properly complies‖ with MEPA.
EEA-1: The FEIR should identify any changes proposed to the project since the filing of the EA/DEIR. It should
include an update on State and local permitting. The Phasing of the project should be described in more detail, in
particular, identification of which roadway improvements are associated with each phase and how permitting and
mitigation will be managed within the context of phasing.
Response: The only substantive change to the project since the filing of the EA/DEIR is the
elimination of the permanent impact to the isolated wetland, Wetland 1, located adjacent to the I-95
northbound Exit 60 off-ramp in Salisbury at the northern project limits. The wetland would have been
affected by toe-of-slope fill for a proposed ramp realignment, a safety improvement intended to
provide a longer deceleration lane prior to the exit ramp. The Preferred Alternative design included in
the EA/DEIR resulted in 1,150 square feet of permanent impact to this federal-jurisdictional wetland.
A refinement of the design of the exit ramp has resulted in the elimination of the impact to Wetland 1.
Figure 1-1 in section 1-3 illustrates the change in the ramp design.
Project phasing plans were included in section 5.18.1 of the EA/DEIR and detailed the phasing of
the I-95 roadway improvements. Section 1.3 includes additional information of the phasing of the
Merrimack River crossing portion of the project. Additional information on phasing of mitigation
measures is included in Chapter 3.
All permits for the project will be obtained by MassDOT prior to project construction. An update on
the status of the environmental permitting for the project is provided in section 1.2 in Chapter 1.
EEA-2: As required by the Scope on the ENF, the FEIR should identify current roadway improvement projects in
Newburyport, Amesbury, and Salisbury that could impact traffic flows during construction of the proposed
improvements. The FEIR should discuss MassDOT's coordination efforts with the municipalities as they address
regional and local traffic concerns within this area and should provide the most current information on the proposed
construction dates for any roadway improvements in the area.
Response: MassDOT has continued to coordinate with the three communities through regular
meetings of the Whittier Working Group (WWG). The WWG will continue to meet regularly through
the design/build portion of the project to ensure that the regional and local concerns are addressed.
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