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
Response: After considering a number of connections with the local roadway and bicycle network,
three points were determined to be feasible and reasonable. In addition, Amesbury has requested
consideration of an additional access point to the Shared-Use Path in the vicinity of the existing
Visitor Information Center at 520 Main Street. The visitor center, the former Smith‘s Chain Bridge
Filling Station No. 3, has been determined by the State Historic Preservation Officer to be eligible for
individual listing in the National Register of Historic Places. As such, any construction on its lot or
modifications of the building would trigger review under Section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act and would require modification of the project‘s Section 106 Memorandum of
Agreement. If determined to be an adverse impact under Section 106, Section 4(f) would be
triggered. Additionally, the limited space available at the 520 Main Street location and the difference
in elevation between the visitor center parcel and the Shared-Use Path (approximately 40-feet)
would make the connection infeasible, require a large ramp structure with grades in excess of
handicapped accessibility requirements and result in additional wetland impacts to Wetland I,
located behind the visitor center building. Additional wetland impacts in excess of 40 square feet at
Wetland I would result in the need for a Variance from the Wetlands Protection Act for the project.
The timeline for a Variance would push the project outside of the Accelerated Bridge Program
funding schedule.
EEA-5: The FEIR should address the City of Newburyport's comments regarding an East-West Trail connection
along the Merrimack River and consider the City's request for the allowance of a public Access Permit once
construction of the project is complete.
Response: Two potential east-to-west connections between Moseley Woods and Maudslay State
Park in Newburyport were examined: an on-road connection along Pine Hill Road and Ferry Road
across the Pine Hill/Ferry Road bridge being replaced by the project, and a connection under the
new I-95 bridges along the Merrimack River shoreline on the Newburyport Water Department land.
The Merrimack River shoreline option was dismissed because of potential wetland impacts, the
presence of Bartlett Springs Pond (an active drinking water reservoir to the west of I-95), the
regulations against work unless it is for water supply purposes, and the need for extensive grading to
the east of I-95 to ensure that the path would meet accessibility standards. East-west connectivity for
alternative transportation modes will be available along the new Pine Hill/Ferry Road Bridge, which
will include widened shoulders and sidewalks. MassDOT does not expect there to be any issues with
public access under the bridge along a city connection project. Thus, it is premature to determine the
type of access permit that will be required.
EEA-6: … the FEIR should discuss the submission of any updated applications/information to the local conservation
commissions or discuss how the project will be conditioned by the conservation commissions to comply with the
applicable wetlands regulations.
Response: MassDOT has submitted Notices of Intent to the three conservation commissions and is
currently in the public hearing process with each of the three commissions. MassDOT has been
requested to provide additional information on mitigation for riverfront area impacts, stormwater
management, and wetland mitigation design details and will provide this information to the
conservation commissions. Section 1.4.2 includes an update on additional information given to the
commissions. The anticipated conclusion of the wetlands permitting process is in March 2012. It is
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