Whittier Bridge/I-95 Improvement Project Public Information Meeting Presentation

3.4 MB·English

by  Massachusetts Highway Department

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www.mass.gov/mhd/whittierbridge
Public Meeting
01.21.10
Innovation, Efficiency, Transparency
Project Description
MassDOT Proposes to Replace the Current Structurally
Deficient John Greenleaf Whittier Bridge and Improve I-95
from Exit 57 (Rt 113) to Exit 59 (I-495)
(cid:127) The 1951 main span is a double-barreled, 3-span continuous
riveted steel through truss.
(cid:127) Structurally Deficient, Nearing End of Economic Life
(cid:127) Poor Structural Rating , Excessive Deterioration
(cid:127) Non-redundant Structure
(cid:127) Geometrically Deficient
(cid:127) Insufficient Number of Lanes
(cid:127) Non-conforming Shoulder Width
(cid:127) Highway
(cid:127) Insufficient Number of Lanes
(cid:127) Exit 58 (Rt 110) Substandard Acceleration/Deceleration Lanes
Innovation, Efficiency, Transparency
Accelerated Bridge Program
(cid:127) $3B commitment over 8 years
(cid:127) Whittier Bridge is a key component of the
MassDOT Accelerated Bridge Program (ABP)
(cid:127) Goal to reduce the number of structurally
deficient bridges over life of the program:
– Remove Current Bridges from List and,
– Prevent Additional Bridges from Becoming
Classified Structurally Deficient
Innovation, Efficiency, Transparency
Project Design Issues
(cid:127) Bridge River Crossings Options Drive
Project
– Navigable Channels and River Hydraulics
– Impact on Existing Bridge
– ROW Constraints/Impacts
(cid:127) Exit 58 (Rt 110)
– Improvements
– Crossing Rail Trail
(cid:127) Northern Terminus Options
– Lane Widening Terminus Options
Innovation, Efficiency, Transparency
MEPA Environmental Notification
Form (ENF) Comments
(cid:127) MEPA ENF Certificate – scope for the Draft EIR
(cid:127) 17 letters received with approximately 150 individual comments
– Department of Environmental Protection
– Massachusetts Historical Commission
– Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management
– Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program
– Department of Conservation and Recreation
– Massachusetts Audubon Society
– Merrimack Valley Planning Commission
– City of Newburyport (multiple letters)
– Town of Salisbury
– Coastal Trails Coalition
– 7 residents
Innovation, Efficiency, Transparency
Seven Major Areas of Comment
1. Justification of Need for Project
2. Alternatives Analysis to Identify Preferred
Alternative
3. Analyze Impacts to River Navigation from
Construction and New Bridge
4. Accommodation of bicycle/ recreational trails in
project area
5. Stormwater Impacts
6. Rare Species Impacts
7. Wetlands Impacts
Innovation, Efficiency, Transparency
Major Areas of Comment in Detail
1. Justification of Need for Project
1. Bridge Replacement – document existing condition of bridge and
whether rehabilitation is possible
2. Highway Widening – document need for additional lanes
2. Alternatives Analysis to Identify Preferred Alternative
1. Existing Bridge: Rehabilitation; Rehabilitation with Retrofitting;
Retain Bridge with Adjacent New Construction
2. New Bridge: East; West; East-West; New 6-Lane Bridge
3. Highway: Widen Inside; Widen Outside; Widen to Rte. 110 Only
3. Analyze Impacts to River Navigation from Construction
and New Bridge
Innovation, Efficiency, Transparency
Major Areas of Comment in Detail
4. Accommodation of bicycle/ recreational trails in project area
1. East – West Corridor to connect to Maudslay State Park
2. North – South connection across Merrimack River
3. Accommodate Connections to Existing Trails
5. Stormwater Impacts
1. Compliance with Stormwater Standards
2. Protection of Existing Drinking Water Supplies
6. Rare Species Impacts
1. Sturgeon
2. Bald Eagles
7. Wetlands Impacts
1. Demonstrate Need for Wetlands Variance if Necessary
2. Avoid Impacts if Possible
Innovation, Efficiency, Transparency
Purpose and Need
(cid:127) Address Structural Deficiency of the Existing
Whittier Bridge
– Current Structure has a poor structural rating
– Feasibility of Rehabilitation is under review
(cid:127) Address Geometric Deficiencies from Exit 57
to Exit 60
– Lack of Shoulders on Whittier Bridge
– Highway Capacity impacted by insufficient lanes
– Exit 58 thru 60 – On and Off Ramps
Innovation, Efficiency, Transparency
Rehabilitation Assessment
(cid:127) Rehabilitation Feasibility
Assessment Report is in
Under Review
Innovation, Efficiency, Transparency