Rte. 79/I-195 Interchange Study
Evaluation Criteria Summary
The attached evaluation criteria summary was developed to help
stakeholders in the Rte. 79/I-195 Interchange Study identify how well
each alternative in the planning-level Alternatives Study performed
against desired project characteristics. The characteristics represent a
range of Task Force and stakeholder values (MassDOT; business;
resident; abutter; interest groups; state and municipal officials; and
federal, state, and local elected officials).
The first screening of alternatives focused on feasibility—how
reasonable are alternatives in terms of impacts to I-195 and Rte 79
traffic, parkland and historic resources, pedestrian and bike and local
vehicular circulation, and waterfront access. These criteria were used
to assist MassDOT in evaluating the remaining four alternatives.
Alternatives were evaluated using qualitative and quantitative criteria.
Categories of criteria and methods used to evaluate were:
Vehicular mobility: estimates of level of service at at-grade
intersections; qualitative assessment of impacts to overall Rte.
79 capacity; quantitative estimates of travel time savings and
penalties; and quantitative estimates of travel time for
emergency vehicles.
Safety: estimates of the number of conflict areas (high crash
locations and highway weave sections) removed or improved.
Local vehicular and pedestrian/bicycle circulation: estimates
of new or improved signalized pedestrian crossings on Rte.
79; qualitative assessment of bicycle accommodations;
qualitative assessment of pedestrian improvements; and
estimates of the number of local-street connections to Rte. 79
or I-95.
Business impacts: quantitative estimates of aggregate travel
time savings; quantitative estimates of improved access;
qualitative assessment of ease of access to and from waterfront
area; direct inspection of roadway alignment drawings to
determine business relocation impacts; and qualitative
assessment of ease of access to downtown.
Environmental impacts: analysis of roadway alignment
drawing overlays on MassGIS environmental data layers and
review of additional City and State map resources.
Historic and cultural resources: direct inspection of roadway
alignment drawings to determine impacts to historic mill
buildings; qualitative assessment of impact of completely or
partially eliminating elevated highway adjacent to historic
buildings; qualitative assessment of impacts to National
Register-eligible Central Street Bridge.
Consistency with Fall River Master Plan:
qualitative
assessment of how Fall River Master Plan goals and objectives
are supported.
Visual: renderings of the Rte. 79 corridor south of Anawan
Street used computer-aided drawings to illustrate the
alternatives as they would appear to a person standing on
Broadway Extension looking north. Study model (1” = 60’)
was also used to assess the visual impacts of the alternatives.
Cost: quantitative estimates of future maintenance costs
(including painting) based on the amount of deck and structure
in each alternative; conceptual cost estimate for each
alternative applied current construction unit costs for all
roadway and bridge elements
The attached summary Evaluation Matrix provides a qualitative
summary of the degree of impact or benefit of four interchange
alternatives.
2/14/11
Rte. 79/I-195 Interchange Study Alternatives Evaluation
Below is a summary matrix comparing the four alternatives under study. In the matrix, the degree to which the alternative meets the goal is signified by a solid, half-filled, or open
circle. A goal that is not achieved by an alternative would merit an open circle; a goal partially achieved, a half-circle; and a goal that is met by an alternative, a solid circle. The Rte.
79 Task Force participated in developing these criteria.
At Grade
Best
Good
Poor
Viaduct
Alt. 1
Alt. 3
Alt. 2
Alt. 4
Viaduct removed; 3 Rte. 79
signals
Viaduct removed; Milliken
Blvd. Interchange
One-level Viaduct
Viaduct Rehabilitated
Mobility (Vehicular)
Maintains acceptable level of service (LOS) at at-grade intersections in
study area
Maintains Rte. 79 capacity
Provides overall travel time savings
Maintains travel time on emergency vehicle routes
Safety
Interchange weave problems improved
Local intersection problems improved
Local Vehicular & Pedestrian/Bike Circulation
Adds new or improved (signalized) pedestrian crossings on Rte. 79
Provides bike shoulder on Rte. 79 and wide curb lane on new &
reconstructed streets
Provides new or improved sidewalk on new and reconstructed streets
Local streets connected to Rte. 79 or I-195
1
Rte. 79/I-195 Interchange Study Alternatives Evaluation
At Grade
Best
Good
Poor
Viaduct
Alt. 1
Alt. 3
Alt. 2
Alt. 4
Viaduct removed; 3 Rte. 79
signals
Viaduct removed; Milliken
Blvd. Interchange
One-level Viaduct
Viaduct Rehabilitated
Business Impacts
Maximizes aggregate travel time savings
Improves accessibility (productivity gains to business and labor)
Improves ease of access to and from waterfront area
Avoids business relocations
Improves access to downtown
Environmental Impacts
Does not impact filled tidelands or require Ch. 91 waterways license
Does not Impact Coastal Zone or Designated Port Area
Does not directly impact Wild and Scenic River
Does not permanently impact Section 4(f) parkland or open space
Historic and Cultural Resources
No probable harm to American Printing Co. Building south of viaduct
Reduces presence of highway adjacent to National Register-listed
American Printing Co. Building
No probable harm to bridge at Central Street (National Register eligible)
2
Rte. 79/I-195 Interchange Study Alternatives Evaluation
At Grade
Best
Good
Poor
Viaduct
Alt. 1
Alt. 3
Alt. 2
Alt. 4
Viaduct removed; 3 Rte. 79
signals
Viaduct removed; Milliken
Blvd. Interchange
One-level Viaduct
Viaduct Rehabilitated
$143 m
$136 m
$197 m
$151 m
Consistency with City Master Plan
Promotes plans to daylight the Quequechan River
Improves access from Rte. 79 and I-195 to Heritage State Park
Improves condition and appearance of the interchange
Improves views and access to the waterfront
Adds bike lanes as part of street reconstruction
Enhances Rte. 79/I-195 "gateway"
Visual
Removes elevated ramp structures
Improves visual quality of waterfront and Battleship Cove
Reconstructs surface streets
Cost
Minimizes future maintenance needs
Construction Cost
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