MEPA Consultation Meeting River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project Wednesday, April 10th, 2013 5:30 PM River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G Agenda • • • • • Introduction and MEPA Overview Project Location and Existing Conditions Project Purpose and Goals Alternatives Analysis Proposed Rehabilitation Concepts and Improvements • Resource Impacts and Mitigation • Question & Answer River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G Public Comment Comments on the proposed project must be submitted in writing by April 16, 2013, via email or fax to: 1. Secretary Richard Sullivan Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Attn: Deirdre Buckley, EEA No. 15029 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900 Boston, MA 02114 2. Email comments to: Deirdre.Buckley@state.ma.us 3. Fax#: (617) 626-1181 River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G MEPA Process Overview • MEPA requires state agencies study the environmental consequences of their actions, including permitting and financial assistance. • Requires all feasible measures to avoid, minimize, and mitigate damage to the environment • Requires that state agencies minimize damage to the environment by studying alternatives to the proposed project • MEPA review is not a permitting process. MEPA requires public study, disclosure, and development of feasible mitigation River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G MEPA Process Overview Continued • Review Thresholds Categories (301 CMR 11.03): • Land, Rare Species, Wetlands, Water, Wastewater, Transportation, Energy, Air, Solid/Hazardous Waste, Historical/Archaeological Resources • MassDOT projects typically exceed thresholds associated with Land, Wetlands and Transportation River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G MEPA Applicability • The project is being both funded and permitted by state agencies • MEPA jurisdiction is broad in scope (not limited to one area of environmental impact) • ENF required due to impacts to Wetlands, Waterways, and Tidelands, 301 CMR 11.03 (3)(b) – Provided that a permit is required: • (b) Alteration of 500 or more linear feet of bank along a fish run or inland bank; • (f) Alteration of ½ or more acres of any other wetlands (for this project: BLSF, RFA, LUW) River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G MEPA Process Schedule • ENF Filed with MEPA: 3/15/2013 • Environmental Monitor Notice: 3/20/2013 • Consultation: 4/10/2013 (today’s meeting) • Comments Due: 4/16/2013 • Secretary’s Certificate Issued: 4/26/2013 River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G Project Location Anderson Memorial Bridge Western Avenue Bridges Craigie Drawbridge and Dam Bridge River Street Bridges Longfellow Bridge B. U. Bridge River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project Purpose To rehabilitate the River Street and Western Avenue Bridges to continue to efficiently and safely meet the needs of the traveling public, while maintaining their structural integrity, preserving their historic nature, and improving the needs of all users including motorists, cyclists, pedestrians, and recreational boaters. River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G Proposed Rehabilitation Concept Design Goals and Parameters • Design Goals – Structural • Maintain Historic Appearance, while upgrading bridge features to current codes and standards • Repair Parapets, Spandrel Walls, and the Arches – Final Condition Multi-Use Facilities • Three Vehicular Traffic Lanes • Improve non-motorized user facilities – Construction Conditions • Maintain two Vehicular Traffic Lanes • Maintain Pedestrian and Bicycle access to the bridge • Maintain two unobstructed navigation channels, coordinated between both arch bridges, through the arches at all times River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G River Street Bridges CAMBRIDGE NORTH BOSTON CHARLES RIVER River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G Western Avenue Bridges BOSTON CAMBRIDGE NORTH CHARLES RIVER River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G Existing Conditions Arch Bridges over Charles River • • • • << River Street Parapet shows misalignment due to movement of spandrel wall Arch Barrels and Ringstones Spandrel Walls Concrete Parapet and Sidewalk Abutments, Piers, Wingwalls River Street Deterioration of Arch Barrel and Ringstone River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 River Street Deterioration of Wingwall HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G Western Avenue Deterioration of Parapet River Street Existing Conditions River Street Arch Bridge over Charles River Existing Cross-Section << Existing Section through the south sidewalk near the Quarter Point of the Center Arch River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G Western Avenue Bridge Existing Cross-Section Existing Conditions will need to be Upgraded from Original Design to meet current load and vehicular impact requirements. River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G Existing Conditions Bridges over Soldiers Field Road • Concrete Tee Beams and Deck – Overall Deteriorated Condition • Sidewalks and Railings – Localized Deterioration of Sidewalks – No crash-worthy railing – Lack of accessibility River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G Existing Pedestrian/Bicycle Conditions • Lack of pedestrian signal indications • Varying and sometimes narrow path widths • Lack of ADA compliance • Insufficient queuing space at intersections • Lack of bicycle accommodations River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G Alternatives Analysis Bridges • Options considered for Arch Bridges over Charles River 1) Replace in kind spandrel walls, parapets, sidewalks, and wingwalls. Maintains historic character, but would not extend services live of bridge since arches would not be rehabilitated. 1A) PREFFERED - Rehabilitate as above but expose and repair entire arches and install a new water-proofing membrane over the arch and a new concrete deck to extend the service life of the bridge. 2) Complete structure replacement would involve a lengthier disruption of traffic and a much greater cost. • Options considered for Bridges over Soldiers Field Road (SFR) 1) Replace deck only, leaving concrete girders in place and not extend the services life of the bridge, but increases capacity. 2-2A) Complete superstructure replacement using steel string/concrete-encased steel stringers with a new concrete deck, extends service life and increase bridge capacity. 3) PREFFERED - Complete superstructure replacement using NEXT Beams with a new concrete deck, extends service life and increase bridge capacity at a lower cost than 2/2A. River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G Alternatives Analysis Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodation Options in East-West Direction • Options Considered in Functional Design Report – December 2010 – – – • On-street Bicycle Lanes Option On-street Cycle Track Option Off-street Shared Use Path Adjacent Facilities Determined – Winter 2011 Existing and Planned Bicycle Facilities Shared Use Path Cycle Track Shared Roadway River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G Alternatives Analysis Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodation Options in North - South Direction • Options considered – At grade improvements at intersections – Tunnel Underpass through Bridge Abutments – Boardwalk Underpass through Bridge Arch Barrels At-grade enhancements are the selected alternative since this option can significantly improve safety and crossing conditions (by providing new crosswalks, shortening crossing distances and lengthening crossing times). The work being done to rehabilitate the bridges, however, will not preclude the construction of underpasses in the future. River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G Arch Bridges Rehabilitation Concept River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G Proposed Rehabilitation Concept Example Final Elevation: River Street over the Charles River BOSTON CAMBRIDGE Design Features All proposed features are designed to restore the bridge to its historic appearance. •New Reinforced Concrete Parapet •New Spandrel Walls •New Arch Ring Stones •New Pile Supported Retaining Walls (Wingwalls) •New Sidewalks •New Roadway •Repaired Piers & Abutments •Repaired Concrete Arch Barrels •Corner Expansion at Southwest Corner (“The Narrows”) River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G River Street Proposed Rehabilitation Concept Final Cross-Section: River Street Arch Bridge over Charles River Design Features • Bridge Street Lighting consistent River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G •Controlled Density Fill •Moment Slab Sidewalk Design for Impact Resistance •Structural Concrete Frame Spandrels •New Roadway and Concrete Slab •Widened NonMotorized Facilities and Dedicated Cycle Track •Maintain 3 Motor Vehicle Traffic Lanes •Repaired Piers •New historic street lighting River Street – Existing Cross Section River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G River Street – Proposed Cross Section River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G Western Avenue – Existing Cross Section River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G Western Avenue – Proposed Cross Section River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G Cambridge Street over SFR Proposed Rehab. Concept River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G Western Avenue over SFR Proposed Rehab. Concept River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G Traffic – Proposed Improvements • Pavement Markings and Signage • New striping to clearly define lanes • Improve lane utilization and capacity • Reduce likelihood of vehicle conflicts • New signage • Assist navigation / Reduce confusion • New Traffic Signal Equipment • Overhead vehicle indications – mast-arms and span wires • Improve visibility of vehicle indications • Indications for Pedestrians and Bicyclists • Traffic Signal Operations • Updated clearance times for all modes • Reduce likelihood of crashes / Conform to current design standards • Improved traffic signal phasing and Enhance signal coordination • Optimize the capacity at each signal / Reduce conflicting movements • Increase the amount of concurrent bike and pedestrian phases River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G River Street/Cambridge Street Proposed Design River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G Western Avenue Proposed Design River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G Overall Pedestrian/Bicycle Improvements • All new signal equipment and timings • All crosswalks will include pedestrian indications • Improve queue space at corners • Widened ramps at trail crossings • Widened sidewalks • Improved signage & Way finding River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G Cycle Tracks • Off-street Cycle Track over the bridges and along River Street and Western Avenue • Speed differential between users • Existing usage patterns River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 • Right Turn Conflicts • Facility Continuity HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G Intersection Corner Improvements Western Avenue River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G Intersection Corner Improvements River Street / Cambridge Street River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G Western Avenue – “Pork Chop” River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G • Guides all EB vehicles to turn right • Prevent vehicles from traveling across Western Ave in wrong direction • Pedestrian and bike refuge • Reduces the number of phases per cycle and therefore reduces the amount of delay for all users • Retaining large strain pole and foundation River Street / SF Road – “The Narrows” Existing Conditions River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G River Street / SF Road – “The Narrows” South Approach to River Street Bridge – Boston Side Existing River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 Proposed HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G Charles River Crossings Charles River Path Crossing Summary Crossing Distance Crossing Time Intersection River Street at Memorial Drive Existing Proposed Change Existing Proposed Change 19 sec 20-70 sec Up to +51 sec 55 ft 46 ft -9 ft River Street at Soldiers Field Road (no ped. Signals) 23-34 sec Up to +34 sec 57 ft 33 ft -24 ft Western Avenue at Memorial Drive 19 sec 19-37 sec Up to +18 sec 54 ft 40 ft -14 ft Western Ave. at Soldiers Field Road 19 sec 38-54 sec Up to +35 sec 56 ft 40 ft -16 ft River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G Landscape Approach MEMORIAL DRIVE • Proposed landscape impacts are primarily isolated to areas adjacent to the bridges. • Landscape restoration includes: • Control of invasive plant species, • Restoring vegetation on disturbed areas, • Slope stabilization adjacent to wingwalls, and • 2:1 replacement of (29) trees removed. River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G Stormwater Management Approach Charles River is an Impaired Waterbody and project will comply with the MassDEP Stormwater Policy and EPA’s NPDES MS4 General Permit. To improve water quality and minimize impacts form runoff, MassDOT is evaluating the location and selection of stormwater BMPs, including• Retrofitting existing closed system • Installing deep sump catch basins • Subsurface infiltration structures • Infiltration basins River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G Resource Area Impact Summary • Permanent Alterations required for: – Bump out of wingwall, 85 sf LUW • Temporary Alterations: – LUW required for rehabilitation work along piers, wingwalls, abutments within coffer dams – 25’ Riverfront Area for work associated with roadway and sidewalk reconstruction, and landscaping – BLSF and Bank for work associated with landscaping River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G Wetlands Impact Areas River / Cambridge Street Bridge – Boston • Insert here • LUW Impacts: •85 sf Perm. for bump out of wingwall at “the narrows” •Temp. for repair wingwalls, piers, and abutments •Temporary Impacts to Riverfront Area, Bank, and BLSF •Associated with roadway and bridge work and tree/brush/invasive clearing to provide construction access River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G Wetlands Impact Areas River Street Bridge – Cambridge • Insert here • LUW Impacts: • Text •85 here sf Perm. for bump out of wingwall at “the narrows” •Temp. for repair wingwalls, piers, and abutments •Temporary Impacts to Riverfront Area, Bank, and BLSF •Associated with roadway and bridge work and tree/brush/invasive clearing to provide construction access River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G Wetlands Impact Areas Western Avenue Bridge – Boston • Insert here • LUW Impacts: •85 sf Perm. for bump out of wingwall at “the narrows” •Temp. for repair wingwalls, piers, and abutments •Temporary Impacts to Riverfront Area, Bank, and BLSF •Associated with roadway and bridge work and tree/brush/invasive clearing to provide construction access River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G Wetlands Impact Areas Western Avenue Bridge – Cambridge • Insert here • LUW Impacts: •85 sf Perm. for bump out of wingwall at “the narrows” •Temp. for repair wingwalls, piers, and abutments •Temporary Impacts to Riverfront Area, Bank, and BLSF •Associated with roadway and bridge work and tree/brush/invasive clearing to provide construction access River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G Regulatory Requirements • Section 106 of National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) • Clean Water Act/Rivers and Harbors Act - Army Corps Permit • Clean Water Act - MassDEP 401 Water Quality Certificate • Public Waterfront Act (MGL Chapter 91) – Minor Modification • MWRA 8(m) Permit • MA Wetlands Protection Act - Order of Conditions from Boston and Cambridge Conservation Commissions • United States Coast Guard Construction Approval Letter • US EPA NPDES Permit River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G Summary of Project Benefits • Rehabilitate deteriorated historic bridges • Improve traffic intersections • Provide cycle tracks across bridges and improve bicycle and pedestrian movement along river corridor • Avoid and minimize impacts to environmental and historic resources • Stormwater Upgrades and Improvements • Landscape Improvements River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G MEPA Process Reminder Comments due to MEPA on April 16, 2013. Secretary Certificate issued on April 26, 2013. Written comments on the ENF should be sent to: MassDOT, Highway Division Environmental Services Attn: Beth Suedmeyer 10 Park Plaza, Room 4260 Boston, MA 02116-3973 Beth.Suedmeyer@state.ma.us Secretary Richard K. Sullivan, Jr. Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Attn: MEPA Office Deidre Buckley, EEA No. 15029 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900 Boston, MA 02114 Or via email: deirdre.buckley@state.ma.us Project Website: www.mass.gov/massdot/charlesriverbridges River Street and Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project MEPA Consultation Meeting April 10, 2013 HARDESTY & HANOVER, LLP E N G I N E E R I N G