Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
Chapter 91 Waterways Application ● Aug. 14, 2012, Public Hearing
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
Rte. 79/I-195 Interchange Project
Project elements
• Replace 2-level elevated Rte. 79 with at-grade roadway at
the level of the existing Davol Street/Rte. 138
• Add 3 signalized intersections on the new 4-lane Rte. 79
• Reconstruct ramp from I-195 EB to Milliken Blvd. as
“Milliken Connector” EB & WB
• Milliken Connector EB will include shared use path
• Build new Water Street Connector between Rte. 79 and
Water Street
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
Preferred Alternative
Rte. 79
New Connection
to Anawan
Street
Elevated
Roadway
removed;
replaced at
grade.
Rte. 79
New Connection
to Central Street
New Water Street
Connector at
Rte. 79
4 lanes between
Central and
Anawan
Milliken
Connector
Eastbound and
Westbound
Ramp from
Central Street to
I-195 eliminated
Connector Street
(Pocasset to Milliken)
will become two-way
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
Chapter 91 Jurisdiction – South End of Project
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
Chapter 91 Jurisdiction – North End of Project
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
Chapter 91 Waterways Regulations (310 CMR 9.55)
Standards for Nonwater-dependent Infrastructure Facilities
• Goal: to ensure all feasible measures are taken to avoid or
minimize detriments to the water-related interests of the
public.
• Nonwater-dependent projects (those that don’t require direct access to water) shall include mitigation and/or compensation measures as deemed appropriate by the Department of Environmental Protection
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
Water-related Public Interests – Regulations
A. protection of maritime commerce, industry, recreation and
associated public access;
B. protection, restoration and enhancement of living marine resources;
C. attainment of water quality goals;
D. reduction of flood and erosion-related hazards on lands subject to
the 100-year storm event or to sea-level rise, especially those in
damage-prone or natural buffer areas;
E. protection and enhancement of public views and visual quality in the
natural and built environment of the shoreline; and
F. preservation of historic sites and districts, archaeological sites, and
other significant cultural resources near waterways.
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
A. Protection of Maritime Commerce, Industry, Recreation and Associated Public Access
• Project will improve access to and from the waterfront area and I-195;
direct vehicular access from I-195 westbound to the waterfront via
Central Street to Water Street.
• Access to and from the waterfront to Rte. 79 and I-195 will be provided
via the Water Street Connector.
• New access to I-195 eastbound (in addition to current westbound
access) will be provided from the CBD via Milliken Boulevard and the
Milliken Connector. Improvements to Connector Street will facilitate
access to downtown from I-195 eastbound.
• Shared use path, sidewalks, bike lanes, signalized intersections with
pedestrian phases and crosswalks on Davol Street/Rte. 79 will improve
pedestrian and bike access to Heritage Park and waterfront boardwalk.
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
B. Protection, Restoration and Enhancement of Living Marine Resources
• The project will provide improved quality for the
roadway stormwater that flows to the Taunton River.
• The project will provide erosion and sediment control
during construction to protect marine resources.
• The project will benefit fisheries as a result of
improvements to the stormwater management system
for the roadways.
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
C. Attainment of Water Quality Goals
• Roadway drainage system will meet DEP stormwater
regulations and support water quality goals of the Taunton
River Stewardship Plan.
• A positive impact on water quality in the Quequechan River
and the Taunton River is expected with these improvements to
the drainage system.
• Project will eliminate CSOs in project area
• Removal of Ramp D and realignment of Ramps A and C allows
space for installation of a stormwater detention/infiltration
basin to provide attenuation, treatment and controlled
recharge of treated stormwater volumes.
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
C. Attainment of Water Quality Goals, cont.
• A bio-swale infiltration basin is proposed to be installed near
the proposed Water Street Connector to address both water
quality and water quantity.
• Pretreatment of runoff will be provided by installing new deep
sump catch basins at all points of collection within the project
limits.
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
D. The Reduction of Flood and Erosion-Related Hazards on Lands Subject to the 100-Year Storm Event
• Impacts to floodplains are not anticipated.
• Floodplain would not be filled because proposed roads are
above the flood elevation either on structures (replacing
existing ramps or bridges) or existing filled embankments.
• Most critical storm surge wave action during a 100-year flood
under V-Zone condition will occur west of the confluence of
the Quequechan River and the Taunton River, 600 feet from
limits of the proposed roadway improvements.
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
E. Protection and Enhancement of Public Views and Visual Quality in the Natural and Built Environment of the Shoreline
The project, which includes removal of the viaduct structure, will
improve the visual environment around the American Printing
Company-Metacomet Mill District
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
E. Protection and Enhancement of Public Views and Visual Quality in the Natural and Built Environment, cont.
Removal of elevated structure will improve vistas and views from surface streets.
Existing elevated Rte. 79
Elevated roadway removed;
Rte. 79 at grade
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
F. Preservation of Historic Sites & Districts, Archaeological Sites & Other Significant Cultural Resources Near Waterways
• Project is located within the National Register-listed American
Printing Company–Metacomet Mill Historic District. The granite
Metacomet Mill #6 bldg., built in 1847, is the oldest textile mill
building in Fall River.
• Construction and demolition methods will protect the historic buildings.
• Central Street bridges over the railroad and Quequechan River are
eligible for individual listing in the National Register of Historic
Places. Repairs and minor modifications will be sensitive to
historic features.
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
F. Preservation of Cultural Resources near Waterways, cont.
• Gates of the City Monument will not be altered and
landscaping and other enhancements will be provided.
• Consultation will be carried out with the city and
stakeholders to determine where the Claudio War
Monument should be temporarily stored for the
construction period and whether it should be relocated
to a different location after construction.
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
Nonwater-dependent Infrastructure Facilities
Additional Standards
Nonwater-dependent projects (those that don’t require
direct access to water) shall take reasonable measures to
provide open spaces for active or passive recreation at or
near the water's edge, wherever appropriate.
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
Mitigation
Mitigation to lessen project impacts includes:
• Traffic management during construction
• Wayfinding signs for waterfront, Battleship Cove, Heritage State
Park and local businesses
• Culvert cleanout
• Separation of the CSO within the project area for the City, improving on the water quality discharging to the river
• Project website
• Traffic signals and pedestrian crossings along Rte. 79 allowing safe
access to and from the waterfront
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
Mitigation, cont.
• Bicycle lanes
• Shared use path
• Improved sidewalks
• Visual enhancements with the removal of the viaduct
• Design modifications to mitigate impacts to historic properties
• Coordination with City on Water St./Ferry St. Streetscape Project
• Improvements to railroad crossings along Water St
• Creation of open space
• Aesthetic treatment to wall façades within the project area
• Landscape enhancements to Gates of the City
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
Send Comments by Aug. 27, 2012
Mail
Andrea Langhauser
Massachusetts Dept. of Environmental Protection
Waterways Regulation Program
One Winter Street, 8th fl.
Boston, MA 02108
e-mail
andrea.langhauser@state.ma.us
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
Questions & Answers
www.mass.gov/massdot/route79project
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project