Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
Environmental Assessment Public Hearing July 12, 2012, 6 pm
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
Purpose of Tonight’s Meeting
• Presentation of Rte. 79/I-195 Interchange
Reconstruction Project
• MassDOT compliance with Massachusetts
Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) and National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
• Identification of environmental impacts
• Public questions and comments
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
Agenda
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Project Background
Project Purpose and Need
MassDOT Preferred Alternative
Alternatives Evaluation
Environmental Impacts and Mitigation
Construction Overview
Next Steps
Questions and Answers
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
Where are we in the project?
Getting ready for construction
Currently Underway
STEP 1
Value
Engineering
Study
This study –
required by FHWA –
suggested
investigating
removing Rte. 79
Viaduct at the I-195
Interchange.
April 2009
STEP 2
Feasibility
Study
Detailed review of
Value Engineering
Study to assess
feasibility of
removing Rte 79
Viaduct at the I-195
Interchange.
July 2009
STEP 3
Planning –
Alternatives
Study
The level of design
at the end of this
stage is
“conceptual.”
December 2009 –
July 2010
STEP 4
State (MEPA) &
Federal (NEPA)
Environmental
Review
This more detailed
engineering and
environmental
analysis will take
about 12 months
and the level of
design will be
between 15% and
20% complete.
STEP 5
Preliminary
Engineering
This marks the first
intensive design
stage. This step will
take about 12-14
months and the
design at the end
will be 25%
complete.
May 2011 – Oct. 2012
August 2010 –
September 2012
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
STEP 6
Hire DesignBuild Entity to
Finish Design &
Builds Project
This stage will take
about 48 months.
Construction
complete fall of 2016
Background
• The interchange has numerous
structurally deficient bridges
and is in disrepair
• Accelerated Bridge Program
provides $3 billion for bridges
across the Commonwealth
• Deadline for completion is 2016
• Alternatives study led to 4
alternatives for environmental
analysis
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
MassDOT 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
Project Purpose and Need
• Address structural deficiencies
• Reduce life-cycle costs
• Address substandard roadway geometry
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
Project Goals
• Improve system linkage connections from I-195
and Rte. 79
• Meet Legislative funding requirements
• Improve project-area aesthetics
• Minimize impacts to historic and cultural
resources
• Remain consistent with area planning
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
Alternatives Analysis
• 12 Conceptual Alternatives developed and reviewed
with public Task Force
• Alternatives that were not feasible were eliminated
• 4 alternatives retained for detailed study and
evaluation in EA/ENF
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
Alternatives Evaluated in EA/ENF
• No Build (emergency repairs and ramp closures)
• At-Grade Alternative (Preferred Alternative)
• Two-Way Single-Level Viaduct (Replacement
Alternative)
• Rehabilitation of Existing Two-Level Viaduct (Repair
Alternative)
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
Evaluation of Alternatives
Summary
•
No Build alternative
Does not address deficient structures; does not improve safety; does
not reduce lifecycle costs.
•
At-Grade alternative
Fully meets the project’s purpose and need
•
Two-Way Single-Level Viaduct alternative
Does not reduce life-cycle costs as much as the At-Grade alternative
and does not improve connections from I-195 and Rte. 79
•
Rehabilitation alternative
Does not reduce life-cycle costs; does not address substandard
geometry
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
At-Grade Preferred Alternative
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
Design Elements and Refinements
of Preferred Alternative
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
Design Elements and Refinements
Access from I-195 EB to Downtown
“½ Signal”:
free flow
I-195 EB to
Rte. 79
Make existing
Connector
Street 2-way for
Downtown
access
“½ Signal”:
access from
Milliken to
I-195 WB
and EB
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
2-way Water
Street Connector
with sidewalk and
bike lanes
Design Refinements and Improvements
Water Street Connector
Proposed So.
Coast Rail
platform
Water Street
Connector
Portion of lawn
area behind
Gates will be
taken
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
Environmental Review
What is an Environmental Assessment?
Evaluation of potential impacts from a proposed project on the existing environment
What is the “Existing Environment”?
The baseline environment relevant to the project. The environment includes the
natural environment and the man-made environment (social and economic aspects).
What are “Environmental Impacts”?
Positive or negative effects of a project after it is built and impacts that may occur
during construction.
What are Mitigation Measures?
Measures incorporated into the project that minimize impacts.
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
Project Area Existing Environment
Transportation/Traffic
Pedestrians & Bicycles
Right of Way
Air Quality
Noise
Wetlands and Waterways
Stormwater Management
Wild and Scenic Rivers
Coastal Zone
Land Use
Parkland
Visual
Endangered Species
Historic and Archeological
Socio-Economic
Environmental Justice
Hazardous Materials
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
Existing Environment
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
Transportation/Traffic
• Impacts to regional traffic – diversions to other
routes – will be minimal
• Intersection level of service will meet FHWA and
MassDOT performance standards
• Construction Phase Traffic Management Plan will
be implemented
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
Pedestrian and Bicycle Accommodations
• New and improved sidewalks
• New signalized intersections
will be equipped with
pedestrian crossing signals
• Enhanced walking environment
with overhead structures
removed
• Bike lanes, shoulders and
shared use path connecting
Downtown to waterfront
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
Air Quality
• Project is included in the Regional Transportation
Plan and Transportation Improvement Program
• Project is in conformance with the Clean Air Act
National Ambient Air Quality Standards
• Dust control plan will mitigate short-term impacts
during construction
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
Noise
• No permanent noise impacts per FHWA standards
• Noise control plan will be prepared for project
• Some overnight construction may be necessary
• Short-term noise impacts during demolition and
construction will be addressed to the maximum extent
practicable
• Design-Build entity will hire community liaison for
noise issues
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
Wetlands and Waterways
• No permanent impacts to state regulated wetlands
• Temporary impact in Quequechan River
• Protect Wild and Scenic Taunton River with improved
stormwater management
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
Wetlands and Waterways
• Permanent impact to federally regulated Bypass
Channel
• No adverse impacts to floodplain
• Erosion controls during construction
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
Stormwater Management
• Improvements to stormwater management
• Infiltration basin, bio-swale, deep sump catch basins
• Clean-out of bypass channel
• In compliance with DEP Stormwater standards
• Compatible with City’s Combined Sewer Overflow
separation program
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
Historic Resources
• No Adverse Effect to National
Register (or eligible) properties
• Visual environment of Historic
District will be improved
• Sensitive construction during
repair of Central Street Bridge
over the Quequechan River
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
Visual Environment
Removal of elevated structure improves vistas and views from
surface streets.
Existing elevated Rte. 79
Elevated roadway removed;
Rte. 79 at grade
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
Socio-economic
• No measurable effects on business productivity due to
change in regional travel time
• Most regional-to-local travel times are reduced from
I-195 to the waterfront and Downtown
• No major impact on emergency response times
• Improvements in access and visibility will support
economic development and job creation on waterfront
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
Right-of-Way (ROW) Issues
• Most of the project is within the existing public layout
roadway ROW
• No residential or business relocations anticipated
• Affected abutters will be contacted about ROW
impacts after the environmental process and 25%
design public hearing
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
Right-of-Way: Heritage State Park Impacts
• No permanent takings
• Temporary impacts to parking lot, driveway, area next
to sidewalk
• Areas will be restored after construction
• Access to Park and Battleship Cove maintained
during construction
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
Right-of-Way: Gates of the City Impacts
• Water Street Connector requires taking a portion of
city-owned Gates of the City parcel on Ponta del Gada
Boulevard
• Rear lawn area will be reduced in size
• Temporary use restrictions during construction
• The Monument itself will not be altered
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
Permits Summary
• NEPA/MEPA
– NEPA Clearance
– MEPA Certificate
• Wetlands/Waterways/Tidelands
– Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 Category 2 General
Permit
– Wetlands Protection Act Order of Conditions
– DEP Waterways Chapter 91 License
– DEP Section 401 Water Quality Certificate
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
Permits Summary, cont.
• Coastal Zone Management
– Concurrence on Federal Consistency
• Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act
– Finding of No Adverse Effect
• National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
– Construction Phase Permit
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
Summary of Propose Mitigation Measures
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
Construction Overview
•
Construction spring 2013 though fall 2016
•
Regional through traffic will be diverted to
Rte. 24, I-195 and Veterans Memorial Bridge
•
Detours for local traffic will direct motorists
to alternate roadways
•
Access and signage for Battleship Cove area
will be maintained
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
Next Steps
1. MEPA/NEPA environmental clearances due this summer with
final permits to follow
2. Jacobs Engineering will complete 25% design for Design-Build
entity this summer
3. 25% design public hearing in Fall 2012
4. MassDOT will issue Request for Proposals to Design-Build
entities in fall
5. MassDOT will select Design-Build entity in early 2013
6. Design-Build entity notice-to-proceed given in early 2013
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
How to Stay Involved
•
Read the EA/ENF and submit comments
•
Get on mailing list for updates
•
Attend future public meetings
•
Check website for latest news and updates:
www.mass.gov/massdot/route79project
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
How to Comment on the EA/ENF
Submit comments by Fri., July 20
OR
Mail
Pamela S. Stephenson, Division Administrator
Federal Highway Administration
55 Broadway, 10th Floor
Cambridge, MA 02142
Attention: Damaris Santiago
E-mail
Damaris.santiago@dot.gov
Richard K. Sullivan, Jr.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs
100 Cambridge Street
Boston, MA 02114
Attention: MEPA Coordinator, EEA #14917
with a copy to
Thomas F. Broderick, P.E., Chief Engineer
MassDOT Highway Division
10 Park Plaza
Boston, MA 02116
Attention: Mary E. Hynes, Project File No. 605223
deirdre.buckley@state.ma.us
Mary.E.Hynes@state.ma.us
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project
Questions & Answers
www.mass.gov/massdot/route79project
Route 79/I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project