Route 79/I-195
Interchange Reconstruction Project
Fall River, MA
8.
PART 1
NEPA
Environmental Assessment
PROPOSED MITIGATION FOR PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE
This section describes the mitigation measures that have been incorporated into the
design to minimize and mitigate for impacts to the environment, as well as measures that
will be implemented during the construction phase of the project to minimize short-term
impacts.
8.1. Traffic Operations
8.1.1 Project Traffic Operations
Currently, drivers can access Milliken Boulevard from I-195 eastbound via Ramp Y,
which is off Ramp A. This is possible because the existing elevated Route 79 viaduct
ramps are at different elevations and cross over or under each other. The proposed atgrade design includes several ramps at the same elevation. Although the existing access
to Milliken Boulevard via Ramp Y is not provided in the proposed project, the design
provides access to Milliken Boulevard by several alternate routes which will not
substantially increase travel time to the CBD, and will decrease travel times to the
waterfront area. This is discussed in detail in Section 6.4.4.
8.1.2 Construction Phase Traffic Operations
The project will use staged construction in order to maintain traffic through the
interchange. Alternative routes to the regional roadway system will be identified to
minimize traffic through the interchange. The construction sequence of various elements
of the project, as well as some temporary ramp connections, will allow traffic to be
shifted so that the viaduct can be removed. A public information program will be
implemented to inform drivers and others of the construction phase traffic plans.
8.2
Water Quality / Stormwater Management System
In accordance with the Massachusetts Stormwater Standards, portions of this project are
considered redevelopment; specifically, “maintenance and improvement of an existing
roadway, limited to widening less than a single lane, adding shoulders, correcting
substandard intersections, improving inadequate drainage systems, and repaving.”
Upgrades to the stormwater management system have been designed to meet the
standards to the maximum extent practicable while improving upon existing conditions.
The Water Street connector is identified as new development and is designed to fully
comply with the stormwater standards.
Deep sump catch basins and a stormwater bio-swale infiltration basin are proposed for
the Water Street Connector. The infiltration basin has been designed to contain all storms
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NEPA
Environmental Assessment
up the 100-year storm. The overflow discharge control structure will have a rip-rap apron
for erosion control.
Existing outfalls will be used, with the addition of one new outlet for the Water Street
Connector, which will have pre-treatment prior to discharge. No new untreated outlets are
proposed. The project is located in an area that is highly constrained in terms of space for
stormwater BMPs that require large areas. At a minimum, deep sump catch basins are
proposed to improve existing conditions at the existing outfalls. Where feasible, a rip-rap
apron will be added to existing outfalls. Removal of Ramp D and realignment of Ramps
A and C allows a stormwater detention/infiltration basin as shown on stormwater
management project plans at the end of the document.
The project will result in improvements to water quality in the wetlands and waterways.
Design of all stormwater management drainage systems will be compatible with the
city’s planned CSO sewer separation program improvements.
8.3
Wetlands
The At-Grade (Preferred) alternative will not permanently alter state-regulated wetland
resources but will alter federal-regulated wetlands. The Quequechan River Bypass
Channel is a jurisdictional wetland resource under Section 404 of the federal Clean Water
Act, but not under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act per the Order of Resource
Area Delineation issued by the Fall River Conservation Commission. Since the ACOE
has determined that the area of the Quequechan River Bypass Channel is jurisdictional,
DEP also considers the area jurisdictional for Section 401 review. A portion of the
Bypass Channel will be filled and reconstructed as a culvert to accommodate roadway
piers which will impact approximately 7,400 SF (210 LF) of the Quequechan River
Bypass Channel.
Work to repair and strengthen the stone arch Central Street Bridge over the Quequechan
River will require temporary work platforms in the river, temporarily impacting Land
Under Ocean. Turbidity controls will minimize impacts to water quality during the
construction period.
Work will take place adjacent to Crab Pond, the Quequechan, and the Taunton Rivers
within the state regulated 100-foot Buffer Zone. Approximately 7,200 SF of the Buffer
Zone adjacent to Crab Pond (separated from the pond by a sheet pile wall) that is now a
grassy area will be permanently altered for the proposed Water Street Connector.
Approximately 76,000 SF of Buffer Zone adjacent to the Quequechan and Taunton
Rivers will be temporarily impacted during construction. The work will consist of repairs
to existing structures, removal of structures, relocation of pier footings and reconstruction
of the parking lot in Heritage Park for the community boating program and boat launch.
These areas currently consist of previously disturbed land and the characteristic of the
area will not change from its existing condition.
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Route 79/I-195
Interchange Reconstruction Project
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PART 1
NEPA
Environmental Assessment
Erosion controls and other Best Management Practices (BMPs) will be implemented
during construction to protect adjacent wetland resources. Turbidity controls and erosion
and sedimentation controls will be installed and maintained to protect Crab Pond, the
Quequechan River and the Taunton River.
8.4
Hazardous Materials
The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Phase 1 Assessment Report
will include historical land use, additional investigations of releases and information on
any structures to be demolished and property to be taken. The Fuel Oil Storage Tank
building on the Fall River Gas Works complex (deemed not eligible for listing in the
National Register of Historic Places) will be demolished and a small parcel owned by the
Southern Union railroad will be taken.
As required by MassDOT and applicable laws, the selected Design-Build Contractor will
be required to implement measures to protect the health and safety of the public and the
environment during construction. During construction, any contaminated material that is
encountered will be handled in accordance with all applicable provisions of the
Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP). The material will be temporarily stored in areas
isolated from the public, secured and stockpiled on an impervious surface, and covered to
prevent dispersion and runoff to the environment. Once classified for reuse, recycling,
treatment or disposal, the material will be removed from the storage areas.
During construction, any contaminated material that is encountered will be handled in
accordance with all applicable provisions of the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP).
The material will be temporarily stored in areas isolated from the public, secured and
stockpiled on an impervious surface, and covered to prevent dispersion and runoff to the
environment. Once classified for reuse, recycling, treatment or disposal, the material will
be removed from the storage areas.
In summary, the following measures will be implemented as part of the Design-Build
Contract:
• Additional collection and analysis of environmental information on Oil and
Hazardous Materials (OHM) Sites of Potential Risk;
• Licensed Site Professional (LSP) to develop and coordinate Massachusetts
Contingency Plan permit and compliance issues;
• Development and implementation of an Environmental Field Screening and
Environmental Sample Collection/Laboratory Analysis Procedures;
• Development and implementation of a Soil and Groundwater Management Plan to
be used during construction;
• Identification and mapping of Oil and Hazardous Materials (OHM) Areas of
Concern;
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Environmental Assessment
• Development of Management Plan for contaminated media and contaminated
construction debris;
• Development of procedures for management of remediation waste;
• Management of Contaminated Media and Contaminated Debris;
• Implementation of Preliminary Response Actions and Risk Reduction Measures;
• Excavation and the demolition of the viaduct structure will be done in accordance
with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations.
8.5
Air Quality
There will be a potential for short-term temporary impacts on ambient air quality during
construction from the operation of construction equipment, demolition, and overall
construction activities. The selected Design-Build contractor will be required to develop a
plan that includes Best Management Practices for controlling dust generated during the
project construction period. The plan will include details as to how dust emissions will be
controlled and/or minimized for demolition activities, earthwork activities, stockpiling of
material, and construction. Control measures include, but are not limited to, dust
suppression agents, wind screens, wind barriers, plastic tarp protection, and truck cargo
covers during transport. Additionally, vehicles leaving the construction site shall have no
mud and dirt on the vehicles body or wheels and the contractor will be responsible for
clean-up of public roadways and walkways impacted by construction.
As discussed in Section 4.6, the Route 79 / I-195 Interchange Reconstruction Project has
been included in SRPEDD’s Regional Transportation Plan and the State TIP for FY
2012-2015. The project thereby conforms with the requirements of the Clean Air Act to
attain or maintain compliance with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
8.6
Noise
8.6.1 Project Noise Impacts
None of the noise receptors evaluated for the project would exceed the Noise Abatement
Criteria (NAC) established for its respective land use category after construction of the
project. Therefore, no evaluation of noise abatement is required for the At-Grade
(Preferred) alternative. Section 6.7 of the EA provides additional discussion of the noise
study.
8.6.2 Construction Period Noise Impacts
Temporary noise impacts during construction are unavoidable with construction
activities. During construction, residential neighborhoods in proximity of the project may
experience temporary noise impacts from the demolition of the existing viaduct and
construction of the roadway. Sources of noise include construction impact devices such
as jack hammers, chipping guns, rivet busters, and other equipment. Because of the
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Route 79/I-195
Interchange Reconstruction Project
Fall River, MA
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NEPA
Environmental Assessment
different phases of construction and the large project area, no single location would be
anticipated to experience construction noise impacts for the entire duration of the project.
In order to maintain traffic through the interchange and other roadways, as well as to
keep to the 3–4 year construction period, some nighttime work may be necessary. To
minimize noise impacts on residential areas, some demolition and construction activities
may be limited to daytime and evening hours, so that the noise during nighttime hours is
minimized or reduced as much as possible. Noise limits may be set for day time, evening
and night time activities.
Weekday work hours are expected to take place between 7:00 am and 6:00 pm, evening
hours are anticipated between 6:00 pm and 10:00 pm, and overnight hours, if necessary,
are expected between 10:00 pm and 7:00 am. MassDOT is committed to public outreach
throughout the duration of construction and will provide necessary overnight construction
related notifications to local officials and the public.
The Design-Build Contractor will be required to submit for MassDOT approval a Noise
Control Plan (NCP) that outlines in detail the measures to be implemented by the
Contractor to comply with this section. Any modifications to the approved NCP must be
submitted for review and approval prior to implementation. The plan will include various
measures to reduce noise, shield noise, and to identify time periods for certain noisier
demolition or construction activities. In addition, the contractor will be required to submit
a staging plan for review and approval by MassDOT that establishes equipment and
material staging areas away from sensitive receptors. All requirements of the
Construction Noise Control measures, if needed during performance of the work, shall be
overseen by an approved acoustical engineer employed by the Contractor.
To address potential noise issues that may arise during construction, the Design-Build
Contractor will establish a point of contact (project liaison) to address noise complaints.
The Contractor’s liaison and the MassDOT Resident Engineer will work together with
the community to ensure resolution of construction related noise issues. Community
liaisons in the affected communities will forward any complaints to the contracting team.
Measures to reduce noise can include:
• construction equipment fitted with exhaust systems and mufflers that have the
lowest associated noise;
• demolition and construction methods; and
• noise control shields and curtains which contain a noise barrier layer with a sound
absorptive material.
Some examples of specific noise mitigation measures that could be used by the contractor
are listed below.
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Interchange Reconstruction Project
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Environmental Assessment
¾ Use of equipment such as concrete crushers or pavement saws for concrete deck
removal and demolition, instead of impact equipment that has a higher noise
level;
¾ Use of equipment with efficient noise-suppression devices and other noise
abatement measures such as enclosures and barriers necessary for the protection
of the public;
¾ Use of pre-augering equipment to reduce the duration of impact or vibratory pile
driving;
¾ Use of the local power grid or solar power to reduce the use of generators and to
power variable message and sign boards;
¾ Installation of intake and exhaust mufflers, noise control curtains, or acoustical
barrier enclosures;
¾ Installing noise-deadening material to inside of hoppers, conveyor transfer points,
or chutes;
¾ Maintaining equipment mufflers and on-site roadways to minimize surface
irregularities to prevent unnecessary noise;
¾ Limiting the number and duration of equipment idling on the site;
¾ Configuring the construction site to the extent feasible to keep loud equipment
and activities as far as possible from noise-sensitive locations;
¾ Scheduling of construction events and limiting usage times to minimize noise,
especially during nighttime hours and near sensitive abutters;
¾ Constructing temporary construction-phase noise barriers and/or noise curtain
systems;
¾ Minimizing noise from the use of backup alarms using measures that meet OSHA
regulations; and
¾ Preventing nuisance noise conditions such as from squealing equipment, backup
alarms, radios, car-door slamming, and public address systems.
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