I-90 / I-495 Interchange Improvements Project - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

I-90 / I-495 Interchange Improvements Project Hopkinton-Westborough- Southborough

March, 2015

MEPA Scoping Session − Page Czepiga, EEA, MEPA Unit − Renata Welch, P.E., MassDOT Highway Division − Dave Derrig, AECOM

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.

When is MEPA review required?

• Project requires a State Agency Action:

─ Proposed by a State Agency ─ State Permit ─ Financial Assistance ─ Land Transfer

• Project meets or exceeds a MEPA review threshold:

─ 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

MEPA Applicability

• The project is being undertaken by a state agency,

requires a permit from a state agency and may receive state funding

• MEPA jurisdiction is broad in scope (not limited to one

area of environmental impact)

• Triggered EIR Review Thresholds:

─ Land: Creation of >10 acres of impervious area ─ Wetlands: Alteration of >1 acre of Bordering Vegetated Wetlands; requires a Variance from Wetland Protection Act

MEPA Process Schedule

• ENF Filed with MEPA: 2/27/15
• Environmental Monitor Notice: 3/11/15
• MEPA Consultation Session: 3/19/15 (today’s meeting)
• Comments Due: 3/31/15
• Secretary’s Certificate Issued: 4/10/15

Background

• Historic congestion at interchange associated with toll plazas
• MassDOT planning study (2012-2013) identifying deficiencies and

need for improvements

• Implementation of All Electronic Toll System (AETS) July 15, 2016
• MassDOT Feasibility Study (2014) to identify options to improve

safety and mobility

• ENF filed March 2, 2015
• Elimination of toll plazas will not eliminate congestion and safety

issues

Safety and Operational Issues

• Substandard geometry
• Magnitude of passenger vehicle traffic
• Magnitude of truck traffic
• Vehicle conflicts (weaving sections) within interchange

area

• Crash history at ramps and through interchange

What Are We Trying to Do

• Eliminate Weaving Movement Conflicts
• Improve Interstate-to-Interstate Design
• Reduce Congestion and Travel Time
• Minimize Resource Impacts

Concept Development & Screening

• “Blank Slate” configurations
• Modifications maintaining appropriate design speeds

and geometry

• No design exceptions
• Eight original concepts
• Over 20 additional variations
• Three advanced to ENF stage (Concept 22-3, Concept

14-5, Concept 14-4)

Concept 22-3

Concept 14-5

Concept 14-4

• Based upon 2035 Priority

Development Areas scenario

• Baseline (No Build)

represents conditions with toll plazas removed

• Weekday AM and PM peak

hours analyzed

• All three concepts provide

acceptable operations and address weaving and congestion concerns

Preliminary Traffic Modeling

Insert video clip 2035 No Build PM

Future PM Peak Hour Conditions (2035) –No Build

Future PM Peak Hour Conditions (2035) – Concept 14-4

Preliminary Resource Impacts

• Concept 22-3 $285,000,000*
• Concept 14-5

$220,000,000*

• Concept 14-4

$165,000,000* note: does not include engineering, mitigation or ROW costs

* 2014 Dollars

Conceptual Cost Estimates

Overall Project Schedule

1 2 3 4 5 6

Planning Study Feasibility Study/ Conceptual Design EA / EIR / 25% Design Final Design and Permitting Early Action Construction Construction Complete

Current Stage

Next Steps

• Continue to refine concepts and impacts calculations
• Work with MPOs (Boston, Central Mass) to include

project in long-range plans

• Procure consultant services for environmental

documentation / 25% / permitting

• Prepare Environmental Assessment / Environmental

Impact Report for NEPA and MEPA and obtain permits

• Design and Construction

Public Comment

Comments on the proposed project must be submitted by March 31, 2015 in writing via hard copy, email, or fax to:

1. Secretary Matthew Beaton Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Attn: MEPA Office, Page Czepiga 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900 Boston, MA 02114 2. Email comments to: Page.Czepiga@state.ma.us 3. Fax#: (617) 626-1181