Meeting Presentation - I-93 Tri-Town Interchange Project

I-93 TRI-TOWN INTERCHANGEANDOVER TEWKSBURY WILMINGTON

I-93 TRI-TOWN INTERCHANGE ANDOVER TEWKSBURY WILMINGTONAGENDA4:00 6:00 PM: Open HousePlease visit the open house stations to view information and discussquestions or concerns with project staff.6:00 6:15 PM: PresentationA review of the Purpose and Need Statement and project goals6:15 8:00 PM: Question & Answer/CommentsThis is an opportunity for you to provide verbal comments on thepurpose, goals and needs of the project.Please leave comment sheets with project staff or mail them to theFederal Highway Administration at the address on the form.1

I-93 TRI-TOWN INTERCHANGE ANDOVER TEWKSBURY WILMINGTONI-93 Tri-Town Interchange Project TimelineMilestones to dateNovember 2006 - Interchange Justification Report (IJR) submitted toFHWAApril 2007 FHWA provided conditional approval for interchange(Alternative 3 only)March 2008May 2008January 2009MassHighway sends Letter of Initiation (LOI) to FHWAFHWA acknowledges LOINotice of Intent (NOI) published in Federal RegisterMarch 2009 Scoping Meeting to solicit public input on Purpose &Need StatementParallel state process is also underway.3

I-93 TRI-TOWN INTERCHANGE ANDOVER TEWKSBURY WILMINGTONPurpose and Need StatementFrom FHWA Environmental ToolkitThe purpose and need of a project is essential in establishing a basisfor the development of the range of reasonable alternatives required inan EIS and assists with the identification and eventual selection of apreferred alternative.In the end, all alternatives will be compared based on their ability tosatisfy the elements listed in the Purpose & Need Statement.5

I-93 TRI-TOWN INTERCHANGE ANDOVER TEWKSBURY WILMINGTONPurpose and Need StatementFrom FHWA Environmental ToolkitThe following items may be listed and described in the purpose andneed statement for a proposed actionCapacitySystem Linkage / Modal InterrelationshipsTransportation DemandLegislationSocial Demands or Economic DevelopmentSafetyRoadway Deficiencies6

I-93 TRI-TOWN INTERCHANGE ANDOVER TEWKSBURY WILMINGTONPurpose and Need StatementFrom FHWA Environmental ToolkitThe purpose and need can include achieving a transportationobjective identified in an applicable statewide or metropolitantransportation plan.The purpose and need can include supporting land use, economicdevelopment or growth objectives established in applicable Federal,state, local or tribal plans.7

I-93 TRI-TOWN INTERCHANGE ANDOVER TEWKSBURY WILMINGTONDraft Purpose and Need StatementThe project will serve the following purposes:Reduce congestion and improve safety on the regional (Interstate)highway networkReduce congestion and improve safety on the local roadway networkImprove access and mobility within existing commercial / industrialareasProvide highway access that will lead to job creation and economicexpansionSatisfy state legislative action8

I-93 TRI-TOWN INTERCHANGE ANDOVER TEWKSBURY WILMINGTONDraft Purpose and Need StatementThe project will serve the following purposes:Acknowledge broad state, regional and local supportProvide opportunities for increased / improved multi-modal accessProtect environmentally sensitive areas and enhance open space andrecreational opportunities9

I-93 TRI-TOWN INTERCHANGE ANDOVER TEWKSBURY WILMINGTONDraft Purpose and Need Statement - 1The project is needed for the following reasons:Accessibility and mobility in the Junction commercial / industrial areaare inadequateLocal roadways serving residential neighborhoods are used as primaryaccess to the Junction commercial / industrial area, and are inadequatefor such useEconomic development is constrained by traffic congestion and pooraccessPeak-period use of the I-93 breakdown lanes is now permitted to offsetcapacity deficiencies10

I-93 TRI-TOWN INTERCHANGE ANDOVER TEWKSBURY WILMINGTONDraft Purpose and Need Statement - 2The project is needed for the following reasons:The Governor and state legislature have mandated infrastructureimprovements through the Life Sciences Investment BillStewardship of sensitive environmental areas will be compromisedwithout coordinated planning effortsEconomic development is constrained by traffic congestion and pooraccessDisposal of hazardous materials from Superfund site requires travelthrough residential neighborhoods11

I-93 TRI-TOWN INTERCHANGE ANDOVER TEWKSBURY WILMINGTONDraft Purpose and Need Statement - 3The project is needed for the following reasons:Opportunities for increased transit use and reduction of singleoccupant-vehicle(SOV) travel are constrainedOpportunities for enhanced open space and recreational use areconstrained12

I-93 TRI-TOWN INTERCHANGE ANDOVER TEWKSBURY WILMINGTONPublic Comment on theDraft Purpose and Need StatementPublic comments can be submitted by:Providing verbal comments that will be recorded for the recordProviding written comments (comment sheets are available) that canbe left with the project teamProviding written comments within the next 30 days to the FHWA13

I-93 TRI-TOWN INTERCHANGE ANDOVER TEWKSBURY WILMINGTONPublic Comment on theDraft Purpose and Need StatementDirect written comments to:Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)Mr. John McVann, Director of Project DeliveryFederal Highway AdministrationMassachusetts Division Office55 Broadway 10th FloorCambridge, MA 02142Attn: Damaris SantiagoComments from the March 19th meeting should be sent to FHWA andcopied to MassHighway. All future comments should go directly to MHD.14