Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. – Proposal for a Beaded Necklace

Acknowledgement

Portions of this proposal text and citizen quotations are taken from the website and reports of Housatonic River Restoration (HRR). This is not meant to imply their endorsement of this proposal, but rather the VHB team’s support for the restoration goals as identified by HRR which we hope to implement on behalf of and in consultation with the people of the . Authors of the HRR material include Rachel Fletcher, Erik Bruun, Peter Jensen, and Shep Evans, among many others who contributed their time and talent to the HRR river restoration planning efforts. We have also drawn from the Housatonic Valley Association’s Housatonic Greenway Plan.

Page 1

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. – Proposal for a Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway

Contents

Transmittal Letter

A. Proposed Project Team and Location

A.1 Applicant Information A.2 Map

B. Project Abstract

C. Project Narrative

C.1 Goals & Objectives C.2 Project Benefits C.3 Implementation Plan C.4 Land Acquisition Projects C.5 Technical Feasibility C.6 Evaluation & Contingency Plan C.7 Qualifications of Applicant and Project Team C.8 Supporting Technical Documentation

D. Environmental and Socioeconomic Impacts

D.1 Impact Checklist D.2 Impact Narrative D.3 List of Permits or Regulatory Approvals Required

E. Project Budget

E.1 Budget Tables E.2 Budget Narrative

Supporting Materials

F.1 Team Resumes F.2 Additional Qualification F.3 Letters of Support F.4 Forms

Page 3

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. – Proposal for a Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway

A. Proposed Project Team and Location

A.1 Applicant Information

Type of Entity Check the box that best describes the applicant.

[ ] Private individual [ ] Municipal government [ ] Non-profit organization [X] Corporation or Business [ ] State government [ ] County government [ ] Federal government [ ] Academic Institution [ ] Tribal government [ ] Other (explain)

Authorized Representative of Applicant Contact Person (if different) Leo Pierre Roy

Name Name

Managing Director, Environmental & Energy Services

Title Title

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB)

Address Address

101 Walnut Street

Address Address

Watertown MA 02472-9151

City State Zip City State Zip

Phone: Phone: (617) 924-1770

Email: Email: [email protected]

Page 5

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. – Proposal for a Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway

Project Name Provide a brief working name: Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway

Project Location Attach an 8.5 x 11-inch map or copy of an aerial photograph showing project location and extent. Include pertinent topographic and geographic information, a scale, and north arrow.

State(s), Municipality/ies: Berkshire County, ; particularly municipalities adjacent to the Housatonic River ______

Longitude for approximate center of project area: Approx. -73.289 Degrees Longitude

Latitude for approximate center of project area: Approx. 42.275 Degrees Latitude

Restoration Priority Category See instructions for category descriptions. Primary Category. Check one box. Secondary Categories. Check all relevant boxes. [ ] Aquatic Biological Resources and Habitat [ ] Aquatic Biological Resources and Habitat [ ] Wildlife Resources and Habitat [ ] Wildlife Resources and Habitat [X] Recreational Uses [X] Recreational Uses [ ] Environmental Education and Outreach [X] Environmental Education and Outreach

List Specific Injured Natural Resources and/or Impaired Natural Resource Services to Benefit from Project (see Section 1.2 of the Restoration Project Selection Procedure for a summary of injuries)

Furthers Land Preservation Goals – builds upon ongoing Water Quality & Erosion Control - riverbank stabilization is likely initiatives, streamlines permitting, identifies funding, and to accompany some of the / greenway projects and reduce provides preliminary review of local environmental conditions runoff into and sedimentation of the Housatonic River Outdoor Classroom – clearly delineated public access points and Aesthetic Values - will be highlighted by the trail/greenway greenway signage promote the outdoor classroom concept and routes, removing the “concealed” Housatonic from disrepute, and the understanding and respectful observation/use of natural promoting stewardship by users and adjacent landowners resources Flood Impact Mitigation - greenways act as absorbent buffers Air Quality - reduced vehicle use/pollution through providing and prevent risky development on floodplains alternate transportation routes and & air filtration from greenway Fishing & Boating Access Areas - will improve following years vegetation; recreation away from vehicle pollution along safe of neglect via provision of designated sites like canoe launches routes is a related benefit Wildlife - viewing areas along greenway complement Public Health - recreation opportunities like bicycling, canoeing, increased wildlife activity as the river recuperates and fosters and walking promotes health and well-being, especially among currently impaired eco-tourism biological/migration corridors communities affected by contamination; this improves quality of enhanced via greenway linkages life in an urban/suburban landscape

Project Type See instructions for project type descriptions. Check all relevant boxes.

[ ] Resource-based [X] Access-based [ ] Maintenance-based

Page 6

COHOES Proposed Project Area COLONIE GRAFTON PETERSBURGH V E R BRUNSWICKforfor thethe M O N T TROY Beaded Necklace Housatonic M a h CLARKSBURG ic MONROE Greenway Master Plan a l n i COLONIE a Berkshire County, Massachusetts r T

POESTENKILL Legend NORTH FLORIDA WILLIAMSTOWN T NORTH ADAMS r h Approximate Geographic Center of Project !| Public Access Board a il ROWE GREENBUSH BERLIN Approximate Project Area State Parks and Recreation Areas Greenways MT GREYLOCK Bicycle Trails by Status STATE RES Housatonic River Watershed CHARLE Existing SAND LAKE

EASTConsidered il a NEW r SAVOY GREENBUSH Municipal Boundaries T Potential MOUNTAIN MOHAWK c ASHFORD State Boundary i STATE TRAIL n ADAMS o FOREST STATE Long Distance Trails Rivers and Streams c FOREST a T HAWLEY

k o SAVOY o l Sources: r i

B a t 1. State Parks and Recreation Areas, s r e HANCOCK T Public Access Board, W O DUBUQUE Bicycle Trails, Long Distance Trails, MEMORIAL STEPHENTOWN il Cheshire Housatonic River Watershed - MassGIS a STATE 0246ek r CHESHIRE l re l FOREST i C T Reservoir 2. Berkshire Greenways - MA Department k K NASSAU o ho SCHODACK e r i e t d n of Conservation and Recreationa (DCR) in Miles l K a a i

V LANESBOROUGH h WINDSOR c !| k

Note: This is a model for proposed future maps and limited in detail due to the small scale. r a STATE

e o l

v

i o a FOREST

It is not a comprehensive depiction of known existing and proposed bikeway/greenway features R c p c i i

s PLAINFIELD or fully representative of proposed project mapping techniques BALANCE ROCK t p l o l o A i STATE PARK H WINDSOR w DALTON PITTSFIELD u STATE Pontoosuc h Location s

FOREST A e Lake n W VT i !| WAHCONAH FALLS es NH l tfie y STATE PARK ld NEW Riv BRYANT er LEBANON Sk Onota MOUNTAIN Lake !| CUMMINGTONSTATE FOREST MA NY PITTSFIELD HINSDALE ASHMERE LAKE !| STATE PARK CHATHAM BATES MEMORIAL PERU WORTHINGTON

S STATE PARK STATE RI tony CT Kill !| FOREST WORTHINGTON RICHMOND CANAAN MIDDLEFIELD KINDERHOOK !| STATE PERU LENOX FOREST STATE #!$"90 FOREST r e v W i illam s R OCTOBER WASHINGTON MIDDLEFIELD !| MOUNTAIN Stockbridge STATE

Bowl FOREST Keystone Arches

R

i !|

GHENT v Bridge Trail & Float

AUSTERLITZ e STOCKBRIDGE r WEST LEE STOCKBRIDGE R a

i !| l CHESTER K Littleville h !| BECKET R T BECKET Lake r Becket Quary a STATE

i l FOREST Rail Trail O ALFORD BEARTOWN CHESTER-BLANDFORD STATE !| STATE Y FOREST FOREST FOUNTAIN POND PARK CLAVERACK HILLSDALE c TYRINGHAM i 90 GREAT OTIS #!$" n BARRINGTON k o STATE e ARTHUR OTIS e t r FOREST C WHARTON W a c i n s !| SWANN SF a Big Pond k Lake h u g E a o T MONTEREY !| Garfield EGREMONT EAST BLANDFORD H MOUNTAIN N !| STATE !| !| !| FOREST l l i

K

n Otis e l s i n a a Reservoir J r Trail f f i l T e o SANDISFIELD TAGHKANIC R STATE !| COPAKE FOREST

BASHBISH n a FALLS i SANDISFIELD TOLLAND h STATE STATE c NEW c PARK a FOREST i l MT EVERETT MARLBOROUGH n a STATE RES o p

c p a A T MOUNT SHEFFIELD TOLLAND H u GRANVILLE WASHINGTON b

r b

e a

v r i d

R R

MT WASHINGTON t CAMPBELLS !| i o v e p GRANVILLE STATE FOREST FALLS r a COOKSON k STATE n STATE o STATE

K FOREST GALLATIN PARK FOREST ANCRAM

k e e C r O N C N NORTH SALISBURY NORTH E C k T I c C U u T t a EAST CANAAN b NORFOLK HARTLAND e W COLEBROOK PLAINS Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. – Proposal for a Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway

B. Project Abstract

Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway

Inspired by the “Beaded Necklace” vision that emerged from the extensive community planning process led by the Housatonic River Restoration (HRR), this project seeks NRD funding for the master planning, feasibility study, conceptual design, and development of a detailed implementation plan for a combined bikeway/greenway. With the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) and the Berkshire Bike Path Council (BBPC) as project partners, Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB) will manage the project and provide technical support, based on experience planning and completing over 70 bikeway/greenway projects over the past 20 years. BRPC will coordinate the community collaboration and consensus-building, and BBPC will provide advice and local grassroots organizing.

The Beaded Necklace will create linkages between existing and proposed bike paths, trails, boat launches, and parks within watershed communities to restore public interest in, enjoyment of, and accessibility to the exceptional natural resources of the Berkshires. The result will weave the many local projects, from the to borders, into a connected whole.

Over two years, our implementation plan will identify project feasibility, phasing, budgets, and most importantly, potential sources of funding. Congressman John W. Olver has been a staunch supporter of bikeway/greenway projects in the Berkshires, and with a comprehensive plan, additional federal, state, local, and private sector funding can be sought for further design, permitting, and construction, greatly leveraging the requested $665,000 of NRD funds. Restoring the injured and impaired natural resource services through a significant recreational bikeway/greenway project will bring immediate, long-lasting, and widespread benefits to watershed residents. .

Page 9

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. – Proposal for a Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway

C. Project Narrative

C.1 Goals & Objectives

The people of Berkshire County have said what they want in a Housatonic River Restoration Plan, and now their vision needs to be made into a reality. The long- “Part of restoring the anticipated release of restoration grant money from the Housatonic River Natural river and healing the Resource Damages (NRD) Trustees is an opportunity for the residents of the Berkshires river, once the major to reconnect with their river, and to participate in recreational activities that were PCB deposition has been diminished or lost because of river contamination. In addition to site-specific aquatic dealt with, is healing the habitat and wildlife enhancement projects, and local educational projects, a watershed- relationship between the wide recreation project is needed to connect the Housatonic communities and bring residents of the watershed people together to enjoy the river. Such a needed, valley-wide project will enable the and their river resource.” Trustees and the public to look back at with pride at what the restoration funding has accomplished. ‐ Shep Evans of Stockbridge Of the many projects that emerged from the multi-year community planning process led by Housatonic River Restoration (HRR), one of the most exciting is the planning, design, and implementation of a Berkshire Bikeway/Housatonic Greenway, described as a “Beaded Necklace”. The improved use and enjoyment of the river through a comprehensive plan involving physical access to the river, river trails, and bikeways will fulfill many of the restoration goals for the river. This idea springs from the citizens of the Berkshires, and our proposal will rely on and leverage the local energy and support of the public. The tremendous success of the Ashuwillticook Trail in northern Berkshire County is a testament to the feasibility and benefits of such projects.

Our proposal is for the development of a Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway Master Plan. This Master Plan will build on the great deal of past and continued planning on bikeways and greenways in Berkshire County and to weave the many local, grass- roots projects, from Vermont to Connecticut, into a comprehensive whole. Building on previous work, the Master Plan will assess opportunities to connect existing and proposed cycling facilities, canoe launches, trails, open space, and other recreational sites within the Housatonic watershed through a combination on-road and off-road bikeway that will provide the public with much greater access to the river and the ability to travel safely between recreational sites. Through a public screening process, our Master Plan will assess alternatives to identify a preferred route for a greenway and the specific river access points and projects to be linked by it. While the overall plan will be County-wide, emphasis will be placed on those trails, canoe launches, and sections of the bikeway in Housatonic River watershed communities. As part of the overall Master Plan, we also propose to develop an in-depth implementation plan. The implementation plan will: discuss the key issues to be resolved from the conceptual design, identify funding sources for design and construction, and recommend a permitting strategy to bring each of the specific projects recommended in the Master Plan forward to fruition.

Page 11

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. – Proposal for a Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway

The Master Plan will offer a total watershed plan guided by the following key objectives:

1. To develop a comprehensive plan for a protected, independent north-south bicycle trail/ greenway in Berkshire County that: protects the natural resources of the river, allows for appropriate human interaction, and is consistent with other NRD restoration goals. The project does not envision a multi-use trail running continuously along the banks of the Housatonic, but access in appropriate locations.

2. To distinguish within the Greenway a "Beaded-Necklace" program of discreet locations for public access, trail systems, parks, and other amenities.

3. To ensure that each river-fronting municipality has access to the river and/or access along the river with opportunities to engage in a variety of activities, such as wildlife and nature viewing, walking, hiking, picnicking, biking, equestrian travel, and other activities which are compatible with the selected site and the protection of river resources.

4. To develop a comprehensive canoe access system within the Beaded-Necklace program of trails and amenities, as based upon the preliminary field evaluation of the HRR Listing of Proposed and Existing Canoe Launch Sites

5. To coordinate trail and amenities systems developed for each municipality into a unified system through: universal signage, universal standards for usage etiquette, and universal performance standards for the design, materials, and construction that are user-friendly, safe, and low-impact, and that which are in keeping with the unique natural features and physical constraints of individual sites.

6. To educate the public to appropriate trail and amenities usage, and to environmental and historic information through limited signs and information kiosks in selected locations. Encourage citizen volunteers and students to engage in maintenance projects.

7. To develop performance standards for design and construction materials and techniques that ensure minimum impact to and maximum preservation of the river's natural resources. Give preference to developed, disturbed, and remediation sites as locations for trails, parks, access points and amenities development. Preserve the integrity of pristine sites by minimizing development at those locations.

8. To coordinate the Master Plan with policies, goals, and recommendations previously set forth in HRR’s Housatonic River Restoration Plan for water quality, physical access, ecological restoration, education, land acquisition, economic development, historical and cultural amenities, regulations and enforcement, and watershed and river management.

We also propose as part of the Master Plan to identify two segments of the Bikeway/Greenway to bring forward to the conceptual design level (ten percent). Our intention will be to help jumpstart the overall greenway by selecting two projects to advance toward implementation. These projects, which may include a section of bike path with canoe launches, will serve as a demonstration of what the overall Greenway can achieve.

Page 12

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. – Proposal for a Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway

Our team’s proposal to develop a Beaded Necklace Housatonic Greenway Master Plan is fully in keeping with the MA SubCouncil’s primary goal of restoring, enhancing, protecting, conserving, and replacing the natural resources and services that were impaired or injured as a result of the release of hazardous substances into the Housatonic. The creation of the Master Plan will help to restore recreational access to, and acceptable use of the Housatonic River, and the natural environment its watershed. Our proposed Master Plan will help to create and foster a comprehensive, coordinated, and unified approach to the development of a watershed-wide recreational Greenway that will benefit hikers, cyclists, paddlers, cross-country skiers, and many other outdoor enthusiasts. Through appropriate interpretive signing, the Greenway could also offer increased educational opportunities. This access-based proposal thus fits primarily into the NRD fund’s Recreational Use category, but also has strong qualifications for the Environmental Education category. Implementation will take years, but it must begin with a plan.

C.2 Project Benefits

The benefits of our proposal to develop the Beaded Necklace Housatonic Greenway “I have become a strong Master Plan can be considered in two ways. First there are the benefits that the plan itself advocate for multi‐use would provide; second there are the benefits that a Greenway once it was developed trails for use by a wide would provide. variety of individuals, pedestrians, bikers, A key benefit of the Master Plan itself is that it will make use of, and advance, the rollerbladers, and numerous previous planning efforts throughout the watershed, thereby leveraging NRD individuals with funds to accomplish more than could otherwise be done. While there are numerous local restricted mobility. I see efforts to develop individual recreational facilities along the river, there is currently no those types of trails as comprehensive, watershed-wide bikeway/greenway plan to direct everyone’s efforts enlightened and toward a common vision. Our proposed product of a Master Plan for a comprehensive progressive ways for Greenway, would help to do the following: communities and individuals of all abilities „ build on and advance other ongoing planning initiatives such as the Department of to come together and Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) Commonwealth Connections greenway planning, recreate. Segments of a the Housatonic Valley Association’s (HVA) Housatonic Greenway plan, BRPC’s north‐south trail and Bicycling and Walking Plan for the Berkshire, and HRR’s River Trails, Bikeways, and Other segments of the Pittsfield Amenities Assessment Study and Listing of Proposed and Existing Canoe Launch Sites; routes could and should be sited along the „ establish priorities for individual segments/projects to better direct effort and Housatonic River in part funding; because it is flat and less developed and in part „ streamline the permitting process of individual projects by providing a preliminary because it is beautiful. review of environmental impacts; Individuals and families who use the route will „ accelerate the creation of a Greenway by advancing individual projects through become good stewards of planning and into the design and pre-construction phases; and the river.”

„ attract funds from other public and private sources, which have to potential to be ‐ Sandi Stowe leveraged 20-fold to secure appropriations for project final design, construction, and of Lenox ongoing maintenance.

Once implemented, the Beaded Necklace Housatonic Greenway would provide numerous environmental, social, and economic benefits. From our experience and as Page 13

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. – Proposal for a Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway

presented in HVA’s plan, creation of the Greenway would likely provide the following benefits:

„ stimulate widespread participation and partnerships by bringing river users and property owners together under a collective endeavor to preserve and maintain the Housatonic watershed;

„ help preserve the diversity of plant and animal species by maintaining and linking the biological corridors between natural communities;

„ help protect the quantity and quality of water, a natural resource vital to people, plants and wildlife, by providing a buffer to runoff and erosion associated with settled areas;

„ provide an interactive, physical link with the natural world via increased outdoor recreational opportunities like bike paths and canoe launches that make it easier for a greater range of people to engage themselves;

„ promote public health through and the ideal outdoor “facility” of a bikeway/greenway, in the midst of clean, safe environs as the Housatonic recuperates;

„ provide alternate transportation routes that connect people, communities, and the countryside, and which are commonly safer and less plagued by vehicle emissions;

„ improve the quality of life, enhance property values, and soften urban and suburban areas with ribbons of green landscape;

„ direct development and growth away from important natural resource areas and risky, flood-prone areas by encouraging appropriate uses for appropriate places; and

„ serve as outdoor classrooms to encourage stewardship of the land through universal signage and prove that mixed use of the land can be a highly successful objective and result when planned with care.

Regarding this last benefit, the process of creating a comprehensive Master Plan is in itself an immensely valuable exercise of public education. It teaches people about what they have—the Housatonic River--and makes them see how they are connected to it and other communities that use it as well. The health of the Housatonic needs the engaged stewardship and shared responsibility of all citizens of the watershed. This goal is largely dependent upon the provision of tools for engagement in a variety of places; given one critical tool, sufficient public access, educated citizens will exhibit increased interest and stewardship through trail maintenance, interpretative hikes, canoe trips, volunteer clean- ups, and school field trips. The desire to realize greater long-term stewardship and as many related benefits as possible will guide the preparation of the Master Plan throughout its development.

Page 14

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. – Proposal for a Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway

C.3 Implementation Plan

A) IMPLEMENTATION APPROACH

The overarching goal is to use a Master Planning process as a vehicle to bring an array of projects that could compose the Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway from “I use the river feasibility to fruition. These projects will help bring people back to the river and improve regularly. Access is the the aesthetics of the riverbank in certain sections. The implementation plan within the number one problem.” Master Plan for the Greenway will serve as a transition into design and permitting, which will lead to construction. The outreach and education component of the Master ‐ Charles Zuber Plan will foster support and continued interest in the Housatonic River and its resources. of Lenox

Our team’s proposed Master Plan builds on the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR, the agency formerly known as the Department of Environmental Management) Greenway Vision Project, which established recommendations to ultimately create a unified greenway network throughout Massachusetts for generations to come. The DCR’s state-wide recommendations were:

ƒ Protect and promote long-distance trail corridors as primary spines of the Massachusetts Greenway and Trail System.

ƒ Protect critical river corridors and their tributaries statewide.

ƒ Strategically link important natural and human communities.

ƒ Create a cross-state multi-use trail reaching from to the Berkshires.

ƒ ‘Trail bank’ unused rail corridors and work to gain public access to utility corridors.

ƒ Assist the greenways and trails community with technical support and funding needed to establish a coordinated statewide greenway system.

ƒ Increase funding for greenways and trails.

Through the Berkshires, the DCR’s recommendations included:

ƒ Permanently protect, secure and buffer the region’s major long-distance trails.

ƒ Create links between the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and the Taconic Trail System

ƒ Create greenway corridors that strategically link protected open spaces.

ƒ Create and protect the Housatonic River Greenway.

ƒ Complete the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail and support efforts to create a north-south bikeway from Vermont to Connecticut. ƒ Create a protected greenway corridor along the .

The Beaded Necklace vision will strive toward a linked greenway network with designated areas for small river parks and limited trails that would create only a discrete disruption of the wildlife, for example, within areas that have already been developed or Page 15

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. – Proposal for a Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway

areas that are already neglected and require clean-up efforts. A small trail placed in the right location goes a long way toward creating a meaningful contact with the river and its wildlife, but in a limited and sensitive way. Remediated sections of the river should also be eyed as potential sites for river trails. As shown in the proposed project schedule provided in Section C.8, VHB proposes a 24- month timeline for project completion. This study, given its broad area encompassing numerous Commonwealth communities, will need a consultant team of planners, engineers, environmental specialists, and bicycle experts who can meet the proposed 24- month schedule on budget. The VHB Team can meet this schedule because we are multi- disciplined and have all necessary resources readily available. VHB’s Watertown, Massachusetts headquarters employs more than 300 staff with the resources and depth of experience to complete the data collection efforts, reach out to the communities for their input, propose, evaluate and assess various recommendations, develop an action/implementation plan, and produce a Final Master Plan. Our graphic design and communications staff talents can be brought to bear on this effort as well as VHB’s Information Technology group which brings interactive web-based collaboration to the outreach process.

The most significant key to the success of this Master Plan lies in the project team’s ability, especially with the expertise of BRPC and BBPC, to listen effectively to the communities, the stakeholders, and the public, and to develop a plan that truly responds to their needs. There is no substitute for local knowledge. If the HRR process is an example, we anticipate that there will be passionate people who care about enhancing the trails, bikeways, and greenways in the Berkshires who will offer their knowledge of local terrain and natural processes to augment VHB’s research and planning work.

For implementation of this project, we recommend that the Massachusetts SubCouncil of the Housatonic River Natural Resource Trustees consider delegation of the management of this planning and design project to an appropriate state agency, such as the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) or the Massachusetts Highway Department (MHD). Both of these agencies have overseen similar bikeway/greenway projects, and are likely to be the conduits for any future federal or state funds for final design, permitting, and construction of Beaded Necklace projects. In particular, we suggest that the SubCouncil appoint a single Delegated Representative to serve as the point of contact for project implementation.

B) SCHEDULE

Our proposed 24-month Project Schedule is provided in Section C.8. We believe that by accomplishing several tasks concurrently, conducting rolling reviews of products, and communicating regularly any delays or unresolved issues, we can achieve the anticipated schedule and meet project goals and objectives. VHB’s Project Manager, Joe Wanat, P.E. will be the primary point of contact for this project and will also be responsible for careful budgeting, review of the schedule, and timely invoices with progress reports. We recognize that seamless execution of both the technical and administrative aspects of this assignment are critical to the successful completion of the overall project.

C) WORK PLAN

The VHB Team has prepared the following project approach consisting of nine primary tasks with deliverables identified under each task. A schedule for expected task

Page 16

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. – Proposal for a Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway

durations and key milestones is shown on the Project Schedule provided in Section C.8.. The major tasks are described over the following pages and include:

¾ Task 1 – Project Management and Coordination

¾ Task 2 – Project Initiation

¾ Task 3 – Data Collection: Document and Map Existing and Proposed Bicycle Facilities, Activity Nodes, Recreational/Tourism Activities, and Housatonic River Access Routes

¾ Task 4 – Constraint Assessment: Document and Map Environmental Resources, Right-of-Way, Topography, Structures

¾ Task 5 – Identify Alternatives: Identify, Assess, Screen, and Recommend Preferred Greenway Route Locations with Connections

¾ Task 6 – Refine Alternatives: Refine Recommendations, Conceptual Design, Identify Right-of-way (ROW) Issues, Develop Construction Costs, Establish Priorities, Jurisdiction

¾ Task 7 – Implementation Plan: Funding, Permitting, and Implementation Strategy for Recommendations

¾ Task 8 – Public Outreach and Education

¾ Task 9 – Documentation: Prepare Comprehensive Master Plan and Implementation Plan

¾ Task 1 – Project Management and Coordination

Project management and coordination will occur throughout the 24-month duration of the Master Plan. VHB’s designated Project Manager, Joe Wanat, P.E., will be responsible for the administrative and technical elements of the study. The Project Manager will ensure close coordination with the Delegated Representative of the Housatonic River Natural Resource Damages (NRD) Trustees, our project partners, and VHB’s staff. Throughout the study, appropriate materials will be made available through an Internet web site. VHB will develop and maintain the web site under the direction of the Delegated Representative. A project Steering Committee will be formed as part of this Task, coordinated by BRPC, and will include community representatives, selected stakeholders, representatives of DCR and MHD, SubCouncil representatives, the Delegated Representative, and the Project Team. VHB will organize a kick-off meeting/initial planning charette with the Steering Committee to set the course for the completion of the Master Plan. Task 1 consists of:

Study kick-off meeting/initial planning charette (with Steering Committee) Client coordination meetings (assumed to occur monthly or at key milestones) Client teleconferences (assumed to occur as needed) Internal team coordination meetings and conference calls (assumed to occur weekly) Project website establishment and maintenance (assumed to occur as needed) Client progress reports (envisioned to be prepared monthly)

Page 17

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. – Proposal for a Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway

Budget and schedule tracking with monthly updates to the client (assumed to occur monthly) Task 1 Meetings: Twenty-four (24) client coordination meetings occurring monthly or at key milestones; Internal team meetings as needed Task 1 Deliverables: Project website (updated as needed throughout the study); study progress reports (monthly); study budget and schedule updates (monthly)

¾ Task 2 – Project Initiation: Develop a Statement of Purpose, Goals and Objectives, Identify Key Issues, Design Criteria, Evaluation Criteria, and Public Involvement Plan

Task 2 develops the framework for the Master Plan. The VHB Team, in coordination with the Delegated Representative, will develop a statement of purpose, goals and objectives for the study. Task 2 includes identifying key access issues, developing evaluation and design criteria, and advancing the public outreach plan for the study, including the following work elements: Study Purpose - Develop a clear and concise statement of purpose for the Master Plan with metrics for assessing the effectiveness of the Master Plan. Define goals, objectives, and evaluation criteria – The overarching goals and objectives include identifying projects that open access to the river and that improve the human interaction with this underutilized resource. Other goals include educating the public on environmental awareness, identifying projects that improve bank stabilization or clean-up undesirable segments or areas of the riverbank that have not been maintained. Accomplishing these goals through new or improved bikeways/greenways that connect to the river must be coordinated with the existing and planned bikeway/greenway efforts throughout the Berkshires. Identify key access issues, develop evaluation and design criteria - This task will involve documenting key river access issues including desirable links that do not currently exist and accessibility issues. This task also includes refining (as needed) the methodology used for evaluating the suitability of identified links for a bikeway/greenway. The VHB Team shall establish a suitability model, such as the Federal Highway Administrations (FHWA’s) Bicycle Compatibility Index or Bicycle Level of Service (BLOS), building on BRPC’s previous work, for the purposes of assessing the appropriateness of roadways for bicycle travel. Design criteria for both on-road and off-road facilities will be proposed. Finally, engineering design criteria (such as maximum grades) needed to advance recommended bikeway/trail segments to 10 percent conceptual design will be determined in this task. Develop a public outreach plan for the study –The VHB Team will meet with the Delegated Representative to establish a public involvement plan for the study, including a schedule of internal and external meetings over the course of the 24- month study. The schedule submitted with this proposal provides our initial thoughts on the number and timing of key meetings throughout the study. We have identified a total of fourteen (14) meetings throughout the study, including four (4) Public Outreach Meeting and ten (10) Stakeholder Outreach Meetings. We are committed to working with the Delegated Representative to finalize the meeting schedule and adjust the number of meetings as necessary. Prepare draft study chapter – The VHB Team will prepare a draft study chapter that summarizes Task 2 efforts. A draft chapter will be submitted to the Delegated Representative in hardcopy format, and the draft study chapter will be provided electronically (in PDF format). VHB will incorporate Delegated Representative comments and reissue the revised study chapter as part of the draft Master Plan. Up Page 18

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. – Proposal for a Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway

to thirty (30) copies will be produced for use by the Delegated Representative and the Steering Committee. Task 2 Meetings: Included in Tasks 1 and 8 Task 2 Deliverables: Draft memoranda summarizing study purpose, goals, objectives, evaluation criteria, and public outreach plan; draft study chapter (30 copies)

¾ Task 3 – Data Collection: Document and Map Existing and Proposed Bicycle Facilities, Activity Nodes, Recreational/Tourism Activities, and Housatonic River Access Routes

Task 3 involves identifying gaps in the existing river access and opportunities to integrate and link existing and planned bikeway/greenway connections to the river. Existing and planned activity nodes along the river, such as recreational areas and boat launches (such as at John Decker and Woods Pond) will be identified and mapped. Existing public access routes to the river will be identified and mapped. Available information on existing historic resources along the river will be collected by reviewing Massachusetts Historical Commission data, National Register files, and other readily available sources. This task will involve referencing and mapping the documented bicycle paths and roadway characteristics available in the following MassGIS datalayers: MassHighway Department Roads Datalayer (October 2003), which contains roadway link characteristics (traffic volume; jurisdiction; functional classification; paved widths; curb type; sidewalk widths; speed limit). Bicycle Trails (September 2004) Datalayer, which represents trails that all permit bicycle travel or corridors with conversion potential, including trail name and status (existing, unimproved, on-road connection, underway, considered, potential connection) owner and jurisdiction contact information. Long Distance Trails (July 1999) Datalayer, which is line coverage delineating trails that are longer than 25 miles that were digitized from paper maps, most coming directly from USGS Topographic Quadrangles.

Task 3 includes the following work elements: Compile existing maps, plans, points of contact, and other relevant studies (to be identified during the project kick-off meeting); develop a bibliography. Collect color aerial imagery (including pictometry if available from the Commonwealth) along the river within the study area. Develop GIS base mapping/databases including existing and planned bikeways and greenways, environmental resources, right-of-way bounds, tourism nodes, roadway geometric data (for the suitability evaluation), topography, and land uses. The effort will rely on existing MassGIS information and will not involve ground survey. Collect available data on existing historic resources along the river by reviewing Massachusetts Historical Commission data, National Register files, and other readily available sources

Page 19

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. – Proposal for a Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway

Conduct a field review along the river and assemble a photo journal. Key access issues and a characterization of nearby activities will be identified along with priority areas or concern. Assemble relevant educational and environmental stewardship plans/reports that are appropriate for the Housatonic River. Compile access issues that have been identified by residents and stakeholders through the public outreach effort. Prepare draft study chapter – The VHB Team will prepare a draft study chapter that summarizes Task 3 efforts including GIS maps and data summaries. A draft chapter will be submitted to the Delegated Representative in hardcopy format, and the draft study chapter will be provided electronically (in PDF format). VHB will incorporate Delegated Representative comments and reissue the revised study chapter as part of the draft Master Plan. Up to thirty (30) copies will be produced for use by the Delegated Representative and the Steering Committee. Task 3 Meetings: Included in Tasks 1 and 8 Task 3 Deliverables: Draft study chapter (30 copies)

¾ Task 4 – Constraint Assessment: Document and Map Environmental Resources, Zoning, Right-of-Way, Topography, Structures

Based on the data and analysis results from Task 3, the VHB Team will identify a set of project constraints related to environmental resources such as wetland delineation, rare and endangered species; engineering constraints such as existing infrastructure, topography of the area, and bikeway/trail design criteria; and land use constraints such as neighboring businesses and residences and zoning requirements; and other factors as appropriate. Engineering feasibility will be based on applicable guidelines such as MassHighway’s Project Development and Design Guide, the AASHTO Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities, and the US Forest Services draft Universal Access to Outdoor Recreation: A Design Guide. The constraints will be reviewed with the Delegated Representative and the Steering Committee.

The VHB Team will prepare a draft study chapter that summarizes Task 4 efforts with GIS constraint maps. A draft chapter will be submitted to the Delegated Representative in hardcopy format, and the draft study chapter will be provided electronically (in PDF format). VHB will incorporate Delegated Representative comments and reissue the revised study chapter as part of the draft Master Plan. Up to thirty (30) copies will be produced for use by the Delegated Representative and the Steering Committee.

Task 4 Meetings: Included in Tasks 1 and 8 Task 4 Deliverables: Draft study chapter (30 copies)

¾ Task 5 – Identify Alternatives: Identify, Assess, Screen, and Recommend Preferred Greenway Route Locations with connections Task 5 involves identifying, assessing, screening feasible bikeway/greenway route locations. The criteria developed under Task 2, and the conditions and constraints defined under Tasks 3 and 4, will be used to guide the assessments and preliminary screening toward recommendations. One or more public meetings will be held during this Task. Page 20

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. – Proposal for a Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway

For on-road facilities, the available pavement width and condition, grades, traffic mix, functional classification, volumes and speeds will likely factor heavily into the evaluation “It seems that you ought scoring. Proposed bikeway alignments relative to major activity generators such as to be able to see the river, residential neighborhoods, parking lots, schools, recreational facilities and employment to have access to that centers shall also factor into the assessment. Bikeway alignments that enhance and peace and quiet. It’s a compliment the goals of local master plans, state park plans and other local, state, and beautiful river. Have a regional efforts shall receive favorable evaluation. bikeway along it, as long as it can be done in an environmentally sound Since the project goal is to bring people back to the Housatonic River via the greenway in and safe way, so the selected locations, it can be anticipated that the greenway construction will have some bikeway is not wetland impact. These impacts could include encroachment into wetlands and/or filling obstructing anything. of river floodplain/floodway. Additionally, the Housatonic River is rich with sites of Bikeways ehave th added historic and archaeological interest. The need to incorporate scenic vistas and locations benefit of providing more of historic significance to enhance the experience of the greenway will be considered. access, including handicapped access. The VHB Team will prepare a draft study chapter that summarizes Task 5 including the People who can’t walk range of projects considered, the screening methodology, and a draft of the can enjoy the river. recommended projects to be carried forward to conceptual design (where appropriate). A Obviously, we need to draft chapter will be submitted to the Delegated Representative in hardcopy format, and find a balance. I wouldn’t the draft study chapter will be provided electronically (in PDF format). VHB will want to create a bike path incorporate Delegated Representative comments and reissue the revised study chapter as in a way that would be to part of the draft Master Plan. Up to thirty (30) copies will be produced for use by the the detriment of the Delegated Representative and the Steering Committee. river.”

Task 5 Meetings: Included in Tasks 1 and 8 ‐ John Coster Task 5 Deliverables: Draft study chapter (30 copies)

¾ Task 6 – Refine Alternatives: Refine Recommendations, Conceptual Design, Identify ROW Issues, Develop Construction Costs, Establish Priorities, Jurisdiction

Task 6 involves refining and prioritizing the recommended Master Plan projects based on the feedback received during the public outreach and stakeholder outreach. Two selected projects will be progressed to the conceptual (10 percent) design level with typical sections, conceptual plans, bicycle suitability (for on-road facilities), right-of-way issues, environmental issues, costs, jurisdiction, and permitting requirements identified.

Task 6 will include prioritizing the recommended projects. Task 6 will also document the public benefits and the improved river access associated with each recommended project. Any bikeway construction not on publicly owned land will require some type of right-of- way (ROW) action, including temporary easements. Context sensitive design and construction techniques that minimize wetland impacts will be given priority. Structures, signs and pavement surfaces should blend into the surrounding environment and historic landscapes. The goal is to enhance the presence of the river’s resources rather than detract from them.

The VHB Team will prepare a draft study chapter that summarizes Task 6 efforts including the refinements that were made along with conceptual (10 percent) plans where appropriate. A draft chapter will be submitted to the Delegated Representative in hardcopy format, and the draft study chapter will be provided electronically (in PDF format). VHB will incorporate Delegated Representative comments and reissue the revised study chapter as part of the draft Master Plan. Up to thirty (30) copies will be Page 21

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. – Proposal for a Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway

produced for use by the Delegated Representative and the Steering Committee. Plan sets of the conceptual project designs will be submitted to the Designated Representative as part of Task 9.

Task 6 Meetings: Included in Tasks 1 and 8 Task 6 Deliverables: Draft study chapter (30 copies)

¾ Task 7 – Implementation Plan: Funding, Permitting, and Implementation Strategy for Recommendations

The proposed Master Plan will anticipate that the recommended network will be comprised of a series of projects some of which must eventually be incorporated into the state’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) process for project development and funding. The goal of the Implementation Plan is to ensure that the Master Plan recommendations are carried forward from feasibility to fruition. The Implementation Plan will identify funding mechanisms and local champions who will likely support, monitor progress, and lobby for the funding and construction of the recommendations.

For each project recommended, the VHB Team will define jurisdiction of the project (who is responsible for carrying the project forward), key issues to be resolved from the conceptual design (such as right-of-way acquisition), conceptual costs, and potential funding sources.

VHB will identify both ‘stand alone’ projects that can be funded by Transportation Enhancements, or similar sources, as well as a process for integrating bicycle facilities into routine TIP projects as part of a “Complete Streets” policy approach. Every year, the thirteen MPOs throughout Massachusetts update their regional TIP. Transportation agencies such as MassHighway cannot use federal funds for a project unless the MPO includes it in its TIP. The region’s TIP must be consistent with the long-range regional transportation plan for the state. To aid in the selection of projects, The MPOs use evaluation criteria to evaluate projects for inclusion in the TIP. The use of evaluation criteria makes the transportation decision-making process more objective and transparent. The State Transportation Improvement Program is by definition a compilation of the thirteen regional TIPs. Involvement by BRPC in this project will assure that Beaded Necklace projects receive full consideration for TIP inclusion.

ISTEA and TEA-21 brought important changes for bicycling nationally, and the recent reauthorization of the federal transportation program (SAFETEA-LU) provides continued support and potential new programs. New initiatives have been developed including Safe Routes to Schools, Bicycle Accommodation Legislation, Bicycle Friendly Communities, “Complete Streets” Policies and Active Living by Design. The VHB Team has been fully engaged in these efforts. The VHB Team brings staff intimately involved with Federal-level bicycle planning and safety evaluation. VHB staff currently provides on-site technical support to the Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Program within the FHWA’s Office of Safety.

Other potential federal, state, local, and private sector funding sources, such as bond bills and development mitigation funds, will be identified as part of Task 7.

Page 22

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. – Proposal for a Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway

The VHB Team will prepare a draft study chapter that summarizes the Implementation Plan. A draft chapter will be submitted to the Delegated Representative in hardcopy format, and the draft study chapter will be provided electronically (in PDF format). VHB will incorporate Delegated Representative comments and reissue the revised study chapter as part of the draft Master Plan. Up to thirty (30) copies will be produced for use by the Delegated Representative and the Steering Committee.

Task 7 Meetings: Included in Tasks 1 and 8 Task 7 Deliverables: Draft study chapter (30 copies)

¾ Task 8 – Public Outreach and Education

Public outreach, involvement, and education are critical elements of the Master Plan. Past experience has demonstrated that the success of many projects is largely determined by the effectiveness of the public outreach effort. The VHB Team recognizes that this is not merely a study that identifies, evaluates, and documents river access routes. Rather, this is a study process that must culminate in an action plan that is supported by the individual cities, towns, elected officials, state and federal agencies, environmentalists, and bicycling and public health advocates. The key to the long-term success of the Master Plan is to adhere to an open and inclusive process for planning the Greenway; this will ensure that the recommendations are championed across the region on multiple levels.

The overarching goal of the Master Plan involves identifying projects or initiatives that reconnect people to the river on many different levels. Physically, the Master Plan projects will identify opportunities to open access to the river in appropriate locations by creating a bikeway/greenway. This includes improved accessibility for all users, added amenities, connections to existing and planned boat launches and recreational activities, historical markers, etc. In addition to creating physical links, the Master Plan includes initiatives that educate people on river history and etiquette so that this resource can be fully appreciated now and in the future. The educational element of the Master Plan is based on the values of environmental stewardship.

Public outreach and community consensus-building will be coordinated by BRPC and supported by BBPC, with full VHB involvement. Where possible, meetings to discuss the Beaded Necklace planning process will be coordinated with meetings of existing groups. For example, if HRI holds a Riverfest event next year, presenting material on the project at a table would be an excellent public outreach opportunity.

Task 8 is comprised of the following:

Public Outreach Meetings – A total of four (4) public outreach meetings occurring at key milestones throughout the Master Plan. Given the size of the study area, meetings covering the same material may occur in two locations to be identified. Printed information will be distributed at the meetings.

Stakeholder Outreach Meetings – Throughout the Master Plan, targeted stakeholder outreach meetings will occur in study area communities. These stakeholder outreach meetings will allow local citizens, planners, river advocates, politicians, state agencies, and other key groups to voice their desires for projects to be identified

Page 23

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. – Proposal for a Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway

throughout the Master Plan. Up to ten (10) stakeholder outreach meetings are envisioned to occur throughout the 24-month project.

Project Newsletters – Three (3) project newsletters will be prepared at key milestones throughout the study and distributed to key public buildings throughout the study area. A total of up to two thousand (2,000) copies of each newsletter will be printed and distributed. The newsletter will also be posted on the project website and distributed by email .

Public Email Updates – As needed, VHB will disseminate project updates and educational information via email. VHB will work with the Designated Representative and project partners to establish and update an email distribution list.

Task 8 Meetings: Four (4) Public Outreach Meetings; Ten (10) Stakeholder Outreach Meetings; Task 8 Deliverables: Informational materials for the Public Outreach Meetings and Stakeholder Outreach Meetings, Three (3) project newsletters; email updates.

¾ Task 9 – Documentation: Prepare Comprehensive Master Plan & Implementation Plan

VHB will prepare a draft Master Plan report consisting of revised versions of the report chapters developed under Tasks 2 through 8. An introductory chapter discussing the recommended projects and the overall vision of the study as developed in Task 2, an executive summary, and appendices will be included. The draft Master Plan will be provided to the Designated Representative for review and comment. Summary information will be extracted into a PowerPoint presentation appropriate for public meetings.

Following receipt of comments, the VHB Team will prepare a final Master Plan for approval by the Designated Representative. Upon approval, VHB will prepare 100 hard copies of the full report and distribute it as directed by the Designated Representative, including copies to the Steering Committee. VHB will prepare 250 hard copies of the Master Plan Executive Summary with a CD of the full report, and distribute it as directed by the Designated Representative. The final report will also be made available on the project website in Adobe Acrobat format. All electronic files (Word, PowerPoint, GIS data layers, etc.) used to print the final report will be provided to the Designated Representative on CD(s). VHB will prepare 10 copies of the conceptual designs for the two Beaded Necklace sections and distribute as directed by the Designated Representative.

Task 9 Meetings: None

Task 9 Deliverables: Draft Master Plan (2 Copies); Final Master Plan (100 copies); Master Plan Executive Summary with full report on CD (250 copies); PowerPoint presentation; all electronic files in PDF format on CDs; conceptual designs (10 copies).

Page 24

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. – Proposal for a Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway

D) REQUIRED AGREEMENTS

Because this proposal is for a Master Plan, there are no property access agreements, “The Ashuwillticook has easements, rights-of-way, or other agreements needed to complete the Master Plan. to be the single most Rather, a critical component of the Master Plan involves an Implementation Plan, which significant resource we will identify right-of-way issues, funding, and other implementation issues needed to have provided to those bring the recommended projects to fruition. communities in years. I cannot overstate the E) SUSTAINABILITY enthusiasm for that trail. It’s not just people riding bicycles. It’s older people The sustainability and long-term effectiveness of the Master Plan depends upon the walking with their quality of the work performed. The plan is not intended to sit on a shelf, but to provide a grandchildren; it’s people blueprint for implementation. The extensive public outreach component of the Master on wheelchairs, people on Plan will help ensure that the potential project stakeholders are involved, and the rollerblades, people implementation plan will seek to identify champions for each recommended action. The taking walks with their long-term effectiveness and sustainability of the recommendations emerging from the families. Providing Master Plan are further reinforced by the involvement of the regional planning agency, immediate, meaningful BRPC, and the regional bike advocacy group, the Berkshire Bike Path Council, on our access to this river is study team, and the proposed involvement of the relevant state agencies, DCR and really critical to what we MHD, on the Steering Committee. do here.”

F) INTEGRATION ‐ Senator Andrea Nuciforo The nature of this proposed Master Plan, coupled with the extensive public outreach component that has been incorporated throughout the Master Plan, ensures that recommendations are coordinated and integrated with other ongoing or planned restoration activities. Moreover, the presence of the regional planning agency, BRPC, and the regional bike advocacy group, the Berkshire Bike Path Council on the study team further emphasizes the extensive coordination and integration that will occur throughout the Master Plan.

G) COORDINATION

The nature of this proposed Master Plan, coupled with the extensive public outreach component that has been incorporated throughout the Master Plan along with the presence of the regional planning agency (BRPC) on the team, will ensure that the project is aligned with the goals, needs, and/or recommendations in existing plans. There are no other similar on-going Master Plans that would make this proposal redundant. Moreover, broad community and state agency involvement on the Steering Committee will assure good project coordination.

C.4 Land Acquisition Projects

Because this proposal is for a Master Plan, there are no actions or measures required to acquire land or arrange land easements at this time. However, all appropriate consideration of and consultation with adjacent property owners will be performed over the course of the project, particularly as coordinated with other NRD Fund-supported projects that would become included within or near the proposed Beaded Necklace greenway.

Page 25

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. – Proposal for a Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway

C.5 Technical Feasibility

This project is clearly technically feasible. Producing a Master Plan with a detailed feasibility study, extensive public input, and the aim of identifying additional funding can be accomplished; VHB has brought dozens of bike path and similar recreational projects through design, over the challenging threshold of public acceptability and into sufficient funding to give communities projects that have become central their identities, including the Capital-to-Capital Bike Path along Route 5 in Virginia, the Bike Path in Rhode Island, and the Norwottuck Rail Trail in Amherst and Northampton, Massachusetts. All of these projects are highly popular and hence effective in achieving their objectives. The Capital-to-Capital and Blackstone projects are approximately the same length as the proposed Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway— approximately 50 miles long—and cover both densely populated and rural areas with minimal disturbance to established neighborhoods or pristine natural areas. The eventual physical implementation of the recommendations made in our proposed Master Plan is by no means an easy feat, and will take well over a decade to complete, but it is within the ability of our team to achieve. Please refer to the summaries of other projects of similar scope and scale provided in the Supporting Materials section of this proposal, and to Section C.3 for an explanation of how we plan on using established methods to achieve the planning and design tasks put forth in this proposal.

C.6 Evaluation & Contingency Plan

Our proposal for the Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway Master Plan does not fit neatly with the RFR requirements for this section in that the plan in and of itself will not immediately result in “on the ground” physical improvements that can be directly measured. Given the unique nature of our proposal, we suggest the following metrics be used to judge its progress and success as it moves forward.

1) Completion of the Final Master Plan and interim deliverables. Our proposal calls for a number of deliverables leading up to the submittal of the final Master Plan, including the following:

Task 2 - Memoranda summarizing study purpose, goals, objectives, evaluation criteria, and public outreach plan. Task 3 – Summary of existing conditions inventory Task 4 – Constraint Mapping Tasks 5 and 6 - Results of Screening Analyses Task 7 – Draft Implementation Plan Task 8 – Public Outreach Materials Task 9 – Final Master Plan The on-time submittal and content approval by the Designated Representative of the Massachusetts SubCouncil of these materials could be used as a metric to judge the adequacy and progress of the study as it moves forward.

2) Endorsement of the Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway Master Plan by the appropriate local, regional, and state agency officials. An appropriate measure of the success of the project will be how well it is received by the public and by the agencies Page 26

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. – Proposal for a Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway

that will ultimately be involved in carrying out the recommendations of the plan. In time we would expect the Master Plan to be endorsed by watershed municipalities and state agencies, including DCR and MassHighway. The VHB Team, with assistance from the Designated Representative, will seek these endorsements prior to the release of the Final draft of the plan so that they could be included in it.

3) Incorporation of the Master Plan Recommendations into Official Local and Statewide Plans. The true test of project success will be if the recommendations in the Master Plan are incorporated into agency programs for funding and implementation. The Master Plan will include an implementation plan that identifies likely project proponents and funding mechanisms. The ultimate measure of the Master Plan will be whether the specific projects it identifies are ultimately constructed.

C.7 Qualifications of Applicant and Project Team

Technical Capacity The Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway’s project team is led by VHB, which is “The restoration process staffed with by professionals with a wealth of experience in intermodal transportation should build upon the planning and design. Currently, VHB is involved in bicycle and pedestrian projects in existing corridor in New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Virginia, and creative ways. A bicycle Florida. The summary list of Bicycle and Pedestrian Projects Completed by VHB, path does not have to run provided in Section C.8, is a representation of VHB’s experience with comparable along the river bank the endeavors. Many of the team members proposed for the Beaded Necklace Greenway entire way but can keep a contributed to the listed projects. Their anticipated roles for this project are depicted in respectful distance. In the Team Organization chart in Section C.8. Resumes for our team’s key staff, including some urban settings, VHB and BRPC personnel, are presented in the Supporting Materials section. bicycle boardwalks have been built with Bicyclists and pedestrians—you see them everywhere, but often in not the safest of observation posts places, such as on city streets, busy intersections, and unmarked country paths. VHB’s overlooking the river. staff is working hard with others, including municipalities and state agencies to improve People have respected bike/ped mobility and safety every day. As a transportation planning firm, VHB is these facilities.” unique because it has a dedicated corporate Bicycle/Pedestrian Team (“Bike/ped Team”) of specialists who meet regularly to discuss related issues and bring the most ‐ Russ Cohen, rivers current, creative, and cost-effective solutions to our clients. The complexity of our advocate for the projects is streamlined by our integrated services approach; VHB’s in-house bikeway and Massachusetts Division bridge designers, landscape architects, transportation planners, and environmental of Fisheries and Wildlife scientists are accustomed to working together to embrace the challenge of accommodating the multitude of users our clients seek to benefit. This “cross- pollination” of abilities between areas of expertise has enabled VHB’s Bike/ped Team to take on many projects very similar to the proposed Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway in scope, scale, and objectives, including determination of the most efficient use of limited project funding resources and the design of environmentally sensitive and sustainable projects.

For example, the Blackstone Bike Path, a 20-mile system running both on- and off-road from Rhode Island to Massachusetts, is ultimately planned to extend to Worcester, MA. VHB developed a phased construction plan to implement the RI portion of the plan. The linked projects are an integral feature of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor managed under the auspices of the National Park Service. For the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission’s Regional Greenway in Virginia, VHB

Page 27

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. – Proposal for a Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway

defined a conceptual network of greenways and blueways in the region to provide both local and regional trail connections. The project was based on a series of local visioning workshops in each of the district’s localities, coordination with a regional advisory committee, and documentation of field observations. As further demonstration of VHB’s expertise, our Bike/ped Team’s trail planners and engineers have been involved in the planning and design of various sections to be included in the , which was designated as a National Millennium Trail in 1999 (see http://www.greenway.org/greenway.htm#target).

These projects and others, including those listed in Section C.8 and described in the Supplementary Materials section, have been praised for their technical, environmental, and socio-economic attributes on numerous occasions. The Blackstone Bike Path won the American Trails 2002 National Trails Planning/Design Award, and in 2005, VHB was presented with the East Coast Greenway Alliance’s Corporate Friend of the Year Award for our ongoing support. Just north of Massachusetts, VHB’s Sheldon Transportation Path and Bridge Project received the 2003 American Council of Engineering Companies-Vermont (ACEC-VT) Award of Merit, which was followed by the same award in 2004 for our Newbury Cross Vermont Trail project. The latter project is also a designated National Recreation Trail. VHB’s master plan and half-dozen completed bike trails on Island were nominated for national recognition that award co-sponsors, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the National Education Association describe as for: “projects that exemplify the highest standards of design and have made an outstanding contribution to the nation’s transportation systems and the people they serve.” Technical skills are critical to safe and enduring projects, which is why VHB has been part of the Commonwealth’s planning process to implement statewide bicycle and pedestrian programs. One such task included VHB’s preparation of the Massachusetts Highway Department’s first Statewide Bicycle Transportation Plan. This long-range system plan identified policies and practices to improve bicycling conditions in the Commonwealth; a key element was an early action implementation plan.

The Berkshire Regional Planning Commission will augment VHB’s planning capabilities in Massachusetts with its localized planning knowledge, agency connections, and expertise in coordinating public consensus-building meetings in the Berkshires. VHB and BRPC are well-versed in the need to ensure that non-motorized transportation is synchronized with road-based systems. BRPC is designated as the staff for the Commonwealth’s Metropolitan Planning Organization under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991. As such, BRPC’s mission includes working toward the definition of solutions to area-wide transportation problems that cannot be resolved by member communities working alone.

BRPC has extensive experience assisting communities with planning and development related issues. The BRPC staff coordinates comprehensive Community Development Plans, including open space, master planning, smart growth, and preservation initiatives. Under a recent scenic byway initiative, BRPC developed maps for the Mount Greylock and the Mohawk Trail Scenic Byways that included evaluation of environmental constraints. Considering the many public works, community planning, and environmental planning roles that BRPC has assumed, VHB is especially pleased to be partnering with the Commission in its well-practiced capacity to organize public outreach activities in the Berkshires. BRPC regularly works with citizen advisory committees and municipal boards; prepares fact sheets, newsletters, flyers, and press releases; conducts surveys and interviews; and holds public and informational meetings. These capabilities are essential complements to the tasks outlined in Section C.3 of the Greenway proposal. Page 28

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. – Proposal for a Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway

As an organization dedicated to outdoor recreation in the county, the Berkshire Bike Path Council and its hundreds of active members will be important conduits of information about the proposed Greenway, suggested alignments, and local issues. As community meetings are held, BBPC can be counted upon to ensure local citizen involvement. At the same time, VHB and BRPC, with connections to other organizations and municipal officials, will assure a balanced and lively public process. Getting meaningful input from residents, providing clear, accessible information on our team’s planning and designing progress, and having a transparent process, is vital to the citizens of the Berkshires—the primary end-users of the Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway. The technical capacity of the Team, with the combined strengths of BRPC, BBPC, and VHB, is more than ample for this project.

Administrative Capacity Founded in Massachusetts in 1979, VHB is a full-service transportation, planning, and environmental services firm of over 800 professionals and over $100 million in annual revenue. An employee-owned company, VHB has the administrative capacity to manage large-scale projects of both regional and national scope. VHB has been responsible for multi-million dollar state and federal contracts, and our financial management and control systems are routinely reviewed. A separate project account will be established for this project, so that all expenditures can be tracked and audited. Regarding staff resources, in Massachusetts alone, VHB has over 400 experienced professionals. Our personnel are accustomed to working as a team; we do not have divisional boundaries between our groups or offices, which means that the planners, engineers, and environmental scientists located in VHB’s Springfield, MA, Boston, MA, Bedford, NH, Middletown, CT offices, and Watertown, MA headquarters are consistently available and committed to addressing our clients’ needs as needed. The project team staff assigned to this project however, will be dedicated to this project. Regarding outside technical expertise, between VHB’s own talented staff, including in-house GIS, Graphics, and Printing services, and the capabilities of our project partners, it is unlikely that additional resources will be required. VHB’s project partners, the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission and Berkshire Bike Path Council, also have administrative resources. In particular, BRPC is supported by grant funding, and is familiar with the administrative requirements of state funding. Both BRPC and BBPC are based in Pittsfield, MA, and will serve as local sources of project-related information. The project team organization chart is provided in the following Section C.8. The selected team is well-poised to work closely with the MA SubCouncil and its Designated Representative on this timely and broadly desired restoration project.

Page 29

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. – Proposal for a Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway

C.8 Supporting Technical Documentation

The following information has been provided to elaborate upon aspects of our proposal presented earlier in the Project Narrative. This includes the Project Schedule, Project Team Organization/Role Chart, and Summary Table of Bikeway/Greenway Projects Completed by. VHB. In addition, the reviewer is welcome to see some examples of some of our proposed project outputs—a bikeway feasibility study and Master Plan. To access this information, please go to: http://www.vhb.com/housatonic/.

Page 30

Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway Proposed Project Schedule

Year 1 Year 2

Months 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Notice to Proceed Notice to Proceed

Task 1 - Project Management and Kick-off Meeting Coordination

Task 2 - Project Initiation Develop a Statement of Purpose, Goals and Objectives, Identify Key Issues, Design Criteria, Evaluation Criteria, and Public Involvement Plan

Task 3 - Data Collection Document and Map Existing and Proposed Bicycle Facilities, Activity Nodes, Recreational/ Tourism Activities, and Housatonic River Access Routes

Task 4 - Constraint Assessment Document and Map Environmental Resources, Right-of-Way, Topography, Structures

Task 5 - Identify Alternatives Identify, Assess, Screen, and Recommend Preferred Greenway Route Locations with connections

Task 6 - Refine Alternatives Refine Recommendations, Conceptual Design, Identify ROW Issues, Develop Construction Costs, Establish Priorities, Jurisdiction

Task 7 - Implementation Plan Funding, Permitting, and Implementation Strategy for Recommendations

Task 8 - Public Outreach and Education

Task 9 - Documentation Prepare Comprehensive Master Plan and Implementation Plan

Public Outreach Meeting (4)

Stakeholder Outreach Meeting (10)

81003org.indd Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway Team Organization

Executive Office of Environmental Affairs

Housatonic River Natural Resource Damages Fund - Massachusetts SubCouncil Project Steering Committee Grant Administrator

Principal-in-Charge Project Manager Technical Advisors/ Leo Pierre Roy, LEED AP Joseph Wanat, P.E. QAQC Ruth Bonsignore, P.E. William DeSantis, P.E. Greg Bakos, P.E.

Public Outreach & Conceptual Design, GIS / Suitability Consensus-Building Engineering & ROW Analysis, Mapping, Cartography Leo Pierre Roy, LEED AP Mike Servetas, P.E. Communications Oversight Conceptual Engineering Larry Capriotti, RGIS Cartography, Recreational Nat Karns, AICP - BRPC Dan Nabors, P.E. Map Development Agency/Community Liason Pedestrian/Bicycle Safety Dan Boudreau, RGIS Tom Matuszko, AICP - BRPC Mark Colgan, P.E. ArcGIS, Constraint Agency/Community Liason Structural Engineering Mapping, Suitability Analysis Marjorie Cohan - BBPC Educational Collaboration/ Community Liason

Planning, Preliminary Environmental Funding Permitting & ROW Resource Assessment Development

Stephen O’Neill, P.E. Dave Hewett John Bechard, P.E. Alternatives Identification/ NEPA/MEPA Permitting Fund Progamming & Evaluation Strategy Gene Crouch Matt Chase, P.E. Ecological Evaluation Leo Pierre Roy, LEED AP Transportation Planning Fund Progamming Jeff Peterson, CPSS, CPESC Laura Castelli, E.I.T. Ecological Evaluation Planning/Alternatives Rita Walsh Historic/Cultural Resource Assessment

BRPC – Berkshire Regional Planning Commission BBPC – Berkshire Bike Path Council ROW – Right-of-Way 81003org.indd BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN PROJECTS COMPLETED BY VHB

Project Project Location Length (miles) Critical Issues Kendall Spur Greenway Linear Trail Windham, CT 2 Pedestrian, bike, vehicle conflicts, residential impacts, scenic integrity Ormond Beach Sidewalk & Bikeway Program City of Ormond, FL 5.5 Pedestrian & bike lane improvements to 19 streets Grassy Key Bicycle Path Grassy Key, FL 5 Sensitive environmental area, right of way constraints Pinellas Trail - Florida Power Extension Pinellas County, FL 20.6 Five major bridge crossings, 40 at-grade crossings North Hancock Road/South Lake Trail Lake County, FL 2 Tunnels, links to trails and sites Solivita, Poinciana Polk County, FL 6 3200 acre active adult community with 150 acres, manmade lakes, walking trails and pedestrian bridges City of Edgewood Master Plan City of Edgewood, FL 1.3 Pedestrian & bike lane improvement Bicycle Path Enhancement Project Miami Springs, FL 5 Right-of-way constraints Old Lake Wilson Road/CR 545 Osceola County, FL 5 Incorporation of bike path and pedestrian facilities with a six-lane raodway widening project Palatka Multi-use Trail FDOT District 2, FL 6 Connects two trailheads; rail trail; major river crossing Dairy Road Pedestrian Bridge Titusville, Brevard County, FL NA Construction of bridge over live traffic on I-95 Norwottuck Rail Trail Amherst, Northampton, 9 Community acceptance, multiuse, bridges Hadley, MA Amherst/UMass Bikeway Connector Amherst, MA 2 Community acceptance, right-of-way, coordination to meet existing path Yankee Doodle Bike Path Billerica, Bedford, MA 7.5 Major highway crossing, abutter concerns, storm water management East-West Bikeway Rail with Trail Bourne to Dennis, MA 23 Co-existence of a trail with an active railroad Route 6A Bicycle Accommodation Study Bourne to Orleans, MA 35 Strategies to accommodate bicycles on scenic byway Harvard University, Cambridge, MA NA Pedestrian, bicycle, vehicular conflicts Memorial Hall Transportation Study Chicopee River Bikeway Chicopee, MA 5 Safety, coordination with other paths Cape Cod Bikeway Trail Dennis, MA 1 Environmental Gages Way Bikeway Dennis, MA 1 Grade separation, land use, residential impacts Quequechan River Regional Bicycle Path Fall River, MA 2.5 Structure design, historic Old Colony Multipurpose Trail Mansfield, Norton, MA 6 Equestrian usage Statewide Bicycle Transportation Plan Massachusetts NA Interagency coordination, public involvement Mattapoisett Bikepath Mattapoisett, MA 4.7 Sensitive Control Area Bartlett Road Bicycle Path Nantucket, MA 0.5 Right-of-way constraints Cliff Road Bicycle Path Nantucket, MA 1 Rolling terrain Madaket Bicycle Path Nantucket, MA 5.2 Community acceptance, right-of-way, and multiuse Nantucket Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan Nantucket, MA NA In-town bikeway system Polpis Road Bicycle Path Nantucket, MA 8.1 Wetlands, archaeological resources, community acceptance Surfside Road Bicycle Path Extension Nantucket, MA 0.5 Multiuse, residential impact Orange-Athol Shared Roadway Bikeway Orange-Athol, MA 2.3 Multi-community Connecticut Riverwalk and Bikeway Springfield, Agawam, 11 Scenic integrity, wetlands Chicopee, MA Swansea Bicycle Path Swansea, MA 8 MHD design compatibility Project Project Location Length (miles) Critical Issues Safe Routes to School Pilot Program Nashua, NH NA School access plans; programs to encourage Arlington, MA bicycling and walking to school Taunton Bikepath Taunton, MA 7.2 Sensitive environment, drainage, multiple bridge structures Watertown Community Path Watertown, MA 1 Coordination with other transportation improve- ments and access to the path by abutters Columbia River Greenway Westfield, MA 3.2 Safety through downtown, multiple bridge structures North Dennis Road Bicycle Path Yarmouth, MA 2.1 Long bicycle underpath (tunnel) Yarmouth Regional Bicycle Path Yarmouth, MA 6 Right-of-way constraints Carriage Road and Bridge Rehabilitation Acadia National Park, 50 Historic preservation, aesthetics Bar Harbor, ME Municipal Property Master Plan Duck, NC NA Public involvement, alternatives analysis, resource sensitivity Multi-modal Path Gorham, NH 2.5 Commute and recreation, emergency vehicle access, links to other trails, mixed vehicles Piscataquog Trailway, Phase 1 Manchester, NH 0.3 Set stardard for entire trail, community outreach Piscataquog Trailway, Phase 2 Manchester, NH NA Connects to Phase 1 Pedestrian School Route Evaluation Study Nashua, NH NA Safety of school aged children Portsmouth Pedestrian/Bicycle Path + Bridge Portsmouth, NH NA Structure design, multi-agency funding National Scenic Byway Corridor Oregon Coast Highway 363 Interjurisdiction coordination Management Plan Blackstone River Bikeway Providence to 21 Public involvement, historic preservation North Smithfield, RI Shoreline Bikeway Westerly, Charlestown, 18 Accommodating bicycles on existing roadways South Kingstown, RI Bennington Pathway Bennington, VT 1 On-road and off-road segments, connection to locations and other paths Sheldon Rail Trail Sheldon, VT NA Historic bridge restoration Bike and Pedestrian Path Essex Junction, VT 0.5 On-road facility, connect to other paths Old Colchester Road Cross Vermont Trail Newbury, VT 0.2 Constructed critical link under I-91 bridges Thomas Jefferson Planning District TJPD Region, VA NA Public involvement, multiple communities, historic Commission Greenways Corridor Plan preservation, accommodating bike/ped routes, greenway plan Belmont to Ferry Farm Heritage Trail Stafford County, VA 2 Trail connections, historic site coordination Northern Neck Heritage Trail Northern Neck counties, VA NA Cohesion for disparate tour site/route guides Route 5 Bikeway Feasibility Study Williamsburg to Richmond, VA 54 Historical issues, scenic integrity Statewide Bicycle Plan/Guidelines Virginia NA Interagency coordination, community instruction Route 17/Great Dismal Swamp Corridor Study Chesapeake, VA 6 Roadway reuse; land use White Stone Traffic Calming, White Stone. VA NA Historic sensitivity, roundabout Pedestrian Safety Access Lancaster Trail Lancaster County, VA NA Urban & rural sections, dangerous intersection King & Queen Heritage Gateways & Trails King & Queen County, VA NA Grant funding acquisition; accessibility Suffolk Multi-Modal Trail Suffolk, VA 8 Connections, at-grade active rail crossings West Point Riverwalk Trail & Historic West Point, VA 1 Enhancement funds, boardwalk, connectors Walking Tour East Coast Greenway Florida to Maine NA Graphic standards, state route maps Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. – Proposal for a Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway

D. Environmental and Socioeconomic Impacts

As a planning document, our proposed Beaded Necklace Housatonic Greenway Master “If I want to enjoy the Plan will in itself have no direct or indirect on environmental or socioeconomic impacts river, is there a list of and will not require any permits or approvals. places I can go? How do we get more people to the river to D.1 Impact Checklist enjoy it?”

‐ Pat Flinn of Stockbridge Please see attached lists. As a planning and design effort, no adverse environment impacts are expected, and no permits or approvals are required at this time. As Beaded Necklace projects move to further design and construction, impacts will be studied.

D.2 Impact Narrative

As a planning document, our proposed Beaded Necklace Housatonic Greenway Master Plan will in itself have no direct or indirect on environmental or socioeconomic impacts.

As part of the proposed master planning process, the environmental and social impacts the bikeway and associated river access projects, trails, etc., will be reviewed as part of the alternatives screening process. Each element of the plan will be reviewed individually for its specific impacts as will the overall plan for its cumulative impacts. In general, we would anticipate that a bikeway would have very minor environmental impacts and that any unavoidable impacts could be easily mitigated. There have been studies to indicate greenways have very beneficial social (e.g., recreational, health, educational, and community impacts) and economic impacts (e.g., increased property values, increased tourism, and commercial opportunities).

D.3 List of Permits and Regulatory Approvals Required

As a planning document, our proposed Beaded Necklace Housatonic Greenway Master Plan will in itself will not require any permits or approvals.

The Master Plan will include a full discussion of the permitting requirements for the proposed Greenway and will include a recommended strategy for the approach to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)/Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) process and other permitting programs (e.g., MA Wetlands Protection Act). The approach to the NEPA/MEPA process will depend on a number of factors including for example who is providing funding for the project (federal sources versus solely state and local), the timeframe for project implementation, and the types and levels of impacts anticipated. VHB has experts on the NEPA/MEPA process and have prepared literally hundreds of NEPA and MEPA documents including EISs, EAs, ENFs, and EIRs. Page 35

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. – Proposal for a Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway

The following permits and approvals could possibly be needed for implementation of the Master Plan’s recommendations.

Federal ƒ National Environmental Policy Act Clearance – if federal funding is used, either from the National Park Service or the Federal Highway Administration, the project would require NEPA clearance, likely in the form of an Environmental Assessment or possibly a series of Categorical Exclusions. ƒ Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act Clearance – would be required if the proposed project were to involve federal funding and impacted properties on or eligible for the National Register. ƒ Section 404 Permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – could possibly be required for wetland filling incidental to bikeway, trail, or canoe launch construction; would likely qualify for a Programmatic General Permit.

State ƒ Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) Clearance – may require the preparation of an Environmental Notification Form (ENF) if review thresholds are exceeded, and possibly an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). ƒ Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act – may require an Order of Conditions to be issued by local conservation commissions for wetland filling incidental to bikeway, trail, or canoe launch construction; a Variance from the Department of Environmental Protection could be required if wetland filling exceeded 5,000 square feet. ƒ Section 401 Water Quality Certification (WQC) – could possibly be required for wetland filling incidental to bikeway, trail, or canoe launch construction; would likely be received automatically with the issuance of an Order of Conditions by the local Conservation Commission

Page 36

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. – Proposal for a Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway

The MA SubCouncil will review the information provided and determine whether further information is required.

CHECKLIST: POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACTS

Project Name: Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway

Applicant: Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc., Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, Berkshire Bike Path Council

Minimal Significant Permit or Impact Adverse Adverse Beneficial Mitigation Approval Category Impact No Effect Impacts* Impacts* Impacts* Required* Required** Air quality impacts X

Instream flow impacts X

Surface water quality impacts X

Sediment quality impacts X

Soil quality impacts X

Groundwater quality impacts X

Wetlands quality and services X Diversity and abundance of aquatic X species

Environmental Diversity and abundance of terrestrial X wildlife species Diversity of plant communities X

Other: X

Other: X

Page 37

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. – Proposal for a Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway

The MA SubCouncil will review the information provided and determine whether further information is required.

CHECKLIST: POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACTS

Project Name: Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway

Applicant: Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc., Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, Berkshire Bike Path Council Minimal Significant Permit or Impact Adverse Adverse Beneficial Mitigation Approval Category Impact No Effect Impacts* Impacts* Impacts* Required* Required** Impacts on minority or low income X populations Impacts on local sense of community X and well being Impacts on aesthetics X

Impacts on public health or safety X

Impacts on recreational activity X Impacts to Native American Trust X Resources Impacts on non-Tribal cultural sites X

Social Social Impacts on education X

Impacts on local partnerships and X collaborative efforts Impacts on availability and quality of X drinking water Impact on subsistence activity X

Nuisance impacts X

Other: X

Page 38

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. – Proposal for a Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway

The MA SubCouncil will review the information provided and determine whether further information is required.

CHECKLIST: POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACTS

Project Name: Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway

Applicant: Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc., Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, Berkshire Bike Path Council

Minimal Significant Permit or Impact Adverse Adverse Beneficial Mitigation Approval Category Impact No Effect Impacts* Impacts* Impacts* Required* Required** Short-term commercial economic impact X of restoration action Impacts on property values X Impacts on recreational expenditures and X related businesses Impacts on existing resource-based X industries Impacts on commercial water users X Impacts on river-based commercial X

Economic navigation Impact on wastewater dischargers X Other: X Other: X

* Requires narrative discussion; see instructions in text. ** List and description of permits required; see instructions in text.

Page 39

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. – Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway

E. Project Budget

E.1 Budget Tables Please refer to the Project Budget Tables presented on the pages that follow the Budget Narrative.

E.2 Budget Narrative The project budget includes professional services from VHB and BRPC staff, printing costs, and travel and incidental expenses. Recognizing the importance of providing the greatest value to the Massachusetts SubCouncil for this project, in preparing this budget VHB has used its federally audited overhead rate and a profit of only 10%.

Definition of Expense Categories

Salaries Salaries were based upon rates in eight labor categories. The specific salary was applied for both the Principal in Charge (Leo Roy) and the Project Manager (Joe Wanat) while a total of 18 employee salaries were used to calculate an average rate for each of the remaining six categories. The rates applied for each category are shown in the table below.

Labor Category Average Salary Hours per Salary Cost by Labor Category Category Principal in Charge $67.50 346 $23,355 Project Manager $41.60 588 $24,461 Senior Technical Advisor $72.20 232 $16,750 Engineer $44.90 468 $21,013 Planner $43.10 816 $35,170 GIS/CADD Specialist $31.40 440 $13,816 Environmental Scientist $43.20 904 $38,239 Administrative Support $23.30 160 $3,712 Total 3,954 $176,516

Employee Benefits Employee benefits were calculated as 40 percent of salaries.

Contracted Services Contracted Services are those for the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. They were based upon a $75.00 per hour rate for that of a Senior Planner working 14 hours per week for 100 weeks, plus ten percent for senior oversight.

Page 41 Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. – Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway

Supplies, Materials ands Equipment This category includes printing costs, phone/fax, mail, and delivery costs.

Expense Category Cost

Printing $47,230 Phone/Fax $940 Mail/Deliveries $1,300

Travel This category includes personal vehicle mileage, tolls, lodging, and subsistence. Vehicle mileage was calculated using $0.445 per mile. Lodging was calculated at $50 per night, and subsistence was calculated at $35 per day ($10 breakfast, $10 lunch, $15 dinner).

Other This category includes the remainder of VHB’s overhead costs beyond that which is attributable to employee benefits (based upon our federally audited overhead rate of 148.5%) with a modest ten percent profit applied to labor and overhead. Therefore, the total multiplier on direct labor, including all overhead costs and profit is 2.73.

Page 42 Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. – Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway

PROJECT TITLE: Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway

APPLICANT NAME: Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc., Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, Berkshire Bike Path Council

FISCAL YEAR 1 FISCAL YEAR 2 FISCAL YEAR 3 FISCAL YEAR 4 EXPENSE CATEGORY Housatonic River Housatonic River Housatonic River Housatonic River NRD Funds NRD Funds NRD Funds NRD Funds

A. SALARIES $44,129 $88,258 $44,129 -

B. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS2 $17,652 $35,303 $17,652 -

C. CONTRACTED SERVICES3 $28,875 $57,750 $28,875 -

D. SUPPLIES, MATERIALS AND $12,368 $24,735 $12,368 - EQUIPMENT

E. TRAVEL $4,381 $8,762 $4,381 -

F. OTHER (LIST)4 $58,846 $117,692 $58,846 -

G. OTHER (LIST) - - - -

TOTAL BY FISCAL YEAR 1 $166,250 2 $332,500 3 $166,250 4 - GRAND TOTAL (sum of boxes 1+2+3+4) [This sum is the total NRD fund request and $665,000 should match Part A, Budget Summary, Box 1] TABLE 1. HOUSATONIC RIVER NRD FUNDING ALLOCATION BY FISCAL YEARS 1

1 The fiscal year is July 1 – June 30. If the proposed project will be completed in one year, fill in only the column titled “Fiscal Year 1.” 2 Calculated based upon benefits being 40 percent of labor cost. 3 Contracted Services are those of the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. 4 Includes all other overhead costs (other than benefits), and is based upon VHB’s Federally audited overhead (148.5 percent) and 10 percent profit. Page 43 Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. – Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway

TABLE 2. PROJECT BUDGET SUMMARY BY TASK AND FUNDING SOURCE

PROJECT TITLE: Beaded Necklace Housatonic River Greenway

APPLICANT NAME: Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc., Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, Berkshire Bike Path Council

HOUSATONIC RIVER OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS TASK5 TOTAL COST BY TASK NRD FUNDS COMMITTED NOT COMMITTED Task 1. Project Management and $72,083 - - $72,083 Coordination Task 2. Project Initiation $42,410 - - $42,410 Task 3. Data Collection $50,790 - - $50,790 Task 4. Constraint Analysis $22,475 - - $22,475 Task 5. Identify Alternatives $85,247 - - $85,247 Task 6. Refine Alternatives $61,152 - - $61,152 Task 7. Implementation Plan $59,667 - - $59,667 Task 8. Public Outreach and $168,333 - - $168,333 Education Task 9. Documentation $102,843 - - $102,843

GRAND TOTAL TOTAL BY FUNDING 5 $665,000 6 - 7 - 8 SOURCE $665,000

NOTES: Box 5 should be the same as the Grand Total indicated in Part E: Table 1. Box 6 above should match Part A, Budget Summary, Box 2. Box 7 above should match Part A, Budget Summary, Box 3. Box 8 should match Part A, Budget Summary, Box 4.

5 The listed tasks should correspond with information provided in the Project Implementation Plan.

Page 44 pr.#div.p65 Team Resumes Leo Pierre Roy, LEED™ AP ...... Principal

...... Mr. Roy has extensive experience leading public outreach and public participation on large, controversial projects. He has facilitated innumerable public meetings on such Mr. Roy serves as Managing matters as airport expansions, modifications to historic resources, and landfill sitings. A Director of the Massachusetts former senior state environmental official, he is accomplished at seeking balance among competing interests. Since joining VHB, Mr. Roy’s project involvement has included: Environmental Services Group for Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Target Corporation Retail Store, Sustainable Design Features, Allen Park, MI Mr. Roy has been advising Target Corporation on sustainable design since 2002, and has Inc. His responsibilities assisted them in “greening” their Design Manual and store prototypes. For the façade of include actively promoting a store in Allen Park, which is seeking LEED™ certification, Mr. Roy has designed a rain garden which celebrates rain and tells the story of water “from rooftop to river.” Mr. sustainable development, Roy serves on the US Green Building Council committee developing the LEED™ watershed stewardship, and Application Guide for Retail. ecological restoration. Nantucket Memorial Airport, Bulk Fuel Offshore Pipeline Feasibility Study, Nantucket Island, MA 25 years of professional Mr. Roy is serving as Project Manager for a study of the feasibility of an offshore fuel offloading facility to serve the island of Nantucket. The single point mooring proposed experience for the south shore of the island would reduce the hazard of frequent deliveries to a crowded and environmentally sensitive harbor, and transportation across the islands sole source aquifer. To support these objectives, Mr. Roy has chaired numerous public meetings.

Philadelphia International Airport, Environmental Impact Statements, PA A National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) expert, Mr. Roy oversees the project management team for two separate Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) projects at the Philadelphia Airport related to capacity enhancement at this delay-prone facility. He serves as Task Manager for Public Outreach, and is preparing a detailed Environmental Stewardship Plan for the airports design, construction, and operation.

Mr. Roy’s experiences prior to joining VHB include:

Cape Wind, LLC Wind Energy Environmental Impact Statement, Nantucket Sound, MA Mr. Roy served as Independent Technical Advisor to the US Army Corps of Engineers‘ New England District in the preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed 130 turbine wind farm off Massachusetts coastal waters, the world’s largest offshore project. He assisted in EIS scoping, review of technical sections and appendices, and establishment of an Independent Peer Review Committee.

Alewife Reservation and Alewife Brook Parkway Master Plan, Boston, MA Principal In Charge for the development of a master plan for the Metropolitan District Commission public parkland including inventory, alternatives and final master plan with the primary goal of improving water systems and habitat conditions, while developing park character.

Neponset River Dam Removal Feasibility Study, Milton, MA Mr. Roy served as a Project Manager for the dam removal study, directing the work of hydraulic engineers, geomorphologists, ecologists, estimators, and others. He was responsible for client interaction and negotiated and managed all

02418_LPR_Housatonic ......

Leo Pierre Roy, LEED™ AP ...... Continued, p. 2

subcontracts. Mr. Roy lives in the Neponset River watershed in Milton, MA.

U.S. Military Academy Cadet Library Expansion EIS, West Point, NY To enable the construction of a new library-learning center and other cadet zone development activities, the Academy underwent a permitting process that included an EIS prepared in accordance with NEPA. A comprehensive Public Affairs Plan (PAP) was one of the related NEPA requirements. Mr. Roy developed the USMA’s PAP and coordinated the public outreach for the first EIS done by USMA in many years.

Broad Meadows Salt Marsh Restoration, Braintree, MA Mr. Roy was Project Manager for the Broad Meadows Salt Marsh restoration project, reclaiming 25 acres of low and high marsh habitat. He provided coordination between the US Army Corps of Engineers, the local project sponsor, and the regulatory authorities. Mr. Roy oversaw the work of hydraulic engineers, geotechnical engineers, and ecologists.

Mill River Restoration and Habitat Enhancement, Stamford, CT Principal in Charge for this detailed site evaluation that involved assessing potential restoration opportunities. Locations were assessed primarily for the potential to benefit the aquatic health and function of the Mill River. Project Highlights included: dam removal, stream channel restoration, aquatic habitat enhancement, floodplain enhancement and creation, freshwater/tidal wetland creation, removal/management of exotics, trail/greenway creation and public outreach.

Mine Falls Park Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility Study, Nashua, NH Principal in Charge for this study, commissioned by the USACE in conjunction with City of Nashua, to investigate restoration opportunities in Mine Falls Park. Project highlights included: Aquatic habitat enhancement, riparian corridor improvement, bank stabilization, stormwater management, invasive aquatic vegetation control, historic structure repairs/preservation, and recreational improvements.

......

Education B.A., Harvard University, 1979

Professional Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED™) Registrations/ Accredited, 2002 Certifications

02418_LPR_Housatonic ......

Joseph T. Wanat, P.E...... Project Manager

......

The following highlights Mr. Wanat’s past project experience and current efforts: Mr. Wanat, a Transportation Engineer in Vanasse Hangen Cape Cod Rail-to-Trail Feasibility Study, Cape Cod, MA Project engineer responsible for identifying feasible route alignments and connections Brustlin, Inc.’s Transportation for a 23-mile multiuse trail along an existing rail right-of-way between Bourne and Systems Group, has a wide Dennis, MA. Project involved determining feasible low-cost path alignments, maintaining proper horizontal and vertical clearance, identifying and mitigating range of experience in wetland conflicts, proposing trail signage, and identifying right-of-way acquisition. transportation planning and Typical cross sections were developed and cost estimated were prepared. Final trail design complied with MUTCD and AASHTO design standards. permitting, including the preparation of environmental Northeastern Vermont Bicycle/Pedestrian Safety Study, St. Johnsbury, VT Worked with the Northeastern Vermont Development Association (NVDA) to inventory impact reports (EIRs), bicycle and pedestrian facilities and document bicycle and pedestrian demand and environmental assessments capacity. Project involved extensive data collection and bicycle facility inventory and suitability assessments. Project involved public outreach meetings and prioritizing (EAs), traffic impact studies, future actions to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety. corridor studies, and

Connecticut River Crossing Transportation Study, Pioneer Valley, MA development of transportation Served as Project Manager working with the Massachusetts Highway Department on demand management the regional planning study that identified the need for, and feasibility of providing a new bridge crossing over the along with improved transit and bicycle programs. transportation access through the Pioneer Valley Region of Western Massachusetts. Potential solutions included new bridge crossings, reconfigured ramp connections and Mr. Wanat’s graduate school interchanges, center turn lanes, transit and TDM improvements, and pedestrian/bicycle accommodations. Many concept plans involved balancing roadway improvements with research focused on bicycle/pedestrian needs. Project involved the use of GIS mapping for environmental transportation policy, traffic constraint identification and impact analysis. Project involved an extensive outreach to a project advisory committee and two key public informational meetings. The project operations, and policy driven advisory committee consisted of over 30 representatives from the study area transportation demand communities, including two Mayors, four State Representatives, and numerous City Council Members. management strategies.

Indian Orchard Traffic, Pedestrian, and Bicyclist Circulation Improvement Study, Springfield, MA Worked with the City of Springfield to develop short- and long-term roadway improvements to alleviate safety deficiencies and cut-through traffic along local, residential roadways in a small community suburb of Springfield, MA. Project involved documentation of existing and future conditions, community outreach, and concept plan preparation. Improvements involved transportation demand management and traffic calming strategies, as well as turning restrictions, roadway closures, and the creation of one-way circulation patterns.

Massachusetts General Hospital Yawkey Center EIR, Boston, MA Project engineer responsible for preparing traffic impact and access assessment and parking demand analyses for a 500,000 square foot outpatient care center and 750-space underground garage in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Boston. Efforts involved preparing transportation component for Environmental Notification Form (ENF), Project Impact Report (PIR) and Environmental Impact Report (EIR) project permitting documents. Project involved extensive community outreach with neighborhood groups to balance the needs of the project with neighborhood concerns. Project involved 81556.05 ......

Joseph T. Wanat, P.E...... Continued, p. 2

identifying transportation demand management strategies including accommodations for bicyclists, zipcars, pedestrian safety improvements, and transit enhancements.

I-84 Corridor Deficiencies/Needs Study, Danbury, CT Worked with the Connecticut Department of Transportation to identify short, medium, and long-term infrastructure improvements to a congested 18-mile freeway corridor including 11 interchanges extending from the State to the Housatonic River. Scope of analyses included evaluating freeway segments, on and off-ramps, and intersections at ramp termini. Transit and bicycle transportation improvements were also proposed. Project involved an existing traffic operations assessment, identification of geometric deficiencies and high accident locations, identification of future capacity constraints, development of plan and profile drawings for proposed roadway improvements, transit assessment, and bicycle facility evaluation. Project involved an extensive outreach to a project advisory committee and to the public.

I-93 Corridor Study, Massachusetts Project engineer responsible for identifying improvements to a 12-mile section of the I- 93 corridor south of the New Hampshire state line through Andover and Methuen, Massachusetts. Alternatives considered included widening the highway to provide another general purpose or an HOV lane, reconfiguration of interchanges to eliminate deficiencies that slow highway traffic, improvements to intersections adjacent to the corridor, commuter rail service improvements, light rail options, improved bicycle accommodations, and bus services.

Aroostook County Transportation Study EIR, Aroostook County, ME Worked with the Maine Department of Transportation to identify existing transportation needs, existing transportation demand characteristics, and potential new corridors or corridor upgrades through a screening analysis. Efforts involved traffic demand forecasting, alternative identification/evaluation/screening, identification of geometric deficiencies, and 24-hour origin-destination surveys. Prepared transportation component of draft EIR and participated in public informational meetings and project advisory committee meetings.

Rhode Island Statewide Congestion Management System, Providence, RI Project involved using advanced technology to manage congestion and to improve incident response times. Responsible for locating variable message signs, video surveillance cameras, and vehicle detection stations. Prepared plans and specifications for phased implementation of field equipment. Assisted in the design of a low-cost communication system that transmits compressed video images over telephone lines from field equipment to a traffic operations center. Prepared implementation plan for diversion scenarios...... Education M.S.C.E., University of California, Berkeley, 1998 B.S.C.E., University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 1994

Affiliations Institute of Transportation Engineers American Society of Military Engineers Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissioners

Registration Registered Professional Engineer: Massachusetts

81556.05 ......

Ruth M. Bonsignore, P.E...... Technical Advisor, QA/QC

......

Over the past 20 years at VHB, Ms. Bonsignore has managed and contributed to Senior Vice President of the hundreds of transportation projects. Examples of projects which represent Ms. firm's Transportation Bonsignore’s breadth of transportation planning and engineering experience in bicycle and pedestrian facilities include: Systems Group, Ms. Massachusetts Highway Design Guidebook Bonsignore has corporate Project Manager for the new Project Development and Design Guidebook for the responsibilities for all work Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Guidebook will document a new process for better planning throughout project development,will make multi-modal accommodation involving bicycle and inherent in all state sponsored design projects, and will broaden design guidance to be pedestrian planning and more context responsive. design, community traffic Statewide Bicycle Plan for Virginia, VDOT engineering and safety, Technical Advisor for the development of Virginia’s first statewide bicycle plan. Project includes an inventory of existing bicycling practices/programs in Virginia, identification studies related to highway of needs throughout Virginia, strategies to address these needs and development of a planning and design, Resource Guide to assist localities with planning and design efforts. parking, environmental Safe Routes to Schools Program, Nashua, NH and Arlington, MA impact assessments, and Core member of the pilot team to investigate the concept of “Safe Routes to School”, as originated in the United Kingdom, for two school systems in Arlington, Massachusetts transportation systems and Nashua, New Hampshire. management.

Statewide Bicycle Plan for Massachusetts, MassHighway Principal in charge of the first Massachusetts Statewide Bicycle Plan. Plan was the first step in an evolution of enhancements in bicycle policy, legislation and accommodation in the Commonwealth.

Parkway Design Guidelines, for the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC), MA Development of Parkway Design Guidelines to be used on all rehabilitation projects within the Metro Parkway System. The guidelines focus on maintaining safe, scenic and efficient travel along the 151-mile metropolitan Boston parkway system.

Amherst-UMass Bike Connector, Amherst, MA Project Manager on project to design, engineer and permit the Amherst-UMass Bikeway Connector from the Norwottuck Rail Trail to the University of Massachusetts campus. The 2- mile path connects the most popular rail trail facility in Western Massachusetts to the largest attraction of employees, students and visitors in the region.

Capital to Capital Bikeway, VA Served as senior technical advisor for a feasibility study of developing a 58-mile bikeway between Virginia’s historic capital of Williamsburg and its modern day capital of Richmond.

Rail-to-Trail Feasibility study Cape Cod, MA Directed the development of a 23-mile feasibility study for the Cape Cod Commission for adding a multiuse trail along an active rail right-of-way between Bourne and Dennis.

81556.05 ......

Ruth M. Bonsignore, P.E...... Continued, p. 2

Norwottuck Rail Trail Preliminary design and environmental documentation for the 8-mile Norwottuck Rail trail from Amherst to Northampton, Massachusetts.

Nantucket Bicycle/Pedestrian Master Plan Update, MA Oversaw VHB planning efforts in the development of this plan for the entire island's existing and proposed trail system thatincluded an evaluation of existing bicycle and pedestrian circulation systems and recommended a series of improvement projects to be implemented over a 15-year period.

Research Experience

Ms. Bonsignore completed graduate studies at the Center for Transportation Studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Her primary research activities were in the area of intelligent transportation systems (ITS). Ms. Bonsignore conducted research for her thesis on evaluating the benefits of advanced traveler information systems (ATIS), with a focus on recent U.S. operational tests. As a consultant, she reviewed potential transportation technologies to address traffic congestion and rapid growth in Thailand for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. She also served as a Research Assistant on "The Boston Project: Shaping the Livable Region", identifying the transportation issues and needs of the Boston metropolitan area into the 21st century.

Previous Experience Research Assistant (1981-1983), University of Massachusetts - Amherst - Ms. Bonsignore participated in several research grants funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Areas of research included: management information systems for small transit operators; the relationship between transportation improvements and downtown revitalization; and public/private partnerships in transportation projects.

Ms. Bonsignore has authored or partnered on numerous papers and conference presentations.

...... Education M.S. Transportation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology B.S.C.E., University of Massachusetts

Affiliations Institute of Transportation Engineers American Planning Association University of Massachusetts Civil and Environmental Engineering Advisory Council, Chair Chi Epsilon

Registration Registered Professional Engineer: Massachusetts

81556.05 ......

William J. DeSantis, P.E...... Technical Advisor, QA/QC ......

Mr. DeSantis’ projects include: Mr. DeSantis, a professional engineer and licensed Rhode Island Blackstone River Bikeway Mr. DeSantis is the Project Manager for Blackstone River Bikeway, a 20-mile long bike construction supervisor, is path from Pawtucket to North Smithfield. The project is a joint effort between the highly experienced in the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT). The Blackstone River Bikeway is a major design of roadways, transportation connection through the population centers and the cultural, natural, and bicycle/pedestrian facilities historical resources of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor and is being designed to be compatible with these resources. As Project Manager Mr. DeSantis and enhancement projects. is responsible for coordination of all project activities including bikeway design, bridge Bill leads numerous design, landscape architecture, railroad signal design, environmental permitting, historic interpretive design, GPS and engineering surveys, aerial photogrammetry and transportation projects in community involvement. Construction of the first portion, a 3-mile segment in Lincoln, Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, RI was completed in October, 1998 and the next segment, a 3-mile rail with trail, completed in 2002. A new crossing of the Blackstone River in the historic mill village of Inc.’s Rhode Island office as a Ashton was completed in 2003. Construction of Segment 4B in Cumberland and Lincoln Senior Project Manager. He was completed in the fall of 2004. Segment 4B includes two crossings of the Blackstone River and clean-up of a portion of an EPA Superfund site. has overall technical responsibility for projects Massachusetts Blackstone River Bikeway Bill is Project Manager leading VHB’s efforts for the Blackstone River Valley Chamber of including conceptual and final Commerce and the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission design of geometric and feasibility studies for alternative alignments of the Blackstone River Bikeway in the towns of Millbury, Grafton, Northbridge, Uxbridge, and the city of Worcester. drainage improvements, Feasibility studies include outlining alternate routes for the bikeway alignment, project layout, earthwork and determining preliminary impacts, developing comparative evaluation scores and generating study-level construction estimates for various alignments. The studies quantity calculations, include segments of on-road bicycle routes as well as off-road shared use paths. construction cost estimates

Bicycle Facility, Swansea, MA and schedules, right-of-way Project Manager for a bicycle facility project, which includes widening, resurfacing, plans and contract signing and pavement marking selected streets to be designated on-road bike routes. The improved roadways form a continuous routing through the Town of Swansea for documents. bicycle traffic. Connections are made to adjoining communities where other more extensive bicycle paths are planned for construction. The project also includes design of Bill is also the corporate a one-mile section of separate off-road bikepath and a new pedestrian/bicycle bridge. Mr. DeSantis’ responsibilities include overall coordination including bikeway design, leader of VHB’s bridge design, and preparation of contract documents in MassHighway format. bicycle/pedestrian and Construction was completed in the summer of 2003. enhancement practice and Old Colony Multi-Use Trail, Mansfield and Norton, MA serves as technical advisor on Project Manager for VHB’s development of final plans and specifications for the approximately 1.5 miles of the Old Colony Multi-Purpose Trail in the Town of numerous VHB Mansfield. The Trail consists of a paved path approximately 10 feet wide, and a 5-10 foot bicycle/pedestrian and wide gravel surface trail for equestrian and other similar uses. A gravel-based parking area was also constructed. The majority of the trail is located upon the former railroad enhancement projects in the right-of-way with approximately 0.5 mile of trail on existing streets. Construction was eastern . completed in the fall of 2003. The trail was dedicated as a World War II Veteran’s Memorial in April 2004.

Desantis ......

William J. DeSantis, P.E...... Continued, p. 2

Route 5 Capital to Capital Bikeway Feasibility Study, Richmond to Williamsburg, VA Assisted in the analysis of alternatives for a development of continuous bikeway linking Richmond and Williamsburg along Route 5, a Virginia Byway. Located along the James River, the 50-mile long study area is rich in historic and scenic resources. The study was funded under the National Scenic Byway Program. Various segments are currently in final design by VDOT staff.

Cross Seminole Trail, Seminole County, Florida Project Advisor/Bikeway Engineer for the Cross Seminole Trail Connector to provide a critical link to Seminole County’s trail system, connectivity and linkage to residents, subdivisions, public schools, municipalities, an environmental studies center, and other public and commercial entities. When complete, this will tie the community surrounding the Connector together as a beneficiary of the county’s recreation and trail system. Developed a project approach to simplify the design process and maximize funds available for trail construction.

RIDOT Transportation Enhancement Liaison Services Project Manager for a liaison contract, collaborating with RIDOT to assist RIDOT with their Enhancement program implementation and project implementation. Major task includes assistance to municipalities throughout the state to gain funding for transportation enhancement projects. Initially assists a municipality in the preparation of an application for funding. Once an Enhancement project application has been approved, Bill leads the VHB Team in follow up with RIDOT Program Managers and the requesting municipality or sponsoring agency to implement the project.

Project Permitting and Coordination Mr. DeSantis has overall responsibility for design of traffic and roadway improvements related to various large private and public projects. Specific duties include preparation of plans and specifications for improvements, maintenance and protection of traffic plans, coordination with various utility companies for utility modifications, and preparation and coordination of state and local permits. Recent projects include T.F. Green State Airport Terminal Project in Warwick, RI, the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence, and various commercial developments throughout the state.

...... Education B.S.C.E., Northeastern University, 1976

Affiliations American Society of Civil Engineers, Member East Coast Greenway Alliance, Board of Trustees

Registration Registered Professional Engineer: Rhode Island, Connecticut Surveyor-in-Training: Massachusetts Licensed Construction Supervisor: Massachusetts

Awards Corporate Supporter of the Year 2001 - Blackstone River Bikeway East Coast Greenway Alliance Trail Corporate Award 2004 American Trails

Desantis ......

Gregory L. Bakos, P.E...... Technical Advisor, QAQC

......

Mr. Bakos’ relevant experience includes the following projects: Mr. Bakos, a Senior Project Manager , has been with Colbyville Bike and Pedestrian Master Plan, Waterbury, VT Project manager for this planning effort that integrates the needs of bicyclists and Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc., pedestrians into the land use and economic development plans for the Village of for over 21 years. His primary Colbyville. Tasks include assessment of needs as well as evaluation and prioritization of potential bike and pedestrian enhancements. Public opinions and desires were honestly experience has been with addressed within the realities of the funding and regulatory environment, and creative transportation projects solutions were explored. involving improvements to the Polpis Road Bike Path, Nantucket, MA roadway and utility Senior Project Engineer for preliminary design of this 8-mile-long bike path to connect the downtown to the eastern coast of the Island of Nantucket. The preliminary design infrastructure. He has also involved extensive field location of the preferred route, as well as continual liaison with developed expertise in the town officials, regulatory agencies, and impacted property owners. fields of bicycle and Madaket Bike Path, Nantucket, MA pedestrian planning and Senior Project Engineer for this 6-mile-long bike path providing a continuous paved connection between the downtown and the southwestern shore. The project involved design. His contributions to significant wetlands, right of way, historic and archaeological issues. Involvement was these projects have included from preliminary design through state funding and construction phases. planning, coordination, Cliff Road Bike Path, Nantucket, MA agency liaison, permitting, Senior Project Engineer for this 2-mile-long bike path providing a continuous paved connection between the Nantucket downtown and the Madaket Bike Path (above). This geometric design, public path traverses hilly terrain and abuts resource areas and conservation property. The outreach, and the preparation approach to the design process was “minimalistic” in light of limited available design funding, and many of the design decisions were made in the field prior to the of contract plans, cost development of contract plans. estimates, specifications, and

Bike Path Funding Applications construction follow-on Involved with development of grant applications for Bike facilities in Yarmouth, MA services. and Portsmouth, NH. This involved preparation of conceptual plans and cost estimates that considered realistic project costs. It also included documentation of potential public benefits due to the proposed facilities.

Piscataquog Trailway, Manchester, NH Project Manager for the first and second phases of the Piscataquog Trailway. Located on an old railroad bed, this project involves the design of an “urban multi-use trail” which passes through an urban neighborhood as well as more isolated wooded sections of the City. The design included landscape and lighting amenities. It also included retrofitting the existing railroad bridge abutments with a new prefabricated steel truss bridge. Phase I of the project won a historic preservation award in 2004.

Route 134, Dennis, MA Project Engineer for the Route 134 transportation improvement project, which involved signalization and roadway widening of Route 134 as well as the reconstruction of 2-mile long Theopholis Smith Road. The project included a bike path underpass under Route

Bakos 8155605 ......

Gregory L. Bakos, P.E...... Continued, p. 2

134 and a new bike path along Theopholis Smith Road.

Cross Vermont Trail under I-91, Newbury, VT Project Manager for the design of a short segment of the Cross Vermont Trail in Newbury, Vermont. This project involved designing the trail under the Interstate 91 bridges at the Wells River crossing location. The primary project challenge was related to traversing the steep embankment under the interstate bridges. This project won an ACEC-VT Merit Award in 2004.

Old Colchester Road, Essex, VT Project manager for two projects on this roadway, one a roadway extension and railroad crossing relocation in the Town of Essex, and the other a pedestrian enhancement project in the Village of Essex Junction. Both projects made special provision for pedestrians and cyclists, either by separate multi-use path, bike safe shoulders, or sidewalks. The projects involved close interaction with the Vermont Agency of Transportation, the local officials, utility companies and abutting property owners.

Main Street Reconstruction, Littleton, NH Project manager for the design of the reconstruction of Main Street through the Littleton central business district. This project, which utilizes Transportation and Community System Preservation (TCSP) funds, includes subsurface municipal and private utility reconstruction, full depth pavement reconstruction and new sidewalks. The project also includes pedestrian enhancements including wider sidewalks and better defined crosswalks. The planned streetscape enhancements include ornamental lighting, street trees and the creation of “public spaces” at opportune locations along the corridor.

Morrissey Boulevard and John J. Beades Bridge Rehabilitation, Boston, MA Project Manager for the Rehabilitation of Morrissey Boulevard and the John J. Beades Bridge in the Dorchester section of Boston. Morrissey Boulevard is a 2.7 mile long urban parkway which is owned and maintained by the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC). The project goals are to restore the “parkway” effect, to improve safety, to alleviate drainage problems, to improve traffic operations, to enhance pedestrian access and safety, and to replace the John J. Beades bridge. The construction value of the improvements is estimated to be $35 million. Because of the proximity of this project to various neighborhoods and institutions, he has devoted considerable time and effort to the public participation process. One of the project goals is to be responsive to the public and to improve the affected urban environment through the application of a creative, responsive, and humanistic design approach.

...... Education B.S.C.E., Bucknell University, 1979

Affiliations Society of American Military Engineers

Registration Registered Professional Engineer since 1985

Bakos 8155605

Michael J. Servetas, P.E...... Conceptual Engineering

...... Mr. Servetas has over 20 years of experience in planning, design, permitting, and Mr. Servetas is a Project construction of transportation, commercial site and commercial/residential subdivision projects in New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, and Massachusetts. His diverse range of Manager with VHB’s experience includes performing traffic impact studies for both private and municipal Transportation Group and is projects, preparing roadway and traffic signal plans, monitoring and reviewing construction progress, and refining signal timing to meet changing traffic demands. primarily responsible for the

design of roadway, multi-use Gorham Multi-modal Path, Gorham, NH Project Manager responsible for preparing construction plans for a 2.2 miles Multi- path and traffic signal modal/Emergency bypass route in Gorham NH. This project will connect NH Rte 16 improvement projects. His and US Rte2 and crosses the Moose river which is subject to high flood waters and ice flows in the spring. It features a 16-foot wide by 170-foot span prefabricated bridge to project responsibilities include cross the river and a 10 foot wide aggregate pathway. The project parallels the Portland roadway/pathway design as Pipe Line Corp. (PPL) pipe-line and requires close coordination with the PPL regarding construction impacts to their easement and the single crossing of their pipelines. well as coordinating and

overseeing the project. Bennington path, Bennington, VT Project Manger responsible for completing the design of a pedestrian/bike path connecting downtown Bennington Vt, to a park and elementary school. The path is a combination of upgraded sidewalks, intended for pedestrian use only, a 12 foot wide paved path within a railroad right of way, and shoulder widening of existing town roads.

Reconstruction of Route 111, Biddeford, ME Task Manager responsible for completing the final design and plan preparation for the reconstruction of a 1.2 km (0.7 mi) section of roadway from Pomerleau Street to Route 1 (Five Points Intersection). This project is the second phase of the Route 111 widening project. Major elements include: widening the roadway to a cross section that varies from three to five lanes, coordinating with Bridge and Geotechnical Engineers to incorporate the design for a new bridge over an active railroad line using Lightweight Foamed Concrete fill under the bridge approaches, coordination with 12 utilities that are located within the project limits, and minimizing impacts to adjacent properties and steep slopes using a variety of walls.

Realignment and Reconstruction of 5 Points Intersection, Biddeford, ME Task Manager responsible for developing the final improvement strategy and plans for the realignment and reconstruction of the US Rte 1, Rte 111 and West Street intersection which is known as “Five Points”. The project has required over a year of close coordination with the Maine Department of Transportation, Biddeford City staff and the local community to develop an improvement plan which balances the competing demands to improve main-line traffic flow and commercial development access through the project area.

Livermore Falls-Jay Rte 4/17 Corridor Improvements, Livermore Falls & Jay, ME Project Manager responsible for directing the Part A, Project Definition and Concept Design Phase of this Corridor Improvement Project. This is a 1.8 km (1.1 mi) segment of Route 4/17 that runs through a commercially developed section of Livermore Falls and a residentially developed section of Jay. The roadway is part of the National Highway System and the existing traffic volume includes a large percentage of heavy truck and

81190.06 ......

Michael J. Servetas, P.E...... Continued, p. 2

recreational traffic. The project included field reconnaissance and meetings with the local community to solicit information on deficiencies, redesign of the corridor using the MDOT Urban Arterial guidelines to define project constraints and the refinement of the concept design to minimize property impacts while addressing local concerns.

Corridor Study, South Berwick, ME Responsible for study of downtown South Berwick to identify alternatives for improvements to accommodate heavy vehicular traffic flows as well as pedestrian and bicycle traffic. TRAFNETSIM modeling was utilized to demonstrate the various alternatives identified.

Roadway Widening and Traffic Signals along U.S. Route 1, York, ME Responsible for design and preparing construction plans to provide traffic mitigation for the proposed Hannaford Bros. Commercial Development. The improvements are designed to address the MDOT conditions of approval and include adding turning lanes and traffic signals at the main entrance.

Roadway and Traffic Signal Installation Plans, West Falmouth, ME Responsible for the design and preparation of plans to be reviewed and approved by the MDOT for the reconstruction of a half-mile section of SR 100 in the vicinity of Exit 10 for the Maine Turnpike. Improvements include the addition of auxiliary lanes, guard rail, underdrains, and the design of traffic signal at the intersection of SR 100 and Exit 10/ Project Drive and SR 100 and Leighton Road.

Pedestrian Crossing Study for the University of Southern Maine, Portland, ME Staff Engineer: The study included pedestrian counts and review of crossing patterns between the campus and main parking lot. A report was issued outlining the studies findings and recommendations for crossing locations, roadside signage and methods to control pedestrian crossing points.

Design of a 15,000 sf Expansion of the Maine Outlet on Route 1, Kittery, ME Project Engineer: The expansion took place in the existing parking lot, thereby requiring replacement of the displaced parking spaces, as well as the addition of spaces to accommodate the new stores. The project included conducting a traffic impact study to evaluate the impact of the proposed expansion, and the design of a 100+ space parking lot on an adjacent parcel of land. The parking lot required a drainage analysis and design of a detention pond. The off-site parking also required the design of an interconnecting road.

...... Education B.S.C.E., Wentworth Institute of Technology, 1982

Affiliations Member: American Society of Civil Engineers Member: Institute of Transportation Engineers

Registration Professional Engineer: ME, MA, NH

81190.06 ......

Daniel T. Nabors, P.E...... Pedestrian/Bicycle Safety

......

Mr. Nabors joined Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. through VHB’s merger with BMI-SG. Mr. Nabors has 12 years of His relevant experience includes: diversified transportation

Technical Support to the FHWA’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Program engineering experience that Safety researcher and transportation engineer, providing on-site technical support to includes traffic operations, the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Office of Safety pedestrian and bicycle safety program. Currently providing technical assistance to three national roadway design, downtown research projects to include a deployment of over 26 different pedestrian safety revitalization projects, and innovative countermeasures in three major cities in the U.S. (Las Vegas, San Francisco, and Miami). Coordinating the development of BIKESAFE, the first bicycle safety safety. Mr. Nabors currently expert system software. Review and critique pedestrian and bicycle-related technical serves as the technical reports and provide technical assistance to agencies with pedestrian and bicycle safety problems. consultant for the FHWA’s pedestrian and bicycle safety Development of the Interactive Highway Safety Design Model (IHSDM) Assisted in the development of FHWA’s Interactive Highway Safety Design Model program. (IHSDM). Wrote functional specifications for the software and engineer’s manuals detailing the functionality of the Design Consistency Module and the Crash Prediction Module. Improved algorithms for estimating 85th percentile operating speeds. Developed software testing program to check the validity of results. Presented software at national and international conferences and solicited feedback from potential end-users.

Improved Guidelines for Median Safety Led data collection effort for NCHRP 17-14 research project to develop improved guidelines for the use of median barriers and for the selection of appropriate median widths and slopes on new and existing high-speed divided highways. Responsibilities included nationwide survey of states, accident and roadway data collection, and development of guidelines for inclusion in future AASHTO design publications.

VDOT Pedestrian Safety Study on Route 236 Conducted pedestrian safety study on section of Route 236 where a high number of pedestrian accidents have occurred. Performed an accident analysis and conducted an observational study during peak pedestrian and vehicular traffic periods to assess potential hazards, travel patterns, and pedestrian and driver behavior. Developed a traffic simulation of area to test the affects of several potential safety improvement alternatives which included changing pedestrian signal timings, providing a signalized mid-block crossing, moving locations of bus stops, and making other geometric and pedestrian facility improvements. Created documentation that specified recommended improvements.

Silver Spring Pedestrian Study Conducted extensive outreach program to involve citizens, developers, and local planning agencies in the development of a pedestrian safety and facility improvement plan for the Silver Spring CBD. Identified problems from pedestrian movement data and traffic volume data collected by video. Initiated a multi-modal improvement approach that led to the development of four alternatives for improving pedestrian and bicycle safety and traffic operations. Alternatives included conceptual designs for upgrading and constructing new pedestrian and bicycle facilities, plans for changing

NaborsD (81556.05)

Daniel T. Nabors, P.E...... Continued, p. 2

pedestrian signal timing and traffic signal phasing, and plans for traffic rerouting and relocating transit. The effectiveness of each alternative was evaluated by creating traffic simulations of the entire CBD network.

Bethesda CBD Transportation Review Conducted a multi-modal transportation analysis of the Bethesda CBD. Analyses included an operational analysis of intersections, queueing analysis, and an analysis of sidewalks, crosswalks, pedestrian refuge areas, and bike lanes. Developed recommendations for operational improvements and completed conceptual plans for geometric improvements. The recommendations were well received and are in the process of being implemented in the transportation improvement plan.

Roadway Safety Analysis for MDSHA Performed safety analysis for 5.3-mile section of existing highway and alternative geometric improvements using the Roadside Design Guide, the 2000 AASHTO Design Guide, and the Interactive Highway Safety Design Model (IHSDM). Analyzed sight distance, horizontal alignment, roadway cross-sections, roadside design, design consistency, traffic control, and other design characteristics of the roadway. Developed design recommendations to correct deficiencies and quantified the effects of each.

FDA Transportation Improvement Feasibility Study Simulated traffic operations on MD 650 between US 29 and I-495 to determine the impacts of consolidating the FDA at the former NSWC adjacent to this corridor. Supervised the collection of all data needed to create and validate the model. Used this model to optimize signal timing and test the effectiveness of various improvements resulting in a recommended improved network. Developed signal plans for intersections along the corridor and conceptual improvement plans that detailed all roadway geometry changes, plans for a new multi-purpose trail, and pedestrian refuge improvements.

Traffic Impact Studies (TIS) Completed and reviewed numerous TIS’ in Virginia and Washington, D.C. Studies included extensive data collection, evaluation of different development levels using HCS and SYNCHRO, development of operational improvements, roadway and access improvements, pedestrian facility improvements, and safety evaluation. Coordinated construction proffers between developers and government agencies.

...... Education M.S. Civil Engineering, Kansas State University, 1998 B.S. Civil Engineering, Virginia Tech, December 1989

Affiliations Eno Fellow Institute of Transportation Engineers Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Officials

Registration Registered Professional Engineer

NaborsD (81556.05)

Mark A. Colgan, P.E...... Structural Engineering

The following provides a sample of recent projects in which Mr. Colgan has been involved: Mr. Colgan is a Structures Team

Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge over Spaulding Turnpike, Portsmouth NH Leader in VHB’s Bedford, NH Design Engineer for a new pedestrian/bicycle bridge over the Spaulding Turnpike. Structures Group. He has over 16 Project includes construction of new single span bridge and 1800 feet of roadway/path. Project responsibilities included detailing of various bridge years of experience, including 7 components and compiling final design quantities for engineer’s estimate. years in the construction industry

Blackstone River Bikeway, Segment 4B Pratt Dam Bridge, Providence, RI and 9 years as a construction Structural Task Manager for the final design and detailing of a new six span truss engineer with VHB. He has been bridge carrying the new bikeway over the Blackstone River and an existing dam. The project includes six new prefabricated truss spans supported on existing piers involved in the design and and abutments left from a former railroad bridge. Project responsibilities included construction industry on a variety the design and detailing of all bridge components and compiling final design quantities and engineer’s estimates. of projects in New Hampshire,

Maine, Vermont, Virginia, NH Rte 101/US Rte 3 Interchange Reconstruction, Kilton Road, Bedford, NH Structural Task Manager for the ongoing construction of a new interchange project Massachusetts, and New York. His linking NH Route 101 and US Route 3 (South River Road) with Kilton Road. Project primary emphasis has been in involves the design of three new bridges over US 3, the widening of a fourth bridge, and several retaining walls. Responsibilities include the management of all construction, highway and railroad structural tasks. Critical to the project was the close coordination with project bridge inspection and design, stakeholders to coordinate construction phasing solutions in a confined area with high traffic volumes. Project is currently under construction with an anticipated structure-type studies, and completion date in 2006. structural engineering. He is

I-293/NH 101/Brown Avenue Interchange Reconstruction, Manchester, NH proficient with the design Structural engineer for the proposed replacement of the I-293 bridges over Brown Ave. requirements for timber, steel, and Project involves the design of two new 150 foot single span bridges over Brown Avenue. The increased bridge length will allow for expansion of Brown Avenue to provide concrete bridge types, having improved access to the Manchester Airport from I-293. Project is currently under inspected, designed, or performed construction with an anticipated completion date in 2005. load rating analysis on hundreds U.S. Rte. 3/NH Rte 11/132 over I-93 NB and SB, Tilton, NH (Exit 20) of structures ranging from ten to Structural Task Manager for an assignment involving the replacement of an existing five span bridge with a new two span bridge. This project was part of the I-93 Exit one thousand feet in length. 20 interchange expansion to handle increased traffic volumes due to private development growth along Route 3. Project responsibilities included the design and detailing of all structural components as well as providing construction phase services to owner.

Sixth Street Bridge Widening and Deck Rehabilitation, Dover, NH Structural engineer for the widening of a 4-span bridge over the Spaulding Turnpike in Dover, NH. Project was part of off site improvements required to handle increased traffic volumes anticipated from a proposed new Liberty Mutual building. Responsibilities included final rehabilitation design, traffic control details, and construction phasing. Aggressive project scheduling was required to meet the developer’s schedule.

Structural Task Manager, Various Land Development Projects Structural Task Manager for the support of numerous VHB Land Development projects. Project responsibilities include the management of all aspects of structural design and detailing for concrete slabs, concrete box culverts, metal pipe culverts, concrete retaining 81292.04 ......

walls, steel bulkhead walls, sign structure supports, arbor ways, precast concrete and timber bridges, and pedestrian facilities. Responsibilities also included providing construction expertise and coordination with contractors, subconsultants and geotechnical engineers.

US I-93 NB Entrance Ramp over I-93 NB & SB, Woburn, MA Design engineer for a 1200 foot curved, 8-span continuous steel box girder bridge of composite construction with a reinforced concrete deck. Project responsibilities included structural detailing and design of reinforced concrete piers, abutments, wingwalls, end bearing steel pile foundations, and plan development.

U.S. Rt. 4 Over Ottauquechee River, Woodstock, VT Project Manager for the rehabilitation of a three span rolled steel beam bridge. Project responsibilities include preliminary roadway and bridge design, traffic control, and substructure analysis. Rehabilitation is to include superstructure replacement and widening, as well as substructure rehabilitation and widening.

Rutland Railyard Relocation, City of Rutland/Town of Rutland, VT Structural Task Manager for the ongoing project proposing the relocation of the Rutland Railyard from the center of downtown Rutland to a site outside of the city to relieve traffic congestion caused by railroad operations, allow for redevelopment of the existing yard property, and permit future growth of the rail industry in this region. The project involves the design and construction of two new 80 foot single span highway bridges carrying the Route 4 Bypass over the new rail alignments at the southern end of the yard, a new thru plate girder bridge carrying the realigned railroad over River Street at the northern end of the yard, and the addition of a new 1000 foot long multiple span curved box girder bridge carrying the new railroad alignment in Center Rutland over Otter Creek and Business Route 4.

...... Education BSCE, University of New Hampshire, 1995 UNH Graduate Courses: Prestressed Concrete, Timber Design, Matrix Structural Analysis, Principles of Pavement Design

Registration Licensed Professional Engineer - New Hampshire, Vermont, Virginia Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute

Honors New Hampshire Good Roads William Weaver Memorial Scholarship

Professional National Highway Institute – Driven Pile Foundations Development/ FHWA/SHRP Workshop on Concrete Durability, Bedford, NH Training FHWA Load Factor Resistance Design, Augusta, ME Hydraulics/Hydrology, Bedford, NH

81292.04 ......

Larry Capriotti ...... Cartographic Design, Recreational Map Development

......

Mr. Capriotti has 7 years of graphic design and production experience specializing in Mr. Capriotti is a Cartographic cartography and design. He is proficient in software including ArcView, AutoCAD, Designer in the GIS Group Autoscript, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe PageMaker, Adobe Photoshop, CorelDRAW, Macromedia Freehand, Microsoft PowerPoint, and MicroStation. In addition, Mr. within Vanasse Hangen Capriotti understands the technical production issues involved with delivering a Brustlin, Inc. He is skilled in superior quality map. Prior to joining VHB, Mr. Capriotti was a CADD Operator for Harvard University’s Planning and Real Estate group. Current cartography and design the use and support of the experience includes: latest software for

East Coast Greenway Alliance 2001 State of the Trail Report Maps cartography, computer-aided The East Coast Greenway Alliance (ECGA), a non-profit organization that supports the design, electronic publishing, ECG mission, retained VHB to provide cartographic design services for its annual “State of the Trail Report.” Nine maps that stretched from Maine to Florida were created for digital imaging and computer- the report. The maps show significant greenways and planned trails, major roadways, generated presentations. rail corridors, airports, and other key landmarks. Data to create the maps came from several sources such as state GIS websites and 1:2,000,000 scale Digital Line Graph (DLG). The final maps were created using Adobe Illustrator.

John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, RI All together there were 27, 22 municipal and 5 regional, 36” x 42” maps produced for the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission. The map’s intention was to show existing conditions to the attendees at the public-greenway meetings. Called out over the orthophoto base were town boundaries, major highways, water bodies, open space, parks, proposed and existing bikeways, power lines, and greenways. All the maps were produced and printed from ArcView 8.1.

Northern Neck Heritage Trail, VA A driving tour map for a regional heritage trail linking the four counties on Virginia’s Northern Neck was created. The guide displayed the full trail route and broke out heritage sites as Politics and Culture, Natural Heritage, and Transportation and Economy. Images of some sites were called out over the shaded relief base of the Northern Neck. The final product was assembled using ArcView 8.3, Adobe PageMaker, and Photoshop.

Aroostook County Transportation Study, ME Provided principal cartographic design and production services for a regional analysis of transportation infrastructure and improvement alternatives including detailed GIS analysis and presentation. Worked closely with environmental and transportation professionals to assess provided databases for use in a detailed environmental constraints and land use analysis. Using ArcView, developed detailed presentation boards and color graphics depicting numerous existing conditions data layers, and transportation improvement alternatives in a regional context. Ongoing work includes assisting technical staff in performing detailed impact assessments for presentation in a Final Environmental Impact Statement.

Route 2A/2/32 Draft Environmental Impact Statement, CT Developed a comprehensive set of color and black and white report and presentation graphics for a complex set or transportation improvement alternatives. Worked with environmental professionals to assess technical requirements of graphics. Assisted field

CapriottiL - 05/05 ......

Larry Capriotti ...... Continued, p. 2

staff in quality control of the transfer of hand drafted resource delineations to electronic media. Incorporated innovative data management and presentation techniques to maintain continuity of data for a multiple transportation corridors in CAD and AutoScript environments.

New Bedford/Fall River Commuter Rail Extension — Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR), MA Managed data and technical graphic production for a Draft EIR to re-establish commuter rail service to the cities of New Bedford and Fall River, Massachusetts. Integrated data from a variety of sources provided by environmental and engineering staff for presentation in color and black and white report and presentation graphics. Graphics included station design and conceptual improvements, regional context, transportation infrastructure, existing and proposed traffic patterns and environmental constraints along a 16-mile proposed rail corridor.

City of Medford Street Index Map, MA Created a color map of the city of Medford, Massachusetts, an 8.5 square mile city 6 miles northwest of Boston. The streets were fully indexed and also shown on the map were public buildings, open space, parks, and voting wards. All the map features were fully attributed and were used in a GIS. Copies of the 36” x 48” map were distributed to various municipal departments throughout the city.

Route 13, VA Responsible for creating and updating over 120 GIS maps. Proposed roadway improvements were created in CAD and migrated it into a GIS system for analysis and map production. All the GIS maps, and a few specialized graphics, were compiled into a website that was requested by the Virginia Department of Transportation. The website allowed residents to see what improvements were planed for Route 13.

Newburyport, MA Newburyport was looking for a map that would be able to show historic locations of the downtown area. The decision was made to have a two page spread for an overall view of Newburyport and another two page spread for a closer view of downtown. Both maps were

Citizens Bank, PA Citizens Bank had an existing fold out map of the greater Boston area that displays ATM and branch locations. The idea was to display the same kind of information, but for greater Philadelphia. Being the lead cartographer, a great effort was put forth to obtaining data, displaying it in a legible manner, and checking it to be the most up to date. The final product was web printed, and at 500,000 copies, is the largest print job of any VHB project. Eventually, the map was distributed in the Sunday edition of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

...... Education Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, Design

CapriottiL - 05/05 ......

Daniel J. Boudreau, Jr...... ArcGIS, Constraint Mapping, Suitability Analysis ......

Mr. Boudreau is a Geographic Mr. Boudreau has performed radiometric correction, enhancement and geometric correction of digitally acquired aerial imagery. Imagery used for precision agriculture, Information Systems (GIS) transportation planning, regional planning, environmental studies, forestry and disaster specialist with VHB's relief efforts using custom applications for ESRI ArcView 3.2 and Adobe Photoshop 5.5. Information Technologies He has been responsible for the creation of color and black/white thematic maps and department, and has leading site plans for the Planning and Urban Design disciplines using Bentley Systems Microstation SE / 95. Maps include Land Use, Utility and Infrastructure, Transportation edge experience in the and Color Illustrative Master Plans. development and application of

He has a thorough knowledge of scanning of aerial photos and geo-referencing for use geographic information in vector overlays and/or heads-up digitizing or raster-to-vector conversion. He also systems. His areas of has working knowledge of Descartes, ArcView 3.2, AutoCAD R13,R14. He is experienced in producing high quality color Postscript output via color inkjet / specialization include electrostatic plotters, color laser printers / plotters, and digital color slides from CAD acquisition, transformation, files. synthesis, application and Mr. Boudreau has worked closely with Landscape Architects, Urban Designers, and presentation of spatial data Planners on a wide variety of institutional, commercial and resort projects both domestic and international. As a CAD production coordinator, he was responsible for the from a variety of public and oversight and scheduling of three other CAD designers, development of CAD private GIS-based sources for standards, recommendation of software purchases, and maintenance of MicroStation and Descartes. use in Planning and Urban

Design projects. He is Technology/Software Proficiency experienced in producing Bentley Systems MicroStation SE / 95 / J Surfer 7.0 custom cartographic output in Certified MicroStation Instructor, 1998 OrthoVista MicroStation Descartes Idrisi 2.0.5 both digital and hardcopy AutoCAD 2000 Truflite format including analysis, AutoCAD Map Adobe Photoshop 5.5 ArcView 3.2 MS Excel thematic and terrain / relief Spatial Analyst MS Word maps of project sites. Network Analyst MS Publisher 3D Analyst MS Powerpoint MapInfo

Recent projects include:

The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company, National Mr. Boudreau was the lead analyst for a large GIS application that is used to maintain and analyze supermarket-related data. The application integrates Store, Customer and Census data, and contains functionality to analyze existing Store performance, predict the locations of new Stores. Results are displayed in the form of both custom reports and high-quality maps. The data is maintained as shapefiles and in a Microsoft Access Data Warehouse. These data sets are seamlessly merged together through the application. Mr. Boudreau was responsible for assisting in development, testing and training users. Additionally served as an on-call analyst providing GIS services on a variety of critical ‘special projects’ for the Location Research and Real Estate Departments.

Main.doc ......

Daniel J. Boudreau, Jr...... Continued, p. 2

Philadelphia International Airport EIS, PA Task manager responsible for managing project GIS data holdings, set data procedures and standards, perform spatial analysis and develops cartographic output in support of the airport Environmental Impact Statement. Developed system for managing the vast data holdings and graphics, coordinates with project sub-consultants and maintains project ArcIMS website.

Archer Research LLC Lead Analyst providing data analysis and cartographic services to evaluate potential markets for a medium-sized bank expansion plan. Analyzed demographic and banking industry data resulting in the development of existing branch and proposed branch trade areas.

Jamestown Island EIS, VA Lead Analyst responsible for the management, and synthesis of project GIS data and cartographic production in support of the Environmental Impact Statement for the visitor center expansion plan.

Technology/Software Proficiency Bentley Systems MicroStation and Descartes Autodesk AutoCAD Map Environmental Systems Research Institute ArcGIS suite of products Microsoft Access Relational Databases

...... Education B.S. Cartography and Geographic Information Systems, 2000 A.S. Electromechanical Drafting, 1987

Affiliations American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) The North American Cartographic Information Society (NACIS) American Planning Association (APA) Association of American Geographers (AAG) Gamma Theta Upsilon – International Geographical Honor Society

main ......

Stephen J. O'Neill, P.E...... Planning and Alternatives Identification/Evaluation

...... Mr. O'Neill is a Project Manager A synopsis of Mr. O’Neill’s relevant bicycle and pedestrian transportation planning and design experience includes: with broad expertise in

planning and design of Virginia Statewide Bicycle Plan, VDOT Project Manager for Virginia's first statewide bicycle plan. Responsible for developing a multimodal transportation "Resource Guide" and "Best Practices Compendium" for Virginia Department of Transportation. The purpose of the Plan is to build a solid foundation for incorporating systems. His particular bicycling into all aspects of the transportation system, thereby encouraging localities to expertise includes bicycle and develop bicycle plans to enhance their transportation networks. The Resource Guide will include planning, design, maintenance, operations, education, encouragement, pedestrian studies, bicycle enforcement and funding strategies in support of bicycling throughout the Commonwealth. The final product will be distributed to all the localities and planning path planning and design, districts in Virginia. roadway design for bicycle

Massachusetts Statewide Bicycle Plan accommodation, and Served as senior staff planner for the preparation of the Massachusetts Statewide Bicycle transportation access and Plan. Areas of the plan where his expertise was applied include bicycle system planning and evaluation, design criteria, user profiles, bicycle interface with motor vehicle traffic, master plans. He is also a and safety. specialist in transportation Nantucket Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, Nantucket, MA planning including traffic Prepared the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan for Nantucket Island. The plan included an examination of existing bicycle and pedestrian circulation systems and recommended a impact studies, parking series of improvement projects to be implemented over a 15-year period. Key to the plan is studies, and transportation an In-Town Bikeway System which links outlying bicycle paths to the downtown area via new bicycle paths and designated bicycle routes (shared roadways). The plan recommends improvement plans. continued multi-use of the island’s extensive bicycle paths and improvements to village sidewalks and rural walking trails.

Harvard University Pedestrian Study, Cambridge, MA Project engineer for the transportation study of the planned reuse of Harvard University’s Memorial Hall. The transportation study recommended an extensive series of pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular improvements to better accommodate the reuse of Memorial Hall. Improvements were designed for walking paths and sidewalks in and around the historic Harvard Yard, for the pedestrian overpass which links Harvard Yard with Memorial Hall, and bicycle/pedestrian accommodations at major signalized intersections within the vicinity of Memorial Hall.

Northeastern University Master Plan, Boston, MA Conducted a comprehensive evaluation of Northeastern University’s urban transportation facilities and services in support of a Master Plan. The forecasted development plan included construction of several new residence halls, academic buildings, research facilities, parking structures, and new open space. The evaluation included all aspects of transportation serving the campus, including roadways, parking, public transportation, walking, bicycling, and loading and service functions. The master plan also identified mitigation the University would provide to offset impacts of its building program, including minor infrastructure improvements and a transportation demand management (TDM) program. The project included a substantial public participation process consisting of community meetings with several neighborhood groups, public hearings, and coordination with the City of Boston. The master plan culminated City approvals and a plan that will aid the University and the community as Northeastern proceeds with the development of the campus over the next ten years.

81556.05 ......

Stephen J. O'Neill, P.E...... Continued, p. 2

Shoreline Bikeway, Westerly, Charlestown, and South Kingstown, RI Developed an approach to evaluate bicycle route alternatives along Rhode Island’s south shore from Westerly to Wakefield, RI, for the Rhode Island Department of Transportation. Some of the alternatives evaluated to provide bicycle access to this corridor included designation of the shoulders of U.S. 1 as a bicycle facility and minor improvements to two-lane roadways with low traffic volumes to better accommodate bicycling.

Route 6A Bicycle Accommodation Study, Cape Cod, MA Prepared the Route 6A Bicycle Accommodation Study for the Cape Cod Commission. The study identified and analyzed both structural and non-structural measures to better accommodate bicycling within the Route 6A corridor, a designated scenic by-way, while maintaining the scenic and historic characteristics for which the corridor is nationally known. The structural and non-structural measures were evaluated for their impacts on surrounding historical, scenic and environmental resources, cost-effectiveness, and effectiveness in better accommodating bicyclists. The Cape Cod Commission will use the findings from this study to formulate an informal recommendation on accommodating bicycles within the Route 6A corridor.

Kendall Spur Greenway, Windham, CT Project Manager for planning and design of the 2 miles of multi-use path along the abandoned P&W rail line linking downtown Willimantic to the Trestle Trail. Both trails have been designated as part of the East Coast Greenway.

Eel Point Bicycle Path, Nantucket, MA The bicycle design project involved close coordination and planning with land owners adjacent to this one-mile bicycle path to minimize construction impacts and maximize proposed aesthetics in sensitive areas along the path.

Amherst/UMass Bikeway Connector, Amherst, MA Bicycle route alternatives evaluation for the proposed connection between the Norwottuck Rail Trail and the University of Massachusetts. Task responsibilities included development of evaluation criteria, field inspection, and route layout and evaluation. Issues included minimizing wetland impacts, sensitivity to abutter concerns, construction costs, right-of-way acquisition requirements, and access to user attractions.

Riverwalk and Bikeway Projects, Springfield and Agawam, MA Responsible for planning and conceptual design of a 5.8 mile walking and bicycle path along the scenic Connecticut River. The project included portions of separate pathways and areas of bicycle lanes and sidewalks within the existing roadway right-of-way. Unique aspects of the project included long stretches of elevated boardwalk, a bridge structure spanning two active railroad tracks, identifying key parking areas, and providing pathway linkages to other area attractions.

...... Education MSCE, University of Rhode Island, 1993 BSCE, University of Rhode Island, 1990

Affiliations Institute of Transportation Engineers; Tau Beta Pi; Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals; American Public Works Association – Leadership and Management Committee; Awards Review Committee

Registration Professional Engineer: CT, MA

81556.05 ......

Matthew J. Chase, P.E...... Traffic / Transportation Planning

...... Mr. Chase provides traffic engineering and planning services for public and private Matthew Chase is a Senior projects throughout New England. His project experience includes: Transportation Engineer with State Street Corridor Study, Springfield, MA – Ongoing VHB’s Springfield Office. Mr. Traffic and transportation planning efforts for the viability of providing physical and transportation improvements along the 3-mile corridor of State Street. This effort focuses Chase has over 10 years of on developing a corridor plan for the City of Springfield that will improve traffic flow, experience on a diversity of provide guidelines for corridor aesthetics, develop a plan for streetscape features, improve safety for pedestrians and bicycles, and create innovative parking solutions. projects ranging from traffic

impact studies, corridor Appaloosa Trail Subdivision, Belchertown, MA – Ongoing Support for the planning and permitting services of the construction of a subdivision planning studies, traffic peer including a 100 stall Equestrian Center and 125 luxury homes on approximately 375 reviews, community master acres of land. This includes the evaluation of potential traffic impacts to the surrounding neighborhood. plans, traffic signal design,

and air quality analysis. Aroostook County Transportation Project, Maine Traffic and Transportation planning efforts for the viability of providing improved access from Houlton to Fort Kent. Traffic support includes the development of Corridor Management Plans (CMPs) and preparation of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for a corridor that includes 70 miles of new highway and 67 miles of highway upgrades.

Lowe’s Home Improvement Center, North Adams, MA – Ongoing Support for the planning and permitting (local and state) services of the construction of a 165,000 square foot home improvement store along with two out parcels totaling approximately 12,000 square feet located on Route 8. This includes an evaluation of the traffic impact to adjacent roadways and the implementation of a mitigation plan to offset the project’s impacts.

On-Call Traffic Engineering Review Services - Ongoing Engaged by communities to provide a technical review of traffic impact studies prepared by other consultants. Developments include convenience stores with gasoline services, 40B residential developments, mixed use developments, and office buildings. Peer reviews are ongoing in Palmer and South Hadley.

Holyoke EO 418 Planning Study, Holyoke, MA Transportation engineering and planning services for the City of Holyoke and PVPC involving the enhancement of pedestrian accommodations, alternative access, parking strategies, traffic calming measures, and operational and safety improvements within the Ingleside Neighborhood. The Ingleside Neighborhood is located at the intersection of Interstate 91 and Interstate 90 where the neighborhood is experiencing traffic congestion as a result of regional retail development (Holyoke Mall) and several office and light industrial parks.

Merrick Neighborhood Redevelopment Plan, West Springfield, MA Traffic and transportation planning efforts for the development of a plan for transportation improvements that will focus on enhancing the long-standing relationship between the rail yard and the neighborhood’s residences, industrial users, and commercial businesses. The Merrick Neighborhood is situated along the western

81588.05 ......

Matthew J. Chase ...... Continued, p. 2

banks of the Connecticut River between Route 20, Route 147, and Route 5.

C&S Wholesale Grocers, Hatfield, MA Support for the planning and permitting services of a warehouse expansion to the existing distribution facility. This includes the evaluation of potential traffic, noise, and air quality impacts to the surrounding neighborhood. The development includes the expansion of the existing 480,000 square foot facility to include an additional 160,000 square feet. The facility is located adjacent to Route 5/10 near Exit 22 off Interstate 91.

Five Town Plaza, Springfield, MA Traffic engineering monitoring and impact analysis for the development of several parcels totaling over 20,000 square feet within the Five Town Plaza on Cooley Street in Springfield, MA. The current shopping center provides over 300,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space. Specific responsibilities include evaluating existing and future conditions and developing a mitigation plan both internally and off-site to accommodate future traffic.

Six Flags New England, Agawam, MA Traffic engineering support, traffic monitoring, and traffic data collection for Six Flags located on Route 159.

Publications/Presentations ¾ Guidelines for Ride Quality Acceptance of Pavements, Civil Engineering Practice – Journal of the Boston Society of Civil Engineers/ASCE, 2000 ¾ Guidelines for Ride Quality Acceptance of Pavements - Transportation Research Board (TRB), 1998 (publication and presentation) ¾ New England Transportation Consortium (NETC) – Ride Quality Acceptance of Pavements, 1997

Mr. Chase also has the following traffic engineering experience: ¾ Traffic signal design and traffic engineering support for the City of Holyoke, Town of Belchertown, Town of Hadley, and City of Northampton. ¾ Traffic Impact and Access Studies prepared for convenience stores/gasoline service stations, mixed use developments, residential developments, and fast food establishments (Dunkin Donuts) in Dalton, Pittsfield, and Adams...... Education M.S., University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA (Transportation Engineering and Planning) B.S., University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA (Civil and Environmental Engineering) A.S., Holyoke Community College, Holyoke, MA (Civil Engineering)

Affiliations Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)

Registration Professional Engineer: Massachusetts #45175

81137.05 ......

Laura M. Castelli ...... Planning/Alternatives Support

...... Ms. Castelli’s experience at VHB includes the following: Laura Castelli is a Transportation Engineer with Massachusetts Avenue Corridor Study, Arlington, MA Provided traffic engineering, transportation planning, and pedestrian/bicycle safety VHB’s Transportation Systems services to the Town to develop safety and streetscape improvement plans for Group. Ms. Castelli has Massachusetts Avenue that appropriately identifies both village centers and residential communities and incorporates on-road bicycle accommodations. experience in corridor studies, pedestrian studies, traffic King Street Corridor Study, Northampton MA Prepare a conceptual transportation improvement plan identifying opportunities to calming studies, community improve safety and operations along King Street (Route 5/10), a major corridor and intuitional master plans, surrounding Northampton and the surrounding communities. Responsibilities include preparing a five-year improvement plan that will provide safe vehicular access and traffic impact studies, and air appropriately accommodate pedestrian and bicycle activity, including the inclusion of and noise quality analysis. an on-road bike lane with connections to the City’s planned off-road bike path network.

Connecticut River Crossing Transportation Study, Western MA Responsibilities include identifying existing deficiencies and developing and evaluating solutions to improve a transportation system that is restricted by a limited number of bridge crossings over the Connecticut River. Project involves working with several municipalities to gain a consensus on reasonable solutions that address regional traffic congestion issues and transit system deficiencies while minimizing environmental impacts.

Indian Village Neighborhood Traffic Calming Study, Acton, MA Conducted a study within the Indian Village neighborhood to review safety deficiencies, excessive speeds, and traffic operations. Final recommendations included a neighborhood speed control program, signage plan, and reduced corner radii treatments.

Traffic Calming Measures at Hitchcock Street and Martin Street, Holyoke, MA Studied potential traffic calming measures to address vehicular safety, pedestrian safety, speeding, and traffic operations/conflicts at the intersection. The study resulted in a two-phased improvement plan including neckdowns, enhanced crosswalk treatments, lighting, flashing beacon and large stop signs, which all lead to creating more of a gateway.

Charles and Fruit Street Traffic and Pedestrian Study, Massachusetts Eye and Ear- Boston, MA Assisted in conducting a study, which focused on the safety and operations of both vehicular and pedestrian traffic in the vicinity of the intersection of Charles Street and Fruit Street. Based on a review of the existing conditions, the recommendations included textured crosswalks, reduced corner radii treatments, streetscaping (including landscaping and a fence) and a pedestrian actuated flashing sign.

East Longmeadow Rotary, East Longmeadow, MA Developed and analyzed possible long and short-term improvement alternatives to the East Longmeadow rotary. Worked with town residents in public workshops to determine which alternatives best suit the community. The project included analyzing existing roadway conditions, pedestrian and bicycle safety, and truck use, and

81556.05 ......

Laura M. Castelli ...... Continued, p. 2

developing a new roadway structure that could maximize safety and minimize delay.

Cambridge Public Library Expansion, Cambridge MA Prepared a Transportation Impact Study that reviewed the auto, transit, pedestrian, bicycle, and parking impacts of expanding the existing Cambridge Public Library. Efforts included multi-modal trip generation and distribution, parking and transit analysis, and mitigation measures to ensure pedestrian and bicycle safety.

Bridgewater Townwide Traffic Study and Management Plan, Bridgewater, MA Quantified existing traffic, parking, pedestrian, transit, and bicycle facilities throughout the town. Identified expected future constraints to Town parking, pedestrian access, and the roadway network. Worked with stakeholders from the local college to determine the collegiate impact to the community and identify appropriate mitigation measures. The final report presented several improvement strategies to mitigate deficient areas and maximize vehicular and pedestrian safety. The study provided the Town with the transportation section of the Master Plan.

Route 27 Corridor Study, Acton, MA Provided planning, traffic engineering, bicycle/pedestrian safety, community outreach, and streetscaping services to the town to develop a publicly acceptable and effective improvement plan for the Route 27 corridor. The project included quantifying existing problems, projecting future scenarios, and developing improvement alternatives for the Town.

Sandwich Local Comprehensive Plan, Sandwich, MA Worked with the Town of Sandwich to develop a transportation element for the town’s Local Comprehensive Plan. The plan quantified and evaluated existing demographics and travel patterns, traffic, parking, public transportation, bicycle and pedestrian activity in the town. The project also included development of a build-out land use scenario. Assisted the Town in identifying potential transportation services, infrastructure improvements, and policies that will help manage the transportation system into the future.

...... Education BS Civil Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 1999

Affiliations Institute of Transportation Engineers

Registration Engineer In Training

81556.05 ......

David E. Hewett ...... Environmental Permitting

...... Mr. Hewett began his career at the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), where he reviewed wetland permit applications and enforced state Mr. Hewett is a Project environmental regulations. He also worked at Central Maine Power Company, where he Manager in VHB’s was involved in the permitting of new transmission lines. Mr. Hewett has extensive experience with federal and state environmental regulations including the National Environmental Sciences Environmental Protection Act (NEPA), the Massachusetts Environmental Protection Act group. Specializing in (MEPA), the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) Section 404/10 regulations, U.S. Coast environmental regulation and Guard regulations, Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management regulations, permitting, particularly for Massachusetts Chapter 91 Regulations, and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Mr. Hewett’s project experience at VHB includes the following: MEPA and NEPA, he has applied his expertise on a Aroostook County Transportation Study, Aroostook County, ME Mr. Hewett is the Deputy Project Manager for this $4.5 million Environmental Impact variety of infrastructure Statement (EIS), which is directed planning transportation improvements to spur projects including roadways, economic development in the County. The Draft EIS examined approximately 875 miles of new and upgraded highway corridors throughout a roughly 2,800 square mile study natural gas pipelines, electric area. The Final EIS will provide a detailed study of a single corridor that combines transmission lines, hydro- approximately 70 miles of highway upgrades with 30 miles of new highway alignment bypasses. electric facilities, and marine cargo facilities. Portland North Passenger Rail Service Environmental Assessment Dave is the Project Manager for the preparation of the EA examining the impacts associated with the resumption of passenger rail service along a 30-mile rail corridor 19 years of professional between Portland and Brunswick, Maine. The project involves the construction of a new experience stations, layover facilities, new railway along the City of Portland’s waterfront, and a 1,800-foot long marine bridge crossing.

Route 3A/North River Bridge, Marshfield and Scituate, Massachusetts Primary responsibility for managing environmental review process and the preparation of environmental documents for the replacement of the bridge along an important regional arterial. Environmental clearances obtained include NEPA, Section 401 Water Quality Certification, Coastal Zone Management Consistency Determination, Army Corps of Engineers’ Section 404 Permit, and U.S. Coast Guard Bridge Permit.

Route 1 Transportation Improvement Project, Sharon, Walpole, Foxborough, and Wrentham, Massachusetts Task manager for the preparation of the Draft and Final EA/EIR and other environmental permit applications for the rehabilitation of an 8-mile stretch of roadway. Wrote Notice of Project Change and Phase I Waiver request for the addition of a 0.25- mile center left-turn lane; two miles of new shoulders and sidewalk; and widening a railroad overpass.

Route 3A/North River Bridge, Marshfield and Scituate, Massachusetts Primary responsibility for managing environmental review process and the preparation of environmental documents for the replacement of the bridge along an important regional arterial. Environmental clearances obtained include NEPA, Section 401 Water Quality Certification, Coastal Zone Management Consistency Determination, Army Corps of Engineers’ Section 404 Permit, and U.S. Coast Guard Bridge Permit. Prior to VHB, Mr. Hewett’s experience included:

01064_hewett-ComprehensiveToUpdate ......

David E. Hewett ...... Continued, p. 2

Route 53 Transportation Improvement Project, Hanover, Massachusetts Responsible for the overall management for the preparation of MEPA Draft and Final EIRs for the rehabilitation and widening of approximately one mile of roadway from a two- to five-lane cross section within commercial district. Because of the proximity of the town’s drinking water supply wells, the major focus of the EIR is on roadway runoff and its impact to surface and groundwater quality.

Sprint PCS NEPA Compliance, Environmental Assessments and CE Checklists Dave serves as a senior technical advisor on the Sprint PCS program. VHB serves as Sprint’s environmental consultant preparing the necessary level of NEPA documentation for Sprint telecommunications facilities throughout New England. Dave provides QA/QC and technical review for a variety of documents including CEs, EAs, visual impact reports, and wetland permit applications.

Sears Island Marine Dry Cargo Terminal, Searsport, Maine Assisted in the preparation of the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (DSEIS) for a new $75 million shipping terminal in Penobscot Bay. Primary responsibilities were for writing sections dealing with permitting, water quality, and socio-economics. Also wrote DSEIS Executive Summary and Draft Record of Decision and was coordinator for the State Department of Environmental Protection Site Location of Development permitting process.

I-84 Corridor Deficiencies/Needs Study Task Manager for environmental constraints, environmental screening analysis, and permitting analysis for study of approximately 16 miles of I-84 between Exits 1 and 11 in western Connecticut. Study considered mainline widening and major interchange reconstruction. Findings of this study are expected to lead to a series of expedited EAs to achieve an overall shortened schedule.

Transmission Line Siting Study, Eastern Utilities Associates Service Corp., Middletown, RI Developed and evaluated proposed routes for a 115kV transmission line through three southern RI towns. Co-authored report reviewing four designs and five routes, and recommending preferred route.

Natural Gas Transmission System, Haverill, MA to Portland, ME and to Montreal, Quebec Developed federal and state environmental applications for a 170-mile interstate natural gas pipeline. Conducted consultations with federal, state and local resource agencies, managed the preparation of the applications, and responded to data requests from regulatory agencies.

......

Education B.A., Biology, Middlebury College, 1986

......

Gene F. Crouch ...... Ecological Evaluation

......

Mr. Crouch is a Senior Environmental Scientist at VHB, and is an expert in freshwater Mr. Crouch, a Senior and marine wetland ecology. Mr. Crouch is an expert in the design and construction of Environmental Scientist, is an compensatory wetland replacement areas and stream bank stabilization projects. He was formerly an employee of the Corps of Engineers Regulatory Branch, and the U.S. expert in fresh and marine Fish and Wildlife Service, and has conducted numerous wetland investigations, wetland ecology, research, including delineation and functional assessments, for a wide range of transportation and public utility projects. Representative projects include: permitting, environmental documentation preparation Meadow Brook Park, Arlington, MA Prepared a complex wetland restoration planting and hydrologic design to restore a and reporting. He has a giant reed (Phragmites) dominated wetland. Mr. Crouch also helped the town partially thorough knowledge of federal fund the project by securing a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The site was environmental legislation and successfully planted in Spring 2001. regulations gained through

Roadway Improvements to Middlesex Turnpike and Route 62, Bedford and Burlington, previous experience with the Massachusetts U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, As part of a land development project, Mr. Crouch provided the environmental evaluation and permitting for roadway improvements required as off site traffic the National Marine Fisheries mitigation for a large office park complex. The environmental permitting effort included Services, and the U.S. Fish the roadway improvements, utility relocation and geotechnical borings. Although wetland impacts were relatively minor, floodplain impacts and stormwater quality were and Wildlife Service. the primary interest of the regulatory agencies. Mr. Crouch developed a strategy for floodplain mitigation that used elements of the roadway improvements and minimized additional construction.

Woonsocket Industrial Highway/Route 99 Preparation of the final SEIS for a major wetlands replication project, which involved development of construction and post-construction monitoring procedures that have been widely acclaimed.

Transportation Improvement Study, Routes 9 and 100, Wilmington, Vermont Mr. Crouch assisted in the preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Study of potential transportation improvements to Routes 9 and 100 in southern Vermont. Eleven alternative highway alignments were evaluated for potential impacts to wetlands, hydric soils, wildlife habitat, endangered species, forest blocks, water supply wells, and recreational facilities.

Route 140 in Franklin, MA Environmental Assessment for the relocation of Route 140 impacting wetlands and a river.

Fall River / New Bedford Rail Line Mr. Crouch directed field studies and permitting evaluation for about 30 miles of rehabilitation of an abandoned rail line from Taunton, Massachusetts to Fall River and New Bedford, Massachusetts. Several alignments were considered and evaluated including a 2 mile section of new rail line, and rehabilitation of a rail section through a Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC). The project will impact wetlands, floodplain and stream channels. The project consisted of an evaluation of potential

82261 ......

Gene F. Crouch ...... Continued, p. 2

environmental impacts and the preparation of an Alternative Analysis Report submitted to the Massachusetts Legislature.

Stop & Shop Supermarket - Gloucester, MA Due to an earlier Determination from the Waterways Program, there were three unlicensed activities on the project site, including 500 square feet of fill and two stormwater discharge pipes. Mr. Crouch prepared the application, coordinated with the Chapter 91 reviewer and obtained a License for the project.

Londonderry Landfill Superfund Site Responsible for design of more than 7 acres of replacement and enhancement wetlands, constrained by the presence of ledge, existing wetlands and the site clean up activities. The EPA-approved mitigation was monitored for several years after construction and found to be very successful.

Stream Restoration, Andover, MA Restoration of 2,000 linear feet of an altered/channelized stream system in northern Massachusetts. Mr. Crouch developed a work plan that was designed to replace the former stream channel to previously existing conditions. In addition to designing the restoration plan, VHB was responsible for directing construction operations. The results of this effort demonstrated successful stream channel restoration and associated riparian habitat development.

Federal Environmental Legislation/Regulation, USACOE Mr. Crouch has a thorough knowledge of Federal environmental legislation and regulations. As a project manager for the Regulatory Branch of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mr. Crouch was responsible for a variety of complex and controversial Federal regulatory actions involving environmental impacts. Responsibilities included wetlands boundary delineation, wetland values evaluation, review of mitigation proposals, and preparation of regulatory determinations.

...... Education B.S. Biology, Northeastern University, 1974

Affiliations Association of State Wetland Managers

Certifications US Army Corps of Engineers sponsored courses: Regulatory I – The U.S. Corps of Engineers Wetland Permitting Procedures; Regulatory IV - Wetland Delineation and Evaluation

Federal Highway Administration Sponsored Courses: Effects of Highway Development on Wetlands

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Sponsored Courses: Habitat Evaluation Procedures (HEP)

OSHA 40-hour Hazardous Waste Site Personnel Health & Safety Training

82261 ......

Jeffrey C. Peterson, CPSS, CPESC Senior Soil Scientist ...... Ecological Evaluation

......

Mr. Peterson is a Senior Soil Scientist at VHB with 24 years of combined national and Mr. Peterson is a Wildlife and international experience in soil science. Mr. Peterson has 18 years of experience in Soils Scientist with VHB wetland delineation in New England and the Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. For the past five years he has been a member of the New England Hydric Soils Technical specializing in wetland Committee and a contributing editor to the Field Indicators for Identifying Hydric Soils in delineation, soil classification New England, version 3 (NEHSTC, 2004), the most comprehensive guide on wetland soil identification for New England. Mr. Peterson is an active professional member of the and mapping, soil chemistry, Society of Soil Scientists of Southern New England, frequently presenting at technical plant taxonomy, and workshops. His skills include wetland delineation, soil description and classification, erosion and sediment control planning, plant identification, project impact evaluation, evaluation of wetland resource and permit preparation. He is a nationally Certified Professional Soil Scientist, is functions and values. As a certified by the Baltimore District of the Army Corps of Engineers as a Wetland Delineator, and is nationally Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control. senior member of the He has consulted on projects which involve soil related issues such as wetland Environmental Staff, his delineation, soil-based limitations to development, soil stabilization, storm water responsibilities include the management design selection, soil/chemical interactions and wetland mitigation site selection and design and permit preparation. Representative projects include: delineation and documentation of wetland resources by state US Route 58 Corridor Study, Galax to Stuart, VA Mr. Peterson was part of the team responsible for delineating and documenting the and federal criteria, evaluation limits of federal jurisdictional wetlands in the approximately 50-mile long study of soil based constraints, corridor. The study involved aerial photography interpretation along with field verification. The mountainous physiography, and remote undeveloped nature of the wetland functional study corridor demanded top skills in mapping and navigation. assessments, and permit

VDOT Wetland Delineation Training, Richmond, VA preparation. Developed a soil science curriculum for the VDOT Wetland Delineation Training for the Department’s Environmental staff. Provided specific technical support in the identification of hydric soils with the use of field indicators. Facilitated field discussions concerning the role of parent material, biological factors, time, mode of deposition, topographic position, and other factors on the development of hydromorphic features in soil profiles. Directed a field exercise on a site that included "problem soils" which did not exhibit typical hydric soil morphology.

RI Route 99 Wetland Mitigation Monitoring Study, Woonsocket, RI Prepared a soil monitoring plan to evaluate the hydrologic regimes within wetland enhancement areas constructed to offset impacts of the Route 99 crossing of the Blackstone River. Recorded baseline data including the morphology, chemistry, and physical properties of the soils within the enhancement areas. Successfully used dye indicators of free ferrous iron as an effective predictor of future wetland development. Reported findings to RIDOT and ACOE in compliance with the permit issued to authorize the highway's construction.

Narragansett Electric Company, S-171S/T-172S Transmission Line Reconductoring Project, Johnston to Warwick, RI Mr. Peterson field mapped the wetland resources within this 9.5-mile long corridor using maps compiled from NE Co. ROW surveys and other published data. He

\\Ri-data\admin\EV\Peterson\Custom Resumes\powerline504.dot ......

Jeffrey C. Peterson ...... Continued, p. 2

evaluated soil-based constraints within the corridor to develop a BMP work plan to facilitate the environmental compliance and to maintain the state-granted freshwater wetlands permit exemption. Mr. Peterson authored many sections of the Rhode Island Energy Facility Siting Board Notice of Intent.

Narragansett Electric Company; E-183/F-184 Transmission Line Upgrade Project, Warren, RI Project involved the replacement of cross arms, shield wire and corroded guy anchors for transmission line located in coastal marsh. The Rhode Island Natural Heritage Program had records of three listed plant species within this corridor. Mr. Peterson reestablished stations for two of the three listed species and established a new station for a previously unlisted species. Careful selection of erosion and sediment control best management practices and close coordination with the RINHP and the Warren Police (after the discovery of cultivation of a controlled substance in the work corridor) resulted in timely signoffs by the Corps of Engineers and RI Coastal Resources Management Permits. After the contractor was sited for a violation during construction., Mr. Peterson conducted field inspections, documenting compliance and succeeded in getting the CRMC to rescind their Notice of Violation.

Narragansett Electric Company Reconductoring & Rehabilitation #85T3 35 KV Subtransmission Line, Westerly, RI Mr. Peterson coordinated with the New England Power Service Co. field representatives overseeing work contracted to Seaward Corp. Environmental compliance was complicated by the large number of pole replacements proposed within wetland systems. Mr. Peterson recommended BMPs to address specific construction issues and monitored their installation during construction. Authored a final report evaluating the effectiveness of various work practices and equipment used by the contractor and documenting vegetation recovery in the work corridor.

New England Power Service Co., K11/L12 Line Tower Removal, Northbridge, MA to Smithfield, RI Mr. Peterson investigated tower structures located within wetlands along this 20-mile long corridor to identify the most prudent methods of access and removal. He flagged proposed construction mat routes and recorded descriptions of wetland resource areas where temporary impacts were proposed. Tabular summaries presenting the data collected in the corridor were prepared to assist in the preparation applications for review by local Conservation Commissions.

...... Education University of Massachusetts, Continuing Graduate Studies in Soil Science, University of Connecticut, Soil Science Graduate Research, 1989 B.S., Biology, University of Connecticut, 1977

Memberships and Certified Professional Soil Scientist No. 25010, ARCPACS Certifications Certified Wetland Delineator No. DCP93MD0919983B, USACOE Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control No. 2696, Professional Member, Society of Soil Scientists of Southern NE Member of the Society of Wetland Scientists Member Rhode Island Natural History Survey OSHA 40-Hour Certified

\\Ri-data\admin\EV\Peterson\Custom Resumes\powerline504.dot ......

Rita Walsh ...... Historic/Cultural Resource Assessment

......

Rita is VHB’s Senior Preservation Planner and meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Rita brings over 20 years Professional Qualification Standards for an Architectural Historian and Historian (36 experience to VHB in cultural CFR 61). Rita’s project experience includes the following: resources compliance and Cultural Resources Assessment, NH Route 33 Bridge Engineering Study, Portsmouth, historic preservation services. New Hampshire Researched the presence of previously inventoried above ground resources and She provides expertise in a archaeological sites and compiled archival sources for the area of NH Route 33 between broad range of services I-95 and Peverly Hill Road. Fieldwork involved photographic documentation, assessment of the condition of previously inventoried resources, and identification of including Section 106 reviews, new above ground resources along the corridor. Outlined issues and recommendations historic preservation tax credit regarding the status of above ground resources and future steps. certification applications, Cultural Resources Assessment, NH 125 from Epping to Rochester, New Hampshire Historic American Building Researched the presence of previously inventoried above ground resources and archaeological sites and compiled archival sources for a 20-mile segment of NH 125 Survey and Historic American between Epping and Rochester. Fieldwork involved photographic documentation, Engineering Record assessment of the condition of previously inventoried resources, and identification of new above ground resources along the corridor. Outlined issues and recommendations documentation, National regarding the status of above ground resources and future steps. Register nominations, and

Federal Highway Administration Determination of Exceptions to the Dwight D. Eisenhower historical research. System of Interstate and Defense Highways Section 106 and Section 4(f) Exemption Part of a team of cultural resource professionals contracted by the Federal Highway Administration to work with each state and the District of Columbia to define nationally and exceptionally significant elements of the Interstate Highway system that would continue to be subject to Section 106 and Section 4(f) requirements.

Herndon (VA) to Cleveland (OH), Fiber Optic Line Survey and National Register evaluation Directed survey of architectural properties, primarily railroad bridges, culverts, and other associated structures in five states (Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland) for proposed fiber optic line along CSX railroad lines.

Phase 1a-Phase III River Road Widening, Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio This multi-year project involved the completion of literature review and context (Phase Ia) through the Phase I architectural and archaeological survey, Phase II evaluation, and Historic American Building Survey reports for the large district and two individual buildings identified in the project area. Rita supervised the fieldwork, preparation of all forms and reports, and National Register evaluations.

Phase I documentation and evaluation of architectural resources for Euclid Bus Rapid Transit Corridor, Cleveland and East Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio This multi-phase and multi-year project included the documentation of architectural resources for the 6-mile bus rapid transit corridor along Euclid Avenue, two downtown transit centers, and a zone devoted only to buses. Rita supervised the fieldwork, preparation of forms and reports, and National Register evaluations for all phases.

......

Rita Walsh ...... Continued, p. 2

National Road/U.S. 40 Corridor Survey in Ohio Directed survey, National Register evaluations, and report preparation for over 700 architectural properties for the 225-mile corridor in ten counties in the state. The project was an ISTEA grant administered by the Ohio Historical Society.

Historic American Engineering Record Documentation for Cincinnati, Mackinaw and Jackson Railroad Bridge, Montgomery County, OH Researched history and wrote physical description of unusual, c. 1890 “fishbelly” plate girder railroad bridge in southwestern Ohio. Incorporated research and description into established HAER format.

South Central Corridor Light Rail Project, Louisville, KY Directed architectural survey for proposed light rail line from Louisville’s downtown to the Louisville International Airport.

I-71 Northeast Corridor Light Rail Project, Cincinnati, OH Directed architectural survey for proposed light rail line from downtown Cincinnati through over 10 heavily developed communities to the northern border of Hamilton County, Ohio.

Phase I Architectural Inventory and Phase Ia Assessment of Archaeological Potential for the Fort Washington Way Reconfiguration Project, Cincinnati, OH Directed architectural survey and National Register evaluation of architectural resources affected by the proposed reconfiguration of a mid-1950s highway connector in Downtown Cincinnati.

Phase I Cultural Resources Investigations, Proposed Improvements to Rip Rap Road, Montgomery County, OH Conducted architectural survey and National Register evaluation of buildings and bridge affected by proposed widening of existing road.

Historic American Building Survey documentation for the Isabella Scott House, Meadville, PA Researched history, prepared narrative, and directed photography and graphics for a HABS report of a late 19th century house in downtown Meadville. The report was prepared as a mitigation measure for the proposed alteration of the house into a facility for physically disabled people.

Phase I, II and III Cultural Resources Investigations of the Proposed Line 1278 Replacement Pipeline in Northampton County, PA Responsible for survey and National Register evaluation of above-ground resources within the proposed right-of-way of the gas pipeline.

Phase I Cultural Resources Assessment of the Proposed Ohio River Bridge between Covington, KY and Cincinnati, OH Examined historic maps and other archival documents for comprehensive analysis of above-ground and potential archaeological resources that might be affected by the construction of a new bridge on the Ohio River.

Phase I Cultural Resources Investigations for the Proposed FRA-Hard Road Roadway Improvement Widening and Grade Separation with the CSX Railroad Improvement Project, Franklin County, OH Responsible for survey and National Register evaluation for above-ground resources along road right-of-way.

...... Education M.S., Historic Preservation, University of Vermont, 1982 B.A., Historic Preservation, University of Michigan, 1979

......

John J. Bechard, P.E...... Fund Programming, Strategy

......

Mr. Bechard’s project experience includes: Mr. Bechard is Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.’s Connecticut Riverwalk and Bikeway Project, Chicopee, MA Principal in Charge responsible for oversight of the planning, conceptual design, Managing Director of permitting and final design of a 3.4 mile walking and bicycle path along the scenic Transportation Engineering. Connecticut River in Chicopee to link with the 5.8 mile project in Springfield/Agawam as well as the 3.6 mile Chicopee Riverwalk. The project includes portions of separate He also serves as Manager of pathways and areas of bicycle lanes and sidewalks within the existing I-391 and Springfield Operations. He Guilford Transportation Railroad right-of-way. Unique aspects of the project included long stretches of elevated walk along the top of a flood control dike, a bridge structure possesses considerable spanning two active railroad tracks, identifying key parking areas, and providing experience in the design of pathway linkages to other area attractions. public infrastructure projects, Norwottuck Rail Trail Extension Project, Northampton, MA including six years with the Project Manager responsible for conceptual and final design of a grade separated structure (tunnel and bridge options) to extend the Norwottuck Rail Trail over Damon Massachusetts Highway Road into downtown Northampton. Traffic counts, warrant analyses and LOS Department. projections were performed to integrate an interim bicycle/pedestrian signal and future construction of the permanent grade separated structure for the City of Northampton and MassHighway.

Amherst/UMass Bikeway Connector, Amherst, MA Task Manager for Bicycle design and route alternative evaluation for the proposed connection between the Norwottuck Rail Trail and the University of Massachusetts. Task responsibilities included review of evaluation criteria, route layout, design oversight and constructability. During construction, coordinated site access and constructability issues with MassHighway and the two municipalities regarding on- road and off-road grading issues.

Connecticut Riverwalk and Bikeway Projects, Springfield and Agawam, MA Project Manager responsible for planning, conceptual design, permitting and final design of a 5.8 mile walking and bicycle path along the scenic Connecticut River. The project included portions of separate pathways and areas of bicycle lanes and sidewalks within the existing roadway right-of-way. Unique aspects of the project included long stretches of elevated boardwalk, a bridge structure spanning two active railroad tracks, identifying key parking areas, and providing pathway linkages to other area attractions including the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Springfield Visitor’s Information Center and Riverfront Park. Principal in charge for the construction phase of the project including full-time resident engineering services, preparation of change orders, processing payment requisitions, preliminary and final inspection with punchlist items and maintaining project schedules.

Columbia Greenway Bike Trail, Westfield, MA Principal in Charge responsible for planning, conceptual design, permitting and final design of a 3.2 mile bicycle path along the former Pioneer Valley Railroad right of way including eleven (11) bridge structures carrying the path over city streets and the Westfield River. Unique aspects of the project includes re-use of existing historical railroad bridges to maintain the downtown historic district and reduce project costs while providing pathway linkages to the new multimodal center and the historic common.

81556.05 ......

John J. Bechard, P.E...... Continued, p. 2

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Springfield, MA Responsible for planning, permitting (EA/EIR) and engineering services coordinating the complex issues including interstate and local highway access, utility relocation, site assemblage on a riverfront, environmental remediation, and prepare a practical implementation strategy. Performed the traffic evaluation, site access, parking and design concepts for the Springfield area’s premiere tourist attraction. Traffic access plans extend to I-91 access ramps to I-291, preparation of FHWA Interchange Justification Report, and tasks that required recommendation of ramp relocations and alterations.

......

Education B.S.C.E., University of Lowell, 1986 M.S.C.E., University of Lowell, 1990

Registration Registered Professional Engineer: Massachusetts & Florida

81556.05 ......

Nathaniel W. Karns, Executive Director Berkshire Regional Planning Commission 1993-Present

Qualifications Summary

Nat provides overall agency management, program oversight, and coordination with local, state and federal officials. Nat’s focus is on agency and staff management. He provides guidance to staff with specific projects, particularly in resolving public conflicts or problems in resolving conflicting goals. He also provides overall quality control review for public information and plans, studies and other project deliverables. He specifically works with staff to maintain communication and coordination with key local and state government stakeholders during the course of projects, especially in overcoming obstacles in moving projects to successful conclusions. Specific knowledge includes stormwater management regulation, review and techniques, wetlands regulation, and land use impacts on stormwater and water resources. He is experienced in working with the public and local, state and federal officials. With involvement across the full spectrum of BRPC’s responsibilities, including environmental, community and economic development, land use planning, transportation, and public services planning, Nat provides a breadth of knowledge that relates seemingly separate functions and topics into a comprehensive picture.

Selected Professional Experience

ƒ Development plan/master plan reviews for significant projects in the region with potential major environmental impacts, including the Pittsfield Municipal Airport Improvements, Snowy Owl Resort, and the William Stanley Business Park. ƒ Farmington River Watershed Assessment Project development and oversight. ƒ Principal Author and Project Manager of City of Hampton, Virginia, Ordinances to implement the requirements of the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act. ƒ Director of Inter-Departmental Task Force on Waterways Issues, City of Hampton, Virginia. ƒ Staff for local Wetlands Boards for eight years. ƒ Principal Author for Environmental Element of City of Hampton, Virginia, Comprehensive Plan.

Education

Graduate School of Planning, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 1976-1979: Earned Master of Science in Planning.

University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 1970-1974: Earned Bachelor of Arts, With Distinction.

www.berkshireplanning.org

pr.#div.p65 Additional Qualifi cations Statewide Bicycle Transportation Plan Massachusetts Statewide/Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Highway Department through its Bureau of Transportation Planning and Development retained VHB to prepare the Commonwealth’s first Statewide Bicycle Transportation Plan. This long range system Client plan identifies policies and practices to improve Massachusetts Highway bicycling conditions in the Commonwealth. The Department plan will function as an element of Accessing the Status Future: the Intermodal Transportation Policy Plan Complete 1997 for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The plan was prepared through a multi-level public involvement process which included:

• Technical Advisory Committee • User Focus Group • Public Informational Meetings • Regional Planning Agencies

As part of the plan, VHB developed and tested a methodology to assess bicycle accommodation on the Commonwealth’s roadways. It includes factors such as traffic volume, truck volume, motor vehicle speed, roadway and shoulder width and can be used as an initial step in the identification and prioritization of improvement projects.

Recommendations were developed for various agencies in the areas of planning, design, maintenance and construction of bicycle facilities, safety, education and enforcement, land use, tourism and promotion. Key recommendations of the plan are:

• Formalize and expand the role of the Massachusetts Bicycle Safety Alliance in the coordination of bicycle safety activities statewide. • Implement a comprehensive, statewide school-based safety education program for children. • Increase motorist and bicyclist education through a Share the Road campaign. • Make reasonable provision for the accommodation of bicycle traffic in the planning, design, construction, or maintenance of any project undertaken or supported by the Commonwealth. • Specify bicycle detection in projects involving new actuated traffic signal systems based on standards to be developed by Mass Highway. • Improve bicycle access to and accommodation by other transportation modes.

20890-dr • Use the Massachusetts Bicycle Advisory Board to help establish priorities and monitor the implementation of the Statewide Bicycle Transportation Plan.

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. Design Guidelines for Highways and Roads

statewide Massachusetts

Client MassHighway, Boston, Massachusetts

Status Ongoing

VHB is working with MassHighway to draft a new Design Guidebook for Highlights the Commonwealth’s roadways and highways. MassHighway has been This project signals a working to improve the relationship between the highway design/ major change from the project development process and community/environmental impacts current MassHighway for a number of years. This effort is building upon the Design Manual Commonwealth’s past efforts to better align highway design principles strengthening and with community objectives. adjusting the project development process so To advance the development of more community-oriented and that it is consistent with environmentally-responsive project development and design process in the principles of context Massachusetts, the Governor’s Task Force evaluated the existing sensitive design and can Highway Design Manual and established the Vision and Goals for the lead to consensus around new Guidebook. Based on these Vision and Goals VHB is working with proposed projects, helping MassHighway in creation of a guidebook that provides clear and to streamline the overall concise design guidelines; a streamlined, expeditious review process; implementation timeline. and standards with flexibility to accommodate different situations and needs. Following are the VHB Team’s tasks, culminating in the produc- tion of a new Highway Design Guidebook for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts:

„ Conduct Review and Research, and Provide Documentation

„ Develop Graphic and Narrative Style, and Draft Example Guidebook Chapter

„ Draft Project Development Procedures Section

„ Draft Highway Design Chapters

„ Facilitate Agency Review and Incorporate Modifications

„ Conduct Public Review of Final Sections

„ Develop Final Guidebook 81184.05/crossroads „ Publish and Distribute Final Guidebook --on the web, as a CD, and as a hardcopy book Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. Blackstone River Bike Path Blackstone River Valley, Rhode Island

Client Rhode Island Department of Transportation

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

Status Ongoing completion in phases

Highlights Key issues included the evaluation of numerous bridge structures for their adequacy, conflicts with at grade intersections some involving active railroad crossings, historic issues associated with the VHB was retained by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Blackstone Canal tow Management to design the 19-mile Blackstone River Bikeway from path, access Providence to North Smithfield. The bikeway route traverses seven considerations for communities, ranging from densely populated areas, to urban areas, to emergency vehicles and suburban neighborhoods, and the Blackstone State Park. The Provi- handicapped users, and dence terminus links to the existing East Bay Bicycle Path. VHB is integrating the bikeway completing the design in sections to enable use of the bicycle path in with the Blackstone River progress. Valley linear park system.

A wetland known as Lonsdale Marsh, through which the bikepath The project was recently passes, has been replaced in kind. Final design for the three miles north awarded the American of Ashton included passage along an active railroad, three new bridges, Trails 2002 National a new signalized railroad crossing, reconstruction of an existing railroad Trails Planning/Design crossing, and additional overlooks of the Blackstone River. Award.

To date the path comprises a bikeway that is a greenway, providing within its length, 10 miles of new separated bikeway and a roadway

20457-dr shoulder facility, and is sensitive to the existing surrounding land uses and community needs.

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. Old Colony Multi-Purpose Trail Mansfield, Massachusetts

Client Town of Mansfield, Massachusetts

Status Completed 2003

VHB was retained by the Town of Mansfield to develop final plans and Highlights specifications for the Old Colony Multi-Purpose Trail. The project objectives were to promote recreational areas for alternative transporta- tion modes within Mansfield and to provide bicycle access to Town This is a bicycle / facilities and recreational areas, including the Mansfield MBTA Com- pedestrian path and an muter Rail Station, one of the MBTA’s most frequented commuter equestrian pathway.

stations with 1,200 patrons a day. Rare species were accommodated The majority of the approximately 2.0-mile trail islocated on the former effectively, negating the Old Colony Railroad right-of-way (ROW) with the remainder on need for an EIR existing streets. The paved off-road portions of the trail are ten feet wide, comprising two, five-foot paved travel lanes. In addition, parallel The path serves both to the paved path, VHB designed accommodation for an equestrian recreational uses and path and to allow other similar uses requiring a gravel surface. Pathway serves as a commuter users can park near the path at one of three parking areas located at route to bicyclists existing roadway grade crossings. connecting with the MBTA Commuter rail. As this pathway in the vicinity of a recognized rare species—the spotted turtle, vernal pools, historical/archaeological resources, VHB submitted an Environmental Notification Form (ENF) in which the manner of accommodation for these environmental resources was described. The Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs issued a certificate accepting the ENF and stating the preparation of an Environ- mental Impact Report (EIR) was not required.

VHB, working with the Town of Mansfield, provided considerable public outreach assistance. Public comments concerning such issues as traffic/bicycle/pedestrian safety, sight distance requirements, and land use were carefully reviewed by VHB and the Town Boards, and were addressed during final design. Construction was completed in 2003. 21425-dr

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. Virginia Bicycle Facility Resource Guide Statewide

With the continuing growth and support for cycling in Virginia, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has assumed a leadership role in treating bicycling as a mode of travel that not only Client serves the needs of the traveling public, Virginia Department but is also integral to the Commonwealth's eco-tourism and economic of Transportation development initiatives. In 1978, VDOT began the process of addressing Status bicycle accommodations as part of their ongoing roadway planning and Complete 2001 design efforts. In 1989, VDOT formed a Bicycle Advisory Committee to help guide its efforts. As a major milestone to continue this process, VDOT selected VHB to develop a state bicycle plan to serve as a foundation for incorporating bicycling into the transportation system throughout Virginia. In order to build this network, it is imperative that localities and/or regions have adopted bicycle plans. The statewide bicycle plan works from the ground up — helps local governments and/or regional planning organizations develop bicycle plans as well as provides useful information on funding for the implementation of their plan, bicycle design principles, and other issues.

Work included:

• Identifying current “Best Practices” in Virginia through surveys and interviews of state agencies, transit operators and every locality and Planning District Commission in the Commonwealth. • Completing an inventory of existing bicycling practices and programs through- out Virginia - i.e. which localities have existing bicycle plans, how do transit operators accommodate bicyclists, what educational programs are available • Identifying local, regional, and statewide bicycle needs or concerns and developing strategies to address those needs such as ways to obtain funding from different sources • Developing strategies for additional education, encouragement, and enforcement practices • Public participation efforts including coordination with state and local officials, agencies, and advocacy groups • Preparation of a resource guide and educational tool that will address bicycle planning, design guidelines, and other items.

At the local level, having an adopted bicycle plan is a requisite for most of the funding that is available. From a planning perspective, the resource guide assists localities in developing a local or regional bicycle plan and obtaining funding. For projects that are funded, the guide clarifies

21393-dr the approval process from preliminary engineering to construction and provide guidance on design issues.

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. Route 5 Bikeway Feasibility Study, Commonwealth of Virginia Williamsburg to Richmond, Virginia

Client Commonwealth of Virginia

Status Few roadways can claim the distinction of being one of the oldest Completed 1999 segments of road in the United States. Route 5, linking the Colonial capital of Williamsburg to Virginia’s present day capital of Richmond, is such a roadway. For this designated Virginia Byway VHB provided Highlights analysis of alternatives for a continuous bikeway linking Richmond and This path will unite Williamsburg. Located along the James River, the 54 mile long study today’s capital of Virginia– area is rich in historic, archaeological, and scenic resources. The study Richmond with the was funded as part of the National Scenic Byway Program. colonial capital of Virginia–Williamsburg. Already a designated Trans America bicycle route, the popularity of Route 5 among cyclists has remained steady; organized bike tours and racing events are common. Its suitability as a bike corridor is enhanced by the fact that Route 5 provides easy access to a variety of attractions and affords recreational opportunities within a short distance of two population centers. Public hearings conducted by VDOT have shown that support for a bikeway does exist. Focus was on identifying ways to maintain the route’s unique scenic and historic integrity while giving recognition to safety concerns, local planning goals, public opinion, adjacent property owner rights, and recreational opportunities in the corridor. Collaborating and coordinating extensively with county and environmental officials, as well as with attorneys and the public, VHB offered an accepted plan and an innovative idea to buy additional property to enable the dormitory to have the number of units necessary to accommodate additional students, yet still deliver improved environmental protection to this growing area.

The planning project included an intensive public participation process during which two of the more prominent options which were consid- ered included (1) widening Route 5 to varying extents to accommodate bicyclists, and (2) construction of a separate off-road bike path possibly utilizing existing utility rights of way. 21081-dr

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. Connecticut River Crossing Transportation Study Western, Massachusetts

Client MassHighway

Status Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB) provided transportation planning, Completed 2004 traffic engineering, pedestrian, and community outreach services to develop a publicly acceptable and effective Transportation Improve- Highlights ment Plan for the Connecticut River Valley Region. The purpose of this Final improvement transportation study was to determine the need for transportation recommendations improvements within the region; including the potential need and included in the feasibility of providing an additional bridge crossing over the river. Transportation Improvement Plan were The study included identifying existing deficiencies and developing based on input from the and evaluating solutions to improve a transportation system that is general public, the study restricted by a limited number of bridge crossings over the Connecticut advisory committee, and River. A wide range of improvement alternatives were considered in an engineering screening this study. The project involved working with several municipalities to process. gain a consensus on reasonable solutions that address regional traffic Alternatives were congestion issues and transit system deficiencies while minimizing recommended based on environmental impacts. expected ability to meet the community’s needs, A meaningful component of the development of the Improvement Plan while minimizing social was the public participation process. A study advisory group consisting and environmental of state, regional, and local leaders was formed to maintain public impacts. participation throughout the study process. Action items from the plan were then prioritized into short, medium, and long-term recommenda- tions.

Alternatives included intersection signalization, installation of roundabouts, roadway widening, interchange improvements, new interstate ramps, new bridge crossings, enhanced pedestrian facilities, enhanced transit facilities, and construction of new transit facilities service. In testing and selecting alternatives, transportation need, cost, feasibility, and public support were considered. The determination of which alternatives were recommended was based on the expected ability of each to meet the community’s needs, while minimizing social and environmental impacts. 22203-dr

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. The Lancaster Trail

Location Route 200 Lancaster County, Virginia

Client Lancaster County, Virginia

Completion 2000

Lancaster County, located on the (the county’s second largest Based on coordination with the southeastern tip of Virginia’s employer), a town commons and county, the elimination of parking, Northern Neck peninsula, is middle school. The purpose of this rebuilding of existing roadway, sometimes referred to as “the facility was two-fold: to and acquisition of additional right- heart of Chesapeake Bay country”. provide recreational opportuni- of-way were all found to be Nestled between the Chesapeake ties for visitors and to provide infeasible options. VHB’s Bay and the Rappahannock River, local residents with non- solution was to obtain a waiver Lancaster County offers a quaint motorized means to access from VDOT to allow a shared and peaceful setting for relaxing as community facilities. parking/bicycle lane signed as a well as pursuing a variety of “share the road” facility through outdoor activities such as fishing Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. the urban sections in Irvington and golfing. To expand upon the (VHB) was retained by the county and Kilmarnock. amenities in this rural area, the to design the on-road shoulder county applied for and received a bicycle facility along Route 200 in Another issue encountered TEA-21 enhancement grant to accordance with Virginia Depart- during design involved a design and construct a bicycle ment of Transportation (VDOT) dangerous intersection near the facility along Route 200 between standards. The principal design middle school. Following the small towns of Irvington and challenge identified byVHB negotiations, an adjacent prop- Kilmarnock. In addition to the occurred in the urban segments at erty owner donated a private scenic qualities associated with this both ends of the project - insuffi- easement allowing the trail to be four-mile stretch of roadway, other cient roadway width between placed off-road through their features along this designated curb faces to accommodate a property. This will allow bicy- Virginia Byway include a Little standard travel lane, bicycle lane, clists to therefore bypass the League facility, a regional hospital and parking lane in each direction. dangerous intersection.

1452 King and Queen Heritage Gateways & Trails Initiative King and Queen County, Virginia

Client King and Queen County

Status Phase I Completed 2001

Phase II Ongoing

Highlights Managed coordination with VDOT

A rural community on Virginia's Middle Peninsula, King and Queen Completion of Categorical County boasts a rich cultural heritage. Historic villages, colonial era Exclusion in compliance public buildings, and a strong Native American presence each add to with NEPA requirements the County's character. Using TEA-21 Enhancement Funds, the County hired Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB) to assist in project implemen- tation of a Gateways & Trails initiative.

VHB's services include ground survey, engineering and preparation of design plans, development of trail brochures, public involvement, and completion of Categorical Exclusion in compliance with NEPA require- ments. VHB also is managing the coordination effort with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). As the organization administer- ing the Enhancement Program, VDOT manages plan approval, funding reimbursement, and environmental documentation.

The project includes three regional tourism focus areas that provide trail orientation in the northern, central, and southern sections of the County. At each of these sites, wayside exhibits will describe local history in the context of the overall trail network. One of the regional tourism sites is King and Queen Courthouse, where improvements included historic theme streetscape elements such as brick sidewalks, lighting, and landscaping. In addition, gateway welcome signs will be located at roadway entrances to the County. All of the improvements follow a unified design theme. 21769

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. Cross Seminole Trail Connector Central Florida

Client Seminole County

Status To be completed in 2005

Highlights The Cross Seminole Trail Connector will provide a critical link to Designing approximately Seminole County’s trail system. Of equal importance, the Connector 5.7-miles of a 14-foot will provide connectivity and linkage to residents, subdivisions, public wide multi-purpose trail schools, municipalities, an environmental studies center, and other for non-motorized and public and commercial entities. In essence, this will tie the community pedestrian use surrounding the Connector together as a beneficiary of the county’s Linking two existing recreation and trail system. paths: Seminole Wekiva Trail system in western VHB’s project approach will simplify the design process and maximize Seminole County and the funds available for trail construction. The alignment and other key centrally located Cross features of the trail will be refined through a preliminary engineering Seminole Trail system effort that will require effective communication and coordination with the community and permitting agencies. VHB is working with the Enhancing public safety county to inform stakeholders, respond to public input, and keep the and promoting outdoor project moving toward completion. The work includes an active Public recreation for the people Information Program and contacts with individual property owners. of central Florida This design effort will include the permitting necessary for approval to Helping to simplify the construct from the regulatory agencies. We will also assist the county design process and during construction, to assure that the project is implemented to maximize funds available achieve the original design intent. for construction

As a member of the central Florida community, VHB has been and will Coordinating with remain committed to the creation of a complete recreational trail Seminole County to system. A community connection project, the Cross Seminole Trail inform stakeholders, Connector will eventually provide public access to a wide range of respond to public input, facilities and destinations, including recreational parks, schools, a and move the project library, a YMCA, and an environmental studies center. The corridor will towards completion enhance public safety and promote outdoor recreation for the people of central Florida. 22119

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. Pinellas Trail: Florida Power Extension Pinellas County, Florida

Client Progress Energy

Status Completed 2001

Highlights Constructed within a privately-owned utility company right-of-way

Conducted public workshops and hearings Florida Power Corporation, now known as Progress Energy, in partner- to meet the ship with Pinellas County, agreed to construct a multi-use bikeway and environmental concerns pedestrian trail within a privately-owned transmission line right-of-way. of the public The planned Pinellas Trail Extension is a linear 20.6-mile corridor with a width ranging from 180 feet to 780 feet. The development of the Coordinated with all multi-use trail required a master plan that provided a vision and plan of regulatory agencies action for the trail and was environmentally-sensitive to the ecological including the Florida characteristics of the corridor. Department of Environmental VHB’s responsibilities began with master planning and conceptual Protection, the U.S. Army design and continued through preliminary engineering, environmental Corps of Engineers, and permitting, project sequencing, and survey. Other services provided Pinellas County so the included public involvement assistance, culvert design, traffic control project would comply signage, pedestrian signals, and the addition of pedestrian features on with the required federal existing traffic signals. VHB biologists identified and permitted 19 and state regulations. wetland communities that would fall into regulatory jurisdiction, and also played an integral part in the outreach efforts as the primary resource for any environmental issues concerning the public.

VHB created a master plan for the Pinellas Trail Extension that adhered to all of the required federal regulations while allowing the corridor to become a multi-use bikeway and pedestrian trail. The completed trail will include four new bridges and improvements to three structures, traffic control signage, pedestrian signals, and traffic signal improve- ments. When constructed Pinellas County will have a major expansion of its trail system, which is third in the county in number of annual users. This expansion will enhance its outreach even further, extending its

21522 community connectivity.

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. Piscataquog Trail Manchester, New Hampshire

Client City of Manchester Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Department

Status Completion: 2002 The Piscataquog Trailway provides a unique opportunity to create a special environment in an urban neighborhood. The City of Manchester Highlights wanted to design a trail to meander within the right-of-way of the Developed trail to former Concord and Montreal Railroad, meeting the needs of a variety provide a natural of non-motorized users, including cyclists, walkers, people wheeling environment in an baby strollers, and roller bladers. The community wanted the trail to be urban neighborhood an inviting place and a memorable experience, providing opportunities Involved community for transportation, historic interpretation, environmental sensitivity, and members in the design recreation. The design would create a social environment that connects through numerous important local destinations where people have the opportunity to stroll public meetings and meet their neighbors.

Before beginning the design of Phase I, VHB experts met with community members to reaffirm the desire and goals for the trail. After public meetings with residents and stakeholders, VHB designers began Phase I by inspecting and modifying the existing granite railroad bridge abutments over Second Street, and by specifying a new pre-fabricated bridge to replace a structure that once carried the railroad. The design also included a detailed inspection of the corridor, assessment of environmental conditions and historic impacts, and recommendations for trail width and surface material. VHB trail experts recommended amenities and landscaping to augment the historic significance of the corridor and complement the urban neighborhood setting.

Phase I construction was completed and the trail has been embraced by the local community. This initial small segment of the Piscataquog Trailway satisfies the ongoing vision for the State of New Hampshire to create and maintain trails from the Massachusetts border to Canada, it provides links and a linear park for the local neighborhood, and it will form an important link to the Heritage Trail. 21558

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. Cross Vermont Trail Under I-91 Newbury, Vermont

Client Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission

Status Completed 2003

Highlights Provided a valuable off- road gateway for the The Cross Vermont Trail is a 75-mile network of community paths that communities of Ryegate link together across 17 towns and provide a safe and easy path for and Wells River to access recreationists, hikers, equestrians, cyclists, cross-country skiers, and the Blue Mountain Union snowmobilers. Fifty percent of Vermonters live within a half-hour drive School, the Boltonville of the trail. Nature Trail, and the Blue Mountain Nature Trail A critical missing link in the trail existed on the rail bed high above the Performed slope stability Wells River in Newbury. When the I-91 bridges over the river were analysis to ensure trail constructed in the early 1970s, a 300-foot long section of the trail—an stability abandoned rail bed—was filled in. This created a break in the network that effectively stopped the trail’s continuity. VHB experts were called in Improved gravel trail that to design a solution that would maximize the use of the existing rail connects the Connecticut bed, enable non-motorized multiuse accessibility, and provide addi- River Valley to Burlington, tional opportunities for environmental appreciation. The solution Vermont involved reconfiguring the steep slopes that protect the bridge abut- ments allowing the trail to be located beneath the bridges but above the flood zone, rerouting of bridge deck downspouts to prevent trail erosion, and grading and surfacing of the rail bed.

This important portion of the trail was completed in the summer of 2003, reuniting the two sections of trail and creating a continuous off- road recreation and transportation alternative for the local communi- ties. The Cross Vermont Trail has been designated as a National Recreation Trail as recommended by the Secretary of the Interior.

In 2004, the American Council of Engineering Companies-Vermont honored the Newbury Cross VT Trail Under I-91 Project with an Engineering Excellence Award. In combination with the Wells River Welcome Center, the Cross Vermont Trail now serves as part of the

21846 welcoming gateway to the State of Vermont.

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. Bennington Pathway

Location Bennington, Vermont

Client Town of Bennington

Completion Ongoing

The Town of Bennington, in also provide a safe, attractive contribution to region, allowing southwestern Vermont, con- connection between the shopping, for buy-in by the local residents, tracted VHB for professional dining, and employment of the which is crucial to the creation of engineering services to complete downtown center with the outer a linear park. The historical value the preliminary and final design of local homes and parks. of the pathway underscores the a 3.0-kilometer multi-use path importance to provide vistas and connecting existing town center Bennington is a town rich in pocket parks displaying interpre- pathways with a new location history. From the famous Battle tative signage. path along an old railroad of Bennington to the creation of corridor. This bicycle and world class pottery, this small The VHB Team is also charged to pedestrian path, funded through town has much to boast about. secure all necessary survey; to the Vermont Agency of Transpor- The Bennington Pathway, a obtain the required environmen- tation (VTrans) Local Transporta- combination of existing pedestrian tal permits and approvals; to tion Facilities program, is intended and bicycle paths, a new rail-trail, develop the construction bid to provide an integral link and bike lanes/routes, will seek to package; and to provide monitor- between numerous residential enhance the historical value of the ing services during construction of neighborhoods and the Cata- area and educate its users. VHB, the Pathway. These tasks will be mount, Bennington and Molly through a successful program of completed utilizing both internal Stark schools. The pathway, part community integration, will make personnel and several experienced of which is already in place and this path a celebration of the specialized subconsultants, well used by local residents, will heritage of the town’s economic resulting in a well developed, locally accepted pathway project.

1555

Mohawk Trail: Three Upcoming Projects

Berkshire County, Massachusetts

1. Facilities Improvements

Investigate location of a bike/pedestrian trail between Williamstown and North Adams Create trailhead parking for Mohawk-Mohican Trail Create canoe/kayak put in on the Install information kiosks in Florida and Charlemont Conduct vista pruning to restore historic views Create historic sign program

2. Corridor Access Management 3. Tourism Marketing Strategy on Route 2: the Williamstown -- North Adams road Identify strengths and weaknesses of the existing tourism resources

Analyze current transportation and Identify existing tourist base and identify land use conditions. additional target audiences

Recommend bylaw changes Develop new tourism strategies

Recommend engineering solutions for Perhaps develop a logo and branding two high-priority sites campaign

Procure engineering designs and cost Perhaps develop a way-finding sign estimates for structural improvements system. at the two sites.

www.berkshireplanning.org

pr.#div.p65 Letters ofSupport