The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary ofthe Commonwealth Massachusetts Historical Commission
September 7, 2010
Kathy Acerbo-Bachmann Chairperson Acton Historic District Commission 472 Main Street Acton, MA 01720
RE: Fitchburg Commuter Rail Improvement Project, South Acton Station, Acton, MA. MHC #RC.42860.
Dear Ms. Acerbo-Bachmann:
The Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) received revised project information from the Federal Transit Administration and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority on September 1, 2010.
MHC would appreciate your comments on the revised project. MHC would appreciate receiving your comments by September 27, 2010.
These comments are offered to assist in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 as amended (36 CFR 800). Please me if you have any questions.
Sincerel
Edward L. Bell Technical Services Division Massachusetts Historical Commission
Enclosures
xc w/o: Mary Beth Mello, Federal Transit Administration Holly Palmgren, MBTA Acton Board of Selectmen Acton Historical Commission
220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, Massachusetts 02125 (617) 727-8470 •Fax: (617) 727-5128 www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc TOWN OF ACTON 472 Main Street Acton, Massachusetts, 01720 Telephone (978) 264-9612 Fax (978) 264-9630 Lauren Rosenzweig Morton, Chair Board of Selectmen
June 2, 2010 RECEIVED FILE COPY Mr. Paul Hadley, MBTA Project Manager SEP 0 1 21J10 500 Arborway Jamaica Plain, Ma 02130 MASS. HIST. COMM
Dear Mr. Hadley:
Thank you for providing the Town of Acton and the South Acton Train Station Advisory committee with the opportunity to review the revised 15% design plans for the South Acton Station at the meeting on May 28, 2010. The Town of ActOn concurs that this new design approach meets the objectives of the Town in providing for a dual, side platform design that improves accessibility for all commuters and enhances the overall aesthetIcs of our community. The Town of Acton supports the proposed design and overall Fitchburg Commuter Rail Improvement project.
The modifications from the earlier design approach will benefit both the community and the MBTA. With improved multi-modal access to the station and a user-friendly dual platform system we anticipate that the station will attract new ridership, and reduce impacts to the local roadway network by providing easy access to the platforms from both the northerly and southerly sides of the station. Multi-modal accessibility will enable pedestrians, cyclists, and transit/shuttle services to access the station safely.
The Town of Acton appreciates the responsiveness of the MBTA and its design team in listening to our concerns and providing an effective solution. The enhanced transit time and increased safety and reliability of the service will be complemented by development of a new South Acton Station that reflects the needs and values and historic character of the community. We look forward to working with the MBTA in a collaborative manner as the project advances.
Very truly yours, 4~ Lauren Rosenzweig Morton, Chair Acton Board of Selectmen
Cc: South Acton Train Station Advisory Committee Massachusetts Bay 1ranspor~ationAuthority Deval L. Pa/rick Timothy P. Mw7~ayLi. Jeffrey B. Mullan John R. Jenkins RichardA Davey Governor Li. Governor MassDOT MassDOT General Manage and Secreta,y & CEO Board Chair Rail & Transit Administrator
I. .h, ~) ‘mIA July ~ RECEIVED
Mary Beth Mello Deputy Regional Administrator SEP 0 i 2~i~ Federal Transit Administration, Region 1 55 Broadway Street MASS. H~ST.COMM Cambridge, MA 02142
RE: MBTA Fitchburg Line Improvements Project Request for Re-Evaluation of the Categorical Exclusion Determination
Dear Deputy Regional Administrator Mello:
In February 2009, the FTA issued an approval of the Categorical Exclusion (CE) Checklist prepared bythe Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) for the Fitchburg Line Improvements Project. One of the elements of work included in the Fitchburg Line improvement program is the upgrade to South Acton Station. Upgrades to the station become necessary due to the double tracking through that area. In the approved CE for this project, South Acton station was designed with a single center island platform between the inbound and outbound tracks which is operationally advantageous for the MBTA. Pedestrian access to the center platform was provided from the north side of the right of way with an accessible ramp system leading to a pedestrian bridge which led to another ramp leading down to the center island platform. Since then, in responseto several meetings with town and state officials as well as residents in Acton, the design of the station has been modified to include two side platforms; one on the outbound side of the tracks and one on the inbound side of the tracks. The platforms will be connected bythe same type of pedestrian bridge from the previous design that will now extend across two tracks rather than one as previously designed. Access up to the pedestrian bridge will be provided by a stairway and elevatorsystem on each side. The elevatorsystem is to be maintained bythe town of Acton through an agreement between the town and the MBTA. This current design for two side platforms eliminates the need for a large ramp structure and will improve access for commuters who normally approach the station from the south side. The newly proposed design is shown on the enclosed drawings. The MBTA was able to allow the two side platform configuration at South Acton Station because the operationally advantageous center island platform is now being designed for the Littleton station.
The MBTA believes that the environmental consequences of the new design are essentially identical to the impacts that were assessed for the prior design concept. The proposed change in design is not anticipated to result in any impacts to wetlands or parkiands, and will not result in increased noise or vibration. Traffic patterns will be modified slightlyto allow for a southside drop off of passengers; howeverthe proposed design will not result in overall increased traffic to the station.
In prior documentation, the FTA, in consultation with the MBTA and the Massachusetts Historic Preservation Officer (MASHPC) definEd the Area of Potential Effect (APE) for Section 106 purposes as limited to the right-of-way and those areas outside the right-of-waythat are proppsed for acquisition. Any historic or archaeological resources within the right-of-way were either buried, removed, or destroyed by the original railroad construction activities more than 150 ago. Work outside the right-of Driven by Customer Service Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, Ten Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116-3974 De artmen~ REGION I Volpe center Connecticut, Maine, 55 Broadway Suite 920 of Transportation Massachusetts, Cambridge, MA 02142-1093 F~d~r~li~~-+ RhodeNew Hampshire,Island Vermont 617-494-2865617-494-2055 (fax) Administrat~on EECEIVED
Ms. Brona Simon ~ AUG ~ o 201d SEP o 1 2010 Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer Massachusetts Historical Commission MASS HIST COMM 220 Morrissey Boulevard Boston, MA 02125
Re: Fitchburg Commuter Rail Improvement Project—South Acton Station
Dear Ms. Simon:
On February 23, 2009, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) determined that the specific conditions for a Categorical Exclusion (C.E) under 23 CFR 771.117 (d) (3)and (9) for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) proposed Fitchburg Commuter Rail Improvement Project are satisfied and that significant environmental impacts will not result. In support of FTA’s determination, the Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) concurred with FTA’s determination that the proposed project will have no effect on historic or archaeological resOurces on February 12, 2009.
Since that time, the MBTA has proposed a minor scope change at the request ofthe comnmnity in the Town ofActon, such that the South Acton Station would be reconstructed with two side platforms rather than the single center island platform described in the CE. The new design eliminates the need for a large ramp structure required to access the single platform that was deemed objectionable to the community. The MBTA worked in close consultation with the community in developing the revised design. The new design does not change the footprint of the project, nor does it create any direct or indirect effects on historical resources, as the South Acton Station is over 400-feet from the nearest resource.
In accordance with 36 CFR Part 800 Protection ofHistoric Properties, Final Rule; the FTA has determined that the proposed project change will have no effect on historic or archaeological resources. Attached is documentation used to support this determination.
Please respond to this office within 30 days ofreceipt ofthis request. In accordance with 36 CFR Section 800.4(d) (1), if a response is not received within 30 days, the FTA will consider our responsibilities under Section 106 fulfilled. Ifyou have any questions regarding this matter, please contact Noah Berger at 617- 494-2100.
Sincerely, ~kt4 1 Mary Beth Mello Deputy Regional Administrator Attachment cc: R. Davey, MBTA Mary Beth Mello, FTA Sauth Action Station/NEPA Re-Evaluation July 22,2010 Page 2 of 2
way will occur in South Acton Station where permanent and temporary acquisitions of minor amounts of right-of-way will be required for this new design. Parcels proposed for acquisition and construction staging are shown on the enclosed plans. There are no structureson the parcels to be permanently acquired and no business relocations would be necessary. A walkover of the entire site was conducted and an intensive (locational) archaeological survey was performed in several key locations under permit from the MASHPO. Testing ofthe project area encountered extensive fill resulting from historic and modern period cutting and filling episodes. No cultural resources were identified within the project area, and no further archaeological investigations will be conducted. A Phase 1 site assessment will be conducted prior to any land acquisition and any hazardous materialswill be handled in accordance with all applicable state and federal laws.
The MBTA believes that this change in design does not result in any significant environmental impacts, that the proposed work continues to meet the requirements of a Categorical Exclusion and that the CE determination made for the prior design conceptbe expanded to include the newstation design for South Action.
The MBTA also believes that the FTA’s prior determination of No Effect for the project continues to be the appropriate determination pursuant to Section 106 ofthe National Historic Preservation Act (36 CFR 800) and Chapter 254 ofthe Acts of1988 (950 CMR 71.00). The new design does not alter or affect any historic resources. The closest resources continue to be more than 400’ feet from the location of the new station headhouse, and well outside ofthe previously identified Area of Potential Effect.
Given the level ofcommunity interest in this project, the MBTA has been working closely with the community on this re-design. The MBTA met with town representatives, elected officials and residents to discuss the plans forthe station and to solicit input on how to redesign the station so asto best meet the community’s needs and expectations. In May, 2010, the project team met with the Town ofActon and the South Acton Train Station Advisory Committee to review the new conceptdesigns. In a letter dated June 2, 2010, the Town and the Advisory Committee indicated their overall support for the 15% design concept. A copy of theTown ofActon’s letter is attached.
The MBTA appreciates the continued assistance and cooperation ofthe FTA’s staff in their efforts to improve the quality of the MBTA’s public transportation system. Should you require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me at 617-222-3126 or [email protected].
Sip~ely,
/ And ew Brennan Director of Environmental Affairs
Enclosures
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