Design Report/ Environmental Assessment
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DESIGN REPORT/ ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT October 2015 Bridge Project P.I.N. 5760.40 BINs 5522000 and 5522010 American Falls Bridges Niagara Falls State Park Niagara County City of Niagara Falls ANDREW M. CUOMO ROSE HARVEY Governor Commissioner ANDREW M. CUOMO MATTHEW J. DRISCOLL Governor Commissioner Design Report/ American Falls Bridges October 2015 Environmental Assessment PIN 5760.40 PROJECT APPROVAL SHEET (Pursuant to SAFETEA-LU Matrix) A. IPP Approval: The project is ready to be added to the Regional Capital Program and project scoping can begin. The IPP was approved by: Darrell F. Kaminski 10/04/12 NYSDOT Regional Director B. Scope Approval: The project cost and schedule are consistent with the NYS Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation Capital Program. The scope was approved by: Darrell F. Kaminski 11/27/13 NYSDOT Regional Director The scope was approved by: Andy Beers 11/15/13 NYSOPRHP Executive Deputy Commissioner C. Public Hearing A public hearing was held on _______ in accordance with 23 USC 128. Certification (23 USC 128): NYSDOT Regional Special Projects Manager D. Recommendation for The project cost and schedule are consistent with the Regional Capital Design Approval: Program. NYSDOT Regional Program Manager NYSOPRHP Western District Director E. Recommendation for All requirements requisite to these actions and approvals have been met, the Design and Nonstandard required independent quality control reviews separate from the functional group Feature Approval: reviews have been accomplished, and the work is consistent with established standards, policies, regulations and procedures, except as otherwise noted and explained. NYSDOT Regional Special Projects Manager F. Nonstandard Feature No nonstandard features have been identified, created, or retained. Approval: NYSDOT Deputy Chief Engineer G. Design Approval: The required environmental determinations have been made and the preferred alternative for this project is ready for final design. NYSDOT Deputy Chief Engineer NYSOPRHP Executive Deputy Commissioner ii Design Report/ American Falls Bridges October 2015 Environmental Assessment PIN 5760.40 LIST OF PREPARERS Group Director Responsible for Production of the Design Approval Document: Joseph E. Nemmer, P.E., Senior Vice President, Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. Description of Work Performed: Directed the preparation of the Design Approval Document in accordance with established standards, policies, regulations and procedures, except as otherwise explained in this document. PLACE P.E. STAMP Group Director Responsible for Consultant Supervision and Review of the Design Approval Document: Craig S. Mozrall, P.E., Regional Special Projects Manager, NYSDOT Region 5 Description of Work Performed: Supervised the NYSDOT staff responsible for consultant management and review of the Design Approval Document in accordance with established standards, policies, regulations and procedures, except as otherwise explained in this document. PLACE P.E. STAMP Note: It is a violation of law for any person, unless they are acting under the direction of a licensed professional engineer, architect, landscape architect, or land surveyor, to alter an item in any way. If an item bearing the stamp of a licensed professional is altered, the altering engineer, architect, landscape architect, or land surveyor shall stamp the document and include the notation "altered by" followed by their signature, the date of such alteration, and a specific description of the alteration. iii Design Report/ American Falls Bridges October 2015 Environmental Assessment PIN 5760.40 TABLE OF CONTENTS COVER ............................................................................................................................................................ PROJECT TITLE SHEET ................................................................................................................................ PROJECT APPROVAL SHEET ...................................................................................................................... LIST OF PREPARERS ................................................................................................................................... TABLE OF CONTENTS .................................................................................................................................. CHAPTER 1 - EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 1-1 1.2 Purpose and Need .............................................................................................................................. 1-3 1.2.1. Where is the Project Located? .................................................................................................................. 1-3 1.2.2. Why is the Project Needed? ...................................................................................................................... 1-6 1.2.3. What are the Objectives/Purposes of the Project? ................................................................................... 1-7 1.3 What Alternatives Are Being Considered?.......................................................................................... 1-8 1.3.1 What Specific Bridge Designs Are Being Considered? ............................................................................. 1-9 1.3.2 How Will The Niagara River and American Falls Be Impacted During Construction? ......................... 1-11 1.4 How will the Alternatives Affect the Environment? ........................................................................... 1-13 1.5 What Are The Costs and Schedules? ............................................................................................... 1-15 1.6 Which Alternative is Preferred? ........................................................................................................ 1-16 1.7. What are the Opportunities for Public Involvement? ........................................................................ 1-16 CHAPTER 2 - PROJECT CONTEXT: HISTORY, TRANSPORTATION PLANS, CONDITIONS AND NEEDS ................................................................................................................................................ 2-1 2.1 Project History ..................................................................................................................................... 2-1 2.2 Transportation Plans and Land Use ................................................................................................... 2-3 2.2.1. Local Plans for the Project Area .............................................................................................................. 2-3 2.2.2. Transportation Corridor ........................................................................................................................... 2-3 2.3 Transportation Conditions, Deficiencies and Engineering Considerations ......................................... 2-7 2.3.1. Operations (Traffic and Safety) and Maintenance ................................................................................... 2-7 2.3.2 Multimodal ................................................................................................................................................ 2-9 2.3.3 Infrastructure .......................................................................................................................................... 2-10 2.3.4 Potential Enhancement Opportunities ..................................................................................................... 2-23 CHAPTER 3 – ALTERNATIVES ............................................................................................................... 3-1 3.1 Alternatives Considered and Eliminated from Further Study .............................................................. 3-1 3.1.1 Alternative 1, Null/Maintenance ............................................................................................................... 3-1 3.1.2 Alternative 2A, Structure Rehabilitation .................................................................................................. 3-1 3.1.3 Alternative 3, Replacement – 3 Span Arched Girder Concept. ................................................................ 3-4 3.2 Feasible Build Alternatives .................................................................................................................. 3-4 3.2.1 Description of Feasible Alternatives ........................................................................................................ 3-4 3.2.2 Preferred Alternative .............................................................................................................................. 3-11 3.2.3 Design Criteria for Feasible Alternative ................................................................................................ 3-11 3.3. Engineering Considerations .............................................................................................................. 3-13 3.3.1 Operations (Traffic and Safety) & Maintenance ..................................................................................... 3-13 3.3.2 Multimodal ............................................................................................................................................. 3-17