Executive Summary EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ES.1 INTRODUCTION This Executive Summary provides a brief overview of the Final Environmental Impact Statement/Section 4(f) Evaluation (FEIS) for Interstate 95 (I-95) - Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge (Q-Bridge) Crossing New Haven Harbor Study. The information presented in this section is intended only as a basic overview of the Project's development, Recommended Action, and the anticipated impacts from that action. Figure ES-1 shows the project location and the Study Area. The complete text of the environmental documentation associated with this study can be found in the following documents which are on file at the Connecticut Department of Transportation Library (2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, Room G114) and at the New Haven Public Library (Elm Street, New Haven): • Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) (November, 1991) • Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Section 4(f) Evaluation (SDEIS) (April, 1997) • Final Environmental Impact Statement/Section 4(f) Evaluation (FEIS) (May, 1999) This Executive Summary is available for viewing on the Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) website at www.state.ct.us/dot. A copy of the Executive Summary can be requested by contacting ConnDOT at telephone (860) 594-2941 or fax (860) 594-3028. Mailing address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, P.O. Box 317546, Room 2159, Newington, CT 06131-7546. ES.1.1 Project Purpose and Need Need: - remedy the existing Q-Bridge structural deficiencies or replace it with a new structure - make operational and safety improvements to this section of I-95 Purpose: - prevent traffic congestion from continuing into off-peak hours - keep travel delays through the New Haven area of I-95 reasonable ES-1 New Haven Harbor Crossing FEIS ES.2 THE RECOMMENDED ACTION ES.2.1 Development of the Recommended Action The study of the various Q-Bridge replacement strategies began in October 1989, and the resulting DEIS (dated November 1991) was published in January 1992. Public reaction to the alternatives proposed in the DEIS was overwhelmingly negative. Therefore, an extensive consultative process was undertaken to maximize input from the public and interested parties. The centerpiece of this effort was the Intermodal Concept Development Committee (ICDC), comprised of individuals representing diverse community, environmental, and business interests. Using that input, a new set of alternatives was developed and evaluated in the SDEIS, published in April 1997. Public comment received regarding the SDEIS helped to shape the Recommended Action evaluated in this FEIS. Comments received from the general public supported the SDEIS strategies as detailed in Table ES-1. The "Other" options (see Table ES-1) that were offered by individuals include, in order of most frequently suggested (ranging from thirteen to one), are: • Expand I-95 east of New Haven to three lanes in each direction. • New by-pass expressway/peripheral highway/connector between I-91 (North Haven) and I-95 (East Haven). • Lower I-95 in the Long Wharf area to connect the harbor for pedestrian access/"Option 5B", as suggested by the South Central Region Council of Governments. • Various traffic management strategies. • Suspension Bridge from City Point to the tank farms (4 comments). • Transit. • Double-decked bridge (separate local/through/heavy vehicle traffic). • Monorail. • Build a second bridge next to existing Q-Bridge. • Tunnel. • New I-95 Expressway alignment proximate to (south of) the railroad yard, north of Sargent Drive. • Car ferry service. ES-2 New Haven Harbor Crossing FEIS Table ES-1 PREFERRED SDEIS STRATEGIES SDEIS Number of % Response of Total Strategy Responses (Approx.) No Build 7 1 % Alternative #1 5 1 % Alternative #2 20 4 % Alternative #3 41 8 % Alternative #4 37 7 % Alternative #5 304 54 % Alternative #6 33 6 % Combinations 26 4 % Alternative #1/#2 2 Alternative #1/#6 1 Alternative #2/#5 3 Alternative #3/#4 3 Alternative #3/#5 6 Alternative #4/#5 7 Alternative #5/#4 1 Alternative #5/#6 3 Do Nothing 1 Less than 1 % None of the SDEIS 51 % Alternatives No Alt. Specified 32 5 % Other 51 9 % Total Records 562 100 % ES-4 Executive Summary The following general comments were offered by individuals: • The bridge approaches (as well as the bridge) need to be addressed. Additional lanes are needed along I-95 east of New Haven. • Transit should be at least a component of any selected strategy. • Save and improve the Shore Line East rail passenger service. • Improve the I-91/I-95/Route 34 interchange. • Save historic structures. • Including a pedestrian/bike path. • Separate local and through traffic. • Address the weave from I-91 south (Trumbull Street entrance ramp) to I-95 north move. • Do not destroy historic structures. Include appropriate mitigation. • Construct the State Street railroad passenger station now. • Cut through Fifth and Sixth Streets (City Point). • Construct a bridge that can be expanded in the future. • Exclude the interceptor parking lots. • Consider the New Haven city wide plan. • Remove Long Wharf Drive and create park-like setting. • Data used in determining the future travel demand is questionable. Other proposals developed since the issuance of the SDEIS include the South Central Regional Council of Governments' "Option 5B" Proposal and the ICDC Recommendation. ES.2.2 Description of the Recommended Action The Recommended Action is a selection of components from the alternatives presented in the SDEIS, the ICDC recommendation, and public input. The project limits for I-95 improvements are between Interchange Number 46 (Sargent/Long Wharf Drive, New Haven) and Interchange Number 54 (Cedar Street, Branford) (Figure ES-1). The Recommended Action consists of transit and Transportation Systems Management (TSM) components; a ten-lane bridge harbor crossing with adequate inside and outside shoulders (temporarily striped for eight travel lanes due to construction sequencing), similar to SDEIS Alternative 5; and six travel lanes on I-95 within the existing I-95 right-of-way from Interchange 51 to Interchange 54. The Recommended Action will tie into the existing conditions through the Long Wharf area, and features a slight relocation of Interchange Number 46 (Sargent Drive). The Recommended Action is projected to cost $979 million (in 1998 dollars). ES-5 New Haven Harbor Crossing FEIS ES.3 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF RECOMMENDED ACTION The following table highlights the environmental consequences associated with the Recommended Action. Table ES-2 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE RECOMMENDED ACTION Consideration Potential Impacts Traffic and • Construction period delays, Transportation • Long term functional benefits Land Use • 20 displaced commercial structures and 220 parking spaces, New Haven, East Haven, and Branford • 1 displaced public school in New Haven (the Woodward School) • Some water-dependent businesses difficult to relocate • New State Street Rail Station to benefit downtown New Haven • New Interchange No. 50 ramp configuration may open up east shore for development • Improved emergency vehicle access. Socio- • Limited heightened visual/auditory impacts to Wooster economics Square Neighborhood, New Haven • 303 displaced employees, New Haven and East Haven • Displaced school in Annex area, New Haven (the Woodward School) • Adverse economic impact on western shoreline area • Positive economic impact on the Annex area, New Haven • Impacts to tankfarm areas, New Haven • Displaced gas station in East Haven • Total annual tax loss est. $212,295, New Haven and East Haven • Total est. property acquisition costs $20,000,000, New Haven, East Haven, and Branford ES-6 Executive Summary Consideration Potential Impacts Institutional • Displace the Woodward School, in the Annex area of Resources and New Haven public/6(f) Lands Farmland • Displace 0.8 acres of active farmland in Branford Historic • Displace 2 listed/eligible properties: Former Yale Resources Boathouse, south portion of Fitch Foundry Complex, New Haven • Displace 2 architecturally notable buildings at 166 Bridge Street and at 145 Forbes Avenue (Woodward School), New Haven Archaeological • Excavation for footings in the Harbor Crossing and the Resources East of Harbor areas could impact Native American Resources Air Quality • Consistent with State and regional plans and conformity requirements • Mesoscale: All pollutants would decrease relative to the No Build scenario • Microscale: No notable air quality impacts Noise Analysis • No substantial noise impacts (four new noise barriers proposed: one in New Haven and three in Branford) Visual • More noticeable view of interchange at I-91/I-95/Route 34 • Improved views from interchange at I-91/I-95/Route 34 • Opportunity for attractive design of bridges, roadway features Terrestrial • Limited amount of weedy plant species displaced by Ecology roadside widenings • Potential impacts to a Special Concern plant near Lake Saltonstall - to be investigated Fisheries • Minimal indirect effects • 134 lineal feet of culvert extensions in East of Harbor ES-7 New Haven Harbor Crossing FEIS Consideration Potential Impacts Crossing area • Demolition in Harbor may temporarily adversely affect fish Water Quality • Increased impervious (paved) surface area • Increased Chloride run-off into Harbor • Slight increases in other criteria pollutants • Pollutants will exceed CTDEP Standards, as will No Build scenario • Potential for increased pollutants in L. Saltonstall • Improved geometry should reduce likelihood of accidents/spills Coastal