PROJECT SCOPING REPORT/ FINAL DESIGN REPORT April 2014 Critical Bridge Over Water, P.I.N. 8BOW.10 BIN: 1019700 Route 28 over Esopus and Birch Creek Town of Shandaken Ulster County, NY U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ANDREW M. CUOMO, Governor JOAN MCDONALD, Commissioner March 2014 Project Scoping Report/Final Design Report PIN 8BOW.40/BIN 1019700 PROJECT APPROVAL SHEET r (Pu suant to P'\FETFA-i_U Matriy - ^^ ...^.:... .-, : :. r jt , c Over Water Pi„_7 trn. W. Al :t, P, MO Prograrn Director !, B. Public Hearing A public aring is not r q red for this project. Certification (23 USC 128): i Design Squad Le or or Project Manager /z / C. Recommendation for The project cost and schedule are consistent with the objectives of the Critical Scoping & Design Bridges Program. Approval: W. Albert, PE, MO Program Director r D. Recommendation for, All requirements requisite to these actions and approvals have been met, the Scoping, Design, & required independent quality control reviews separate from the functional group Nonstandard Feature reviews have been accomplished, and the work is consistent with established Approval: standards, policies, regulations and p rocedures, except as otherwise noted and explained. % ILZL ____ Regional Design Engineer All environmental requirements requisite to these actions and E. Environmental approvals have been met, and the work is consistent with established Determination standards, policies, and regulations, except as otherwise noted and explained;_ Terence Smith, Office of Environment, Acting Co-Director E. Nonstandard Feature No non-stan3 d1 es have Approval: been identified created or retained. Deputy Chief Engineer F. Seeping & Design The required environmental determinations have been made and the preferred Approval: altemative for this project is ready for final design. Deputy Chief Eng^noer April, 2014 Project Scoping Report/Final Design Report PIN 8BOW.10/BIN 1019700 TABLE OF CONTENTS COVER (Title / PIN / Location) PROJECT APPROVAL SHEET..................................................................................................................... i LIST OF PREPARERS ..................................................................................................................................ii CHAPTER 1 - EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................................................1-1 1.1. Introduction......................................................................................................................................1-1 1.2. Purpose and Need...........................................................................................................................1-1 1.2.1. Where is the Project Located?..................................................................................................1-1 1.2.2. Why is the Project Needed? .....................................................................................................1-2 1.2.3. What are the Objectives/Purposes of the Project?...................................................................1-2 1.3. What Alternative is Being Considered? ...........................................................................................1-2 1.4 Environmental Review ......................................................................................................................1-3 1.5 How will the Alternatives Affect the Environment? ...........................................................................1-3 1.6 Which Alternative is Preferred? ........................................................................................................1-4 1.7 What are the Opportunities for Public Involvement? ........................................................................1-4 CHAPTER 2 PROJECT INFORMATION ...............................................................................................2-5 2.1 Local Plans for the Project Area .......................................................................................................2-5 2.2. Abutting Highway Segments and Future Plans for Abutting Highway Segments ...........................2-5 2.3 Transportation Conditions, Deficiencies and Engineering Considerations ......................................2-5 2.3.1 Traffic and Safety and Maintenance Operations .......................................................................2-5 2.3.2 Multimodal..................................................................................................................................2-7 2.3.3 Infrastructure..............................................................................................................................2-8 2.4 Miscellaneous.................................................................................................................................2-12 2.4.1 NYS Smart Growth Public Infrastructure Policy Act (SGPIPA) ...............................................2-12 2.4.2 Other Miscellaneous Information .............................................................................................2-12 CHAPTER 3 SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS............................3-1 3.1 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) ......................................................................................3-1 3.2 State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA)..........................................................................3-1 3.3 Additional Environmental Information...............................................................................................3-2 APPENDICES A. Plans, Profiles & Typical Sections B. Environmental Information C. Correspondence D. Pedestrian Generator Checklist E. Accident Information F. Traffic Information G. Smart Growth Screening Tool (Step 1) iv April, 2014 Project Scoping Report/Final Design Report PIN 8BOW.10/BIN 1019700 CHAPTER 1 - EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1. Introduction identified as being safe, but highly susceptible to scour and/or are flood prone. Specifically, BIN 1019700, Route 28 over Esopus and Birch Creek in Ulster County is being recommended for upgrade due to its strategic location along major east-west life-line corridors. This report was prepared in accordance with the NYSDOT Project Development Manual, 17 NYCRR (New York Codes, Rules and Regulations) Part 15, and 23 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) 771. Transportation needs have been identified (section 1.2), objectives established (1.2.3) to address the needs, and cost-effective alternatives developed (1.3). This project is federally funded. 1.2. Purpose and Need 1.2.1. Where is the Project Located? 1-1 April, 2014 Project Scoping Report/Final Design Report PIN 8BOW.10/BIN 1019700 A. Route number: 28 B. Route name: 28 C. SH number and official highway description: 31 Ulster Delaware, part 3 D. BIN number and feature crossed: 1019700 over Esopus and Birch Creek E. City/Village/Township: Town of Shandaken F. County: Ulster G. Length 1080 ft H. From RM 28 8601 2320 To RM 28 8601 2316 1.2.2. Why is the Project Needed? The project was initiated by the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) because of the hydraulic vulnerability and potential for scour, which could lead to failure of this bridge. This bridge is a vital link to local residents, regional travelers, tourism, and businesses. The project will help to improve maintain uninterrupted movement, mobility and connectivity on this State Route. 1.2.3. What are the Objectives/Purposes of the Project? The main objectives of this project are to: 1. Improve the hydraulic opening by reducing the # of piles, reduce the scour vulnerability, and reduce the likelihood that the bridge and adjoining roadway will flood. 2. Restore the crossing to a condition which provides a minimum 75 year service life, using cost effective techniques to minimize the life cycle cost of maintenance and repair. 1.3. What Alternative(s) Are Being Considered? 1.3.1 Null Alternative The null alternative will maintain the existing structure, roadway section and geometry. There will be no improvements made to the structure other than routine maintenance and none of the physical deficiencies will be corrected. This alternative will not accomplish any of the project objectives and will be removed from further consideration. 1.3.2 Alternative 1 Replacement on a tangent alignment Alternative 1 will replace the existing curved bridge with a new structure on a new alignment. The new structure will be replaced to the north of the existing bridge on a tangent alignment. The new alignment would require a ROW impact. The proposed bridge and approach roadway cross section will include two 12 ft travel lanes and two 8 ft shoulders. Box bean guide rail will be provided along the approaches where appropriated and in accordance with the current standards. Increase shoulders widths over the structure will improve safety and provide for pedestrian and bicycle mobility. The proposed structure will provide a minimum of 2 ft of freeboard and double the clear channel opening. Construction will be progressed on a single stage without interruption to the existing two travel lanes with the exception of the construction of the abutments for short period of time. For a more in-depth discussion of the design criteria see Section 2.3.3.2 of this report. 1.3.3 Alternative 2 Rehabilitation Alternative 2 will rehabilitate the existing structure. This is not a feasible alternative, as it will