STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Memorial Bridge (US Route 1) Replacement Project Portsmouth, NH-Kittery, ME A000(911), 13678F CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION March 2011 Memorial Bridge Replacement Project Categorical Exclusion Introduction ......................................................................................................................1 Existing Conditions .............................................................................................................1 Memorial Bridge ................................................................................................................................... 1 Scott Avenue Bridge .............................................................................................................................. 5 The Kittery Approach Spans .................................................................................................................. 6 Bridge Approaches ................................................................................................................................ 6 Purpose and Need ............................................................................................................ 12 Background ......................................................................................................................................... 12 Project History .................................................................................................................................... 13 Statement of Purpose ......................................................................................................................... 14 Statement of Need .............................................................................................................................. 14 Goals ................................................................................................................................................... 15 Proposed Action .............................................................................................................. 17 Memorial Bridge Replacement (Lift Span and Flanking Spans) .......................................................... 17 Scott Avenue Bridge Replacement...................................................................................................... 19 Kittery Approach Span Replacement .................................................................................................. 20 Construction Phasing .......................................................................................................................... 20 Cost and Schedule ............................................................................................................................... 21 Alternatives to the Proposed Action ................................................................................. 21 Memorial Bridge Facility Options – Connections Study ...................................................................... 22 No-Build.......................................................................................................................................... 22 Memorial Bridge Option 1 (MB1) ................................................................................................... 22 Memorial Bridge Option 2 (MB2) ................................................................................................... 22 Memorial Bridge Option 2A (MB2A) ............................................................................................. 22 Memorial Bridge Option 3 (MB3) ................................................................................................... 22 Memorial Bridge Option 3A (MB3A) .............................................................................................. 22 Memorial Bridge Option 4 (MB4) ................................................................................................... 23 Memorial Bridge Option 5 (MB5) ................................................................................................... 23 Memorial Bridge Option 6 (MB6) ................................................................................................... 23 Memorial Bridge Option 7 (MB7) ................................................................................................... 23 Memorial Bridge Lift Span / Flanking Spans Options Carried Forward ............................................... 23 Memorial Bridge Lift Spans / Flanking Spans – No Build ................................................................ 24 Memorial Bridge Lift Spans / Flanking Spans –Rehabilitation ........................................................ 24 Scott Avenue Bridge (Portsmouth Approach) Options ....................................................................... 25 Scott Avenue Bridge – No Build ..................................................................................................... 26 Scott Avenue Bridge – Rehabilitation of the Existing Bridge .......................................................... 26 Scott Avenue Bridge – Three-Span Steel Beams with Cast-in-Place Concrete Deck ...................... 26 Scott Avenue Bridge – Four-Span Cast-in-Place Rigid Frame ......................................................... 26 Scott Avenue Bridge – Three-Span Cast-in-Place Rigid Frame ....................................................... 26 Kittery Approach Spans Options ......................................................................................................... 27 Kittery Approach Spans – No-Build ................................................................................................ 27 Kittery Approach Spans – Rehabilitation of the Existing Spans...................................................... 27 Evaluation of Environmental Effects ................................................................................. 28 Resources / Issues ............................................................................................................................... 28 Transportation Patterns / Safety / Community Services .................................................................... 29 Navigation ........................................................................................................................................... 30 Energy Needs ...................................................................................................................................... 31 Recreation/Public Lands ..................................................................................................................... 32 -i- Memorial Bridge Replacement Project Categorical Exclusion Air Quality ........................................................................................................................................... 34 Noise ................................................................................................................................................... 35 Hazardous Materials/Contaminated Materials .................................................................................. 35 Land Acquisition / Land Use / Tax Base / Business Impacts ............................................................... 37 Environmental Justice ......................................................................................................................... 38 Coastal Zone ........................................................................................................................................ 38 Wetlands / Water Quality / Surface Waters ....................................................................................... 39 Floodways and Floodplains ................................................................................................................. 42 Wildlife Habitat / Fisheries / Endangered Species / Natural Communities ........................................ 43 Endangered Species ....................................................................................................................... 45 Essential Fish Habitat .......................................................................................................................... 46 Aesthetics ............................................................................................................................................ 47 Views from the Bridge .................................................................................................................... 47 Views of the Bridge ........................................................................................................................ 48 Cultural Resources .............................................................................................................................. 48 Description of Historic Resources .................................................................................................. 49 Memorial Bridge Historic District .............................................................................................. 49 Memorial Bridge (Lift Span and Flanking Spans) .................................................................. 49 Scott Avenue Bridge ............................................................................................................. 50 Memorial Park ...................................................................................................................... 51 Kittery Approach Spans 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