Innovative Fisheries Protection for MassDOT Design-Build Projects. Frank Welch Resident Engineer MassDOT District 4 Construction

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1 Innovative Fisheries Protection for MassDOT Design-Build Projects Frank Welch Resident Engineer MassDOT District 4 Construction

2 Agenda Design Build Process Overview Design Build Project Examples: I-95 Amesbury/Newburyport over the Merrimack River Fish Habitats and Behavior Permitting Restrictions Design-Build Changes/Advantages I-495 Haverhill over the Merrimack River Fish Habitats and Behavior Permitting Restrictions Design-Build Changes/Advantages Conclusions

3 Design Build Process Overview

4 D-B Process Overview Alternative project delivery method Combines project design and construction, into one contract MassDOT develops preliminary design Obtains permits based on preliminary concept Best Value Selection Process Request for Proposals Short List Design-Build Entities Technical and Price Proposals Award of Contract based on best value Begin Design and Construction

5 Highlighted Projects I-95 Over the Merrimack River Newburyport/Amesbury Whittier Bridge Project I-495 over the Merrimack River Haverhill

6 Whittier Bridge I-95 Improvement Project Amesbury, Newburyport & Salisbury, MA

7 Project Description The existing six lane I-95 Whittier Bridge over the Merrimack River replaced with two new 4 lane structures (8 total lanes). Highway widening improvements from the existing six lanes to eight lanes along the 4.25-mile project alignment from Exit 57 in Newburyport to Exit 59 in Salisbury. Widening, rehabilitation, or replacement of seven adjacent bridges along the I- 95 alignment to accommodate eight lanes of traffic on I-95.

8 Project Description Existing Whittier Bridge Built in Span Structure Carries I-95 NB and SB over the Merrimack River New Whittier Bridge 4 Span Structure Separate structures for I-95 Northbound and Southbound Total of 6 new bridge piers New NB structure will include shared-use path connecting Amesbury and Newburyport

9 Notable Aspects Complex and Signature Bridge Network-Tied Arch Historic bridge on Interstate Accelerated Bridge Program Environmentally sensitive area Necessity to keep three lanes of traffic throughout project durration

10

11 Design Phase Permitting

12 Design Phase Permitting List of Permits / Authorizations MA Wetlands Protection Act Local Conservation Commissions 401 Water Quality Certification MassDEP 404 Permit USACOE Atlantic Salmon Essential Fish Habitat NMFS Section 7 Fed. Endangered Species Act NMFS Diadromous Fish Review MA Marine Fisheries MA Endangered Species Act - MassWildlife Coastal Zone Management Review MA CZM Chapter 91 Waterways License - MassDEP U.S. Coast Guard Bridge Permit Section 106 MEPA/NEPA EA/EIR

13 Potential Impacts

14 Potential Impacts

15 Section 7 & EFH Shortnose & Atlantic Sturgeon (ESA listed species) Atlantic Salmon, River Herring, American Eel, etc. (EFH) Primary construction concerns: acoustic & turbidity impacts, and maintaining fish passage

16 Atlantic and Shortnose Sturgeon

17 Atlantic Sturgeon Critical Habitat Designations

18 Shortnose Sturgeon Behavior I-95 Whittier Bridge

19 Shortnose Sturgeon Behavior Spawning, Overwintering & Summer Habitats Upstream Whittier Bridge = Migratory Habitat Summer Habitat Downstream

20 Section 7 & EFH - No work within thalwegs - No impact driving - Low turbidity impact potential - Limited impact on open waterway - Install one cofferdam at a time Result: No Time of Year Restrictions

21 Construction Phase Design Build Changes

22 Design-Build Changes in Construction Base Technical Concept (Originally permitted) Construction-Phase Concepts (Required permit amendment) New bridge piers to be constructed w/in cofferdams in the dry Poured concrete piers with granite façade installed after Construct superstructure on barges, raise onto piers & abutments using high tide Drilled micro piles for foundations to be constructed w/in cofferdam in the wet Precast pier walls with cast-in granite Gantry crane system w/support trestle & temp. towers, and access work trestle in the river

23 Drilled micro piles for foundations w/in cofferdams in the wet Base Concept D-B Alternative

24 Drilled micro piles for foundations w/in cofferdams in the wet

25 Drilled micro piles for foundations w/in cofferdams in the wet

26 Drilled micro piles for foundations w/in cofferdams in the wet

27 Precast Pier Bases

28 Gantry Crane System

29 Gantry Crane System

30 Gantry Crane System

31 Gantry Crane System

32 Gantry Crane System

33 Gantry Crane System

34 Gantry Crane System

35 Construction Phase Permitting Amendments 404 Permit U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 401 Water Quality Certification - MassDEP Additional fisheries consultation NMFS & MA Marine Fisheries MA Wetlands Protection Act Local Conservation Commissions

36 Construction Phase Permitting Amendments Use of micro-piles Allowed DB team to limit dredging and dewatering Use of pre-cast pier walls Reduced the permanent impacts Use of gantry crane Limited the use of large barges for steel erection

37 I-495 Bridge Replacement Project, Haverhill, MA Existing I-495 Bridges

38 Project Limits

39 Project Description

40 Project Description The 2 existing 5-span bridges on I-495 over the Merrimack River in Haverhill will be replaced with 2 new 3-span bridge structures. RFP issued with Base Technical Concept, including: Bridge and Highway Plans adequate for Environmental permitting. Concept new bridge footprint with temporary access footprint. Median crossover to for traffic management & staged construction. Stormwater management plan / typical details and wetland mitigation

41 Potential Impacts Atlantic Salmon Essential Fish Habitat Additional NOAA Trust Resource Species American Shad River Herring American Eel Sea lamprey

42 Atlantic and Shortnose Sturgeon

43 Potential Impacts I-495 Haverhill Bridge I-95 Whittier Bridge

44 Shortnose Sturgeon Behavior Summer Migratory Habitat upstream Spawning, Overwintering & Summer Habitats Upstream I-495 Bridge = Migratory Habitat & Suitable Spawning Habitat

45 Fisheries Protection BMPs Documented shortnose sturgeon spawning habitat located approximately 3 miles downstream Acoustical Impacts Habitat Modifications Turbidity Vessel Collisions

46 Fisheries Protection BMPs Acoustical Impacts Time of Year restriction on acoustic impacts between March 1 and November 15 Use of vibratory hammer/casing oscillators where feasible Impact hammer ramp-up period During activities that may cause acoustical effects, a fisheries biologist will visually and acoustically monitor the area to detect sturgeon Habitat Modifications Protective shielding required to prevent debris from falling into the water Overall reduction to LUW currently 8 piers, reduced to 4

47 Fisheries Protection BMPs Turbidity Time of Year restriction on turbidity causing work between March 1 and November 15 All in-water work to occur within cofferdams Use of turbidity curtains Vessel Collisions Project associated boats limited to 6 knots per hour Fisheries biologist will be on-board large boats and barges Sturgeon training program will be conducted for small boat operators

48 D-B Entity Permit Modifications

49 Highway Alignment Original Phasing D-B Revised Phasing

50 D-B Entity Permit Modifications

51 Floating Pier Design

52 Floating Pier Design

53 D-B Entity Permit Modifications Alternative Bridge Alignment Reduced risk associated with partial demolition Reduced temporary impacts to vegetated wetland Alternative Pier Design Maintained all original BMPs Reduced acoustical impacts Reduced amount of de-watering Significantly reduced permanent LUW impacts

54 Conclusions Benefits of Design Build Project Delivery Method: Allows for accelerated project delivery Reduces risk to MassDOT Allows more opportunity for innovation D-B teams can take unique approach to challenging environmental conditions Big Picture approach by all agencies can assure most efficient project for the public