PROJECT SCOPING PHASE ~ SCOPE OF SERVICES MAIN STREET BRIDGE OVER WINOOSKI RIVER CITIES OF BURLINGTON & WINOOSKI VERMONT

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1 PROJECT SCOPING PHASE ~ SCOPE OF SERVICES MAIN STREET BRIDGE OVER WINOOSKI RIVER CITIES OF BURLINGTON & WINOOSKI VERMONT PROJECT DESCRIPTION McFarland-Johnson, Inc. (MJ) has prepared this proposal to perform the Project Scoping Phase in conformance with the Project Development Process of the Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC), which is similar to the Project Development Process of the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans). The purpose of the Project Scoping Phase is to investigate various bridge improvement alternatives to address existing and future structural and functional deficiencies of the bridge crossing. Through a collaborative public participation process, the community and project stakeholders will play an active role in the study and in the selection of a preferred alternative. A comprehensive scoping report will be prepared and submitted. The Main Street Bridge, constructed in 1929, is a significant structure with a length of 360 feet. The bridge carries over 30,000 vehicles per day across the Winooski River. It consists of a three-span riveted steel plate girder superstructure supported on cast-in-place reinforced concrete abutments and piers. The VTrans 2015 Inspection Report lists the bridge deck and superstructure in satisfactory condition and the substructure in good condition. The bridge deck, sidewalks, and concrete parapet are in need of rehabilitation or replacement. The 87-year-old steel superstructure has a limited remaining service life, with many areas in need of steel repair and painting. Available information from recent designs and studies will be considered in the development of the scoping report. These designs and studies provide additional information on the condition of the existing steel, deck, and bridge rail; potential alternatives to carry bike and pedestrian traffic independently of the Main Street Bridge; local traffic demands and possible roadway and intersection improvements; and community input through various public participation efforts in recent studies and plans. SCOPE OF SERVICES 1.0 PROJECT KICKOFF MEETING MJ will attend a project kickoff meeting with the CCRPC, VTrans, and City staff from Burlington and Winooski. This meeting will finalize the project schedule, goals, and deliverables. Regional Planning Commission 1-1 Winooski Burlington, VT

2 2.0 DATA COLLECTION & ANALYSES 2.1 Information Collection MJ and our subconsultants will perform an information search, and review available background information relative to the existing bridge, waterway, and immediate approaches, including but not limited to: as-built bridge plans bridge load rating bike/pedestrian/intersection reports right-of-way information (from tax map) utility information traffic and crash data hydraulic information reports and studies on existing environmental resources information from VTrans, including the DTA 2.2 Site Visit - In addition to the above, MJ will perform a site visit using the VTrans Site Visit Checklist as a guide. Key items to be noted in the field visit will be: Horizontal and vertical sight distances Intersection/driveway sight distance Location of potential historic resources Location and type of utilities Location of potential archeological resources Identification of any special habitats A site visit for historic and archeological resources will be conducted by our subconsultant. They will field check the project area to assess or update known historic survey forms, identify disturbed areas, and to assess the buildings within the project area. Distinguishing features of the project area will be photographed. 2.3 Base Map MJ will use existing survey data and digital aerial orthophoto information that is already available to prepare a base map suitable for use in developing the scoping study. MJ will identify any additional needs for targeted survey data. 2.4 Bridge Inspection MJ will conduct a field review of the bridge noting differences in condition from the VTrans inspection report. These will be noted in the minutes of the field visit, but a formal bridge inspection and report will not be completed. 2.5 Hydraulic Analysis For this study a detailed hydraulic analysis will not be completed. It is assumed that reviewing and understanding the available FEMA mapping will be sufficient to evaluate the probable replacement bridge options. 2.6 Subsurface Investigations No subsurface investigations are required at this time. Existing information will be used for any replacement bridge options. 2.7 Current and Future Traffic Analyses Some recent traffic data within the project area is available from a variety of sources and reports. The MJ team will review all available Regional Planning Commission 1-2 Winooski Burlington, VT

3 data and determine any further data needs. The MJ team will also coordinate closely with recent projects and activities in the area. For instance, a current study is analyzing the Colchester/Riverside/Barrett intersection, south of the bridge. Traffic data and capacity analyses from the intersection scoping study will be available to use in this study. Also, a VISSIM model of the Winooski Circulator is available for use but it will need to be updated and calibrated with more recent traffic data. Please note that VTrans has a 2016 AADT count just north of the bridge. This scope assumes recent counts for the Circulator and Riverside Avenue/Colchester intersection are available and no new traffic counts are required. It also assumes the existing VISSIM and Synchro models of the Circulator and Riverside Avenue/Colchester Avenue intersection are calibrated to the previous existing condition (and will be updated as part of this effort). The MJ team will develop design hour volumes for (design year) Traffic modeling will be conducted for 2 bridge scenarios: Four-lane cross section (existing condition) with two northbound and two southbound lanes. Three-lane cross section with two northbound lanes and one southbound lane. Traffic analyses (LOS, delays, and queues) will be conducted for: A 3-lane and a 4-lane bridge for Alternative 2: Bridge Rehabilitation Only a 4-lane bridge for all other build alternatives. Traffic evaluation will focus on the Winooski Circulator since the Burlington side has been analyzed as part of the Colchester/Riverside/Barrett scoping. MJ will incorporate the design work from the intersection scoping into the plans and provide a layout of possible modifications to the approach to the circulator based on future traffic volumes. The model will include the preferred intersection alternative at the Riverside Avenue/Colchester Avenue intersection. See the attached Detailed Scope prepared by RSG Inc. for additional detail on the above scope of work. The CCRPC will run their Regional Travel Demand Model to determine any regional network impacts of full or partial closure of the bridge. The MJ team will examine these modeling results and include their conclusions in the scoping report. 2.8 Resource Identification Areas of sensitive resources will be identified by the MJ team. At this location, areas of sensitivity may include archeology and historic structures. Potentially historic structures and archeologically sensitive areas will be identified. Documentation will also be completed confirming what, if any, natural resources will be affected. A review of records for the presence of any hazardous materials will also occur. Farmland soils: The project is within an urban area with no active agricultural land, so important farmland or primary agricultural soils are unlikely to occur. The USDA Web Soil Survey will be consulted regarding potential farmland soils. Regional Planning Commission 1-3 Winooski Burlington, VT

4 Wetlands: No wetlands were found in the immediate vicinity of the Main Street bridge during the 2003 scoping report work. The Vermont Natural Resources Atlas will be consulted and the study area will be revisited to determine whether wetlands are present. If wetlands are present, their locations will be sketched on plans. It is assumed no new wetland delineation will be necessary. Waterways: The ordinary high water line will be determined based on existing information, such as survey or topographic mapping. Floodplains and floodways: Existing FEMA mapping and studies will be consulted to determine floodplain and floodway boundaries and elevations. Boundaries will be shown on project base mapping. Hazardous materials sites: Known sites will be identified by consulting the ANR Atlas. Possible indications of hazardous materials will be evaluated during other resource identification site visits. Fish and Wildlife Habitats: Habitats will be identified in the field and described. The Natural Resources Atlas and ECOS Map Viewer will be consulted, and the Vermont fisheries biologist will be contacted for information on fisheries in the Winooski River. The 2003 study reported two significant natural communities, and there is also currently a mapped habitat block in the project vicinity. Threatened and Endangered (T&E) Species: T&E species will be identified based on the Vermont Natural Resources Atlas and correspondence with the Vermont Wildlife Diversity Program. The 2003 study reported three rare species in the area. Historical and Archeological Resources: Historic resources were identified and described by consultant Thomas Arcuti and archeological resources by consultant Hartgen Archeological Associates in 1999 for a different project being studied at this time. Our subconsultant will update this resource information as needed based upon the current project and the alternatives outlined in this scope. The following is a summary for the work to be completed by our subconsultant: An Archeological Resource Assessment Report will be prepared that will include the details on the resources identified as well as an assessment of the archeological sensitivity and potential of the project area and recommendations regarding Phase IB testing. An Architectural Resource Identification Report will be prepared and will contain a background history and context statement for the project Area of Potential Effect (APE) with history maps and photos necessary to support the findings. If applicable, National Register eligibility recommendation for each structure or district will be presented. This work will be closely coordinated with VTrans Historic Preservation and Archeology Officers. Section 4(f) Resources: Public parks or historic resources that may qualify as Section 4(f) resources in the project vicinity will be identified. Regional Planning Commission 1-4 Winooski Burlington, VT

5 Section 6(f) Resources: The State of Vermont coordinator will be contacted to determine whether Section 6(f) resources are present. Socioeconomic Characteristics and Environmental Justice: The socioeconomic characteristics will be identified based on the ECOS database and other readily available information. Air Quality: It is assumed the project will not substantially alter air quality or result in an increase of 10,000 vehicles per day over 10 years. These considerations will be addressed, but no formal analyses are proposed. Noise Sensitive Land Uses: Existing sensitive receptors such as residential land use will be identified. The potential for the project to qualify as a Type 1 federal highway project requiring noise analysis will be addressed. It is assumed no formal noise analysis will be needed for the scoping study. Aesthetics and community character: The aesthetics of the bridge and its surroundings, including views of and from the bridge, will be reviewed in the field from a variety of vantage points, and will be described briefly in the scoping report. Resource information will be presented in a separate Resource Identification Chapter of the Project Scoping Report. Resources will be briefly described, and a resource inventory drawing will be prepared. Impacts to identified resources will be quantified (to the extent possible) for each alternative under consideration. This information will also be summarized in the overall alternative evaluation matrix to be contained in the Scoping Report. Included will be a tabulation of any anticipated permit requirements for each alternative. 3.0 PURPOSE AND NEED Following the Local Concerns meeting, MJ will develop a draft Purpose and Need Statement that defines the problem and associated needs for the Winooski River Bridge. MJ will forward the draft Purpose and Need Statement to the CCRPC, cities of Burlington and Winooski, and designated VTrans staff for their review and comment. The revised draft Purpose and Need Statement will be presented at a public meeting. Any comments received from the public will be used to finalize the Purpose and Need Statement. 4.0 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PLAN 4.1 Advisory Committee Meetings - MJ will attend four (4) Advisory Committee meetings. The CCRPC will lead the formation of the Advisory Committee. The purpose of the Advisory Committee is to provide general oversight and direction for this project. The committee may include representatives from the following bodies/organizations/agencies: City of Burlington Regional Planning Commission 1-5 Winooski Burlington, VT

6 City of Winooski Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC) Green Mountain Transit (GMT) Ward 1 Neighborhood Planning Assembly UVM Medical Center Local Motion CATMA Others as needed, potentially including City Councilors A total of four (4) Advisory Committee meetings will occur for this Scoping Study to correspond to the following key project milestones: Advisory Committee Meeting #1: Project Kick-Off Advisory Committee Meeting #2: Review of Draft Purpose and Need Statement Advisory Committee Meeting #3: Development of Build Alternatives Advisory Committee Meeting #4: Evaluation of Build Alternatives and Evaluation Matrix (see Task 6.2) Deliverables (for each meeting) Invitation, Agenda, Sign-in Sheet, Meeting Minutes PowerPoint Presentation and relevant graphics (mounted on boards) Assumptions Advisory Committee meetings will be attended by two (2) Consultant staff. CCRPC will secure the location of each of the four (4) meetings. 4.2 Project Web Site - The CCRPC will host and manage a project-specific web page on the existing CCRPC website. Materials developed under other tasks will be provided by MJ for CCRPC posting on the web site. These materials are anticipated to include the following: general project information; project schedule; maps, graphics and other visuals; public meeting notices and meeting notes; web-based survey and results; meeting dates and locations; and study documents. Assumptions: MJ, in collaboration with the CCRPC, will develop publicity materials including press release, informational postcards, calendar listings, and social media releases. The project web site will be used to keep updated project information available to the public. 4.3 Draft Alternatives Workshop / Local Concerns Meeting - MJ will conduct a draft alternatives workshop to solicit public and stakeholder input, and concerns, on the draft alternatives considered. Following the meeting, MJ will prepare a brief Technical Memorandum on the feedback received. Regional Planning Commission 1-6 Winooski Burlington, VT

7 Deliverables Publicity materials (press release, informational postcards, provide CCRPC with information for social media posts) Public Information Meeting PowerPoint Presentation and/or boards. Agenda, Sign-in Sheet, Meeting Minutes Assumptions: MJ will develop publicity materials including press release, informational postcards, and social media posts. Meeting will be attended by three (3) Consultant staff. CCRPC will secure the location of meeting and will be ADA compliant. 5.0 DEVELOPMENT OF ALTERNATIVES The Purpose and Need Statement, evaluation of current and future conditions, as well as inputs from the advisory committee, stakeholders (including via a meeting between VTrans-bridge and MJ) and the public will be used to help guide the development of the alternatives. The development will include preliminary analysis, plans / graphics, construction cost estimates and life cycle cost comparisons. It is currently assumed that the alternatives to be investigated will include the following; the specifics of the build alternatives will be further defined upon completion of the Purpose and Need task: 1. No Build 2. Bridge Rehabilitation 3. Bridge Superstructure Replacement with Substructure Widening 4. Bridge Replacement (a total of two different alternatives) The No-Build, or do nothing, alternative must always be considered in the range of alternatives. The No-Build will serve as a base to compare other alternatives to. For this project, the No-Build alternative would simply result in a continuation of the conditions that already exist. Because the Winooski River Bridge is an extremely important regional facility, it is currently assumed that traffic will be maintained during bridge construction. Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) techniques will be considered for the alternatives to shorten the duration of construction and impacts to regional traffic. The Slide-In-Bridge (lateral slide) method will be one of the techniques considered. The Evaluation Matrix will be used to provide a comparison of the alternatives, in general terms, for their suitability to ABC techniques. Construction of the bridge cross section will most likely require staging to maintain a portion of the travel way and sidewalk for traffic. Due to existing constraints at each end of the bridge, it is unlikely that construction of an adjacent temporary bridge would be feasible to carry vehicular traffic during construction. Regional Planning Commission 1-7 Winooski Burlington, VT

8 Bridge Rehabilitation Alternative will be based upon either the three-lane or four-lane traffic scenario, which will be determined subsequent to the findings of the traffic analyses. It is assumed that a three-lane alternative would retain the existing bridge typical section but one lane would be converted to shoulders to carry the bike lanes. A four-lane alternative would require a separate pedestrian bridge, and the superstructure and sidewalks would require modifications to accommodate the bike lanes on the existing bridge. As a minimum, rehabilitation measures are expected to include partial depth replacement of the bridge deck and sidewalks; rehabilitation or replacement of the bridge rail; painting of the structural steel; and isolated repairs to structural steel and concrete substructure at targeted locations in need. Bridge Superstructure Replacement Alternative would consist of the replacement of the existing superstructure and widening of the existing substructure as determined necessary to support the new girder framing system. This alternative will extend the service life of the bridge superstructure and potentially offer options to improve some functional aspects of the crossing. Bridge Replacement Alternatives would consist of the replacement of the existing bridge superstructure and substructure. These alternatives will be of higher initial construction cost than the other alternatives but provide for a greater lifespan and options to improve and add pedestrian and bicycle facilities on the bridge. It is assumed that the two alternatives would consist of a two-span and single-span bridge. The singlespan alternative would consist of a long span signature type structure for this prominent location bridging Burlington and Winooski. Hydraulic Evaluation - Using the previously gathered hydraulic information and data, MJ will consider the suitability of the various alternatives in terms of hydraulic performance. Traffic Control During Construction - Two construction staging alternatives will be evaluated including: Alternating one-way traffic (two-phase construction) Single lane of traffic maintained in each direction (three-phase construction) The concept of a complete closure of the bridge will not be evaluated. Also, potential diversion of traffic during construction will not be evaluated. Each construction staging alternative will be qualitatively evaluated for impacts to vehicular traffic as well as emergency vehicles. No traffic analysis will be performed. Each of these alternatives assumes a single 5 wide sidewalk will be maintained across the bridge during construction and bicyclists will ride with traffic through the work zone or walk their bicycles on the sidewalk. Resource Agency Coordination MJ understands how important it is to engage the resource agencies early and throughout the project to resolve key concerns during the Regional Planning Commission 1-8 Winooski Burlington, VT

9 alternative screening process. alternatives become defined. The following agencies may be consulted as the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources Watershed Management Division Wetlands Program Rivers Program Wildlife Diversity Program Department of Fish and Wildlife VTrans: Environmental Section (Historic Preservation and Archaeology Officers) and other relevant Divisions U.S. Army Corps of Engineers U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service MJ will invite the resource agencies to all public meetings. It is assumed MJ will attend one (1) resource agency meeting at VTrans after conceptual alternatives and resource impacts have been identified. MJ will prepare meeting handouts and visuals (resource mapping, preliminary alternatives, and a preliminary evaluation matrix), and discuss impacts of potential alternatives on key resource constraints. MJ will also coordinate with VTrans, whose staff serves as State Historic Preservation Officers, and have primary responsibility regarding Section ALTERNATIVES EVALUATION 6.1 Evaluation Matrix Each of the alternatives will be developed to comparable levels utilizing the resource constraints identified as a basis for comparing impacts. Plans depicting the alternatives will consist of the alternatives overlaid on the base mapping, and a typical section. Each alternative will be evaluated and compared to the No-Build alternative based on a variety of criteria including costs; engineering features; environmental, cultural, traffic and other impacts; and the degree to which each alternative satisfies the project s Purpose and Need. The Risk Register methodology will be used to assist in evaluating the alternatives for risk. Resource impacts will be identified and described qualitatively. In some cases, an approximate quantity or range of impact, such as square footage of river impact, may be identified. All information will be summarized in the project s Evaluation Matrix. Needed permits will also be identified and included in the evaluation matrix. The alternative development process and evaluation will be documented in the Scoping Report. Regional Planning Commission 1-9 Winooski Burlington, VT

10 6.2 Evaluation Matrix Presentation to the Advisory Committee Upon development of the draft Alternative Evaluation Matrix, MJ will submit copies of the alternative plans and Evaluation Matrix to the CCRPC for initial review and comment. MJ will revise the documents based on CCRPC s input and send them to the Advisory Committee for review and discussion at the fourth and final Advisory Committee Meeting (see Task 4.1). At this meeting the Advisory Committee will review and discuss the Alternatives and draft Evaluation Matrix. If possible, the Advisory Committee will endorse an alternative to recommend to both the Burlington and Winooski City Councils for acceptance. Upon resolution of any committee comments, MJ will work with the CCRPC to develop a web-based survey to solicit public and stakeholder input on the proposed alternatives. MJ will summarize the results and present them at the Alternatives Presentations meetings in Burlington and Winooski (Task 7.0). Deliverables Drawing plan & typical section of each alternative Evaluation matrix Assumptions The web-based survey will be sent to the database of stakeholders, participants, and those who expressed interest in the project. 7.0 BURLINGTON AND WINOOSKI CITY COUNCILS - ALTERNATIVES PRESENTATIONS The consultant, CCRPC and City staff will present the Winooski Main Street Bridge scoping including alternatives development and evaluation, public process, and the Advisory Committee s recommended alternative to the Winooski and Burlington City Councils. The outcome of the meetings should be a locally preferred alternative for the Winooski River Bridge selected by both City Councils. Deliverables (for each meeting) Invitation to Stakeholders (via ) Drawing plan and typical section of each alternative, evaluation matrix, and summary of web-based survey results Summary of the project s public process PowerPoint Presentation and relevant graphics (mounted on boards) Assumptions Alternatives Presentation meetings will be attended by two (2) Consultant staff. There will be one meeting with the Winooski City Council and one meeting with the Burlington City Council. CCRPC will secure the location of the meetings Regional Planning Commission 1-10 Winooski Burlington, VT

11 8.0 DRAFT AND FINAL SCOPING REPORT Upon obtaining consensus relative to a locally preferred alternative, the MJ team will complete a Draft Scoping Report and submit it to the CCRPC for review and comment. MJ will then incorporate any comments into a Final Scoping Report. MJ will prepare 6 hard copies of the final scoping report for the CCRPC, Burlington, Winooski and VTrans. 9.0 PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND COORDINATION MJ will coordinate with the CCRPC Project Manager on a regular basis throughout the duration of this project and with the Cities of Burlington and Winooski as well as VTrans as appropriate. MJ will maintain the project schedule and report progress as part of each invoice and encourage feedback throughout the scoping process. All correspondence will occur through the CCRPC and MJ Project Managers. Regional Planning Commission 1-11 Winooski Burlington, VT

12 TECHNICAL ASSUMPTIONS FOR SCOPING OF THE MAIN STREET BRIDGE OVER THE WINOOSKI RIVER The following is a list of additional assumptions regarding the proposed scope of work: 1. A base plan will be developed from readily available information. No digital terrain model will be developed and no roadway profile or cross sections will be required. 2. The study area for resource identification will be approximately 200 away from the bridge in all directions. 3. Natural resource information is assumed to be available from existing sources except when otherwise noted. 4. One resource agency meeting is assumed to be needed. 5. Although a consulting archeologist and consulting historian previously prepared a resource identification report, this work will be updated by MJ s subconsultant. 6. MJ staff will be responsible for any coordination with the VT Division for Historic Preservation. This scope of work does not include Act 250 involvement or any other environmental permits or approvals. 7. No structural analyses will be required. 8. If evaluation of the four-lane bridge rehabilitation alternative is needed, MJ will not develop plans or costs for the separate pedestrian bridge but will instead incorporate the information from the recent study by others. And such information will be used to help compare the bridge rehabilitation alternative to the other alternatives. 9. Written project materials and notices do not need to be in a language other than English. 10. Newspaper notices will be in the form of a press release. Legal advertisements are not part of the scope of work. 11. Post cards developed to inform the public on the project will be limited to 500 total, printed in black and white. The CCRPC will be responsible for mailing or distributing the post cards. Regional Planning Commission 1-12 Winooski Burlington, VT