Table of Contents. ES Executive Summary. 1.0 Introduction to the Project. 2.0 Alternatives Screened and Evaluated VOLUME 1. Page

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1 VOLUME 1 ES Executive Summary ES.1 Project Overview ES.2 Proposed Action ES.3 Other Alternatives Evaluated ES.4 Summary of Beneficial and Adverse Impacts of the Preferred Alternative ES.5 Other Government Actions Required to Implement the Preferred Alternative Page ES.1 ES.3 ES.6 ES.7 ES Introduction to the Project 1.1 Project Introduction Project History General Description of the Study Area Overview of Existing Roadway Network Red List Bridges Safety and Roadway Geometry Issues Purpose and Need for the Project Purpose Need Alternatives Screened and Evaluated 2.1 Introduction Part A Alternatives Summary Part B Alternatives No Build Alternative Travel Demand Management Transportation System Management Development of Part B Build Alternatives Interstate 93 Widening Interstate 89 / Exit 1 Area Interstate 89 Area Concept C Interstate 89 Area Concept K Interstate 89 Area Concept P Interstate 89 Area Summary Exit 12 Area Exit 12 Area Concept E 2.16 Page i

2 Exit 12 Area Concept F Exit 12 Area Summary Exit 13 Area Exit 13 Area Concept A Exit 13 Area Concept B Exit 13 Area Summary Exit 14 / 15 Area Exit 14/15 Concept D Exit 14/15 Concept F Exit 14/15 Concept F Exit 14/15 Concept O Exit 14/15 Summary Agency and Public Input Received on the Alternatives Considered Preferred Alternative Interstate 89 / Exit 1 Area Preferred Concept (Concept K) Exit 12 Area Preferred Concept (Concept F) Exit 13 Area Preferred Concept (Concept B) Exit 14/15 Area Preferred Concept (Concept F2) Preferred Alternative Summary Affected Environment 3.1 Introduction Traffic and Transportation Traffic Data Collection Origin-Destination Study Vehicles Classifications Commuting Patterns Traffic Volumes Traffic Volumes Traffic Volume Trends Existing Traffic Operations Crash Statistics Geometric Deficiencies Infrastructure Deficiencies Transportation Demand Management Park-and-Ride Lots Ride-Matching / Employer Measures / Congestion Pricing Bus Transit Services Rail Transit Services Transportation System Management Air Quality Noise Environment 3.21 Page ii

3 3.4.1 Introduction Methodology Criteria for Determining Impacts Existing Land Use and Noise Sensitive Areas Noise Measurement Procedures Traffic Analysis Prediction of Noise Levels Noise Impact Analysis Water Resources Groundwater Aquifers Public Drinking Water Systems Wellhead Protection Areas Surface Waters Lakes and Ponds Rivers and Streams Federal and State Regulatory Jurisdiction Surface Water Quality Floodplains Wetlands New Hampshire Prime Wetlands Description of Wetlands Functions and Values Description of Wetlands in the Study Area Vernal Pools Coastal Zone Management Land Resources Geology and Soils Bedrock Geology Soils Farmlands Important Farmland Soils Active Farmlands Conservation and Public Recreational Lands Conservation Lands Section 6(f) Lands Public Recreational Lands Bicycles and Pedestrians River Access Wildlife and Fisheries Wildlife Fisheries Essential Fish Habitat 3.57 Page iii

4 3.8 Rare, Threatened and Endangered Species Federal Jurisdictions New Hampshire Jurisdictions Exemplary Natural Communities/Critical Habitats Plants Wildlife Invasive Species Cultural Resources Socio-economic Resources Introduction General Socio-economic Observations The Influence Area and Characteristics Profile of the Immediate Corridor Communities Commuting Patterns Land Use, Zoning and Public Policy Regional Plans and Policy Community Facilities Visual Resources Contaminated Properties and Structures Environmental Consequences and Mitigation 4.1 Introduction Traffic and Transportation Introduction No-Build Alternative Build Alternatives Travel Demand Management Transportation System Management Interstate 89 Mainline Concepts Interstate 89/Exit 1 Area Concepts Exit 12 Area Concepts Exit 13 Area Concepts Exit 14/15 Area Concepts Comparison of Alternatives Air Quality Methods Results 4.25 Page iv

5 4.3.3 Conclusions Noise Noise Analysis Results Noise Abatement Measures NHTI Barrier Conclusions Water Resources Impact Groundwater Resources Mitigation Surface Waters Regulatory Framework Receiving Waters Water Quality Analysis Water Quantity Analysis Water Supply Areas Chloride Loading Floodplain Impacts Mitigation Floodplain Finding Wetlands and Waterway Impacts Wetland Impact Wetland Impact Analysis Methodology Wetland Impact Analysis Results New Hampshire Prime Wetland Impacts Waterway Impacts Compensatory Wetlands (and Waterway) Mitigation Land Preservation In-Lieu Fee Wetland Finding Land Resources Farmlands Conservation Lands Impact Analysis Methodology Impact Analysis Results Mitigation Section 4(f) Properties Section 6(f) Properties Wildlife Short-Term and Long-Term Impacts Direct Mortality Tree Clearing Highest Ranked Wildlife Habitat Impacts 4.48 Page v

6 4.9.3 Indirect Impacts Mitigation Fisheries Impacts to Fish Habitat Essential Fish Habitat Mitigation Threatened and Endangered Species Plants Federally Threatened and Endangered Plant Species State Rare, Threatened and Endangered Plant Species New Hampshire Exemplary Communities Wildlife Federally Threatened and Endangered Wildlife Species State Rare, Threatened and Endangered Plant Species Invasive Species Cultural Resources Historic Architectural Resources Archaeological Resources Socio-Economic Impacts Property Acquisitions Property Value Impacts Impacts on Growth and Development Analysis Community Facilities Community Cohesion Environmental Justice Visual Resources Interstate 89/Exit 1 Area Exit 12 Area Exit 13 Area Exit 14/15 Area Mitigation Contaminated Properties and Structures Energy Impacts Indirect and Cumulative Impacts Indirect Impacts Cumulative Impacts 4.67 Page vi

7 4.18 Construction Impacts No Build Alternative Preferred Alternative Traffic and Transportation Other Construction Related Impacts Mitigation Draft Section 4(f) Evaluation 5.1 Introduction Purpose and Need Existing Conditions Capacity Concerns Safety and Roadway Geometry Issues Overview of Alternatives Description of Proposed Action Interstate 89/Exit 1 Area Concept K Exit 12 Area Concept F Exit 13 Area Concept B Exit 14/15 Area Concept F Description of Section 4(f) Properties Impact to Section 4(f) Properties Historic Sites Parks and Recreation Areas De Minimis Impact Determinations Avoidance Alternatives Corridor Alternatives No Build Passenger Rail Service Travel Demand Management/Travel System Management Interstate 89/Exit 1 Area Alternatives Interstate 89/Exit 1 Area Concept C Avoidance Alternatives Summary Use Alternatives Interstate 89/Exit 1 Area Concept P Least Harm Analysis Measures to Minimize Harm Coordination and Public Participation Concluding Statement Environmental Commitments 6.1 Commitments to be Carried Out During Final Design Commitments to be Carried Out Prior to Earth Disturbance Commitments to be Carried Out During Construction 6.3 Page vii

8 7.0 Agency Consultation and Public Involvement 7.1 List of Tables Table # Title ES.1 Preferred Alternative ES NHDOT Project Development Process for I-93 Bow Concord Average Annual Daily Traffic Between Exits 12 and I-93 Traffic Volumes LOS Criteria for Freeway Segments Build Concepts for each Segment I-89 Comparison Matrix Exit 12 Comparison Matrix Exit 13 Comparison Matrix Exit 14/15 Comparison Matrix Preferred Alternative Percentage of Trucks LOS Criteria for Freeway Segments a 2014 Existing Conditions I-93 Freeway Segments for AM/PM Peak Period (Northbound) b 2014 Existing Conditions I-93 Freeway Segments for AM/PM Peak Period (Southbound) Existing Conditions I-89 Freeway Segments for AM/PM Peak Period Existing Conditions I-393 Freeway Segments for AM/PM Peak Period Crashes within Study Limits ( ) Crashes by Weather Conditions ( ) Crashes by Roadway Conditions ( ) Crashes by Year ( ) Existing Geometric Deficiencies Existing Infrastructure Deficiencies Noise Abatement Criteria Noise Sensitive Areas (NSAs) Impaired Waters in Study Area Wetland Functions and Values Conservation Lands Properties/Districts Eligible for the National Register of Historic Places Population Trends Housing Trends 3.70 Page viii

9 3.20 Rental Housing Median Home Value Median Household Income Racial Composition Corridor Community Profile (Bow and Concord) Corridor Covered Employment Trends Corridor Employment Projections Population Projections No Build I-93 Freeway Segments No Build Intersection Operations I-93 Projected Traffic Volumes I-93 Auxiliary Lane Comparison I-89 Area Concept C Weaving Comparison I-89 Area Concept C Intersection Operations I-89 Area Concept K Weaving Comparison I-89 Area Concept K Intersection Operations I-89 Area Concept P Weaving Comparison I-89 Area Concept P Intersection Operations Exit 12 Area Concept E Intersection Operations Exit 12 Area Concept F Intersection Operations Exit 14/15 Area Concept D2 Weaving Comparison Exit 14/15 Area Concept D2 Intersection Operations Exit 14/15 Area Concept F Weaving Comparison Exit 14/15 Area Concept F Intersection Operations Exit 14/15 Area Concept F2 Weaving Comparison Exit 14/15 Area Concept F2 Intersection Operations Exit 14/15 Area Concept O3 Weaving Comparison a I-89 Area Alternatives Comparison Matrix b Exit 12 Area Alternatives Comparison Matrix c Exit 13 Area Alternatives Comparison Matrix d Exit 14/15 Area Alternatives Comparison Matrix Measured, Existing, and Predicted Noise Levels Noise Barrier Analysis Results Potential Stormwater BMPs Existing and Proposed Salt Application Wetl56and Impact Areas Wetland Function and Value Impacts National Register eligible properties with Adverse Effects Property Acquisitions Environmental Justice Populations Summary of Transportation Projects in the Foreseeable Future Range of Build Alternatives Section 4(f) Impacts from Proposed Alternative Least Harm Analysis Part B Public Participation Activities 7.1 Page ix

10 List of Figures Figure # Title ES.1 Study Area Overview ES.13 ES.2 I-93 Typical Sections ES.3 ES.3 Preferred Alternative ES Study Area Overview Existing Rail Facilities Crash History for the I-89 Area (2007 to 2016) Crash History for the Exit 12 Area (2007 to 2016) Crash History for the Exit 13 Area (2007 to 2016) Crash History for the Exit 14/15 Area (2007 to 2016) Part A Screening Scoring System I-93 Typical Sections I-93 Segments I-89 Area Existing Conditions I-89 Area Concept C I-89 Area Concept K I-89 Area Concept P Exit 12 Area Existing Conditions Exit 12 Area Concept E Exit 12 Area Concept F Exit 13 Area Existing Conditions Exit 13 Area Concept A Exit 13 Area Concept B a Exits 14/15 Area Existing Conditions b Exits 14/15 Existing Conditions c I-393 Exit 1 Existing Conditions a Exits 14/15 Concept D b Exits 14/15 Concept D c I-393 Concept D2, F & F a Exits 14/15 Concept F b Exits 14/15 Concept F c I-393 Concept D2, F & F I-93 Typical Section with C-D Roads a Stickney Avenue Access Option A b Stickney Avenue Access Option B c Stickney Avenue Access Option C a Exits 14/15 Concept F b Exit 14/15 Concept F c I-393 Concept D2, F & F a Exits 14/15 Concept O b Exits 14/15 Concept O I-393 Exit 1 Concept O Preferred Alternative 2.60 Page x

11 3.1 Project Transportation Elements Regional Model Limits Microsimulation Model Limits Bluetooth Monitoring Locations Base Year 2014 Peak Hour Traffic Volumes I-93 Monthly Variation between Exits 12 and I-93 AADT between Exits 12 and 13 (1981 to 2017) LOS Examples for Basic Freeway Segments Groundwater Resources Overview Public Water Supply Overview Surface Water Overview Impaired Waters Overview Flood Hazard Areas Overview Delineated Wetlands NWI Wetlands Soils and Bedrock Overview Agricultural Resources Overview Conservation and Public Lands Plants and Wildlife Overview Socio-Economic Influence Areas Zoning and Land Use Community Resources Overview Noise Sensitive Areas Noise Sensitive Areas No Build 2035 Peak Hour Traffic Volumes Environmental Consequences - Preferred Alternative (Concept K ) I-89/Exit 1 Area Environmental Consequences - Preferred Alternative (Concept K ) I-89/Exit 1 Area Environmental Consequences - Preferred Alternative (Concept F ) Exit 12 Area Environmental Consequences - Preferred Alternative (Concept B ) Exit 13 Area Environmental Consequences - Preferred Alternative (Concept F2 ) Exit 14 & 15 Area Environmental Consequences - Preferred Alternative (Concept F2 ) Exit 14 & 15 Area Environmental Consequences - Preferred Alternative (Concept F2 ) Exit 14 & 15 Area Environmental Consequences - Preferred Alternative (Concept F2 ) Exit 14 & 15 Area Modeled Noise Barriers Modeled Noise Barriers Preferred Alternative Year 2035 Peak Hour Traffic Volumes Section 4(f) Resources Overview Lamora s Garage and House 5.21 Page xi

12 5.3 Upton House and Store Boston, Concord, & Montreal Railroad Historic District NH Highway Garage Complex Historic District NH Technical Institute Historic District Concord Shoe Company/Ralph Pill Building Concord Electric Light Station Bike/Pedestrian Path East Concord Heritage Trail 5.29 Appendices Volume 1 Appendix A List of Preparers Appendix B Agency Correspondence Appendix C Cowardin Classification System Appendix D Visual Resource Renderings Appendix E Distribution List and Notice of Availability Volume 2 (Separate Document) Appendix F Air Quality Report Appendix G Technical Feasibility Report Appendix H Hazardous Materials Report Appendix I Traffic Analysis Appendix J Rail and Transit Report Page xii

13 List of Acronyms AADT AASHTO BMPs CERCLA CMAQ CO dba DOE DOI DNCR EA FEMA FHWA FONSI FPPA GPS HOV HUD ISA LEDPA LOS LRS MPO MS4 NAAQS NB NEPA NHARD NHDES NHDHR NHDOT NHF&GD NHNHB NHOSP NMFS NOAA NRCS NOx NPS NRCS NWI OHM PFAS Average Annual Daily Traffic American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Best Management Practices Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, Liability Act Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Carbon Monoxide A-weighted decibels Determination of Eligibility Department of Interior New Hampshire Department of Cultural and Natural Resources Environmental Assessment Federal Emergency Management Agency US Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration Finding of No Significant Impact Farmland Protection Policy Act Global Positioning System High Occupancy Vehicles Housing and Urban Development Initial Site Assessment Least Environmentally Damaging Practicable Alternative Level-of-Service Limited Reuse Soils Metropolitan Planning Organization Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System National Ambient Air Quality Standards Northbound Natural Environmental Policy Act New Hampshire Air Resources Division New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources New Hampshire Department of Transportation New Hampshire Fish and Game Department New Hampshire Natural Heritage Bureau New Hampshire Office of State Planning National Marine Fisheries Service National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Natural Resources Conservation Service Nitric Oxide and Nitrogen Dioxide National Park Service Natural Resource Conservation Service National Wetlands Inventory Oil and/or Hazardous Materials Per- and polyfluoroalkyl Substances Page xiii

14 PSI RCRA ROD ROW RSA SB SCS SHPO SIP SOV SPUI STIP TDM TIP TMA TMO TSM USACOE USDA USDOT USEPA USFS USFWS USGS UST VOC WHPA Preliminary Site Investigation Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Record of Decision Right-of-Way Revised Statues Annotated Southbound Soil Conservation Service (currently NRCS) State Historic Preservation Office State Implementation Plan Single Occupancy Vehicle Single Point Urban Interchange Statewide Transportation Improvement Program Transportation (or Travel) Demand Management Transportation Improvement Program Transportation Management Association Transportation Management Organization Transportation Systems Management US Army Corps of Engineers US Department of Agriculture US Department of Transportation US Environmental Protection Agency US Forest Service US Fish and Wildlife Service US Geological Survey Underground Storage Tank Volatile Organic Compounds Wellhead Protection Area Page xiv