Public Informational Meeting November 8, 2007 Route 110 and 113 Methuen Rotary Interchange Study

Welcome and Introductions Review of Planning Process Prior Study vs. Current Study Timeline and Implementation of Improvements Intent of the Public Informational Meetings Goals and Objectives of this Study

Planning Process in Massachusetts Standardizes the approach Incorporates public participation Promotes context-sensitive design Cost-effectiveness

Prior: Route I-93 Corridor Study Large study area (18-20 mile corridor) Examined 6 interchanges along I-93 Included Exit 46: Route 110/113 Rotary 7 Alternatives were developed No recommended alternative due to significant impacts and lack of local public involvement Recommendation: A study which identifies a preferred alternative would be the next step in moving an improvement at Exit 46 forward. Such a study should be undertaken as an immediate priority

Current: Route 110/113 Rotary Interchange Study Smaller and more focused study area Very involved Study Advisory Committee» Area Legislators» Methuen and Dracut Public Officials» Regional Planning Agencies» MassHighway» Citizen Advisors» Transit Agencies» Federal Agencies Worked with SAC to minimize impacts (height, visual, right-of-way, environmental) and maintaining or improving quality of life, while achieving study s goals and objectives

Goals and Objectives for Study Goals: Improve mobility and safety at the Exit 46: Route 110/113 Rotary Interchange on I-93 Objectives: Reduce traffic congestion at the Exit 46 Interchange, and on Route 110 and Route 113 Reduce queuing of Exit 46 off-ramp traffic into mainline I-93 Reduce the frequency of crashes in the study area Improve air quality through traffic flow improvements Develop cost-effective alternatives Propose alternatives that are generally supported by the Study Advisory Committee and general public, and can proceed into project development

Timeline and Implementation of Improvements Short-Term Improvements (Within 5 Years) Non-Highway Initiatives (Transit, TDM, TSM, PnR, ITS) Highway - Work with MassHighway District 4 Long-Term Improvements (5 to 10 Years) Environmental Process Design Process Right-of-Way Process (if necessary) Funding/Programming Construction

Intent of Public Informational Meetings First one held in November of 2006 Task 1: Study Framework» Goals and Objectives» Evaluation Criteria» Project/Study Area» Public Participation Task 2: Existing Conditions, Future Conditions, Issues and Constraints Solicit Comments From the Public Next Steps This meeting is intended to present improvement alternatives and solicit input from the general public

Consultant Team TranSystems Corporation Prime Fitzgerald and Halliday, Inc. FXM Associates TrafInfo Communications, Inc.

Route 110/113 Study Review Identified existing intersection and rotary traffic issues Compared traffic to I-93 Corridor Study Conducted a speed analysis on Route 113 west of the rotary Analyzed existing Transit and Ridership Analyzed existing socio-economics for baseline comparisons in Dracut and Methuen Analyzed existing Environmental Resources Analyzed existing Land Use Solicited Public concerns and viewpoints

Evaluation Criteria Evaluation Criteria Mobility Safety Environmental Effects Land Use and Economic Development Community Cohesion Cost and Schedule Measure of Effectiveness Vehicle Delays; Level of Service (LOS); Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT); Vehicle Hours Traveled (VHT) Crash Rates/High Crash Locations; Public Safety; Pedestrian and Bicycle Access; School Bus Safety Air Quality; Wetlands; Hazardous Material Sites; Archaeological and Historic Sites; Parks and Open Space; Farmland Access to Existing Parcels and Those Planned for Development; Rightof-Way (ROW); Parking Neighborhood Identification; Pedestrian and Bicycle Access Construction Costs; Short-Range Feasibility; Permitting and Construction Timeframe

Study Area

Intersection Data Collection Traffic Count Data was Collected in January 2006 Turning Movement Counts at 5 Intersections 3 Signalized Intersections 2 Unsignalized Intersections Time Periods Weekday AM: 7 AM 9 AM Weekday PM: 4 PM 6 PM

2006 Levels of Service & Delays Intersection AM Peak Hour Average Delay LOS (sec/veh) PM Peak Hour Average Delay LOS (Sec) Signalized Intersections Rte 110 and Rte 113 (West of Rotary) C 22 C 22 Rte 110 and Rte 113 (East of Rotary) B 13 E 67 Rte 110 (Haverhill Street) and Burnham Road B 13 C 25 Unsignalized Intersections Rte 110 and Riverside Drive (Riverside Lefts) F 72 F >80 Riverside Drive and Burnham Road (Burnham Lefts) C 17 F 52 Rte 113 and Branch Street (Branch Lefts) F >80 F >80 Rotary Northbound Approach A 6 F >80 Southbound Approach F >80 F >80 Eastbound Approach F >80 A 4 Westbound Approach C 32 F >80

2006 Levels of Service

Crash Summary (2002-2004) Total Crashes 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 2002 2003 2004 I-93 Rte 110/113

Crash History Crash Zone Locations 2002 2003 2004 Total 1. I-93 63 63 46 172 2. 110/113 Rotary 63 70 73 206 3. Lowell St. at N. Lowell St. 16 4 7 27 4. Lowell St. at Haverhill St. 18 5 15 38 5. Lowell St. Between Lois St. and N. Lowell St. 11 23 17 51 6. N. Lowell St. Between Hill St. and Lowell St. 12 11 8 31 7. Lowell St. Between Haverhill St. and Hobson St. 2 10 7 19 8. Haverhill St. Between Lowell St. and Hobson St. 47 31 32 110 TOTAL 232 217 205 654

Crash Rates (2002-2004) Location Crash Rate (per MEV) Statewide Average 110/113 Rotary 2.95 0.63 Lowell Street @ North Lowell Street 1.01 0.63 Lowell Street @ Haverhill Street 1.12 0.88

Projected Traffic Growth Location 2006 ADT Est 2025 ADT Percent Growth I-93 North of Exit 46 111,720 116,270 4% I-93 South of Exit 46 116,430 120,430 3% Rte 110 East of Rotary Rte 113 East of Rotary Rte 110 at Dracut Line Rte 113 at Dracut Line 21,170 21,430 1% 10,170 11,060 9% 18,100 24,050 33% 15,740 20,760 32%

LOS Summary Future No-Build Condition (2025) Intersection Signalized Intersections LOS Average Delay (sec/veh) LOS Average Delay (Sec) LOS Average Delay (sec/veh) Rte 110 and Rte 113 (West of Rotary) C 22 C 22 C 35 D 37 Rte 110 and Rte 113 (East of Rotary) B 13 E 67 B 15 F >80 Rte 110 (Haverhill Street) and Burnham Road B 13 C 25 B 16 D 44 Unsignalized Intersections Rte 110 and Riverside Drive (Riverside Lefts) F 72 F >80 F >80 F >80 Riverside Drive and Burnham Road (Burnham Lefts) C 17 F 52 C 20 F >80 Rte 113 and Branch Street (Branch Lefts) F >80 F >80 F >80 F >80 Rotary Existing Condition (2006) AM Peak Hour PM Peak Hour No-Build Condition (2025) AM Peak Hour PM Peak Hour Northbound Approach A 6 F >80 A 7 F >80 Southbound Approach F >80 F >80 F >80 F >80 Eastbound Approach F >80 A 4 F >80 A 5 Westbound Approach C 32 F >80 F >80 F >80 LOS Average Delay (Sec)

Overall Intersection Levels of Service Summary Future No-Build Condition (2025)

Future Year No-Build AM Peak Hour Congestion Rotary

Existing Transit MBTA Lines 4,700 Inbound Riders Daily on MBTA Haverhill Reading Line 1,350 Inbound Riders Daily From Haverhill, Bradford and Lawrence Stations 600 Inbound Riders Daily From Andover 4,700 Inbound Riders on MBTA Lowell Line 1,220 are From Lowell ITS is not Deployed in the Study Area MHD Park-and-Ride Facilities Capacity 73 Cars in the Andover lot on Dascomb Road off I-93 at Exit 42 189 Cars in the Pelham Street lot, One Exit North of Rte 110 and Rte 113 Rotary at Exit 47 Additionally: McGovern Transportation Center (Lawrence) commuter rail station has parking for 540 commuters using either the commuter rail or the Boston Commuter Bus stops. Additional parking is also provided for commuters at the Boston Commuter Bus stops in Andover.

Socio-Economic Characteristics Dracut Residential: 296 Units 341 Broadway Rd. (Rte 113) 34 Homes on Wheeler Rd (Connects to Rte 113) 144 Rental Units (Half 40B) at Civic Village, at Rte 113/Loon Hill 73 Single Family Lots at Wheeler Road Estates (off Rte 113) Under Review 178 Homes Plus a Golf Course (About 45 Built) at Meadow Creek/Rte 113 26 Additional Homes Planned/Built at 5 Locations near Rte 113

Socio-Economic Characteristics Dracut Commercial: 1187 Broadway 19,000 SF Building for Rent 983 Broadway Warehouse Available 1112 Broadway 5,000 SF Rental Space Available for Offices 1330 Broadway Addition to Existing High Business Planning to Double Production and Add 100 Employees End of Silver St off Rte 113 A New Business is Locating There, Involving Trucks (20 Bays) and Some Manufacturing In general the eastern half of the study area is more heavily developed, while the western is less developed with lots of potential for more development.

Socio-Economic Characteristics Methuen Planned and Developed Land Use: 240 Condominium Units for Over Age 55 Residents Planned for the Former Zambino Gravel Pit on Wheeler Street Near the Dracut Town Line. 28 Market Rate Condominiums at Park View, Burnham Road at Riverside Drive. 20 Market Rate Condominium Units at Park Place, Burnham Road near Riverside Drive. 89 Over age 55 Single Family Homes in a 40(B) Development at Stone Castle off Tyler Street. 78 Units in 36 Duplex Structures (25% affordable) in a 40(B) Project off Tyler Street Another 377 Units are Expected to be Approved Shortly.

Socio-Economic Characteristics Methuen Potential Land Use Changes: 50 Market Rate Condominium Units or an Indoor Sports Complex (Rink/Pool/Soccer Field) are Under Consideration in the Study Area. There are Over 260 Acres Bounded by Rte 110, Rte 113 and Wheeler Street that Could Potentially be Open to Development.

Environmental Analysis Conducted: Surface Waters, Floodplains and Wetlands Groundwater, Aquifers and Public Water Supplies Fish and Wildlife Threatened and Endangered Species Areas of Critical Concern Hazardous Waste Sites Cultural, Historical and Archaeological Resources Air and Noise Open Space and Recreation Bedrock and Surface Geology

Summary of Issues: Congestion and Delay: At Intersections East and West of the Rotary At Side-Street Approaches at Unsignalized Intersections On the Rotary Causing Backups/Queuing onto I-93 In AM Peak Queues on the Rotary and Route 110 (Lowell Street) at Entrance to I-93 Southbound (by Year 2026 Queues Projected to Fill Entire Rotary) In PM Peak I-93 Northbound Off-Ramp has Extremely Long Queues Extending Back to the Highway (Causes Accidents) Detouring From Route 110 East to Riverside Drive (also Affects Access to Park) Congestion Degrades Air Quality

Summary of Issues Continued: Safety: High Travel Speeds on Route 113 West of the Rotary School Bus Access on Route 113 West in the AM and PM Provides Potential Conflicts with Traffic Volumes Truck Usage to and from Facilities in Dracut Rotary has Higher Rate of Crashes than the Statewide Averages for Unsignalized Intersections I-93 South Off-Ramp has Safety Issues with Rotary Traffic Intersections at Lowell Street/N. Lowell Street and at Lowell Street/Haverhill Street have Higher than Average Crash Rates Area Growth: Residential and Business Growth in Dracut will Place Higher Demand on Route 113 West of the Rotary

Constraints: Existing Land Development: Residential and Commercial Property Takings Needed Large Commercial Building Near the Southbound I-93 Off-Ramp Limits Possible Changes to Ramp Narrow Rte 113 West Right-of-Way, Small Setbacks of Homes Limit the Ability to Widen Road Without Takings Environmental: 100-Year and 500-Year Floodplains to the southwest of the Rotary Require Permits and fill Analysis for Displacement of Floodwaters if any Alternative Alters the Floodplain Wetlands Permits and Compensation/Mitigation for Drainage for Affected Areas Required Impacts to a Swamp West of the Rotary and to an Emergent Wetland to the Northeast and East of Rotary Possible Elimination of Buffer Areas to Wetland Areas Noise consideration for adjacent residential areas

Constraints Continued: Although no listed historic sites exist in the vicinity of the proposed project, several older structures could be eligible for listing on the National Register. Hazardous materials and potential contamination do not appear to pose constraints. The proximity of the Merrimack River and the I-93 bridge over the river to Exit 46 and the 110/113 Rotary represent constraints to alternatives development. Substandard geometry of the Rotary requires that any build alternative reconstruct or replace the rotary with current design standards for safety and mobility.

Development of Alternatives Alternatives were developed based on traffic operations analysis, safety considerations, Highway Design Criteria They were developed in consultation with the SAC, MassHighway Highway Design Section and District Office Reviewed by traffic operation, environmental impacts, community impacts, ROW takings, safety analysis and the ability to handle forecasted traffic levels in 2025

Development of Alternatives (Short-Term) Based upon: Comments received at the first Public Meeting Input from SAC members Review of existing conditions Field observations Identified short-term improvements that could be implemented in 1 to 5 years Not meant as a replacement of long-term solutions but recognizing that some changes could be made now to provide short-term improvements

Short-Term Improvements Clear trees in the northwest quadrant to improve sight lines for vehicles exiting rotary Install warning signs for westbound vehicles exiting the rotary to watch for stopped traffic ahead Install No Jake Brake signs along Route 113 west of rotary

Short-term Improvements Rotary Re-striping & Advance Signage Advance Signage Advance Signage Striping Delineate travel paths Improve circulation Signage Aid in lane selection for vehicles entering rotary Provide guidance to rotary traffic patterns Advance Signage Advance Signage

Short-term Improvements Bypass Lanes & Signal Installation New Traffic Signal Coordinated Signals Existing Traffic Signal New Traffic Signal

2025 Level of Service Summary Study Area Intersections No-Build & Short-Term Improvement Conditions No-Build Short-Term AM Peak Hour PM Peak Hour AM Peak Hour PM Peak Hour LOS LOS LOS LOS Study Area Intersections Route 110 / Route 113 (western split) C D B B Route 113 / Branch Street F F C C Route 110 / Riverside Drive F F A B Route 110 / Route 113 (eastern split) B F B F Route 110 / Burnham Road B D B C Riverside Drive / Burnham Road (Burnham lefts) C F C F

Level of Service Summary Short-Term Study Area Intersections Route 110/113 LOS B (F) LOS B (F) Route 113 & Branch Street LOS F (F) LOS C (C) Route 110/113 LOS C (D) LOS B (B) Route 110 & Burnham/Green LOS B (D) LOS B (C) Route 110 & Riverside Drive LOS F (F) LOS A (B) Riverside Drive & Burnham Road LOS C (F) LOS C (F) No-Build: LOS AM Peak (PM Peak) Short-Term: LOS AM Peak (PM Peak)

Short-term Improvements Bypass Lanes - Levels of Service Southbound LOS F (F) LOS A (A) Westbound LOS F (F) LOS F (F) Eastbound LOS F (A) LOS A (A) Northbound LOS A (F) LOS A (F)

Transit/Park & Ride/ITS Options (ITS = Intelligent Transportation Systems) Intended to: Improve mobility Provide transportation options Reduce environmental impacts Focus on shorter-term options (longer-term options studied in other efforts)

Conceptual Transit/Park & Ride/ITS Options 1. New Park & Ride on Rte. 113 west of rotary 2. Signage promoting alt. transportation options 3. Extend MVRTA bus Route 35, LRTA bus Route 1 4. Create new Lawrence-to- Lowell bus route on 113 5. Add Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) on I-93 promoting Park & Ride

Option 1: New Park & Ride on Route 113 west of Rotary Potential location: South side of Route 113 near Youngfarm Road and Hill Street Serve both carpools/vanpools and bus riders Possible elements: Daily parking Passenger pick-up/drop-off Bus stop for MVRTA Route 35 Covered passenger waiting area, public phone, lighting Size to be determined (likely under 100 spaces)

Option 2: Add signage promoting alternative transportation options Could be added on Route 110, Route 113, and I-93 Promote commuter rail, bus and ridesharing options Could tie in to Option 1 Park & Ride, or stand alone

Option 3: Extend MVRTA Bus Route 35 and LRTA Bus Route 1 MVRTA Route 35 serves Lawrence and Methuen LRTA Route 1 serves Lowell and Dracut Option would extend routes to a new transfer point on Route 113 near Methuen/Dracut line Build on routes with little extra coordination

Option 4: Create a new Lawrence-to-Lowell bus route along Route 113 Serve same purpose as Option 3 but with a new route allowing through travel Connect with Lowell and Lawrence rail stations Would require more coordination Precedent already exists with MVRTA Route 41

Option 5: Add Dynamic Message Signs on I-93 Promoting Pelham St. Park & Ride Install on I-93 north of the Pelham Street exit Promote Park & Ride and MVRTA express bus service to Boston DMS could: Mention facility location Display next scheduled bus departure Show whether parking is available (would require electronic system or monitoring by personnel) Integrate with Mass. 511

Development of Alternatives (Long-Term) Began by reviewing alternatives developed for the I-93 Corridor Study Two alternatives from that study were identified by the SAC as having merit but needing modifications Five modified and six entirely new alternatives were developed (11 total alternatives) Working with the SAC and MassHighway, list of alternatives was narrowed to four and then two Alternatives were developed to: Improve future traffic operations, mobility, LOS Be responsive to the SAC and Community input Minimize impacts to properties and environmental resources

Alternative 2B Modified SPUI (Long-term)

2025 Level of Service Summary Ramp Junctions No-Build and Alternative 2B No Build Alternative 2B Ramps AM Peak Hour PM Peak Hour AM Peak Hour PM Peak Hour NB off-ramp B F A C NB on-ramp B B B C SB off-ramp D C C C SB on-ramp F D B A

Alternative 2B Study Area Intersections Route 110/113 LOS B (F) LOS B (A) Route 113 & Branch Street LOS F (F) LOS B (B) Route 110/113 LOS C (D) LOS C (C) SPUI LOS C (C) Route 110 & Burnham Road/Green Street LOS B (D) LOS B (C) Route 110 & Riverside Drive LOS F (F) LOS B (B) Riverside Drive & Burnham Road LOS C (F) LOS C (C) No-Build: Overall Intersection LOS AM Peak (PM Peak) Alternative Build: Overall Intersection LOS AM Peak (PM Peak)

Alternative 3A Partial Cloverleaf (Long-term)

2025 Level of Service Summary Ramp Junctions No-Build and Alternative 3A No Build Alternative 3A Ramps AM Peak Hour PM Peak Hour AM Peak Hour PM Peak Hour NB off-ramp B F A C NB on-ramp B B B B SB off-ramp D C C C SB on-ramp F D C C

Alternative 3A Study Area Intersections Route 113 & Branch Street LOS F (F) LOS B (C) Route 110/113 LOS C (D) LOS C (B) Route 110/113 LOS B (F) LOS B (B) Northbound Ramps LOS B (B) Route 110 & Burnham Road/Green Street LOS B (D) LOS B (B) Route 110 & Riverside Drive LOS F (F) LOS B (B) Riverside Drive & Burnham Road LOS C (F) LOS C (D) No-Build: Overall Intersection LOS AM Peak (PM Peak) Alternative Build: Overall Intersection LOS AM Peak (PM Peak)

Alternative 2B Bicycle/Pedestrian Connections

Alternative 3A Bicycle/Pedestrian Connections

Massachusetts Statewide Bicycle Plan Network Map

Massachusetts Statewide Bicycle Plan Methuen Area

CORSIM Modeling by Alternative

Comparison of Alternatives Traffic Exposure to Conflict Type Type of Conflict (% ) 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% NB Alt 2B Alt 3A Weave Merge Signalized Alternatives

Comparison of Alternatives Crash Potential (No-Build normalized to 100) 100 80 60 40 20 0 NB Alt 2B Alt 3A Alternatives

Conceptual Construction Cost Estimates Developed Costs for 2 Long-Term and 1 Short- Term Alternatives Based on MassHighway s 2007 Weighted Average Bid Prices Cost of construction only Does not include ROW, design or environmental mitigation

Conceptual Construction Cost Estimates Long-Term Alternatives: Alternative 2B: $48,000,000 Alternative 3A: $44,000,000 Short-Term Improvement (Bypass Lanes & Signal Improvements): Rotary Changes: $1,530,000 Traffic Signal Improvements: $900,000 Total: $2,430,000

Potential Property Impacts Based upon conceptual level plans May be modified as concepts move through Environmental and Design phases of project Layout lines shown are best-fit from Layout Plans Not located by field survey Similar for both long-term alternatives Primarily limited to strip takings with some full takings

Alternative 2B Potential Property Impacts

Alternative 3A Potential Property Impacts

Evaluation Criteria Criteria Measures 2B 3A Mobility Delays (Overall) Pos Pos+ LOS (Intersections) Pos Pos VMT (Veh. Miles Traveled) Neut Neut VHT (Veh. Hours Traveled) Pos Pos+ Queuing Neut Pos Freight Pos Pos Emergency Vehicle Access Pos Pos Safety Crash rates Pos Pos Crash sites Neut Neut Legend: NA Not Applicable, Low minimal impacts, Med moderate impacts, High substantial impacts, Pos Positive, Neut Neutral, Neg - Negative

Evaluation Criteria Criteria Measures 2B 3A Public safety Pos Pos School buses Pos Pos Ped/Bicycle Pos Pos Environmental Wetlands Med Med Recreation Pos Pos Visual/aesthetics Pos Pos Historic/Archeological Med Med Additional Noise Low Low Air Quality Low Low Wildlife Habitat Low Low Legend: NA Not Applicable, Low minimal impacts, Med moderate impacts, High substantial impacts, Pos Positive, Neut Neutral, Neg - Negative

Evaluation Criteria Criteria Measures 2B 3A Land Use Right-of-Way Med Med Economic Development Neut Neut Parking Low Low Cohesion Neighborhood Pos Pos Ped/Bicycle Pos Pos Cost Const. Costs Med Med Permits Med Med Legend: NA Not Applicable, Low minimal impacts, Med moderate impacts, High substantial impacts, Pos - Positive, Neut Neutral, Neg - Negative

Evaluation of Transit/Park & Ride/ITS Options Mobility: Potential modest shift from Single- Occupant Vehicles (SOV) to alternative modes Environmental: Potential modest reduction in emissions from SOV use Cost and Schedule: Low to moderate costs (capital and operating); feasible in the shorter term Could be pursued as a package or individually

Review & Next Steps Next Steps - Review Public Input - Review findings and input with the SAC - Finalize Recommendations - Prepare and release Final Report MPO s and Local Community Review and Prioritize TIP MassHighway advances to NEPA/MEPA Level of Analysis Final Design Construction

Route 110 and 113 Methuen Rotary Interchange Study Questions & Answers Comment Forms Thank You