1	Study Advisory Committee October 24, 2006 Meeting 110/113 Rotary Interchange Study
2	Welcome and Introductions Study Background Project Area Goals and Objectives; Evaluation Criteria; Public Participation Project Purpose and Study Process Purpose and Goals of this Meeting Review Existing Information; Future Conditions; Issues and Constraints; I-93 Alternatives; and Public Meeting
3	Review Existing Conditions: Area Roadways
4	Review Existing Conditions: Area Roadways
5	Review Existing Conditions: Area Roadways
6	Review Existing Conditions: Area Roadways
7	Review Existing Conditions: Area Roadways
8	Review Existing Conditions: Area Roadways
9	Review Existing Conditions: Area Roadways
10	2006 Traffic Volumes, Level of Service & Speed Peak hour turning movement count (TMC) data was collected during a typical weekday morning (7AM – 9AM) and afternoon (4PM – 6PM) peak period when commuter routes see the highest volumes. Level-of-service (LOS) is a term used to denote different operating conditions that occur at a given intersection or roadway segment under various traffic volume loads. It is a qualitative measure of the effect of a number of factors including intersection geometrics, speed, travel delay, freedom to maneuver, and safety.
11	2006 Traffic Volumes, Level of Service & Speed
12	2006 Traffic Volumes, Level of Service & Speed
13	2006 Traffic Volumes, Level of Service & Speed
14	Speed Summary on Route 113 - West of the Rotary
15	Crash History
16	2006 Traffic Volumes, Level of Service & Speed CORSIM Coded Network
17	Existing Transit
18	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 110 and 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.
19	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 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
20	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 western half of the study area is more heavily developed, while the eastern is less developed with lots of potential for more development.
21	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.
22	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 Routes 110 and 113 and Wheeler Street that could potentially be open to development.
23	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
24	Land Use
25	100 & 500 Year Floodplain
26	Wetlands
27	Traffic Forecasting Model Source Model Characteristics Calibration Process Calibration Results Future Year Model & Forecasting Projected Traffic Growth
28	Model Source Massachusetts Statewide Model Base Year: 2006 Forecast Year: 2025 Time Periods: AM PM Off-Peak Midday
29	Map of the Statewide Model Area of Coverage
30	Model Characteristics Geographic Coverage Entire MA and RI, Parts of NY, VT, NH, ME Traditional 4-step Travel Demand Forecasting Model Socio-Economic Variables Six Employment Categories Population, Households, Auto-ownership Mode Split – Imported from CTPS’s Model
31	Model Characteristics (continued)
32	Model Characteristics (continued)
33	Calibration Process Field Counts Input into Model Zone Splitting Along I-93 Methuen (4), Dracut (1) and Andover (1) Validation of Employment Allocation Addition of Network Detail Especially Around Route 110-113 Rotary Refinement of Trip Distribution Factors Comparison with FHWA Calibration Requirements
34	Calibration Result
35	Future Year Model & Forecasting Employment Forecast Validation Community Totals Retained Re-Allocation of Employment Growth Computation of Growth Factors Comparison of Existing with Projected Traffic
36	Project Traffic Growth
37	LOS Summary Future No-Build Condition (2025)
38	Future Year No-Build AM Peak Hour Congestion Rotary
39	Future Year No-Build PM Peak Hour Congestion Rotary
40	Overall Intersection Level-of-Service Summary Future No-Build Condition (2025)
41	Rotary Level-of-Service Summary Future No-Build Condition (2025)
42	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 Rte 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 Rte 110 East to Riverside Drive (also Affects Access to Park) Congestion Degrades Air Quality
43	Summary of Issues Continued: Safety: High Travel Speeds on Rte 113 West of the Rotary School Bus Access on Rte 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 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 Rte 113 West of the Rotary
44	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
45	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.
46	Comments SAC Discussion of Issues and Constraints Public Meeting Input November 9, 2006 - 7-9pm
47	Alternatives Development Task 3 Prior Study I-93 New Alternatives
48	I-93 Study: Alternative One Realign 113 West to Terminate at Rotary Eliminate West 110/113 Intersection Shift SB Off-ramp Closer to Mainline Cost: $2.2 Million Property Impacts: Minor Env. Impacts: Moderate
49	I-93 Study: Alternative One Pros Eliminates 110/113 (West) Intersection Separates EB 110 & EB 113 Approach Traffic Cons Add Additional Movement and Weave in Already LOS F Rotary Negligible Increase in Weave Distance Considering Cost of Shifting Ramp Does Not Address NB Off-Ramp Backup Rotary Still Operates at LOS F
50	I-93 Study: Alternative Two Realign 113 to Terminate at an Offset Rotary Eliminate West 110/113 Intersection Shift SB Off-Ramp Closer to Mainline Cost: $2.2 Million Property Impacts: Minor Env. Impacts: Moderate
51	I-93 Study: Alternative Two Pros Eliminates 110/113 (West) Intersection Cons Creates Additional Short Weave Negligible Increase in Weave Distance Considering Costs of Shifting Ramp Does Not Address NB Off-Ramp Backup Exist. Rotary and New Rotary Both Operate at LOS F Difficult Serpentine Geometry for WB 113 Traffic
52	I-93 Study: Alternative Three I-93 NB Off-Ramp Direct Connection to WB 113 (Flyover) Direct Connection From EB 113 to SB On-Ramp (Flyover) Direct Connection From EB 110 to SB On-Ramp Construct New/Modify Existing Bridge Over Merrimack Cost: $24 Million Property Impacts: Moderate-Major Env. Impacts: Major
53	I-93 Study: Alternative Three Pros Removes Heaviest Movements in AM & PM Peaks From Rotary 110/113 West Intersection Improves to LOS D Cons Reduces Delay but Rotary Still LOS F NB Off-Ramp Projected at LOS F Significant Modifications and/or New Structure Crossing the Merrimack NB Off-Ramp Flyover Will Be 3^rd Level No Provisions for Maintaining Access to Branch Street Dead-Ends Bolduc and Albert Streets Cost
54	I-93 Study: Alternative Four NB Off-Ramp Flyover to WB 113 EB 113 Flyover to SB On-ramp EB 110 Direct Connection to SB On-Ramp WB110/113 Flyover to SB On-Ramp Construct New/Modify Exist. Bridge over Merrimack Rotary Eliminated New I-93 Bridge Over Realigned 110/113 NB On-Ramp & SB Off-Ramp Extended in Standard Diamond Configuration 113 Realigned to Intersect 110 With “T” Configuration Cost: $43.7 Million Property Impacts: Major Env. Impacts: Major
55	I-93 Study: Alternative Four Pros All Intersections at LOS C or Better Rotary is Eliminated Lengthened NB Off-Ramp Provides Additional Storage Direct Connections for Heaviest Movements Cons Cost NB Off-Ramp at LOS F New Structure Over Merrimack Four Level Flyover Property Impacts No Provisions for Access to Branch St. New I-93 Bridge Construction Complicates Traffic Management
56	I-93 Study: Alternative Five NB Off-Ramp Flyover to WB 113 EB 113 Flyover to SB On-ramp EB 110 Direct Connection to SB On-Ramp WB110/113 Flyover to SB On-Ramp Construct New/Modify Exist. Bridge over Merrimack Rotary Eliminated New I-93 Bridge Over Realigned 110/113 NB On-Ramp & SB Off-Ramp Extended in Standard Diamond Configuration 113 Realigned to Intersect 110 With “T” Configuration NB Off-Ramp to WB 110 Flyover Rte 113 (West) Maintains Exist. Alignment Cost: $47.6 Million Property Impacts: Major Env. Impacts: Major
57	I-93 Study: Alternative Five Pros All Intersections at LOS C or Better Rotary is Eliminated Lengthened NB Off-Ramp Provides Additional Storage Direct Connections for Heaviest Movements Less Impacts to Albert Street Eliminates Left Turn From NB Off-Ramp to 110/113 Cons Cost NB Off-Ramp at LOS F New Structure Over Merrimack Four Level Flyover Property Impacts No Provisions for Access to Branch St. New I-93 Bridge Construction Complicates Traffic Management
58	I-93 Study: Alternative Six 110 and 113 on Separate Parallel Alignments One Way Connector Roads Parallel to I-93 Rotary Eliminated Existing I-93 Bridge Utilized Realign all Off and On-Ramps Cost: $8.9 Million Property Impacts: Major Env. Impacts: Moderate
59	I-93 Study: Alternative Six Pros No new or Modified Bridges Reduced Environmental Impacts and Construction Costs 110 and 113 are on Own Separate Alignments (Separates Through Traffic) All Intersections at LOS C or Better Cons Number of Movements Require Passing Through 3 Signalized Intersections NB Off-Ramp Still Operates at LOS F Requires 5 or 6 Lane Cross Sections at Intersections
60	I-93 Study: Alternative Seven Realign 110/113 to Eliminate Rotary Intersections of 113 With 110 Realigned as “T” Configuration Single Point Ramp Configuration With Central Intersection Under I-93 New I-93 Bridge Over 110/113 Ramps Generally Along Existing Alignments Cost: $25.9 Million Property Impacts: “Minor” Env. Impacts: Moderate
61	I-93 Study: Alternative Seven Pros Smaller Interchange Footprint Than Alternatives 3-6 No Impacts to Merrimack River Bridge Rotary is Eliminated Central Intersection Operates at LOS C in AM Peak Cons Central Intersection at LOS E During PM Peak NB Off-Ramp Operates at LOS F Large New I-93 Bridge to Span Central Intersection Realignment of 113 Impacts Neighborhood to West of Rotary New I-93 Bridge Construction Complicates Traffic Management
62	Review of I-93 Alternatives Alternative Elimination Next Steps Continued Review of Materials on Website Public Meeting November 9, 2006 - 7-9 PM Alternatives Development SAC Next Meeting Please visit our website at: methuenrotary.com