[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 165 (Thursday, August 26, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46744-46745]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-22119]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Environmental Impact Statement; Portsmouth & Tiverton, RI
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), RIDOT.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an
Environmental Impact Statement will be prepared for the proposed
rehabilitation or replacement of the Sakonnet River Bridge, carrying RI
Route 24 between Portsmouth and Tiverton.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daniel J. Berman, Assistant Division
Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, 380 Westminster Mall,
Room 547, Providence, RI 02903, Telephone: (401) 528-4560; OR, Edmund
T. Parker, Jr., P.E., Chief Design Engineer, Rhode Island Department of
Transportation, Two Capitol Hill, Room 231-D, Providence, RI 02903,
Telephone: (401) 222-4911.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with RIDOT, will
prepare the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed
rehabilitation or replacement of the Sakonnet River Bridge carrying RI
Route 24 between Portsmouth and Tiverton.
This EIS will investigate scientific and engineering studies and
other activities necessary to determine the environmental and
socioeconomic impacts of various alternative rehabilitation and
replacement scenarios to address the substandard condition of the
Sakonnet River Bridge.
Rhode Island Bridge Number 250, known as the Sakonnet River Bridge,
was originally constructed between the years 1954-1956. The main bridge
structure is comprised of 27 spans with a total length of approximately
2,982 feet. According to the original design plans, the structure was
designed in accordance with 1944 A.A.S.H.O Specifications. The Sakonnet
River Bridge has been carrying highway traffic for over 43 years. With
the exception of limited emergency repairs performed in 1997, and two
partial painting contracts, the structure has not undergone any
significant rehabilitation in over 20 years.
RIDOT conducted an in-depth field inspection of the bridge during
September and October, 1997, and March and April, 1998. The inspection
of the bridge found significant deficiencies in the concrete support
piers and abutment walls, the steel substructure, and the bridge deck.
The majority of the bridge is supported by either main girders or
trusses. These members have been identified as non-redundant and
fracture critical; therefore, their deterioration and eventual failure
could result in a compromise of the structural integrity of the bridge
and possible collapse of the structure.
Due to the extensive nature of the rehabilitation required to
address the structural deficiencies of the Sakonnet River Bridge, RIDOT
is also considering
[[Page 46745]]
potential options to replace the bridge with a new structure. The
following paragraphs present a brief discussion of four potential
alternatives which may be considered for further evaluation.
Option No. 1--No Build
This potential option consists of maintaining the current bridge,
with major rehabilitation to address the deficiencies. Portions of the
bridge structure would be replaced, and all elements would be brought
to a serviceable condition under this option. This work would occur
while the structure is in use, resulting in traffic delays during a
continuous two year construction period. The existing bridge and
approach rights-of-way would be maintained. The rehabilitated bridge
would have a remaining useful life of 25 to 30 years.
Option No. 2--New Bridge on the Existing Alignment
This potential option consists of demolishing the existing bridge,
and constructing a new bridge in the same alignment. During the three
year construction period, RI Route 24 would be closed at this point,
and all traffic between points north and Aquidneck Island would be
detoured to alternate routes including the Mt. Hope bridge on RI Route
136. This option involves completion of interim repairs to the existing
bridge to ensure that it is serviceable during environmental review of
the project and design of the new bridge. The new bridge would have a
75- to 100-year lifespan. This alternative would accommodate a future
bridge for commuter rail service along the existing railroad right-of-
way.
Option No. 3--New Bridge to the North of the Existing Bridge
This potential option consists of constructing a new bridge on an
alignment to the north of the existing bridge. The new alignment would
be between the existing bridge and the railroad bridge, and will
include provisions to accommodate a future lower bridge for commuter
rail service. This option involves completion of interim repairs to the
existing bridge to ensure that it is serviceable during environmental
review, design and construction of the new bridge. The interim repairs
and coincident construction of the new bridge would not involve
significant traffic delays. Additional rights-of-way would be required
for the new bridge and approach alignments. After the new bridge is in
service, the existing bridge would be removed. The new bridge would
have a 75- to 100-year lifespan.
Option No. 4--New Bridge to the South of the Existing Bridge
This potential option consists of constructing a new bridge on an
alignment to the south of the existing bridge. The alignment would be
approximately 30-feet from the existing bridge. This option involves
completion of interim repairs to the existing bridge to ensure that it
is serviceable during environmental review, design and construction of
the new bridge. The interim repairs and coincident construction of the
new bridge would not involve significant traffic delays. Additional
rights-of-way would be required for the new bridge and approach
alignments. After the new bridge is in service, the existing bridge
would be removed. The new bridge would have a 75- to 100-year lifespan.
This alternative would accommodate a future bridge for commuter rail
service along the existing railroad right-of-way.
A scoping meeting to discuss the potential project alternatives and
environmental and socioeconomic impacts will be held on October 6,
1999, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, at the Rhode Island Department of
Administration, One Capitol Hill, Providence, RI 02903 in conference
room A on the second floor. Written comments received within 30 days of
the scoping meeting date will be incorporated into the record.
In addition to the scoping meeting, public participation will
continue throughout the EIS process. Public workshops will be held in
both Portsmouth and Tiverton, and potentially in other affected
communities, to discuss the proposed project alternatives and issues,
and receive public input prior to publishing a Draft EIS. Following
publication of the Draft EIS, a formal public hearing will be held to
receive comments regarding the proposed project. The Draft EIS will be
available for public and agency review and comment prior to the public
hearing, and comments will be received for 45-days following the public
hearing.
To ensure that a full range of issues relating to this proposed
action are addressed and all potential impacts are identified, comments
and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. Comments or
questions regarding this proposed action and the EIS should be directed
to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation at the above address.
Authority: 23 U.S.C. 315; 49 CFR 1.48.
Issued on August 18, 1999.
Melisa L. Ridenour,
Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration.
[FR Doc. 99-22119 Filed 8-25-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P
