State releases long-term plan to protect Mystic River area
E-mail|Link|Comments (0)Posted September 16, 2010 10:04 AM
By Matt Byrne, Town Correspondent

A long-term plan to preserve and improve usability of publicly owned green space
along the Mystic River was released yesterday by the Department of Conservation
and Recreation.

http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/somerville/2010/09/dcr_releases_long-term_pl\
an_fo.html

Curt Spalding, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regional Administrator
for New England, will be the guest speaker at the Mystic River Watershed
Association's 2010 Annual Meeting on Thursday, October 28, at the Tufts
Boathouse, 300 River's Edge Drive in Medford. All are invited to attend.

Spalding will speak on "The Green Economy and Urban Waters" and how the U.S. EPA
is factoring in green jobs, sustainable economic growth, and renewable energy
into its plans for the Mystic River Watershed. All are invited.

The Mystic River Watershed is the most densely populated and urban watershed in
Massachusetts, with more than 500,000 residents in 22 communities. As such, it
is plagued with issues resulting from large-scale industrial activity, vast
expanses of pavement and other impervious surfaces, and aging sewer and
stormwater infrastructure.

Is it possible to develop new industry and to create new jobs that help to
protect and restore the natural environment? What are the characteristics of
"green jobs" and how can a green economy encompass the restoration of our urban
waterways while creating successful and sustainable watershed communities?

Spalding will address these and other topics.

Meeting Details

Mystic River Watershed Association 2010 Annual Meeting
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Tufts University Boathouse
300 River's Edge Drive, Medford

Refreshments courtesy of Preotle, Lane & Associates will be served
beginning at 6 p.m. and the meeting will start promptly at 7 p.m.

Mystic River Watershed Association President John Reinhardt and Executive
Director EkOngKar Singh Khalsa will address the condition of the Mystic River
Watershed and the accomplishments of the Mystic River Watershed Association.

The guest speaker will be followed by an Awards Ceremony and voting for the 2011
Board of Directors. Current members may vote for the Board of Directors; a
membership renewal table will be available during the evening.

+ Directions to Tufts Boathouse
Follow Route 16 East through the Wellington Circle. Take the Wellington
T-Station Exit just after Kelly's Roast Beef, stay to the right and go under the
Route 16 overpass. Go straight through traffic light, this is River's Edge
Drive. Take a right at next traffic light (approximately 1/4 mile). Parking lot
entry will be on your left.

+ About the Mystic River Watershed Association:
The Mystic River Watershed Association was founded in 1972 and has
largely functioned as a volunteer-run organization, mobilizing activists on a
project-by-project basis. Its mission is to protect and restore the Mystic
River, its tributaries and watershed lands for the benefit of present and future
generations and to celebrate the value, importance and great beauty of these
natural resources.

Meeting flyer:

http://bit.ly/a1hxX6

Mystic River Watershed Association website:

http://mysticriver.org/

- Ken Krause
Friends of the Mystic River
www.fomr.org
Join our 16th Annual Mystic River Fall Cleanup this Saturday, Oct. 16

The Somerville Bicycle Committee's Tour de Somerville will take place
tomorrow - Saturday, October 16. We'll explore off-road paths in
Somerville and neighboring towns, especially along Alewife Brook and
the Mystic River.

We'll meet at 10 am at Seven Hills Park, behind the Holland Street
MBTA entrance in Davis Square. The ride will leave promptly at 10:15.
A map of the route is at http://tinyurl.com/TourSomerville2010 . A
little more information is at http://SomervilleBikes.org/Events.html .

Somerville police will escort the ride, and Redbones will provide
refreshments at a rest stop. Some of the paths we're exploring are
unpaved dirt and may be challenging for bicycles with narrow tires.

Right now we think a rain postponement (to Sunday) is unlikely, but if
it is necessary we'll announce it at http://SomervilleBikes.org/Events.html
.

Dear Mr. Winslow,

Thanks for your interest and inquiry regarding the Woods Memorial Bridge
project.

Since we won't be at 25% for quite some time due to environmental/historic
approvals that are first needed, we do intend to have a Public Information
Meeting in the near future to present the project to the public well before the
official 25% Public Hearing.

This is not yet scheduled, but should be held in the next couple of months and
will be publicly advertised.  Please feel free to check in for any updates prior
to that.

The project intends to greatly enhance pedestrian and bicycle accommodations,
including new accommodations that do not currently exist, such as:
New wide shoulder/bike lanes and minimum 10 ft. wide sidewalks on both sides of
the roadway.
ADA accessibility to/from both sides of the bridge/roadway to the MBTA station
and sidewalks below.
Paved multi-use pathways below the bridge, connecting and continuing existing
and planned future pathways along both banks of the Malden River.
Connection to/from the multi-use paths from the Revere Beach Parkway sidewalks.


Again, thank you for your interest in the Project and your work with Bike to the
Sea.

Regards,


Paul C. King, P.E.
Project Manager

MEPA SITE VISIT NOTICE

EEA No. 14718:           Mystic River Recreation Trail

Somerville, MA

Project Description:  The project consists of the construction of a multi-use
path on a 9.25-acre site in Somerville. The purpose of the project is to provide
a connection between the existing Mystic River paths to the west and east of the
Fellsway (Route 28). The project will include the construction of a 12-foot wide
timber boardwalk which will be connected to a 10-foot wide asphalt path on each
side. The boardwalk will be constructed under the Wellington Bridge and extend
into the Mystic River. As designed, the boardwalk is approximately 6,770 square
feet (sf) in base area. The boardwalk will be supported by horizontal piers and
helical anchors. The project is being funded by the proponent of the Assembly
Square Mixed-Use Redevelopment project (EEA# 13989) as part of a larger effort
to improve bicycle and pedestrian access and infrastructure along the Mystic
River waterfront.

The project is undergoing MEPA review and requires preparation of an
Environmental Notification Form (ENF) pursuant to 301 CMR 11.03 (3)(b)(6)
because it requires a state permit and includes the construction of a
bottom-anchored structure of 2,000 or more sf base area within flowed tidelands
or other waterways.

The project requires a Chapter 91 License from the Massachusetts Department of
Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and review under the MA Endangered Species
Act (MESA). It requires a Section 404 Permit from the US Army Corps of Engineers
(ACOE). In addition, it requires an Order of Conditions from the Somerville
Conservation Commission (and a Superseding Order of Conditions from MassDEP in
the event the local Order is appealed).

The first four pages of the ENF are available through this link:
http://www.env.state.ma.us/mepa/mepadocs/2011/030911em/nps/enf/14718.pdf

Date/Time:  Thursday, March 24, 2011 @ 10:00 am (time is tentative)
location:      On-site.  Meet on existing path at southeast side of Wellington
Bridge.

Contact for Project Information/Copies of ENF: John Hendrickson, Fay Spofford &
Thorndike         (781) 221-1133     jhendrickson@...

MEPA Contact:         Deirdre Buckley             (
617) 626-1044              deirdre.buckley@...

Bike to the Sea Day, June 12

The 19th annual Bike to the Sea Day ride will be held on Sunday, June 12, 2011
beginning at 9 am. Meet at the Dockside Restaurant, 229 Centre St. in Malden.

A 10 mile family ride will reach Vitale Park in Saugus and an 18 mile adult ride
will reach Nahant Beach before returning to Malden (distances are round-trip).
Children must be 8 or over, under 16 accompanied by an adult. Helmets must be
worn by all. The $25 family of four fee and the $15 individual rider fee also
covers T-shirts, pizza and door prizes after the ride back at the Dockside.

Volunteers are needed for registration tables and to serve as marshals out on
the course. To volunteer or for a ride registration form, call 781-397-6893 or
you may pre-register at Active.com.  Riders may also register outside the
Dockside on the day of the ride from 8 until 8:30 am.

Bike to the Sea, Inc. is a Malden-based, non-profit organization that works for
bicycle safety and safe places to ride. Bike to the Sea's main focus has been
the development of the Northern Strand Community Trail, a multi-use trail that
will extend from Everett through Malden, Saugus, Revere to the Lynn waterfront.
http://www.biketothesea.com

Constructions has begun and several miles of trail will be complete by the end
of the summer. Members and volunteers are very much needed as the dream of the
Northern Strand becomes a reality.

Pre-register at:
http://www.active.com/cycling/malden-ma/bike-to-the-sea-day-9-am-june-12-2011
or
http://bit.ly/iIRXwS

Event flyer/registration form:
http://www.biketothesea.com/regform2011.pdf

Follow us:
http://www.facebook.com/biketothesea
http://www.twitter.com/biketothesea

Bike to the Sea Day, June 3

The 20th annual Bike to the Sea Day ride will be held on Sunday, June 3, 2012
beginning at 9 am.

20 mile round trip ride to Lynn/Nahant Beach; 14-mile ride to the Saugus River.
Children 8+ welcome with parent/adult rider. Helmets must be worn by all.

Meet at Madeline English School, Everett, MA (Woodville and Tremont St.). Please
arrive at 8:00 am for registration. There will be an Everett Ribbon Cutting
Ceremony at 8:30 am followed by the ride. Post-ride pizza lunch provided. For
more information contact swinslow4152@... or call 781-397-6893. Call for
youth group discounts.

Pre-register at Active.com
http://www.active.com/cycling/everett-ma/bike-to-the-sea-day-june-3rd-830-am-201\
2-nu638

Bike to the Sea, Inc. is a Malden-based, non-profit organization that works for
bicycle safety and safe places to ride. Bike to the Sea's main focus has been
the development of the Northern Strand Community Trail, a multi-use trail that
will extend from Everett through Malden, Saugus, Revere to the Lynn waterfront.
http://www.biketothesea.com

Event flyer/registration form & map:
http://www.biketothesea.com/regform2012v3.pdf
http://www.biketothesea.com/bikedaymap2012.pdf

Follow us:
http://www.facebook.com/biketothesea
http://www.twitter.com/biketothesea

Come out and speak in favor of the new trails that will be created..

Steve

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

85 GEORGE P HASSETT DRIVE

LEGAL NOTICE

THE COMMONWEALTH OF

MASSACHUSETTS

MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION - HIGHWAY DIVISION

NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING

Project File No. 604660

A Design Public Hearing will be held by MassDOT to discuss the proposed project
to replace bridges M-12-017 over the MBTA and E-12-004=M-12-018 (Woods Memorial
Bridge) over the Malden River, and reconstruct a portion of Revere Beach Parkway
adjacent to Wellington Station in Medford and Everett, MA.

WHERE:
City Council Chambers

85 George P. Hassett Drive

Medford, MA 02155

WHEN Wednesday, June 20, 2012 @ 7:00

PURPOSE: The purpose of this hearing is to provide the public with the
opportunity to become fully acquainted with the proposed bridge reconstruction
project. All views and comments made at the hearing will be reviewed and
considered to the maximum extent possible.

PROPOSAL: The proposed project consists of the replacement of these two
structurally deficient bridges and improvements to Revere Beach Parkway (Route
16) from approximately Brainard Avenue to Santilli Circle. Bridge
(E-12-004=M-12-018) (Woods Memorial Bridge) is a former draw bridge that has not
operated in over 30 years and will be replaced with a fixed (non-moveable)
bridge structure. Each bridge will be replaced in its entirety with new
substructure (abutments and piers) and superstructure (roadway deck). Revere
Beach Parkway will retain the existing 6 travel lanes (3 each way). Safety and
operation will be improved by the addition of a continuous auxiliary lane to
allow proper acceleration, deceleration, and weaving distances for entering and
exiting traffic at on/off ramps. Improvements to safety and accommodation for
pedestrians and bicycles include widened shoulders, 10 foot sidewalks, and
paved, multi-use paths below the Woods Bridge along each side of the Malden
River connecting to existing or future paths extending up and down river and to
the Parkway sidewalks above. These improvements provide a continuous safe and
accessible linear route along the each side of the River below, the Parkway
above, and the means to connect between them. Pedestrian access to Wellington
Station will also be improved with the addition of new sidewalks. Stormwater
runoff quality will be improved by the introduction of current Best Management
Practices for stormwater treatment. The bridges will be reconstructed utilizing
staged construction, maintaining three (3) lanes of traffic in each direction
during construction. Access to the MBTA Wellington Station will be maintained at
all times.

A secure right-of-way is necessary for this project. Acquisitions in fee and
permanent or temporary easements may be required. The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts is responsible for acquiring all needed rights in private or
public lands. MassDOT's policy concerning land acquisitions will be discussed at
this hearing.

Written views received by MassDOT subsequent to the date of this notice and up
to five (5) days prior to the date of the hearing shall be displayed for public
inspection and copying at the time and date listed above. Plans will be on
display one-half hour before the hearing begins, with an engineer in attendance
to answer questions regarding this project. A project handout will be made
available on the MassDOT website listed below.

Written statements and other exhibits in place of, or in addition to, oral
statements made at the Public Hearing regarding the proposed undertaking are to
be submitted to Thomas F. Broderick, P.E., Chief Engineer, MassDOT, 10 Park
Plaza, Boston, MA 02116, Attention.: Shoukry Elnahal, P.E., Director of
Accelerated Bridge Program, Project File No. 604660. Such submissions will also
be accepted at the hearing. Mailed statements and exhibits intended for
inclusion in the public hearing transcript must be postmarked within ten (10)
business days of this Public Hearing. Project inquiries may be emailed to

This location is accessible to people with disabilities. MassDOT provides
reasonable accommodations and/or language assistance free of charge upon request
(including but not limited to interpreters in American Sign Language and
languages other than English, open or closed captioning for videos, assistive
listening devices and alternate material formats, such as audio tapes, Braille
and large print), as available. For accommodation or language assistance, please
contact MassDOT's Chief Diversity and Civil Rights Officer by phone
(617-973-7171), TTD/TTY (617-973-7715), fax (617-973-7311) or by email
(MassDOT.CivilRights@...). Requests should be made as soon as
possible prior to the meeting, and for more difficult to arrange services
including sign-language, CART or language translation or interpretation,
requests should be made at least ten (10) business days before the meeting.

In case of inclement weather, hearing cancellation announcements will be posted
on the internet at http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Highway/

FRANCIS A. DEPAOLA, P.E.

HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATOR

THOMAS F. BRODERICK, P.E.

CHIEF ENGINEER

MassDOT has published the Environmental Notification Form for the Woods Memorial
Bridge Replacement and Transportation Improvements on Route 16 between Medford
and Everett.

Link to document:

http://bit.ly/WiJ3QJ

The Secretary of Energy & Environmental Affairs will receive public comments on
the project for 30 days, and will then decide, within ten days, if further MEPA
review is required. A site visit and consultation session on the project is also
scheduled for early February.

All persons wishing to comment on the project, or to be notified of a site visit
or consultation session, should write to the Secretary of Energy & Environmental
Affairs, 100 Cambridge St., Suite 900, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, Attention:
MEPA Office, referencing the above project. By: Michael Trepanier, MassDOT.

Project Description:

The purpose of the project is to address the existing and worsening structural,
operational, and safety needs of the two bridges and their Route 16 approaches
and enhance multimodal transportation options on Route 16, while minimizing
impacts to the historic and environmental resources in the project area. A
uniform roadway cross-section will improve vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian
movement and safety along the project corridor.

The widened shoulders and sidewalks will create continuity and improve safety on
a major section of the Revere Beach Parkway that connects dense residential
areas with Wellington Station and the major retail location of Gateway Center
accessed from Santilli Circle. This action is consistent with MassDOT's Green
DOT Policy, as it encourages bicycle and pedestrian travel, encourages
transportation mode shift, and connects Wellington Station to the surrounding
residential and office areas in an improved manner.

The existing typical cross-section in the project area consists of three 11-foot
travel lanes, a 2-foot inside shoulder, a 2-foot outside shoulder and a 6-foot
sidewalk on each side. These elements are separated by a 4-foot raised median
with guardrail. In some locations there is an additional substandard
acceleration and/or deceleration lane of 11-foot width.

It is proposed to widen the cross-section at the existing bridges and approaches
to a total width of 126 feet consisting of three 11-foot travel lanes, an
11-foot auxiliary (acceleration or deceleration) lane, a 6-foot outer
shoulder/bike lane, a 2-foot inner shoulder and a 10-foot sidewalk on each side.
A 2-foot F-Shape (Jersey) barrier will separate opposing traffic.

This Saturday, Green Medford will be hosting an environmental sites
bicycle tour in conjunction with the Medford Square Area Cleanup.  We
will leave from the parking lot behind city hall at 12:30pm.

The tour will be broken into two parts, with the first part will be
about 7 miles, consisting of visits to the Old Medford High School (pool
energy improvements), the Roberts Elementary School (Energy Star Award),
River's Edge Park and Development (reclaimed brownfield), Mystic River
Bicycle trail (transit connection), and McDonald Park observation tower
(river and marsh view).  After the tower, those wishing to return to
Medford Square will be guided back past the base of the wind turbine
(renewable energy).  Expected return to Medford Square will be about
2:15 - 2:30pm.

The second section will continue after the tower for a total ride of
about 9 miles to a private residence (near zero energy building), Green
Line construction site (transit), residential solar panel installation
(renewable energy), culvert covered stream and storm drain (general
environmental awareness), and new green apartment construction.
Expected return to Medford Square will be about 3:30 - 3:45.

The ride will be slow paced, and suitable for all abilities.  The route
will generally take us along quieter neighborhood streets and connecting
paths, but there will be a few busy street crossings.  All participants
will be required to sign a waiver, and will be requested to wear a
helmet.  Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a
responsible adult.

For more information, please contact me directly.

Bruce Kulik
bkulik@...
617-816-7891