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A public meeting was held in June 2010 to present information on all

the improvement alternatives (10 build, plus a No Build, and a Trans-

portation Demand Management (TDM) package) that were considered

up until that point in time. The purpose of the meeting was to allow

members of the local community to comment on all proposed consid-

erations early in the study process (before decisions are made). After

the meeting, the study team (with the PACs support) recommended

that the following concepts move forward for further analysis: 13, 13A,

13B, the No Build, and the TDM package.

Working with the Project Advisory Committee, the project team began

the effort of further developing and analyzing the alternatives that

were still under consideration. However, just prior to the completion

of the analysis phase, additional population and economic growth

rate factors became available from the latest census. The project

team, in consultation with the PAC, decided that these changes were

signicant enough to warrant a reevaluation of the alternatives. While

this was a small setback for the study (timing-wise), the project

team and the PAC felt that it was more important to make decisions

based on the latest data available. With this data, the project team

reassessed the alternatives and added one additional alternative to

be considered, Alternative 13C. For more information on this and the

other alternatives, see page 2 of this newsletter.

What has happened since thelast public meeting?

Summer 2012

Volume 2, Issue 1

www.mass.gov/massdot/interchange19

Study Background

In Spring 2009, the Massachusetts Depart-

ment of Transportation (MassDOT) began

the process of studying the I-91 Exit 19

Interchange area. The purpose of the study

is to nd ways to improve trafc congestion

in the I-91 Exit 19 area, particularly on Route

9. The project includes a trafc and transit

analysis, roadway design, environmental

analysis, and an effort to seek community

input. The nal product could be a completed

highway design, a series of smaller recom-

mended improvements, or a recommenda-

tion to make no improvements.

The study is being conducted by MassDOT

and a consultant team. TranSystems is the

lead rm of the consultant team and is sup-

ported by McMahon Associates and Fitzger-

ald & Halliday, Inc. In addition, a Project

Advisory Committee (PAC) advises MassDOT

on all major elements to be included in

any improvement option pursued. The PACconsists of representatives from the Ward 3

neighborhood, environmental interests, state

legislature, local colleges and universities, re-

gional planning and transit agencies, bicycle

advocacy groups, MassDOT, and Federal

Highway Administration, as well as from the

municipalities of Northampton, Hadley, and

Hateld. The PAC has met 10 times with the

study team since November 2009.

See page 2:

Remaining Alternatives...

at a Glance

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2

Study Schedule

The Remaining AlternativesAt a Glance

Data Collection &

Existing Conditions Analysis

Alternatives Development

Alternatives Evaluation

Alternatives Report

Preparation

Interchange Justication,Design & Structures Report

Environmental Analysis

Design

Public Meetings

Project Advisory Committee

Meetings

Newsletters/Fact Sheets

Summer

2009

Fall

2009

Winter

2009 -2010

Spring

2010

Summer

2010

Fall

2010

Winter

2010 - 2011

Spring

2011

Summer

2011

Fall

2011

Winter

2011 -2012

Spring

2012

Summer

2012

Fall

2012

START

START

START

There are currently 6 alternatives (called

concepts) that are being considered for

the I-91 Interchange 19 study area. The

alternatives include a No Build, four

build alternatives and one TDM pack-

age alternatives. (Note: Alternatives

are numbered in reference to the CT River

Crossing Study (an earlier study) concepts,

which included concepts at locations other

than Interchange 19.

No Build - consists of making no engi-

neering improvements in the study area.

Concept 13

- includes lanewidening to the existing

intersection and ramps.

Specically, it includes

adding an additional

westbound left turn lane

from Route 9 onto the I-91

southbound on-ramp and

an additional northbound

through lane to Damon Road

from the I-91 northbound

off-ramp. The left turn lane

onto I-91 southbound will

be extended under the

bridge by relocating sidewalk

or replacing the overpass

structures. Improvements

are also made to the merges

of the on- and off- ramps

with the highway.

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Concept 13A - converts

the signalized intersection

of Route 9 and Damon

Road into a two- lane

roundabout. It generally

stays within the existing

state highway layout. In

addition, a second left-

turn lane to enter the

I-91 southbound on-ramp

is added.

Concept 13B includes

two roundabouts along

Route 9. It converts the

Damon Road / Route 9

signalized intersection

into a roundabout and

the Route 9 / I-91

southbound on-ramp

intersection into a

roundabout.

TDM Concept

intended to reduce congestion in

the study area by reducing vehicular

trafc volume includes consideration

of infrastructure as well as some

operational improvements. Elements

under consideration include more

frequent bus service on Route 9,

transit signal priority to speed buses

through trafc signals, an employer-

based universal pass system to

offer deeply discounted bus fares

beyond the academic community,

enhanced bus shelters, and improved

connections to and maintenance of the

Norwottuck Rail Trail.

Concept 13C converts only the

Route 9 / I-91 southbound on-ramp

intersection into a roundabout. At the

I-91 Northbound Exit 19 off-ramp, it

includes adding an additional westboundleft turn lane from Route 9 onto the I-91

southbound on-ramp and an additional

northbound through lane to Damon Road

from the I-91 northbound off-ramp.

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One of the project teams main goals is to involve the public at the highest leveland make the study process as transparent as possible. Ways to get more infor-

mation about the study and provide comments include:

Visit the Project Website There is a project website for the I-91 Exit

19 Interchange Study at www.mass.gov/massdot/interchange19. This

website includes background information on the study as well as detailed

information such as PAC and public meeting scheduling information and

materials. In addition, you can submit written comments on the Contact

Us page.

Attend a Project Advisory Committee or Public Meeting This

is a great place to learn more about the study through viewing andlistening to study update presentations. There is an opportunity for you to

comment at all meetings, which are scheduled regularly throughout the

study process. Meeting information is posted on the project website.

Email Us You can email Bao Lang, of MassDOT, directly at

Bao.Lang@state.ma.us for more information or to express your concerns.

A public meeting is scheduled for September 2012 to discuss the

six alternatives under analysis. The meeting is an opportunityfor members of the community to learn about the most recent

happenings in the study and remaining six alternatives, as well

provide input on their desired outcome.

The meeting, which will be Tuesday, September 18, 2012, will

begin at 6:00 PM in the Bridge Street School Cafeteria. We hope

to see you there!

Summer 2012interchange19

Public Meeting - Get Involved!

Lookingformoreinfo

rmation?

Let us know what you think!