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Home My WebLink About1994-03-16 Mineral Street Bridge Task Force MinutesMineral Street Bridge Task Force Meeting March 16, 1994 The meeting was convened on March 16, 1994 at 7:35 pm in the Selectmen's Meeting Room in the Town Hall. Members present: Francis Doughty, Bill Goodrich, Tony Guarciariello, Bernice Herrick, Gerald MacDonald, Marie Murphy, Michael Slezak and Gail Wood. Members absent: George Hines. Observers were D. Ensminger (representing G. Hines for the Selectmen), T. Baillie and C. Durham. The two scheduled guests for the meeting were present: William Robertson, Town Engineer, and Jonathan Edwards, Town Planner. Approval of Minutes The minutes of the meeting of March 9, 1994 were reviewed and revised: per Mr. Doughty, change the last sentence on page one to read "the Chief stated that he could not tie up apparatus..."; per Mrs. Herrick, on page two eliminate the sentence in the third paragraph "Answer is no."; per Mr. Hines, revise his statement on page one to read "Mr. Hines stated that traffic study recommendation might be somewhat like reading a crystal ball." The revised minutes were approved 7-0. (M. Slezak not present.) Town Engineer Per the Task Force's request on March 2, 1994, Bill Robertson distributed the Profile and Plan incorporating the present bridge elevation (solid line) and possible new bridge construction (broken line) to all present. He indicated that he was not a bridge engineer and the layout was to serve only as an approximation. According to the plan, a new bridge would be 6' higher than the current structure. Bill estimated the grade at 10%. Further discussion focused on the right of way (at 421-55' judged to be adequate), and the possible need for walls on both sides of the street. Mrs. Herrick questioned whether access from 93 Mineral St. would be adversely impacted, whether the overall appearance of the area would be fortress-like and whether visibility across Vine St. would be even worse than the current situation. The Vine St. side of the bridge is the difficult side; the Hancock St. side is level. Bill Robertson was directed to do a general survey, since a physical survey is not feasible, of Vine St. showing property lines. In his opinion no land would have to be taken. He indicated that any bridge reconstruction project by the State would include the feeder streets--driveway aprons, walls, curbing, sidewalks, etc. Tony Guarciariello questioned whether it would be more feasible to drop the rail-bed. Bill Robertson stated that since a second track has been projected but with no date set, it might be appropriate to anticipate the future depression of the tracks as part of that project. This might make it possible to put in the bridge at a -1- height of 181-20' with the provision that the future project to depress the rail bed would enable us to meet the standard requirement for bridge height (221611). The reconstruction of the Willow St. crossing might also be included in the future project. Dan Ensminger indicated since the Ash St. crossing is currently under discussion with the State, it might be advantageous to include the Mineral St. reconstruction, in whatever form, in the same discussions. Bill Robertson was asked to find out what other agencies have to be contacted regarding the railbed scenario and where the proposal for a second track is on the MBTA project schedule. In addition, he will obtain information on whether the tracks could be lowered, whether it would be approved and the approximate cost. Members of the Task Force had concerns whether the railbed area was wetlands. Jonathan Edwards indicated that the track at the Mineral St. Bridge location is the highest point between the Reading depot and the Aberjona Bridge in Wilmington. Cut Through Traffic Jonathan Edwards indicated that one of the standard definitions of cut through traffic is traffic which does not originate or end in the town. In his opinion most cut-through traffic on a new Mineral St. bridge would travel in an east to west direction from the Rte. 129 intersection with Rte. 128 through the center of town if Inwood Park were built. Traffic in a southerly direction from Rte. 93 to the depot would still take Lowell St. to High St. The traffic data currently available relating to the Mineral St. area is old. The bridge area was not included in the town-wide traffic study. We also do not have any idea on what the volume would be within the town. Mrs. Herrick asked whether there is any data from 1976 which could be used with the 1976 bridge totals to extrapolate an estimate of future bridge volume. He will look for report(s). Master Plan - Jonathan Edwards indicated that the Mineral St. Bridge was not specifically addressed in the town's Master Plan. The plan offers guidance for town-wide issues to include consideration and balancing of the following: neighborhood safefy, neighborhood integrity, convenience of access with emphasis on emergency vehicles, traffic safety, moderation of speed, increased traffic options and distribution of traffic load. In his opinion a. pedestrian bridge which would include additional sidewalks in the general area could easily be justified. However, a decision on a vehicular bridge would have to involve qualitative judgements. Pedestrian Bridge Bill Goodrich shifted discussion to the pedestrian bridge option. Jonathan Edwards confirmed that it would have to meet ADA -2- requirements (no more than 5% grade). Mike Slezak indicated that any new vehicular bridge should not present a greater challenge to senior citizens who utilize the current bridge to go downtown or to the library. A pedestrian bridge would include switchbacks and landings as needed. Tannerville residents could be consulted. Bill Robertson stated that the state is committed to working with the town to meet the town's requirements. Money is not a problem and, with 1994 being an election year, the climate for any State construction is very favorable. McDonough & Scully Proposal Jonathan Edwards addressed the questions regarding the McDonough & Scully proposal from the prior week's meeting. Turning movement counts are necessary in order to arrive at existing base line data indicating where the cars are coming from. The build/no build condition relates to whether or not Inwood Office Park would be developed since that would be the major new construction having an impact vs. normal, predictable growth. The proposal would be within budget given that McDonough & Scully already has data available to plug into the models. His role in the process if the study were done would be administrative. The two Inwood Park studies from 1987 naturally would have a slant in favor of the developer. In regard to the M & S proposal, Mike Slezak asked that two additional concerns be addressed: the narrowing of Vine St. as it approaches the depot and the adequacy of Mineral St. and Vine St. to suppport additional traffic. Jonathan Edwards indicated that he would be able frame the contract with McDonough & Scully to meet the task force's requirements. Bill Goodrich asked for each individual member's opinion on proceeding with the M & S proposal. Several members expressed concerns regarding the impact to the neighborhood, the cost of study, the viability of projections from the model, the profile of a new bridge in relation to the needs of the elderly and the need for more information from Bill Robertson next week regarding the possibility of the future depression of the tracks. Tony Guarciariello indicated that he viewed the the study as a means of meeting one of the charges from the Selectmen to the Task Force. The decision on proceeding with the study was deferred. No vote was taken. Other Jonthan Edwards will work with Bill Robertson to find out from the State whether the 2216" height requirement for a bridge applies in every situation. Mrs. Herrick offered to contact a person at Tannerville in order to update them with our discussions and/or obtain their feedback, possibly via a survey. -3- A status report will be presented at the Selectmen's meeting on April 5, 1994. The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 pm. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 23, 1994 at 7:30 pm. in the meeting room in the Central Fire Station on Main Street. (Location subject to change.) Chief Marchand of the Police Dept. and the Town Assessor are on the schedule. Bill Robertson may have information to present. -4-