• Specialty

  Air Quality
  Noise / Vibration
  

• SECTOR

  Transportation
  

• TYPE

  Environmental Study
  

• CLIENTELE

  State Government
  

• TIMESPAN

  2010

• LOCATION

  Bellingham, MA

I-495/Route 126 Interchange Improvements Project

SERVICE:

Air and Noise Impact Analyses

DESCRIPTION:

Tech Environmental provided air quality and noise studies to the Massachusetts Highway Department, as a sub-consultant to Tetra Tech Rizzo, for I-495/Route 126 Interchange Improvements project in Bellingham, MA. These studies were prepared as part of the federal EA and State EIR published for the project.

The noise analysis was conducted in accordance with FHWA Procedures for Abatement of Highway Traffic Noise and Construction Noise (23 CFR 772) and with the MassHighway Type I Noise Abatement Policy and Procedures. Sound monitoring was done to establish the Noisiest traffic Hour in the project area. Baseline sound level monitoring was then performed in adjacent residential areas, the results from which were used to calibrate the FHWA TNM noise model. Future sound levels were predicted at 35 sensitive noise receptors for the No-Build and two Build Alternatives in the year 2030. Locations potentially affected by traffic noise impact were identified, and a qualitative noise mitigation evaluation was conducted different types of mitigation measures.

The air quality analysis included both a mesoscale and microscale analysis of the entire traffic study area. The mesoscale analysis proved future Build Alternative air pollutant emissions will be lower than future No-Build emissions and established the fact that the roadway project will improve regional air quality. The microscale analysis confirmed compliance with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for carbon monoxide (CO).

 

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Key Points

• Tech conducted noise and air quality impact analyses for a the I-495/Route 126 Interchange Improvements project in Bellingham, MA.