download the memo! (May 2003 memo from VHB/MassHighway to the Study Advisory Group (SAG))
Vanasse
Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB) is the civil engineering firm that, in
2003, worked with MassHighway and the SAG (Connecticut River Crossing
Study Advisory Group) to develop and evaluate proposals for
transporation improvements in the area surrounding the Coolidge Bridge.
The May 7, 2003 memo from VHB provides a preliminary screening of the
proposals put forth by the SAG.
The SAG came up with a number
of proposals for "Infrastructure Improvements" to congested
intersections and corridors in the Pioneer Valley. These proposals were
called "concepts". Concepts 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 all were
relevant to the intersection of Damon Road, Route 9, and the i91
off-ramp at exit 19. The SAG also developed four proposals for building
a second bridge over the Connecticut River. Concept 17 recommended
widening Route 9 to four lanes all the way from Rt. 47 to Amherst, and
noted that widening Route 9 would result in the need for "improvements"
to Interchange 19 in Northampton.
VHB, in their memo to the
SAG, did not rule out the possibility of a second bridge, but suggested
that the environmental and social impacts would be great, and that
improvements to existing infrastructure would be more prudent. VHB
suggested removing concepts 13 (rotary) and 14 from consideration.
This
leaves us with a question: At what point were concepts 11 (roundabout),
12 (improved signalling and ramp modifications) 15 and 16
(grade-separated flyover ramps) eliminated from consideration?
*Note that the concepts were re-numbered in the SAG study--they were re-named. For instance, Concept 14 in the VHB memo emerged labeled "Concept 15" in the final SAG study.