1-15 Traffic

Please provide any study or other information in Invenergy’s possession regarding traffic issues that may arise during and after construction, including identifying the access road that will be used during and after construction, the location and det

RESPONSE:

 

As stated in Section 3.9.1 of our EFSB application, the Project will convert an existing dirt road/path to a new site access road that will connect the Facility to the Wallum Lake Road (Route 100).  This road is designed as a Class A road to handle equipment loads during and after plant construction. The access road is shown on Figure 3.4-3 of the EFSB application. Traffic issues that may arise during and after construction are discussed in Section 6.8 of our EFSB application. The Project will commence construction in the first quarter of 2017, and the expected construction duration is 30 months with commercial operation in June of 2019. Construction personnel will consist of construction craft (laborers, welders, etc.) and staff (professional staff, engineers administrative, etc.). Figure 6.8-1 shows the Heavy Haul and Main Road, Wallum Lake Road, the New Entrance Road, proposed parking and the equipment laydown area. Most staff traffic will occur between 6:00am-7:00 am with change of shift at 5:00pm-6:00pm.  Staff will peak at approximately 150 people in the second quarter of 2018. Craft will also peak at 440 people the second quarter of 2018.

 

The operation of the Facility will have minimal, if any, impact on traffic. Employees will commute to and from the Facility on a daily basis but these vehicle trips will be spread out over multiple work shifts. There will daily deliveries of supplies and equipment but such deliveries will be intermittent.  There will be delivery of ULSD by truck to the Facility when ULSD is fired; however as described previously this will likely occur no more than a few days per year so any impact on traffic resulting from such deliveries would be temporary. Invenergy is committed to identifying and mitigating potential traffic related issues associated with the construction and operation of the Facility.  Invenergy and its contractors will coordinate closely with the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (“RIDOT”) and the Town of Burrillville to develop and implement a pragmatic Traffic Management Plan (“TMP”). The TMP will alleviate the impacts of an increase in traffic volume in a predominantly rural community. Invenergy is devoted to working with the Town of Burrillville to maintain the safety and wellbeing of its citizens and the integrity of its infrastructure throughout the construction and operation of this Project. Invenergy has engaged the services of a Expert Traffic consultant who will supplement this response when the report he is preparing is finished.

 

RESPONDENT:

 

John Niland, Director, Business Development, Invenergy and

Maureen Chlebek, P.E., PTOE, Senior Project Manager, McMahon Associates

 

DATE:

March 31, 2016