The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District received a permit application from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) for proposed work in the Saugus River at the MBTA Railroad Bridge near Route 1A in Saugus and Lynn, Massachusetts.

The proposed work involves replacing the Saugus Drawbridge that spans the Saugus River between the City of Lynn and the Town of Saugus. The existing drawbridge is located approximately one mile upstream from Lynn Harbor and carries two tracks of the Eastern Route Main Line on which the Newburyport/Rockport Line of the MBTA Commuter Rail travels. The structure consists of a through-girder bascule draw span and the total bridge span is a link of approximately 487 feet.

Approximately 0.51 acre of saltmarsh wetlands and approximately 0.87 acre of mudflat are proposed to be permanently filled. An additional 0.40 acre of wetlands and 1.69 acres of mud flat would be temporarily impacted. These areas would be restored upon completion of this project. The
new bridge is proposed to be located directly adjacent, downstream (East), and parallel to, the existing bridge alignment. Elements to be replaced include foundations, piers, approach span superstructure, the movable bridge, bridge mechanical and electrical systems, the control house,
track, deck, peer protective system, and necessary signal facilities.

The Corps of Engineers is soliciting comments from members of the public; federal, state and local agencies; Indian Tribes; and other interested parties to consider and evaluate the impacts of this proposed activity. The public notice with more detailed information is available for review on the
District website at: https://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Portals/74/docs/regulatory/PublicNotices/2021/NAE-2018-00339-
2021-03-05-PN-FINAL.pdf.

Public comments on this proposed work by the MBTA should be forwarded no later than April 15, 2021, to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, Attn: Alan Anacheka-Nasemann, Regulatory Division, 696 Virginia Road, Concord, MA 01742 or by email to alan.r.anachekanasemann@
usace.army.mil. Please reference file # NAE-2018-00339.