CONCORD, Mass. – The Massachusetts Department of Transportation – Highway Division (MassDOT) is seeking a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District to conduct work in waters of the U.S. in conjunction with discharging fill material to replace a deteriorated bridge in Pelham, Mass.

The proposed work involves the temporary discharge of 237 square feet of fill material into Harris Brook associated with the replacement of the bridge (No. P-04-007) conveying Meetinghouse Road over Harris Brook in Pelham. The purpose of the work is to replace the deteriorated superstructure and substructure of the bridge with a new bridge structure. The proposed work would replace the existing single-span structure with a new single-span structure, and includes approach work and stormwater improvements. The new concrete abutments would be constructed behind the existing dry laid fieldstone abutments. The existing abutments will be retained but cut down slightly to provide adequate clearance for the new bridge. The remaining portions of the existing abutments will be repaired by pointing and grouting.

Although this project may have only minimal impacts and may be eligible for authorization under the current Massachusetts General Permit, the work is not expected to begin until after the General Permit expires on Jan. 20, 2015.  The applicant is seeking an individual permit to allow for a full five years in which to complete the work.

Section 404 impacts are limited to the installation of two temporary sandbag cofferdams at the abutments, and associated dewatering, to allow repairs to the existing abutments to occur under dry conditions. No other work is proposed within the river and flow will be maintained throughout construction. 

The application for the federal permit was filed with the Corps of Engineers in compliance with Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, which regulates the discharge or fill of material in U.S. waters, including wetlands.  The public notice, with more specifics on the proposed work, can be viewed on the Corps website at:  http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/PublicNotices.aspx.

Public comments on this proposed work by the Massachusetts DOT (file #NAE-2014-00984) should be forwarded no later than Aug. 14, 2014 to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, Regulatory Division (ATTN:  Dan Vasconcelos), 696 Virginia Road, Concord, MA  01742-2751.  Additional information is available from Permit Project Manager Dan Vasconcelos at 978-318-8653 or toll free 800-343-4789 or 800-362-4367 (if calling from within Massachusetts) or by email to: daniel.b.vasconcelos@usace.army.mil.