The Massachusetts Department of Transportation – Highway Division (MassDOT) is proposing to widen and relocate a portion of Route 1 in Revere, Malden, and Saugus. The 2.4-mile project begins 1,500 feet south of the Route 1/Route 60 interchange (Copeland Circle) and proceeds north through the Route 1/Route 99 Interchange. (See Figure 1)

Route 1 within the project area is primarily a limited-access urban principal arterial highway that serves as the major north-south roadway for communities north of Boston. Heavy traffic congestion occurs along Route 1, particularly north of Copeland Circle, because of high traffic volumes and a reduction in the number of travel lanes. North of Copeland Circle, Route 1 decreases from a six-lane highway (three lanes northbound and three lanes southbound) to a four-lane highway (two lanes northbound and two lanes southbound). Route 1 returns to a six-lane highway beyond the Route 1/Route 99 Interchange. The Level of Service (LOS) along Route 1 within the project limits is "D" during the morning peak period and "F" during the evening peak period. Average daily traffic is approximately 95,000 vehicles per day.

Copeland Circle (Route 1 at Route 60 in Revere, looking North)

Substandard roadway geometry at the exit and entrance ramps of the Route 1/Salem Street/Lynn Street Interchange contributes to the high number of accidents and congestion in this area. Roadway geometry deficiencies include an absence of acceleration and deceleration lanes, tight turning radii and the proximity of adjacent ramps. During the three-year period from 1997 to 1999, a total of 122 accidents occurred in this interchange area.

Salem Street/Lynn Street Interchange (looking East)

The deficiencies of Route 1 are described in The Lower North Shore Transportation Improvement Study, a planning study completed by the Central Transportation Planning Staff. The study recommends the reconstruction and widening of Route 1 along the existing roadway alignment between Copeland Circle and Route 99 and the reconstruction of the Route 1/Lynn Street/Salem Street Interchange. This alternative would provide some improvement to the safety and efficiency of Route 1 in this area, however, as explained below, a more substantial improvement, particularly in the roadway’s horizontal and vertical geometry, is required.

An additional northbound and southbound travel lane between Copeland Circle and Route 99 is critical to the improvement of safety and reduction of traffic congestion in this area. Several alternatives have been proposed in the Environmental Notification Form (ENF) and subsequent correspondence from MassDOT for further evaluation in the Environmental Assessment/Environmental Impact Report, (EA/EIR)

MassDOT took steps to improve this segment of Route 1 by filing an Environmental Notification Form (ENF) describing the project (see Project Documents), pursuant to the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA, G.L. c.30, ss. 61-62H), and MEPA regulations (301 CMR 11.00) . Filed in November 2003, the ENF cites the previous regional traffic studies and reinforces the overall purpose and need for the proposed improvements - to improve the safety as well as the efficiency of Route 1 in this area.

In the ENF, nine preliminary alternatives are defined and presented as having the potential to address project purpose and need. Recognizing that the identification of alternatives is a fluid process, particularly in the early stages of project planning, the Secretary of Environmental Affairs, in the Certificate on the ENF, directed MassDOT to explain any changes "based on comments received and/or adjustments of the design between now and the filing of the EIR." In fact, following filing of the ENF and in response to comments on that document, MassDOT added another alternative, referred to as "10C."

These 10 alternatives (1-9 and 10C) will be carried forward into the EA/EIR and are summarized in Table 1 below.

An ENF and mandatory EIR is required for this project pursuant to MEPA Regulations at 301 CMR 11.03(1)(a)2 and 11.03(6)(1) 1.b. The project involves the creation of greater than ten acres of impervious area and the widening of an existing roadway by one or more travel lanes for two or more miles. The EIR is under preparation and will be combined with an Environmental Assessment to meet Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and MEPA requirements.

Project Schedule

A preliminary schedule for preparing the Environmental Assessment/Environmental Impact Report is shown below. Tentative schedules for the design and construction phases of the project are included for information. As permitting and funding activities for the project advance, this schedule may be modified.

Project Schedule

The Project schedule has been modified, Click image to view the handout from the February 8, 2007 Public Open House