MEMORANDUM

To: From: Subject: Craig Seymour, RKG Associates Keri Pyke, P.E., PTOE Date: HSH Project No.: July 19, 2013 2012056.00

Mohegan Sun at Massachusetts Preliminary Assessment Traffic Mitigation

As requested, Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates (HSH) conducted a peer review of the traffic impact analysis information provided to-date for the proposed Mohegan Sun at Massachusetts casino development to be located in Palmer, Massachusetts. The project site is located on the east side of Thorndike Street, approximately due east of the I-90 Exit 8 toll plaza roads intersection with Thorndike Street (Route 32). The evaluation is based upon the Memorandum, Traffic Impact Assessment, Mohegan Sun at Massachusetts, Palmer, Massachusetts, prepared by Vanasse and Associates, Inc. (VAI), dated June 7, 2013. The purpose of this initial review is to ensure that the recommendations contained in the report adequately address potential project traffic impacts, in support of a negotiated Host Community Agreement (HCA) and related Town referendum vote. We anticipate that the review of potential traffic impacts will continue with more detailed studies as the project continues into the environmental permitting phase, filing an Environmental Notification Form (ENF), Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR), and Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR). The comments are by intersection location for ease of reference.

Location 1: Route 181/Thorndike Street

The intersection of Route 181/Thorndike Street has a safety issue, based on a review of the most recent three years of MassDOT crash data. Over half of the reported crashed resulted in injuries, and there were two headon collisions. The improvements proposed in VAIs June 7 memo should be implemented by the Applicant as interim measures, which may help in the short-term. In a meeting with the Applicant on July 10, the Applicant indicated that based on a review of the assessors maps, the right of way (ROW) is not sufficient to reconfiguration of the intersection as a roundabout. However, the Applicant agreed that the intersection could be reconfigured as a more traditional T-intersection with a 90-degree intersection angle. This could require the acquisition of a small amount of ROW, but the ROW acquisition necessary would be less than for a roundabout. A Road Safety Audit (RSA) process should be considered. The Applicant should construct the necessary improvements to improve safety. Changing the intersection to a more traditional intersection configuration instead of a skewed one should correct the types of crashes that are occurring most frequently, namely angle and head-on collisions.

Location 2: Route 181/Mount Dumplin Road

The proposed casino and associated development will add trips to the through movements on Route 181, causing a traffic increase that ranges from 2.8 6.5%, depending on which time period and movement is being evaluated. Based on the level of impact, under 10% increase in trips over 2023 No-Build traffic volumes, no mitigation is proposed at this location. We do not believe that any is required.

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Memorandum Mohegan Sun at Massachusetts, Preliminary Traffic Assessment Project No. 2012056.00

Location 3: Route 181/Main Street/Shearer Street Location 4: Route 181/Shearer Street/Wilbraham Street/North Main Street
We reviewed Locations 3 and 4 together, as the two intersections are only a very short distance apart. Location 3 is unsignalized. A review of the MassDOT crash data indicated that there is a safety issue at Location 3. Location 4 is signalized and falls under State jurisdiction. We initially asked the Applicant to consider whether a roundabout would work to combine the two intersections into a safer and more efficient intersection. Because of the grade differences traveling through the intersections, a roundabout was not considered feasible. The Applicant is proposing to signalize Location 3 and coordinate the two traffic signals. The Applicant will include emergency signal pre-emption equipment in the signal upgrade. This should result and safer and more efficient operations. The Applicants current proposal will result in changing the Shearer Street westbound approach movements from LOS F to LOS D in the worst case (Friday evening). During the Saturday peak hours, those movements will improve to LOS A. We also recommend that they look at closing the North Main Street southbound channelized right-turn lane to Wilbraham Street (Route 20) to simplify the intersections configuration.

Location 5: North Main Street/Thorndike Street

This location is signalized and under Town jurisdiction. This intersection will experience a significant increase in traffic volumes on both North Main Street and Thorndike Street. The Applicant is proposing to upgrade the traffic signal equipment and modify the signal timing at the intersection to provide more green time to North Main Street. The Applicant will include emergency signal pre-emption equipment in the signal upgrade. They also propose to resurface and replace the pavement markings at the intersection. These signal timing improvements will result in reduced traffic delay, and the intersection will operate at LOS B in the 2023 Friday evening and Saturday midday peak hours, and LOS A in the Saturday evening peak hour. We agree with improvements outlined in the June 7 memo.

Location 6: Park Street/Breckenridge Street Location 7: Park Street/Stone Street

Location 6 is currently unsignalized and has a safety issue. Some movements will experience Location 7 is currently unsignalized and will experience a significant increase in volume with the proposed casino development in place. The Applicant has indicated that neither location currently meets traffic signal warrants, nor will they in the future with the casino development in place. . The Applicant has indicated that a roundabout would not fit within the ROW at either location. To prevent people from wanting to shortcut or use back roads from I-90 Exit 9 (I-84/Route 20) and also to improve safety conditions, I would suggest considering traffic calming measures along Park Street in the vicinity of Breckenridge Street and Stone Street. The Applicant will need to look at the width of the layout of Park Street to determine what might be appropriate. The Applicant should be required to implement the results of the study. We also recommend performing a Road Safety Audit (RSA) with MassDOT Safety staff, which may identify other measures that could be taken to improve safety at these locations.

Location 8: South Main Street/Stone Street

Location 8 is currently unsignalized and will experience a greater than 10% increase in volume on some movements during the Friday evening, Saturday midday, and Saturday evening peak hours. The Applicant has

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Memorandum Mohegan Sun at Massachusetts, Preliminary Traffic Assessment Project No. 2012056.00 indicated that this location does not meet warrants for signalization. They have agreed to install the necessary underground infrastructure for a traffic signal, should one become warranted in the future. They will also resurface the intersection and reapply all pavement markings.

Location 9: Park Street/Thorndike Street

This intersection is signalized and under Town jurisdiction. The Applicant proposes to upgrade the traffic signal at this location. This will include upgrading the pedestrian signal equipment. The Applicant will include emergency signal pre-emption equipment in the signal upgrade. They also propose to resurface the intersection and install new pavement markings. We agree with improvements outlined in the June 7 memo. They will mitigate both the operational and safety impacts of the proposed casino development on this location.

Location 10: Lawrence Street/Thorndike Street

This intersection is currently unsignalized. The Applicant is studying the implications that their various improvement options at Location 11 (I-90 Ramps/Thorndike Street) might have on this intersection. Those proposals include the potential for a median on Thorndike Street, which would effectively limit Lawrence Street to right-turn movements in and out.

Location 11: I-90 Ramps/Thorndike Street

This location is signalized and under State jurisdiction. We have not reviewed the four proposals that the Applicant has presented to the State extensively, as ultimately, MassDOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will dictate the improvements that occur at this location. The Applicant should implement the improvements that MassDOT requires. This will likely be a multi-million dollar commitment, including upgrading the interchange. However, it is not to say that MassDOT does not take into account comments from affected municipality regarding the improvements. Of the four options presented for this location, the at-grade option seems to have the most benefits to the Town. Any viaduct infrastructure such as required for a flyover has long-term maintenance implications. Although these will not be directly attributable to the Town, they will be the responsibility of MassDOT in the long-term, adding to the maintenance burden of an already overburdened transportation system. The at-grade alternatives also seem to improve operations coming from I-90 significantly. With this in mind, we recommend that the Town endorse one of the at-grade alternatives as its preference to MassDOT.

Location 12: Shearer Street/Thorndike Street

Location 12 is currently unsignalized. The Applicant has indicated that it will meet signal warrants, and they are proposing to install a new traffic signal at this location. The configuration of the signal may vary depending on which option is selected for Location 11. The signalization will significantly improve the operations and safety at this location.

Location 13: Big Y Driveway/Thorndike Street (Route 32)

This intersection is signalized and under Town jurisdiction. The Applicant proposes to upgrade the traffic signal at this location to current standards. The Applicant will include emergency signal pre-emption equipment in the signal upgrade. We agree with the mitigation at this location.

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Memorandum Mohegan Sun at Massachusetts, Preliminary Traffic Assessment Project No. 2012056.00

Location 14: Mount Dumplin Road/Thorndike Street (Route 32)

This intersection is unsignalized. It will only experience minor increases in traffic as a result of the casino development. The Applicant is proposing to resurface the intersection and install new pavement markings. We agree with these improvements.

Location 15: High Street/Thorndike Street

Location 15 is currently signalized and under MassDOT jurisdiction. This intersection has a safety issue. The improvements outlined in the June 7 memo seem appropriate. The Applicant will include emergency signal preemption equipment in the signal upgrade. We also recommend that the Applicant work with MassDOT to conduct an RSA here to determine if there are other measures that could improve safety. The Applicant should implement the recommended measures that come out of the RSA.

General Improvements to Study Area Roadways

For the entire study area, the Applicant should commit to repaving and striping intersections and streets. Where study area intersections are close together, the Applicant should repave/stripe the main corridor between intersections as well as a minimum of 100 feet on the side street(s). The Applicant should commit to providing a fund for maintenance of area roadways.

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