Long Wharf Drive Narrowing Advances

The city’s Engineering Department won permission to move ahead with a ​“substantial narrowing” of Long Wharf Drive and the construction of roughly 1,000 linear feet of sidewalk on the western side of the road — with promises to be mindful of a small, isolated nearby wetland.

The City Plan Commission voted unanimously on Wednesday night in support of the city’s Inland Wetlands Review for those planned improvements to Long Wharf Drive.

According to the city’s application and Wednesday night’s presentation by City Engineer Giovanni Zinn, impacted areas for this project stretch from the I‑95 offramp south to the I‑95 underpass.

The approved developments ​“will result in a substantial narrowing of the roadway and reducing of impervious area within the project limits,” according to a project narrative submitted as part of Zinn’s application to the commission.

Zinn told the Independent that, after the narrowing work is done, one lane in each direction will remain.

Roadway work will consist of altering east and west curb lines, alongside creating sidewalks and lighting for pedestrian safety, and drainage system improvements. The curb alterations will create more space for truck parking and an accessible sidewalk to access the Long Wharf food trucks.

As a June 14 letter submitted to the city by the city-hired consultant SLR reads, ​“The proposed project involves the installation of approximately 1,000 linear feet of sidewalk on the western side of Long Wharf Drive as well as crosswalk striping and lighting improvements.”

Though small wetland exists in the construction area, no work will be conducted in the wetland area itself, which will be protected with a fence and hay bales. SLR identified the wetland as consisting of approximately 400 square feet, and as located roughly 40 feet south of the I‑95 off ramp ​“at the tow of the roadway embankment.”

The application estimates three to five days’ worth of work within the regulated area.

SLR proposed a few conditions to the proposed construction on Long Wharf Drive, in order to protect the wetland. Commissioners signed off on those conditions.

Noting that there could be incidental encroachment during construction, SLR consultants recommended hanging wetland flags prior to construction and demarcating the wetland with orange construction fencing in addition to silt fence to ensure protection throughout construction. Additionally, consultants suggested that a flood contingency plan be submitted, alongside the identification of any stockpile areas in the vicinity of the wetland to demonstrate that these areas will be located outside of the regulated area.

“We don’t anticipate any stockpiling. Being in the flood zone is something we deal with all the time. And in case of the inclement event that is anticipated, we would probably just have all the materials removed from the area but will be happy to abide by those regular conditions of approval,” city Engineer Giovanni Zinn said.