Tierney involved in Saugus I-95 roadbed talks

SAUGUS – U.S. Rep. John Tierney is looking into “what can be done” to save the old I-95 roadbed in Saugus after meeting with residents this week, said spokesperson Kathryn Prael”He said he’s looking into it currently ? but they have some calls to figure out what the next steps can be,” said Prael.The Department of Conservation and Recreation has been meeting with the Saugus Conservation Commission since August for approval to take more than 250,000 cubic yards of sand from the roadbed to restore Winthrop Beach. The roadbed was built in the 1970s as part of a plan to extend I-95, but the plan was scrapped. Over the years the roadbed has become grown in with trees, and residents now see it as a part of the neighborhood where they can go for walks and watch wildlife.Residents have come out against the project because they say removing the sand will expose the neighborhood to Route 107 and the Wheelabrator plant while harming wildlife in the area.A Facebook page and an online petition have also been started to raise awareness of the issue. So far 355 people have signed the petition at causes.com.Prael said Tierney is looking into a decision by the Army Corps of Engineers to reject a plan by the DCR to dredge sand from eight miles out in the ocean to restore the beach due to environmental concerns.”He’s educating himself on the decision, and on what’s been happening on the town and state level,” said Prael.Tierney met with Town Meeting member Peter Manoogian and resident Dawn Gaffney earlier this week and is looking into what can be done. Prael said he may meet with them again next week.”He was very hospitable and accommodating, and he was going to check with the Army Corps,” said Manoogian. “The best alternative is for the sand to come from the ocean. That’s what Winthrop wants, that’s what we want to see, and it will save a boatload of money.”At a Wednesday nigh Conservation Commission meeting, the DCR presented altered plans that leave a portion of the roadbed intact. The original plan in August was to remove the entire roadbed. About a dozen residents attended the meeting to speak out against the project.The commission and the DCR will hold a walkthrough on April 4 at 5 p.m.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].