SLIDE 1
Why update?
A lot has happened over the past 10 years
- Significant growth in the region.
- Significant progress has been made
- n a few of the ‘old nightmares’
- MassDOT has been ‘created’
- MetroWest RTA was formed
Why update? A lot has happened over the past 10 years Significant - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Why update? A lot has happened over the past 10 years Significant - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Why update? A lot has happened over the past 10 years Significant growth in the region. Significant progress has been made on a few of the old nightmares MassDOT has been created MetroWest RTA was formed (#1
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SLIDE 3
Outreach and Selection Process
Outreach
- Media Partner ~ MetroWest Daily News
- 495/Partnership Investor and Member support
- Word of mouth
Generating Interest
- Series of articles focused on transportation-related
issues in the region
- Transportation committee discussions
- E-Blasts
One Thing is Clear
… you continue to have a lot of Nightmares!
SLIDE 4
… so without further adieu… We present to you… The Top 10 Transportation Nightmares
- f the 495/MetroWest Region
Insert maniacal laughter here
SLIDE 5
Route 135 and 126 in Framingham
Issues
- Conflicting traffic along Route
126 and Route 135
- Multiple rail crossings
- Substandard pedestrian
and bicycle network
This has led to
- Underutilization of the
downtown area
- Regular and recurring safety
and congestion issues that limit local and regional connections
- Driver and community
frustration
Highway Safety Improvement Program ~ Eligible
SLIDE 6
Route 16 Corridor
Issues
- Alternative means of
traversing the region
- Serves as a main street for
several communities and commuter route for others
- Access management issues
This has led to
- Regular and recurring safety
and congestion issues that limit local and regional connections
- Inconsistent planning
approaches
Highway Safety Improvement Program ~ Eligible
SLIDE 7
Route 1 and 1A
Issues
- Significant economic
development over the past 10+ years
- Special event congestion
- No transit services
This has led to
- Interchange is at capacity
- Demand for more
economic development
- Plainridge Park Casino
- 200 acres of prime development land
- ff Route 1A
“13 million people visit the Wrentham Mall each year, the interchange was designed to handle a fraction of that volume”
SLIDE 8
I-495 and Route 9/Westborough
Issues
- Continued growth
in the region
- Substandard
highway design
- Recurring backups
- n both Route 9 and
along I-495
This has led to…
- Safety issues
- Significant congestion
and hindered development
- pportunities
“All one has to do is come out at 5pm on a weekday to see how ridiculous this situation actually is.”
SLIDE 9
I-495/I-90 (MassPike)
Issues
- Substandard and unique design
- Difficult weaving conditions
- Toll plaza
- ACEC
This has led to…
- High crash trends
- Frequent and consistent delays
for commuters AND commercial vehicles.
- Overflow traffic diverting to
Route 9 and Route 126 “For the past 10 years, it’s silly to know that I’m going to wait at the same exact spot at this interchange regardless if I arrive between 5:30am and 9:00am or if I arrive between 4:30pm to 6:30pm.”
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I-495/I-290 Interchange
Issues
- Substandard highway design.
- Regional connection for drivers
who live and work in the area and super-regional connection for drivers moving north and south to other States.
This has led to…
- Regular truck turn-overs
- Recurring delays for
southbound and eastbound drivers on weekdays and
- n weekends.
- Gateway impacts to Hudson
and Marlborough “I’m surprised that there aren’t more fatalities on these ramps… ”
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Commuter Rail
Issues
- Limited infrastructure
upgrades*
- Poor maintenance of stations
- Limited parking
- Limited reverse
commute options
This has led to…
- An inconsistent experience
for commuters
- Reduced access for employers
to tap into the talent-rich employment market of Boston “I live in Ashland, which has all the parking we will ever need, but I’m forced to drive back to Westborough so I can get a decent seat on the train ~ something's not right with that scenario…”
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Suburban Mobility Challenges
First Mile, Last Mile, and a Few In-Between
Issues
- Limited connections between
transportation infrastructure
- Lack of integrated PUBLIC
transportation framework
Which has led to
- Limited options for commuters,
especially in poor weather when walking and bicycling are difficult
- Challenges attracting talented
employees into the region and effectively using Transit as a means to get around the region. “MetroWest is the land of dead end roads and limited transportation
- ptions… the roads that connect are the ones that get congested.
We need to do a better job of connecting the dots…”
SLIDE 13
The Turnpike
Issues
- Continued rapid growth along
the corridor
- Tolling remains in place
Which has led to
- Regular and recurring
congestion at interchanges
- Secondary arterials being used
as bypass roads
- Unfair burden placed on
495/MetroWest commuters “Ten years ago, if you were on the Pike before 7am, it took 35 minutes to get into
- Copley. Now, if I’m on the Pike after 6:30, it’s every minute of an hour ~ usually 90…
and for that “privilege”, I get to pay for $6.20 every day… Sweet.”
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Route 9 Corridor
Issues
- 27 Mile segment that crosses
6 communities in the 495/MetroWest region
- Provides access to major roadways; retail,
commercial, housing, higher education, and industrial properties
- Spans multiple MPO districts
- Has multiple RTA providers
- No consistency between commmunities
Which has led to…
- Different priorities in
each community…
- Constant congestion
“Want to walk, forget it. Want to bike, forget it. Want to take the MWRTA, sure ~ just make sure you’re on the correct side of the street. Want to drive it? Enjoy!”
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