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 “Nightmare” 10 years ago) This has led to New challenges… … and new opportunities

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!

… so without further adieu… We present to you… The Top 10 Transportation Nightmares of the 495/MetroWest Region Insert maniacal laughter here

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

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 Highway Safety Improvement approaches Program ~ Eligible

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 off Route 1A “13 million people visit the Wrentham Mall each year, the interchange was designed to handle a fraction of that volume”

I-495 and Route 9/Westborough Issues • Continued growth in the region • Substandard highway design • Recurring backups on both Route 9 and along I-495 This has led to… • Safety issues • Significant congestion and hindered development opportunities “All one has to do is come out at 5pm on a weekday to see how ridiculous this situation actually is.”

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.”

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 on weekends. • Gateway impacts to Hudson and Marlborough “I’m surprised that there aren’t more fatalities on these ramps… ”

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…”

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 options… the roads that connect are the ones that get congested. We need to do a better job of connecting the dots…”

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.”

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!”

Next Steps We would like to thank the readers of the MetroWest Daily News, our regions employers, residents and employees for submitting their nominations… … We have heard your concerns and the Partnership is ready to work with both the public and private stakeholders to address these issues and insure a prosperous future for the 495/MetroWest Region… … We are now looking for people who could turn these nightmares into opportunities… Scott?