AIPC

Island transportation study to focus on reducing traffic

June 25, 2008

Island transportation study to focus on reducing traffic

June 25, 2008

By Matt Sheley
Newport Daily News staff

Aquidneck Island will be the subject of a major transportation study, local officials announced Tuesday.

The Aquidneck Island Planning Commission, state Department of Transportation and Statewide Planning Program will join forces on the study, which is contingent on the release of between $300,000 to $600,000 in federal funding.

The study was one of several announcements made by the island-wide planning commission during a press conference Tuesday morning at Middletown Town Hall.

Commission Vice Chairman Robert Quigley said the comprehensive study would be the first of its kind for the island and would include roads, railroads and waterways, among other transportation alternatives.

The goal of the undertaking, planning commission officials said, is to find alternatives to help ease the burden on the heavily traveled streets in downtown Newport, along with East Main and West Main roads in Middletown and Portsmouth.

“I think this is a project the public will get excited about,” said Quigley, who also is a member of the Portsmouth Planning Board. “Everything up to this point has been piecemeal.”

Traffic and safety of the island’s main thoroughfares consistently has been mentioned as one of the most significant issues facing local communities.

Despite increased police presence throughout the area, it’s not uncommon to hear of accidents — including several pedestrian fatalities in the past few years — on heavily traveled roads causing miles of gridlock, not to mention the traffic jams resulting from major events, such as the Newport jazz and folk festivals.

Planning commission Executive Director Tina Dolen said the nonprofit organization has received assurances from the DOT that the funding for the study will be made available, possibly within the next month or so.

When that happens, Dolen said, the planning commission will bring in a consultant to guide the effort, hold a series of public meetings and look at ways to implement the recommendations.

“This is a major project …” Dolen said. “We’re looking at ways to move traffic in a more efficient and safer manner.”

The planning commission previously has delved into the issue by sponsoring of a survey of local businesses to get a sense of where and how their employees commute.

In an attempt to get people out of their cars, the planning commission also announced that it has been approved for a grant of up to $50,000 from the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority.

The funding will help pay for seven to 10 benches and bike racks at bus stops in Newport, Middletown and Portsmouth, with the planners in each community determining which sites are best for those new amenities, planning commission officials said.

A 20 percent match from each of the municipalities will be required before that work takes place, but planning commission Executive Director Tina Dolen said that can come in the form of labor costs to install the racks and benches or other “in-kind” work.

Dolen said Aquidneck Island is the first place in the state to participate in the RIPTA program to help promote use of buses across Rhode Island. The installation of the racks and benches is expected to start in August.

“It seems like it would be a simple thing, but when you get into the details, the location of them, it really isn’t,” said Arthur S. Weber Jr., chairman of the Middletown Planning Board.

By Matt Sheley
Newport Daily News staff

Aquidneck Island will be the subject of a major transportation study, local officials announced Tuesday.

The Aquidneck Island Planning Commission, state Department of Transportation and Statewide Planning Program will join forces on the study, which is contingent on the release of between $300,000 to $600,000 in federal funding.

The study was one of several announcements made by the island-wide planning commission during a press conference Tuesday morning at Middletown Town Hall.

Commission Vice Chairman Robert Quigley said the comprehensive study would be the first of its kind for the island and would include roads, railroads and waterways, among other transportation alternatives.

The goal of the undertaking, planning commission officials said, is to find alternatives to help ease the burden on the heavily traveled streets in downtown Newport, along with East Main and West Main roads in Middletown and Portsmouth.

“I think this is a project the public will get excited about,” said Quigley, who also is a member of the Portsmouth Planning Board. “Everything up to this point has been piecemeal.”

Traffic and safety of the island’s main thoroughfares consistently has been mentioned as one of the most significant issues facing local communities.

Despite increased police presence throughout the area, it’s not uncommon to hear of accidents — including several pedestrian fatalities in the past few years — on heavily traveled roads causing miles of gridlock, not to mention the traffic jams resulting from major events, such as the Newport jazz and folk festivals.

Planning commission Executive Director Tina Dolen said the nonprofit organization has received assurances from the DOT that the funding for the study will be made available, possibly within the next month or so.

When that happens, Dolen said, the planning commission will bring in a consultant to guide the effort, hold a series of public meetings and look at ways to implement the recommendations.

“This is a major project …” Dolen said. “We’re looking at ways to move traffic in a more efficient and safer manner.”

The planning commission previously has delved into the issue by sponsoring of a survey of local businesses to get a sense of where and how their employees commute.

In an attempt to get people out of their cars, the planning commission also announced that it has been approved for a grant of up to $50,000 from the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority.

The funding will help pay for seven to 10 benches and bike racks at bus stops in Newport, Middletown and Portsmouth, with the planners in each community determining which sites are best for those new amenities, planning commission officials said.

A 20 percent match from each of the municipalities will be required before that work takes place, but planning commission Executive Director Tina Dolen said that can come in the form of labor costs to install the racks and benches or other “in-kind” work.

Dolen said Aquidneck Island is the first place in the state to participate in the RIPTA program to help promote use of buses across Rhode Island. The installation of the racks and benches is expected to start in August.

“It seems like it would be a simple thing, but when you get into the details, the location of them, it really isn’t,” said Arthur S. Weber Jr., chairman of the Middletown Planning Board.