HIGHLIGHTS OF THE REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN

The plan provides a comprehensive analysis of existing and future transportation needs for the region. The goal is to develop and maintain an effective, safe, accessible transportation system which promotes sustainable economic development and preserves the region's quality of life.

Regional population is expected to increase by 14% from 1996 to 2020, from 567,375 people to 648,628. Communities that are expected to receive the most growth are: Mansfield, Middleborough, Taunton, Attleboro, Carver, and New Bedford.

Regional employment growth will be slow until the 2001 to 2010 decade when it is expected to increase from 224,000 to 261,000 jobs in the region. Major transportation investments that are already planned will contribute to this job growth, such as:

• the extension of the New Bedford Regional Airport runway;
• the dredging of the New Bedford and Fall River seaports;
• pier improvements and cold storage facilities in New Bedford and Fall River;
• the replacement of the Brightman Street Bridge;
• the relocated Route 44 from Carver to Plymouth;
• the double barreling of Route 44 in Middleborough and Carver;
• the Old Colony commuter rail service in Lakeville and Middleborough;
• the extension of commuter rail to Taunton, Fall River and New Bedford;
• a new SRTA central maintenance facility;
• new or expanded GATRA maintenance facility;
• a new ferry terminal in New Bedford;
• the replacement of the Berkley/Dighton Bridge;
• interchange ramps at I-195 and Faunce Corner Road in Dartmouth;
• and the reconstruction or resurfacing of traditional urban arterials such as, Route 6 in Seekonk, Route 1 in North Attleborough, Route 44 in Raynham, and Route 138 in Taunton, Raynham, Dighton, Somerset and Fall River.

The plan recommends the following transportation projects to respond to existing and projected traffic growth and to stimulate the economy:

• reconstruction of the interchanges of Route 24 and Route 44 in Raynham and Route 24 with Route 140 in Taunton;
• bring Route 24 up to interstate standards, to relieve traffic congestion and improve safety;
• relocate Tucker Road in Dartmouth to an intersection with Hathaway Road at Route 6 to relieve traffic congestion on Route 6;
• install traffic signals at the Route 6/I-195 ramps in Swansea, widen the westbound off ramp and Route 6 bridge;
• conduct a traffic circulation study for the city of Attleboro, around its downtown and connecting routes;
• reconstruct, and widen in some places, Route 106 in Mansfield from the downtown to Route 140;
• build a southbound slip ramp onto I-95 from Toner Boulevard in North Attleborough;
• install traffic signals at the I-495 ramps with Route 138 in Raynham;
• restore operating subsidies to our two transit authorities to prevent service cutbacks;
• replace transit buses on a more frequent basis;
• provide commuter bus passengers to Boston with the same MBTA pass benefits as commuter rail passengers;
• create a joint ticket that allows crossover between the commuter rail and commuter bus;
• construct a system of regional bikeways;
• construct additional parking at the existing commuter rail stations;
• establish or enhance transit coordination for interstate service with Rhode Island; and,
• construct formal park-and-ride lots at the Middleborough Rotary and along I-95 between Attleboro and Mansfield.
  
  
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