PAWTUCKET DOWNTOWN DESIGN PLAN FINAL ... - VHB.com

Downtown does not have a traffic amount problem.
Traffic count data shows that intersections are rated at appropriate levels for
a downtown urban area. The traffic problem is thus not one of amount, but
rather of access.
The one way streets are very confusing and cut off the downtown from
its neighborhoods.
Traffic patterns have been set over time by incremental changes to facilitate
unique circumstances and the overall ease of moving to the center of the city
has become more difficult. It is hard to get around when you can’t move back
the same way you came. Local people rely on local knowledge of how to get
around; visitors just get lost.
Pawtucket is at the center of important historic routes.
Many important historical events happened in downtown Pawtucket because
it was well linked to New York and Boston. While these are not evident in the
way the streets currently work, all of the key roadways exist except for one
small section. The logics of how to move through the city could be re-formed
and would help people use their natural cue and instincts to move to and from
the downtown area instead of relying on signage or local knowledge.
The downtown needs to be linked across the highway.
Interstate 95 significantly cut off the downtown from Providence and the east
side of Pawtucket when it was built. The city has not recovered from that
decades old split and would benefit from projects that restitch both sides.
TRANSIT / BICYCLES /
PEDESTRIANS
There are dangerous pedestrian crossings between intersections that
need unique solutions.
Several situations in downtown Pawtucket encourage pedestrians to do
perilous crossings. The first is at Roosevelt Avenue and Main Street at the bus
hub; the second is at Main Street mid way between Broad Street and High
Street; and the third is on Goff Avenue mid way between Dexter Street and
Broad Street. These conditions are unique and need to be addressed through
specific street improvements or by working with property owners and state
agencies.
There are a lot of bicyclists in downtown, but not a clear protocol on
where they should be.
There are many bike riders in downtown Pawtucket and both they and
automobile drivers would benefit from a clear and designated system for their
space in the public way. With new accommodation, bike ridership would also
likely rise, decreasing the use of cars and future parking needs.
Downtown has a high density of bus lines and great potential as a
terminus of the future rapid bus.
Downtown Pawtucket has a high density of bus lines, stops and activity in
downtown but does not take advantage of the pedestrian activity nor help to
organize the routes. The downtown hub has significant pedestrian traffic and
generates most of the social activity. The one way streets contribute to bus
route inefficiency.
FINAL REPORT
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