New Bedford 2020 - VHB.com

A City Master Plan New Bedford 2020TransportationGoal and Objectives Responsible Party Timeframe Notes1. Improve, enhance, and integrate the city’s public transit services, including shuttles and inter-city buses as well asregional passenger rail and the Fast Ferry service to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyarda. Construct the proposed Whale’s Tooth Station—an energyefficient, multi-modal transportation hub that integratesplanned inter-city rail with existing shuttles, buses, andferries in a facility that will serve as a model forsustainabilityMBTA, CityLong-termb. Advocate for responsible funding levels to supportdevelopment and enhancement of publictransportation facilities and servicesMayor, Planning Office,SRTA/SRPEDDMid-termc. Seek funding opportunities and partnerships toprovide effective public transit to schools, businesses,parks, cultural and historical sites, and recreationalareasPlanning Office,NBEDC, School Dept,SRTAMid-termCoordinate with current effortssuch as the NPS shuttle programd. Strive for recognition as a “leader in the field” ofpublic transportation administrationSRTAMid-terme. Support the SCR project and implement zoning toallow for TOD at the Whale’s Tooth and KingsHighway Station areasMayor, Planning Office,NBEDCOngoingf. Investigate the possibility of a street car or light railservice to the citySRTALong-termg. Investigate improving transit services to Taunton, FallRiver, and UMass Dartmouth by railcars north toTaunton and light rail to UMass Dartmouth and FallRiverSRTA, MBTALong-termh. Explore flexible route or jitney services for extendeduses (i.e., community events; Sunday service)SRTALong-term2. Maintain or enhance vehicular mobility in the city while striking a balance between roadway safety improvements,gateway treatments, pedestrian comfort, and roadway charactera. Conduct annual reviews of the condition of the city’stransportation infrastructure and allocate availablefunding towards priority and gateway projectsMayor, City Council,DPI, NBEDCOngoingb. Complete the planned linkage between Downtown andthe waterfront, including the construction planned aspart of the Route 18 improvementsDPI, MassDOT, NBEDC,HDC, Planning OfficeShort-termc. Conduct an evaluation of the entrance experience tothe airport that explores options to maintain a separateservice roadwayAirport, NBEDC,Planning Office, DPIMid-termd. Establish design guidelines for new streets androadways that encourage stormwater management anddraught resistant plantingsDPI, Planning Office,EnvironmentalStewardshipMid-terme. Conduct detailed evaluation of parking strategies andmanagement in Downtown and other traditionalcommercial areasPlanning Office, TrafficComm., NBEDCShort-termPublic forum or facilitatedplanning session(s) should beconsidered.3. Control or regulate the amount of new traffic added to the city roads by clustering heavy traffic generators where theycan be served by existing major roadways, such as Interstate 195, Route 18, Route 140, and Route 6a. Consider the development of zoning overlay districtsnear major transportation corridors that promote theplacement of heavy traffic generators in these areasPlanning Office,NBEDC, Planning BoardShort-termWork Plan13-11