New Bedford 2020 - VHB.com

A City Master Plan New Bedford 20207TransportationOverviewNew Bedford’s transportation network has come a long wayfrom the cart paths and stony roads of County and KingStreets (presently lower Union Street) that connected thescattered farmsteads to the schooners sailing off on shortwhaling voyages in the Atlantic. Today, New Bedford has anumber of transportation assets that contribute to itsaccessibility by land, sea, and air. The transportationinfrastructure in New Bedford includes an interstatehighway, airport, water ferry service, freight rail, andregional and interstate bus service. Furthermore, the SouthCoast Rail (SCR) project outlines the return of commuterrail service to our region by 2016.Credit: Spinner PublicationsDuring the master plan civic engagement process, residents, business owners, elected, and appointed officialstouted New Bedford’s transportation assets as opportunities in the city and offered recommendations to enhancethe existing system. Linkages within the city as well as to abutting communities were a challenge that needs to beaddressed. These physical connections and transit improvements were seen as key elements to the future growthpotential for economic development, tourism, and quality of life.Based on the civic engagement received from the community, a summary of transportation initiatives wasdeveloped that focuses on the southcoast region, including:> Promote and link existing and planned transportation resources—interstate highway, airport, water ferry,proposed commuter rail, greenway/bike trail, and both inter- and intra-city bus service;> Improve public transit access for all residents of New Bedford, specifically the elderly and students;> Seek funding opportunities to provide extended services, such as evenings, Sundays, and special events;> Implement Route 18 improvements;> Continue to promote and support the SCR project;> Improve airport access while minimizing neighborhood impacts;> Improve and possibly expand the airport runway;> Improve regional transit connectivity between abutting communities as well as Taunton and Fall River;> Improve connectivity to the proposed Whale’s Tooth multi-modal station through the boulevardization ofRoute 18 north to Wamsutta Street;Transportation7-1