By
KEVIN PROFT/ecoRI News staff
 |
| Only 1.8 percent of TIP funds will go toward pedestrian and bicycle projects from 2017-2020. (TIP draft) |
About 20 miles of on-road bicycle lanes, shared-lane markings,
bike boxes, bike signal loops and other bicycle infrastructure are coming to
the city, but don’t put your Spandex shorts on just yet, as design and construction
won’t begin for seven years.
This example is one of hundreds of tidbits included in the
378-page draft of Rhode Island's
Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) for fiscal years
2017-2025.
The TIP is a federally required master list of transportation
projects likely to be built using U.S. Department of Transportation money.
It
includes highway, train, bus, bicycle, pedestrian and recreational trail
projects.
The draft — along with an amendment to the previous TIP pertaining
to fiscal 2016 — will receive public hearings May
26 at 2 and 6:30 p.m. at the Department of Administration's William E. Powers
Building.
Public comment will be accepted until June 26.
The TIP is required to provide a four-year, “fiscally constrained”
plan for 2017-2020, meaning each project must be linked to reasonably
anticipated funding sources.
The state estimates it will have $2.1 billion of
funding available during the four-year time frame. Rhode Island's State
Planning Council opted to include further information for fiscal years
2021-2025 to inform the public and municipalities about projects in the
pipeline.
Projects were selected from prioritized lists generated by the
Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT), the Department of
Environmental Management (DEM), the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority
(RIPTA), and the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC). TAC membership
includes local officials, state agencies, transportation interest
organizations, members of the public and the Narragansett Tribe.
Climate change is also addressed in the TIP. It cites a Statewide
Planning Program paper titled
"Vulnerability of Transportation Assets to Sea Level Rise," which
finds that up to 85 miles of roads, numerous coastal bridges, rail segments,
bicycle infrastructure, ports and harbors, and RIPTA routes and stops will
flood at high tide at 5 feet of sea-level rise. As a result, RIDOT’s 10-year
strategic plan and the draft TIP factored in the impacts of sea-level rise when
vetting projects.
Highway Projects
Highway projects, such as bridge maintenance and replacement, and
pavement work received the lion’s share of TIP funding. The draft TIP
emphasizes the preservation of existing infrastructure, especially bridges, as
a means to avoid more expensive long-term costs.
While the draft TIP claims to avoid expanding the state’s network
of roads and highways, additional lanes are planned for Interstate 295 between
exits 3 and 4 northbound and exits 6 and 4 southbound, along with the
construction of a new interchange to accommodate Citizens Bank's proposed
corporate campus in Johnston.
Additional lanes are planned for I-95 between exits 18 and 19; new
turning lanes will be added to various intersections across the state; exit
ramps will be expanded to prevent cars from backing up onto highways; and some
roads, such as Coronado Road in Warwick, will receive additional lanes.
Projects of note include:
I-295 Citizen’s Bank Interchange,
Johnston, 2016. This project will build a new interchange to
provide access to the proposed Citizens Bank's corporate campus planned for a
parcel of woodland in Johnston. This project is listed as a traffic-safety
measure in the 2016 TIP amendment; $3 million of public money has been
allocated to accommodate the bank's decision to build in an inaccessible area,
half the overall cost of the new interchange.
I-95 Viaduct
Northbound, Providence, 2017-2021. This project will replace the
existing structure, which is in poor condition, and attempt to relieve
congestion where I-95 meets the 6-10 Corridor. The estimated cost is $110
million.
6-10
Project, Providence, 2019-2024. This project will
reconstruct the 6-10 Connector near Olneyville and the 6-10 Corridor between
the connector and the I-95 viaduct. RIDOT is attempting to secure additional
money to incorporate a bus rapid transit feature. Alternative approaches to
reconstructing the highway are being studied, including its conversion to a
capped highway or to a boulevard. The capped-highway option, with the transit
feature, could cost $975 million. The cost of the boulevard conversion option
has yet to be determined by RIDOT, but construction and maintenance costs would
be less, according to the agency.
Transportation
Alternatives
Pedestrian and bicycle projects are categorized as “transportation
alternatives” in the draft TIP. This line item was allocated $38 million in TIP
money during the fiscally constrained years of 2017-2020 — just 1.8 percent.
Many bike and pedestrian projects aren't funded until 2021-2025, meaning
they're not linked to specific funding sources, making their future less
certain.
Additional transportation alternative projects, such as sidewalk
repair, replacement and upgrades, are indirectly included in other TIP projects
such as road repaving work.
Here is a chronological list of many of the pedestrian projects
categorized as transportation alternatives:
Safe
routes to school infrastructure, Barrington, Cranston, East
Providence, Narragansett, Smithfield, Warren, Westerly and Woonsocket,
2016-2020.
Columbia Heights streetscape, Charlestown, 2016. This project
will make pedestrian improvements and add a bus shelter to serve a low-income
housing development. EDITOR’S
NOTE: the minor glitch in this project is that Charlestown doesn’t have any bus
service. Perhaps this is an example of “If you build it, they will come.”
Main
Street handicap accessible sidewalk, Hopkinton, 2016. This
project includes the design and construction of a sidewalk along Main Street
from Highview Avenue to Spring Street.
Water
Street sidewalks and streetscape, Warren, 2016. This
project will add an ADA compliant sidewalk from Route 114 to Campbell Street,
and includes streetscape improvements.
Smith’s
Castle transportation alternative project,
North Kingstown, 2016. This project will widen the entrance to Smith's
Castle where Richard Smith Drive meets Post Road, create a loop road, and build
a new, downsized parking area to accommodate bus parking.
Exchange
Street enhancement, Pawtucket, 2016. This project includes sidewalk replacement,
crosswalks, street trees and uplighting.
Citywalk,
Providence, 2017-2018. This project will create a pedestrian- and
bicycle-friendly streetscape connecting India Point Park to Roger Williams
Park.
Cranston
Street enhancements, Cranston, 2017. This project
improves safety at the intersection of Atwood Avenue rotary to the Route 37
overpass.
Sprague
Street sidewalks, Portsmouth, 2017-2018. This project will add a
sidewalk on the north side of Sprague Street from East Main Road to Bristol
Ferry Road, and on both sides of Sprague Street from Education Lane to East
Main Road.
Broad
Street regeneration project, Central Falls, Cumberland,
and Pawtucket, 2018-2020. This project will reconstruct the full length of
Broad Street including pavement, stormwater drainage, turning and parking
lanes, sidewalks, streetscape amenities and shade trees.
Exchange
Street sidewalk widening, Providence, 2018, 2021-2023. This
project will make complete streets enhancements to Exchange Street, between
Kennedy Plaza and Providence Station.
West
Side Road sidewalks, New Shoreham, 2018. This project
will add sidewalks along West Side Road between Ocean Road and the entrance to
Champlin Marina.
Post
Road curbing and sidewalks, North Kingstown, 2019. This
project will add sidewalks on both sides of Post Road between Camp Avenue and
West Main Street.
Main
Street improvements, Woonsocket, 2019. This project will add an elongated bump
out for pedestrian crossings, crosswalks, ADA ramps, bike parking facilities,
shared lane markings, signage and street trees.
Purgatory
Road sidewalk installation, Middletown,
2021-2022. This project will add a sidewalk along Purgatory Road between
the Atlantic Beach District and Second Beach.
Thames
and Spring streetscape improvements, Newport, 2021-2025. This
project will improve sidewalks, roadway, and drainage systems.
East
Main Road sidewalks, Portsmouth, 2021. This project
will add ADA compliant sidewalks from Turnpike Avenue to Boyd’s Lane.
Safe
routes to school infrastructure, Newport, 2021. This
project will add sidewalks to Bedlow Avenue and Hillside Avenue from Admiral
Kalbfus Road to Broadway.
Bay
Street streetscape improvements, Westerly, 2022. This
project will add streetscape enhancements to the historic village of Watch
Hill.
Waterplace
and Riverwalk repairs and improvements, Providence,
2022-2025. This project will address deteriorating pedestrian
infrastructure.
Cathedral
Square enhancement project, Providence,
2023. This project will make improvements to Cathedral Square and its
adjoining walkways.
Downtown
Providence pedestrian way finding project, Providence,
2025. This project adds 100 signs to existing light poles.
Bike Projects
Most bicycle infrastructure projects included in the draft TIP
fall within the 2021-2025 time frame and, therefore, aren't linked to specific
funding sources. Additional bike lanes could be added during repaving projects
included in the TIP.
Here is a chronological list of many of the bicycle projects
categorized as transportation alternative projects:
South
County Bike Path extension, Narragansett, 2016-25. This
project will evaluate on-road and off-road alternatives for the final segment
of the South County Bike Path to Narragansett Town Beach.
Blackstone
River Bikeway, segment 8A, 8B-1, 8B-2, and 8C,
Woonsocket, 2016-2019, 2023. This project will continue the
Blackstone River Bikeway toward the Massachusetts border.
Trestle
Trail, west section, two bridges, Coventry, 2016-2017. This
project will build bridges over Bucks Horn Brook and Moosup River for a
recreational trail and bike lane. Paving of the bike path isn't scheduled in
the TIP until 2023-2024.
Woonasquatucket
River Greenway corridor enhancements, Providence, 2017-2020. This
project will create a higher quality extension of the Woonasquatucket River
Greenway from Park Street to Aleppo Street.
East
Main Road shared use path, Portsmouth and Middletown,
2021-2022. This project will create a shared-use path for pedestrians
and bicyclists within the East Main Road corridor, from Turnpike Road to Hedley
Street, including signal improvements.
Shared-use
path along Newport Secondary Rail corridor,
Newport, 2021-2024. This project will create a continuous, off-road,
rail-with-trail path between CCRI Newport and downtown.
Jamestown
Verrazzano Bridge, bike and pedestrian access, Jamestown, 2022. This
project adds bicycle access to the Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge, and begins
Phase I of the Conanicut Island Greenway Trail System.
East
Bay Bike Path extension to Warren Bike Path,
Warren, 2022. This project initiates a study for a half-mile bike
path within the former Warren/Fall River Railroad right of way connecting the
East Bay and Warren bike paths.
Washington
Secondary Bike Path extension, Cranston and Providence,
2022 and 2024. This project will study, design and build a 1-mile,
off-road, multi-use trail to connect Olneyville Square to the terminus of the
Washington Secondary Bike Path terminus in Cranston.
East
Bay Bike Path bridge replacements, Barrington and Warren,
2022, 2024-2025. This project will replace the bike path bridges
over the Barrington River.
Blackstone
River Bikeway, segment 3A-1 and 3A-2, Pawtucket, 2023-2025. This project
studies and completes unfinished segments of the Blackstone River Bikeway in
Pawtucket.
Mount
Hope Bay bicycle improvements, Portsmouth,
2023. This project will provide for safety improvements and signage to
Anthony Road and Boyd’s Lane in Portsmouth, and to the Mount Hope Bridge to
better accommodate and improve safety for bicyclists.
Trestle
Trail, west section, paving, Coventry, 2023-2024. This project
will pave the 5-mile bicycle and pedestrian path from Log Bridge Road to the
Connecticut border. The project includes a parallel equestrian trail.
Aquidneck
Island Bikeway, Melville Connector, Portsmouth, 2024. This project includes
design and construction of a shared-use bicycle and pedestrian facility linking
West Main Road at Old West Main Road to Burma Road at Stringham Road.
Ten
Mile River Greenway, segment 1-4, East Providence, 2025. This
project completes the remaining segments of the Ten Mile River Bikeway by
continuing the shared-use path via the city-owned right-of-way along Turner
Reservoir.
Transit Projects
Projects of note include:
Providence
Station Transit Center, Providence, 2016. This project
will create an expanded transportation center and bus hub serving rail and bus
passengers. This vague item receives $35 million in lump-sum funding.
Travel
plaza, Hopkinton, 2016. This project includes development and
construction of a travel plaza on I-95 near exit 1.
Pawtucket/Central Falls
train station, Pawtucket and Central Falls, 2016-2020. This project will
create an infill station along the Northeast Corridor between Providence
Station and South Attleboro Station (Mass.) and provide northerly connections
to Boston and southerly connections to Providence Station, TF Green Airport and
Wickford Junction.
Downtown
Providence enhanced transit corridor, Providence,
2016-2020. This project will provide scheduled, frequent bus
service through downtown Providence along a 1.4-mile corridor, connecting
Providence Station to the hospital district.
Summer
service, various locations, 2016-2025. This line item involves the
start-up operations and further development of limited seasonal bus/rail/ferry
services connecting major tourist attractions and recreational facilities along
Narragansett Bay. It's anticipated that the initial service in fiscal 2016 will
be limited to weekends during the summer at select locations, and depending
upon usage and demand, could be expanded with additional locations and
operations in subsequent years.
T-Link
bus service, 2016-2025. This project will create RIPTA bus
service connecting the state's three commuter rail stations that would
supplement MBTA service gaps.
Commuter
rail marketing, 2016-2025. This line item funds efforts to promote
passenger rail, particularly at TF Green and Wickford Junction stations.
RIPTA
passenger infrastructure enhancements,
2020-2025. This project will establish two new hubs in downtown Providence
and six others throughout the state, improve bus-stop amenities, and address
bus shelters, seating, signage and other amenities.
Water-Access
Projects
Projects of note include:
Woonsocket
River Landing, Woonsocket, 2023. This project will provide a river
landing for tourist and excursion watercraft along the Blackstone River Bikeway
at Cold Spring Park.
Ten
Mile River Greenway parking lot and boat ramp,
Pawtucket, 2024. This project will build a parking lot at the northern end
of Parkside Avenue and a canoe ramp on Parkside Avenue south of Armistice
Boulevard.
Stakeholder Concerns
Generally speaking, pedestrian, bicycle and transit advocates were
disappointed by the amount of money dedicated to their preferred modes of
transportation.
“With climate change progressing, the TIP is not a game changer
for our transit system,” said Barry Schiller, a member of the RIPTA Riders Alliance and a former RITPA
board member. “It basically keeps RIPTA going as is with some innovative
marketing ideas, and does nothing to improve the commuter rail."
Schiller said commuter rail infill stations are needed in
communities south of Providence such as East Greenwich and Cranston, and that a
bigger commitment should be made to complete the Pawtucket/Central Falls Train
Station project. The project's current funding allocation — about $19 million —
is unlikely to be enough, he said.
Schiller was optimistic about the program to provide summer
transit services to popular tourist destinations, calling it innovative, and
supported the marketing projects aimed at getting more people to commute by
rail and bus.
Still, over the 10-year period, the TIP isn't very encouraging, he
said. "Beyond really going after improving the bridges, there is no
game-changer here, not even in light of climate change considerations,"
Schiller said. "For example, though there are huge subsidies available for
electrifying our auto fleet, there is no apparent progress or interest in
electrifying our commuter rail ... nor much sign of attempting to reduce
vehicle miles traveled, or promote more energy efficient urban core
redevelopment."
Bicycling advocates were pleased with the projects included in the
TIP, but disappointed by delayed start dates and by the exclusion of some
projects entirely. Alex Krogh-Grabbe, program director for the Rhode
Island Bicycle Coalition, said the projects included in the TIP are
high priority projects and that they are properly sequenced, but called it
“unfortunate” that some projects wouldn’t be happening for close to a decade.
“There are only a handful of bike projects that will happen in the
next four to five years,” he said. “While I understand the logic of
front-loading bridge repairs to avoid higher overall costs in the long run, the
scale of bike projects is totally different.”
According to Krogh-Grabbe, allocating a few million more dollars a
year to bicycle projects would have a major impact on the state’s bike
infrastructure network while having little to no impact on the state's ability
to maintain, repair or build bridges.
He's particularly frustrated that the Blackstone River Bikeway in
Pawtucket wouldn’t begin moving forward for another eight years. He also said
he regrets that the South County Bike Path connection to the University of
Rhode Island isn't included in the draft document.
Martina Haggerty, associate director of special projects in
Providence’s Planning & Development department and a member of the
Transportation Advisory Committee, said she is “thrilled” that projects like
Citywalk and improvements to the Woonasquatucket River Greenway and Washington
Secondary Bikeway were included in the draft TIP, but noted that the city
submitted more than 50 projects, many of which weren't included.
“The TAC had to make tough decisions given the limited budget,”
she said.
Bari Freeman, executive director of Bike
Newport, said she is disappointed by the small number of projects
that made it into the TIP, especially from Aquidneck Island, and that the
projects that did make it are mostly scheduled for far in the future.
“The budget for transportation alternatives is a slice of a
fraction of the total TIP budget,” she said.
Freeman said many of Aquidneck Island's bicycle and pedestrian
infrastructure proposals address urgent safety concerns. Along some stretches
of East and West Main roads, for example, her organization advises even
experienced cyclists to dismount and walk rather than risk their life in
traffic.
“These choke points should be addressed today, but are dated 2021
in the TIP,” she said. "Danger zones should be placed as a higher
priority."
The Melville Connector project in Portsmouth has received approval
and is “ready to go,” Freeman said, but won’t be built until 2024. Bike access
to the Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge, a bridge built with bike lanes in mind,
won’t be available until 2022.
“These are low-cost high-return solutions,” Freeman said. She
noted that bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure improves safety, attracts
millennial workers and tourists, reduces human impacts on the environment, and
results in less wear and tear on roadways.
Schiller also expressed concerns that some transit projects may be
over funded and must be better explained before the draft TIP is approved. For
instance, he believes that the $17 million allocated for the downtown Providence enhanced
transit corridor is far too generous, and suggested alternative
or complementary plans be considered.
“This project should be questioned by taxpayer groups,” he said.