On July 30 the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (D.O.T.) held a hearing at which time the public was asked to give comment on the 25-percent design for a bike path that could one day link Marion to Mattapoisett and Wareham. Phase One, which was the topic of this hearing, would travel from the town line near Mattapoisett’s Industrial Drive to Point Road, a 3.8 mile segment.
Mass D.O.T. Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver and Patricia Leavenworth, Chief Engineer, made brief opening statements intended to advise the public not only how the meeting process would work, but also how the entire project would flow.
Presenting the preliminary design was Jeremey Packard of Foth-CLE Engineering. His presentation outlined the steps that have so far been taken by the design team as well as the funding pieces. Packard said that this hearing was a chance for the public to comment on the design, allow opportunity for discussion, and attempt to see any emerging issues. He shared that in June of 2016 the project kicked off and in September of 2017 three concepts for the Spring Street – Route 105 intersection were developed, and that now, July of 2019, the project had achieved 25-percent design.
Of the three intersection design options, Packard said that one was being advanced as the most effective for traffic flow and pedestrian safety. Regarding the intersection design, traffic traveling south on Route 105 and making a right turn on Spring Street, as well as traffic veering to the left at the split and continuing on Front Street, would see very little impact, Packard explained. However, the design called for one way traffic only on Spring Street from the split to Route 6. There would be some push back from this viewpoint once the public was invited to speak.
Another area inciting some to question the state’s representatives was when the funding would be released for the project. Gulliver said that funding for Marion’s project was slated to be included in federal monies from the Transportation Improvement Program, T.I.P., in 2023. But first the process had to be followed.
Part of the process and another issue that caused some stirring in the assembled was the issue of easements. Gulliver said that Marion would have to reach agreements on 9 permanent easements and 6 temporary easements for the 3.8 mile shared used pathway.
Packard also pointed out that the permitting process included not only local agencies, but also Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act, M.E.P.A., an agency that studies potential environmental impacts for projects involving a state agency, the Wetlands Protection Act, Army Corps of Engineers, and the Federal Highway Administration.
Before opening the hearing to public comment, Packard said that the design could achieve 75-percent completion by the end of 2020 and 100-percent by the end of 2012. But with money not slated to reach the local level until 2023, some in attendance were flummox.
Coming forward as the first of about ten people wishing to share their viewpoint on the project was Selectman John Waterman who said, “I’m surprised how long it takes to just get the design.” He questioned if the project would be “slow walked” given funding wasn’t until 2023.
Selectman Norm Hills questioned the status of the rights-of-way and easements asking, “Do we have any of them yet?”
Leavenworth responded, “No you don’t.” She went on to say that the selectmen would first have to vote to approve them, followed by town meeting voting in the affirmative.
John Rockwell, Chairman of the Pathway Committee, spoke to the fact that for years he and others had wished to acquire lands for recreational use and asked several times when dialog with property owners could begin. Leavenworth said those discussions could start now, but cautioned that it was a long process and that the town could not negotiate terms. She suggested waiting until design had reached 75-percent completion.
The intersection plan created the most concern with several residents and business owners questioning the wisdom of one-way traffic southbound on Spring Street to Route 6. One person suggested covered bridges to ensure children weren’t put in harms way when crossing Route 105.
Jennifer Francis, a member of the Energy Committee, liked the one-way concept, but also wanted the bike path to bring more people into the village by … “connecting North Marion with the village.”
Jen Stewart, 428 Front Street, expressed serious concerns regarding the intersection. She said she wanted traffic study data and asserted that in the mornings and at the end of the workday, traffic would be backed up creating other problems. “I’m not against the bike path,” but, according to her, drivers were thoughtless. “I can’t even get my mail; people don’t look.”
Sherman Briggs complained that years ago he had given a piece of land to the town to ease the intersection crossing problem. However, it could not be used due to state turning radius requirements.
Bonne DeSousa of Mattapoisett, and prime mover with the Southcoast Bikeway Alliance on hand in support of the project, said that regulations change so another look might be in order.
Waterman rose to speak again saying one message was coming through, “whatever we do, we have to study all three intersections.”
Leavenworth urged the community to, “work with the consultants to finish the design.”
Briggs added that it was pointless to worry about the intersection if the easements weren’t resolved.
At the close of the hearing, the public was asked to submit their comments within ten days from the date of the hearing to Patricia Leavenworth, P.E., Chief Engineer, MASSDOT – Highway Division, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA, 02116-3973 and to reference Project File No. 607979.
By Marilou Newell
