Latest news with #RegionalTransportationPlan
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
PVPC working on two-decade plan for bikers and pedestrians
The rail trails now scattered throughout the four counties of Western Massachusetts were once just a thought. Twenty years later, the trails offer scenic escapes to bikers and walkers from the bustle of everyday life. The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission is embarking on its mission to encourage more pedestrians and cyclists to use shared paths and roadways over the next 25 years, as part of its Regional Transportation Plan. 'These plans are powerful, (and) we can't do that without people sharing their visions and dreams,' Jeff McCollough, principal transportation planner at the commission, said of converting the public's transportation visions into reality. The first plan was completed at the turn of the century in 2000, and revisions were made in 2008. A lot of the commission's immediate goals include improving safety and security measures for bikers and pedestrians, according to a draft of the plan. 'We are focused on removing barriers, so that all of us, depending on ability, can feel engaged in those activities,' said McCollough. 'If you can stay active, you can stay independent.' The plan will tackle major capital improvement projects — like connecting Northampton to New Haven, Connecticut, via the Columbia Greenway in Westfield. It also will ensure that both city streets and rural roads are safe for all people in transit, McCollough said. There also will be some smaller projects in the works. 'People tell us they just want to be able to get across the street from the post office to the library,' he said. In 2019, a statewide regional transportation plan encouraged increasing the number of bikers on the road, while also working to eliminate fatalities and injuries. Then, the pandemic, McCollough said, brought a surge of bikers who have remained on the roads and trails to this day. Anecdotally, he said, 'the number of bikers doubled and quadrupled in some locations, and we are still riding that curve.' McCollough pointed out that more bicyclists on roads — shared with passenger cars and other vehicles — means more people will be looking out for bikers down the line. 'There is safety in numbers,' he said. In that same vein, McCollough said rural roads can be just as dangerous as city streets for bicyclists and pedestrians. 'There are narrower roads, no shoulders and the lack of light are an invitation to disaster,' he said, urging the public to speak up about intersections or state highways that could use some guidance from the commission or the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The commission already has received several survey responses from the public, he said. Mostly, people have said that they mainly care about the maintenance of the roads. 'We have these pristine, beautiful trails, and people want them to stay that way,' he said. 'They want them to be just as exciting for the next generation as it is for them.' People are encouraged to weigh in on what they would like to see in this next plan through an online survey, or by emailing or calling the commission. The survey will be available until June 30. Wastewater overflow in Connecticut River falls to 543 million gallons in 2024 Big Y recalls made-to-order sandwiches for salmonella concerns Police, Fire Dept. contend with explosive munition at Memorial Hall in Northampton Trump administration policies creating 'chilling effect' on smaller colleges Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Metro Phoenix weekend road closures: Portions of I-17, Loop 101 and SR 143 to close
Metro Phoenix motorists should expect some major freeway closures if they are out enjoying the sunshine (and a few clouds) this weekend. The Arizona Department of Transportation urged motorists to allow for extra travel time and to drive on the primary detours. Drivers should also double-check the timing of the closures. Schedules are subject to change due to inclement weather or other factors, ADOT said. The department plans and constructs new freeways, additional lanes and other improvements in metro Phoenix as part of the Regional Transportation Plan for the Maricopa County region. For real-time highway conditions, drivers should check the az511 app or call 511. Here are the freeway closures to know about for Feb. 28 through March 3. When: 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday. Where: Closed between State Route 74 and Loop 303 in north Phoenix. Detour: Take westbound SR 74 to southbound Lake Pleasant Parkway and eastbound Loop 303. Do not detour on streets in the Anthem area that are not designed for highway traffic. When: 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday. Where: Closed between Shea Boulevard and Princess Drive and Pima Road in north Scottsdale. Consider: Alternate freeway routes include northbound State Route 51. When: 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday. Where: Closed between 35th Avenue and Interstate 17. Exit: Ahead of the closure and use alternate routes. When: 7 p.m. Saturday to 4 a.m. Monday. Where: Closed between Interstate 10 and Loop 202. Detour: Continue west to eastbound Loop 202 to reach southbound State Route 74. Travelers going to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport can use the airport's west entrance at Buckeye Road. Slow freeway drivers, beware: You could face hefty fine under this proposed Arizona bill This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Closures for metro Phoenix drivers on I-17, Loop 101 and SR 143
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
What to know about Phoenix-area weekend travel: Portions of I-17, Loop 101 and SR 143 to close
Phoenix-area motorists should expect some major freeway closures if they are out enjoying the sunshine (and a few clouds) this weekend. The Arizona Department of Transportation urged motorists to allow for extra travel time and to drive on the primary detours. Drivers should also double-check the timing of the closures. Schedules are subject to change due to inclement weather or other factors, ADOT said. The department plans and constructs new freeways, additional lanes and other improvements in the Phoenix area as part of the Regional Transportation Plan for the Maricopa County region. For real-time highway conditions, drivers should check the az511 app or call 511. Here are the freeway closures to know about for Feb. 28 through March 3. When: 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday. Where: Closed between State Route 74 and Loop 303 in north Phoenix. Detour: Take westbound SR 74 to southbound Lake Pleasant Parkway and eastbound Loop 303. Do not detour on streets in the Anthem area that are not designed for highway traffic. When: 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday. Where: Closed between Shea Boulevard and Princess Drive and Pima Road in north Scottsdale. Consider: Alternate freeway routes include northbound State Route 51. When: 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday. Where: Closed between 35th Avenue and Interstate 17. Exit: Ahead of the closure and use alternate routes. When: 7 p.m. Saturday to 4 a.m. Monday. Where: Closed between Interstate 10 and Loop 202. Detour: Continue west to eastbound Loop 202 to reach southbound State Route 74. Travelers going to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport can use the airport's west entrance at Buckeye Road. Slow freeway drivers, beware: You could face hefty fine under this proposed Arizona bill This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Closures for Phoenix-area drivers on I-17, Loop 101 and SR 143
