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Context Sensitive Solutions in Massachusetts: “Communities First”

Context Sensitive Solutions in Massachusetts: “Communities First”. Stephen H. Burrington Deputy Chief of Commonwealth Development Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Communities First Origins. Longstanding demand from communities Examples of context-sensitive projects dating to at least 1980s

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Context Sensitive Solutions in Massachusetts: “Communities First”

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  1. Context Sensitive Solutions in Massachusetts: “Communities First” Stephen H. Burrington Deputy Chief of Commonwealth Development Commonwealth of Massachusetts

  2. Communities FirstOrigins • Longstanding demand from communities • Examples of context-sensitive projects dating to at least 1980s • Footprint bridge program – model for VT • Municipal traffic calming and other design experience • Directive on community outreach (2002) • Recent Footprint Roads Program

  3. Communities First:A New Priority • Governor Mitt Romney • Commitments • Responsive government • No agency “silos” • Careful use of every dollar • Sustainable development • Appointments • Doug Foy – Chief of Commonwealth Development • Dan Grabauskas – Secretary of Transportation and Construction

  4. Communities FirstOverview • Statewide Road and Bridge Policy (Jan. 27, 2003) • Fix It First • Communities First • Incorporated into daily decision-making – design and process/relationships • Highway Design Manual revision • Ombudsman being appointed

  5. Footprint Roads Program • Allows for resurfacing/improvement on roads in protected or sensitive areas • Applies to selected non-NHS roads • Provides for bicycle and pedestrian improvements without widening • Documentation of accident record

  6. “Ready to go” Community Friendly Projects • Initial list: Result of collaboration with communities, increasing flexibility in design • Additional Projects: Based on further review of projects and pending requests for design waivers

  7. Highway Design Manual Revision • To incorporate principles of • Context-sensitive Design • Traffic calming • Multimodal accommodation • Advisory committee central to process • To be completed by late 2003 • Goal: Define the state of the art

  8. Advisory Committee Composition • Urban, suburban, rural municipalities • Regional planning agencies • Massachusetts Municipal Association • Environmental (parks) agency • Historic preservation, conservation interests • Pedestrian, bicycle advocates • FHWA • Others

  9. Advisory Committee Process • Draws on expertise of municipal transportation and planning officials • Reflects range of public interests affected by projects • Proceeds from review of best practices • Relies on subcommittee structure • Has intensive meeting schedule • …And a skillful, committed chair

  10. Community Friendly Projects

  11. Community Friendly Projects

  12. Opportunities and Challenges • “No brainers” • Getting design speed right • Early and effective community involvement • Some special issues • Traffic calming on higher-volume or –speed roads • Parkways • Gateways to towns and villages • Pavement for bicyclists • Measuring our performance • Goal: The Dan Grabauskas Feat

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