I just noticed today that MassDOT is going the other direction in Bourne on STROAD 6 by widening from 2 to 4 or 5 lanes as more auto centric development happens. No doubt the manual(s) - and most likely APF - made them do it.
Just looked at this and it doesn't look like they're adding lanes? Except for turning lane at intersection (which is annoying b/c they're widening right at the point where people have to cross). Also looks like there's a 10ft wide shared use path on the canal side which will connect to new sidewalks on edge hill. Could be worse! Ideally the shared use path would be at least 12 ft and the lane widths would be reduced to 10 or even 9 : )
The stated reason for the work is to reduce crashes and speeds on this corridor, but it doesn't look like the design will do much for that (aside from improving drainage). Slight decrease in lane width, but added shoulder/buffer and larger raised median has that sweet n speedy highway feel. I don't know anything about the planning/zoning in this area, but you indicate this might be a setup to allow for more auto-centric access here. If so, what a waste! They could shrink the road here, put a sidewalk on the inland side and then have a walkable m/u district that would actually generate wealth for the town.
Again-- I don't know enough about this area to opine on needs, but if they need a legit highway here, fine-- close off the access completely and don't fool with shared use paths and intersections. Otherwise my sense is that they need to do things that will actually calm traffic and make this an actual place.
You are correct that they are not adding lanes. I went to look at street view and has always been 4 lanes. They are definitely widening it because they are moving utility poles and the old ones are right in the middle of the right lane! But as you say they are adding turn lanes and some concrete medians. These are all the standard DOT responses to congestion and it never ends well. A cruise down US 6/MA 28 (https://goo.gl/maps/HPM9u4tYNpq4XoD26) shows all the usual STROAD suspects: HUGE parking lots, chain businesses, auto centricity. I didn't notice a shared use path, but that would be table scraps as we say. I generally don't get off the highway here heading to the Cape, but needed gas. I guess I am just a bit surprised that they are going all in on this pattern here given my sense it it's just locals as tourists to the cape don't use US 6 anymore since I-195 and MA 25 were put through so many years ago. I know from friends in Marion that there is a move afoot by locals to narrow US 6 through there, but they are encountering stiff resistance.
I just noticed today that MassDOT is going the other direction in Bourne on STROAD 6 by widening from 2 to 4 or 5 lanes as more auto centric development happens. No doubt the manual(s) - and most likely APF - made them do it.
Just looked at this and it doesn't look like they're adding lanes? Except for turning lane at intersection (which is annoying b/c they're widening right at the point where people have to cross). Also looks like there's a 10ft wide shared use path on the canal side which will connect to new sidewalks on edge hill. Could be worse! Ideally the shared use path would be at least 12 ft and the lane widths would be reduced to 10 or even 9 : )
The stated reason for the work is to reduce crashes and speeds on this corridor, but it doesn't look like the design will do much for that (aside from improving drainage). Slight decrease in lane width, but added shoulder/buffer and larger raised median has that sweet n speedy highway feel. I don't know anything about the planning/zoning in this area, but you indicate this might be a setup to allow for more auto-centric access here. If so, what a waste! They could shrink the road here, put a sidewalk on the inland side and then have a walkable m/u district that would actually generate wealth for the town.
Again-- I don't know enough about this area to opine on needs, but if they need a legit highway here, fine-- close off the access completely and don't fool with shared use paths and intersections. Otherwise my sense is that they need to do things that will actually calm traffic and make this an actual place.
You are correct that they are not adding lanes. I went to look at street view and has always been 4 lanes. They are definitely widening it because they are moving utility poles and the old ones are right in the middle of the right lane! But as you say they are adding turn lanes and some concrete medians. These are all the standard DOT responses to congestion and it never ends well. A cruise down US 6/MA 28 (https://goo.gl/maps/HPM9u4tYNpq4XoD26) shows all the usual STROAD suspects: HUGE parking lots, chain businesses, auto centricity. I didn't notice a shared use path, but that would be table scraps as we say. I generally don't get off the highway here heading to the Cape, but needed gas. I guess I am just a bit surprised that they are going all in on this pattern here given my sense it it's just locals as tourists to the cape don't use US 6 anymore since I-195 and MA 25 were put through so many years ago. I know from friends in Marion that there is a move afoot by locals to narrow US 6 through there, but they are encountering stiff resistance.