The Inner Connector and Trail Network is a true regional plan that provides alternate routes to make our transportation grid function better. The Express Lane plan combined with the River Crossing and the Stafford Mine Road extension will reduce traffic on Route 1 for 18 miles through the Heart of the region. Everyone in our region will benefit with a better functioning road and trail network.
Imagine going to and from the mall without getting on Route 3 or exiting I-95 on the Express lane and your first traffic light is at the Intersection of Harrison Rd and Salem Church Road. You just avoided 8 traffic lights that you normally have to drive through. The time saving factors and reduction in Route 3 traffic would be off the charts.
Instead of ending the SB I-95 lane at the Mall, separate it from I-95 to form an express lane next to I-95. The express lane will continue to Harrison and Route 208, Courthouse Road and beyond.
A short Mall connection Road to Route 3 at the Burger King is advised. To keep traffic moving at that intersection I suggest prohibiting left turns from Route 3 to the mall at the first intersection next to I-95.
I put together the lowest impact, lowest cost Regional plan that outperforms bypass options by providing shorter alternate routes in the most congested areas in the heart of our region on the roads we use the most.
Our region has a weak transportation grid and is lacking alternate routes.
Having just Two main North to South compared to Ten East to West roads concentrate the traffic on the E to W roads near those intersections. What's needed is to defuse the concentrated traffic with another N/S Alternate route. The Stafford Comprehensive Plan proposes linking 5 existing roads together to form a new road with a trail on the West side of I-95 starting from Garrisonville Road crossing connection to Route 3. The Plan is to extend the Road to the Mall and connecting to an express lane that continues to Harrison Road.
Linking the Transportation and Trail grid system together with 5 Existing Roads to form a City Grid System will connect to 20 roads creating a combination of 100 Alternate Routes for our Region. Traffic will naturally flow to Alternate Routes to avoid the most congested areas of Route 3, Route 17, Route 630 and an 18-mile section of Route 1.
The alternate routes will keep traffic moving. It would be a game changer for our regions traffic flow!
Connecting the Population Centers to the Destination, Recreation, Medical and Work Centers with the shortest possible Routes is Smart Planning. It will provide a high time saving factor. If the average Driver can save 3 miles of driving for 40,000 cars per day it will massively reduce driving and Air Pollution in our Region by 120,000 miles per day, while reducing congestion on our existing Roads. The River Crossing study is estimating a 300,000 mile reduction in driving in 2050, but adding the express lanes with Mall access to the plan should reduce the miles driven even more.
Maximizing the Use of over $100 M of Underutilized Infrastructure gives us more Bang for the Buck to get us out of Gridlock. Improving Fire and Rescue and Transport Times in Many areas and avoid the Falmouth Intersection can't be overstated.
Building a Road with a Trail Network that can be Utilized as the East Coast Greenway Trail will promote Tourism and Economic development. The Trail keeps up with the future Demand of electric Bikes, Scooters and Wheelchairs.
Building the road and trail network in conjunction with the FRED Bus service, so as they complement and enhance each other Checks off two FAMPO Goals
Goal# 5: Plan for and establish a multi-modal transportation system that supports the economic vitality of the region.
Goal 6: Provide multi-modal transportation options that enhance the quality of life and improve mobility for vulnerable groups such as, minority, low-income, seniors, and limited mobility groups.
I will be sending another update soon on the issues happening behind the scenes that we have to deal with to get the plan approved. Politics and NYMBY's have stopped many road projects. The elected officials need one more push to approve the plan that will be voted on next month.
Please email correspondence supporting the Express Lanes and River Crossing to:
fampo@gwregion.org
Here is a Facebook link to the complete proposal that includes the Express Lanes, The River Crossing and the Historic Events Park and Trail network. Please share it and the petition with your friends.
https://www.facebook.com/stafford.rebel/posts/pfbid0Psvi9vsi3nsUov2CnLBGy5joQonXrU7mrS3wD46TZHUughsTyx5eBsda7LpYxCH7l
Feel free to friend me on FB or email me at jsbrito@aol.com
Thanks for your support!
Joe Brito