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MOVING FORWARD RHODE ISLAND 2040 Public Comment and Hearing Report Moving Forward RI – Transportation 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan PREPARED BY Rhode Island Division of Statewide Planning Department of Administration 235 Promenade Street, Suite #230 Providence, RI 02908 November 2020 Public Comment and Hearing Report Table of Contents Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Public Engagement and the Long Range Transportation Plan .................................................................................... 1 30-day Public Comment Period ................................................................................................................................................ 2 Public Comments and Responses ........................................................................................................................................ 2 i Table of Contents Public Comment and Hearing Report Introduction Public Engagement and the Long Range Transportation Plan Public engagement has been a critical component of the Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) and accompanying modal plans, including the Bicycle Mobility Plan (BMP), Transit Master Plan (TMP), Congestion Management Process Plan, and State Rail Plan Update Supplement. Throughout the process of preparing these long range documents, several methods of public outreach and engagement have been deployed to capture public sentiment and feedback. These methods have blended traditional, in- person meetings and workshops with more innovative engagement forums such as conducting online surveys and hosting an interactive bicycle map. Public Workshops Workshops were held in all five counties across the state and a total of over 300 workshop participants, including members of the public, public officials, planners, and local advocates participated. This early engagement ensured that feedback was incorporated into the needs assessment phases of the long range plans. Electronic Survey An online survey was conducted and distributed to the public to gain a better understanding of transportation conditions, needs, and gaps. Over 1,300 responses were received and the results are summarized in the LRTP’s Appendix H. Public Participation Plan. Project Websites - PlanRI.com and TransitForwardRI.com Project websites were established early in the process and provided information about the project, including updates and notices for meetings. The websites also served as repository for project reports and documents. Online Interactive Bicycle Map The Interactive Bicycle Map provided the public an opportunity to share information about bicycle assets, conditions, and needs around the state. This feedback helped to align the Bicycle Mobility Plan with the needs of the cycling community. Advisory Committee Meetings As part of the LRTP effort, 35 advisory committee meetings were held, not including an additional 20+ State Planning Council and Transportation Advisory Council meetings, to present elements of the plans to the public as they were completed. The combination of traditional and more innovative methods for conducting public participation has enhanced the level of public input and feedback captured during the LRTP Process. This has resulted in the development of a long range transportation plan which is informed by a diverse audience, geographically, socially, and economically. This LRTP will help frame policy decisions and set the course for surface transportation investments in the State of Rhode Island for the next 20 years. Circulation of the draft LRTP and accompanying plans for a 30-day public review was the penultimate step in preparing and adopting Moving Forward Rhode Island 2040. 1 Public Comment and Hearing Report 30-Day Public Comment Period The public comment period ran from Friday, October 9, 2020 through Monday, November 9, 2020 (30 days) and the public hearing was held before the Transportation Advisory Committee on Thursday, October 29, 2020, at 5:00 p.m., by web based meeting via the Zoom online platform. Notice of the public hearing and opportunity to comment on the Draft LRTP were provided in English and Spanish through a posting on the Rhode Island Secretary of State website, a posting on the Rhode Island Division of Statewide Planning website, posting to PlanRI.com, and through email notice to over 1,400 stakeholders. The public hearing was accessible to individuals with disabilities. Any individual with physical or sensory impairments requiring assistance for a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the remote hearing was able to make requests for accommodation prior to the hearing. Translation services were also available to those in need. Written comments could be submitted via an online comment form. Written and verbal statements were also accepted at the October 29, 2020 public hearing. Over the course of the public comment period, 24 people or organizations submitted either verbal or written comments. Public Comments and Responses What follows is a record of all written comments received during the 30-day review period and oral comments offered at the public hearing. After each comment, a formal response is provided. Charles Foster Submit Date: 10/11/2020 Submit Method: Website Comment I have a vacation home in Green Hill I plan on retiring to in the next year or so. I bicycle a lot in the area. Rte 1 is popular for cyclists, however there have been several accidents due to distracted motorists crossing into the shoulder. I suggest that RI add some type of rumble strip at the right hand edge of the road. Response Candidate bicycle treatments have been outlined in the vicinity of Route 1 in Washington County, specifically along Route 1A (Post Road). A combination of shoulder and advisory bicycle lanes have been conceptualized to improve safety for bicyclists wishing to travel from Narragansett into South Kingstown and Charlestown. Post Road was chosen for candidate treatments based on a number of factors including: safety, utility (usage), potential to address bicycle hazards, health factors, economic development, density, and equity. Additional safety improvements as it pertains to bicycle mobility along state routes not explicitly mentioned in the Bicycle Mobility Plan may be included in other safety plans or warrant further study as determined necessary to improve road user safety. 2 Public Comment and Hearing Report Marisa Mazzotta Submit Date: 10/14/2020 Submit Method: Website Comment I strongly support the Statewide Bicycle Mobility Plan. This is something that is much needed and that will improve quality of life in RI. It's especially important to have designated bike lanes or paths as traffic gets worse and drivers are more and more distracted. Many roads are not currently safe for biking. Response The Bicycle Mobility Plan was designed to address roadway user deficiencies and improve bicycle safety and usage. A combination of candidate bicycle treatments along state and local roads have been conceptualized to that end. The BMP is the first step toward improving bicycle mobility in the state and will require local and state partnership to see candidate treatments programmed into local Capital Improvement Plans and the State Transportation Improvement Program for design, permitting, and ultimately construction. Patricia Russo-Magno Submit Date: 10/15/2020 Submit Method: Website Comment We absolutely need the bike bath to promote a healthy and safer way to explore the beauty of our area. Less cars and more bikers will keep Charlestown's natural beautiful preserved for years to come. Safety for our residents is also the benefit for those who walk, bike or just like to be outdoors. I see no down side (sic) to this bike path. Please join me in supporting this great initiative. Response The Bicycle Mobility Plan was designed to address roadway user deficiencies and improve bicycle safety and usage. A combination of candidate bicycle treatments along state and local roads have been conceptualized to that end. The BMP is the first step toward improving bicycle mobility in the state and will require local and state partnership to see candidate treatments programmed into local Capital Improvement Plans and the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) for design, permitting, and construction. We appreciate your comment and involvement in this phase of the LRTP. Tom ONeill Submit Date: 10/21/2020 Submit Method: Website Comment East and West Main Roads [in Portsmouth] are hostile to pedestrians, cyclists etc. Also many of the subdivisions are not connected. Power poles are in the narrow sidewalks on the 2 roads, a difficult situation. Complete streets would be a blessing. Response 3 Public Comment and Hearing Report The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is current studying East Main Road to determine potential roadway and traffic safety improvements, as well as operational enhancements. In addition, the Bicycle Mobility Plan is the first step toward improving bicycle mobility in the state and will require local and state partnership to see candidate treatments programmed into local Capital Improvement Plans and the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) for design, permitting, and construction. Additional improvements as it pertains to bicycle mobility along state or local routes not explicitly mentioned in the Bicycle Mobility Plan may be included
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