Providence Unveils Plan for ‘Great Streets’
/By ecoRI News staff
The goal of the Urban Trail Network is to have 60.8 centerline miles of new projects: 11.12 miles of new off-road paths, 32.62 miles of new separated on-road trails, 1.12 miles of new striped bicycle lanes, and 15.94 miles of new neighborhood greenways. (City of Providence)
PROVIDENCE — Following a year of community engagement, the city’s Great Streets initiative has established a framework for public-space improvements to ensure that every street is safe.
City officials said the plan’s creation was informed by insights generated “from thorough analysis of crash data, traffic calming requests, and housing and transportation figures.” According to the city, the 94-page plan outlines “a bold vision for the future of Providence’s largest public asset, its streets.”
“Great Streets rebalances the public space of our streets to meet the needs of all residents,” said Bonnie Nickerson, the city’s director of planning and development. “It’s a new approach to how we invest in Providence that will have a long-term impact on safety, equity and resilience.”
Covering about 13 percent of Providence’s total land area — some 1,500 acres — streets play a central part in the city’s neighborhoods. A key strategy outlined in the plan is reducing household transportation costs by making it more convenient for people to use and access affordable transportation options such as walking, riding bicycles, and public transit.
Other goals include improving traffic safety and personal safety within the public realm for people of all ages, abilities, and economic statuses, lowering greenhouse-gas emissions, and improving public health. According to the World Health Organization’s 2018 Global Status on Road Safety report, traffic-related crashes are the No. 1 cause of death in children and young adults aged 5-29.
The plan complements the work of ongoing infrastructure projects outlined in the city’s FY2020-FY2024 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), signed by Mayor Jorge Elorza in early January. Over the next five years, the CIP identifies nearly a $20 million investment in Great Street initiatives. These improvements include: streetscape and placemaking projects; safety improvements to make streets and intersections safer for people walking and riding bicycles; traffic calming to reduce speeding and cut-through traffic; and the creation of a “spine” network of urban trails that connect every Providence neighborhood.
These improvements will bring 93 percent of residents and 95 percent of jobs within easy walking distance of the Urban Trail Network, according to city officials. This is a significant increase compared to the 21 percent of residents and 37 percent of jobs within easy walking distance of the existing network.
According to the city, urban trails are on or off-street paths that are “safe, comfortable, and easily accessible for people of all ages and abilities.” On busy streets, urban trails are fully separated from vehicle traffic. In other instances, off-road trails and paths such as the Blackstone Bike Path and the Woonasquatucket River Greenway serve as part of the Urban Trail Network.
The following are scheduled public meetings of the Great Streets plan:
Feb. 4, 6-7:30 p.m., D’Abate Elementary School, 60 Kossuth St. What’s proposed for Olneyville: traffic calming and signage as part of neighborhood greenway segments on Delaine Street, Tuxedo Avenue, Amherst Street, and Sonoma Court; safety improvement Manton Avenue from San Souci Drive to Riverside Park, including crosswalk and bus stop improvements and a separated two-way urban trail to connect the Woonasquatucket Greenway to Olneyville Square; and an off-road Greenway segment along the Woonasquatucket River behind Gotham Greens.
Feb. 11, 6-7:30 p.m., West Broadway Middle School. What’s proposed for Federal Hill: safety improvements along Broadway including crosswalk and bus stop improvements and upgrading the Broadway bike lanes to a separated two-way urban trail; traffic calming and signage as part of neighborhood greenway segments along parts of Knight, Washington, and Winter streets.
Feb. 25, 6-7:30 p.m., 444 Westminster St., first-floor conference room. What’s proposed for downtown: improvements to ADA and bicycle accessibility of the Riverwalk and Waterplace Basin; extending the Fountain Street bike lane from Union across Dorrance Street; a two-way urban trail on Empire and Chestnut streets; and a two-way urban trail along a one block segment of Richmond Street between Clifford and Elbow to connect to existing facilities on both ends.
March 3, 6 7:30 p.m., Brooklyn Coffee Tea and Guest House, 209 Douglas Ave. What’s proposed for Smith Hill & Wanskuck: safety improvements along the Upper Dean Street/Raymond Street corridor between the Woonasquatucket River and Smith Street, including crosswalk improvements and a two-way urban trail and an off-road portion through Davis Park; safety improvements along Douglas Avenue including crosswalks and bike lanes.
March 10, 6-7:30 p.m., Bomes Theater, 1017 Broad St. What’s proposed for South Providence, Elmwood, and West End: safety improvements along Broad Street, including crosswalk enhancements, lead pedestrian intervals at crosswalks, a two-way urban trail, and bus stop improvements in coordination with RIPTA; traffic calming and signage as part of neighborhood greenway segments along Oxford Street, Ontario Street, Sackett Street, Farragut Avenue, Vermont Avenue, Peace Street, Waverly Street, Fricker Street, and Lockwood Avenue.
March 31, 6-7:30 p.m., 321 South Main St. What’s proposed for South Water Street: a two-way urban trail and pedestrian safety improvements from Canal Walk to Point/Wickenden Street.
