STUDY TO IMPROVE ROUTE 79 AND DAVOL STREET
CORRIDOR HAS NARROWED TO THREE ALTERNATIVES
The study to improve connectivity and mobility, which focused
on the approximate 1-mile area of Route 79 and Davol Street
between Cedar Street and the Veterans Memorial Bridge is
nearing completion. A range of alternatives were developed,
and three alternatives were brought forward to be analyzed in
more detail. This analysis will be presented to the public at an
informational meeting on November 21, 2013 at the DCR Fall
River State Heritage Park Visitors Center.
The presentation of alternatives will cap off an 18-month
study conducted by the Massachusetts Department of
Transportation (MassDOT). While a product of the study will
be a recommended plan for short, medium and long-term
improvements – a majority of the project team’s efforts have
been concentrated on the long-term transformation of the
existing roadway infrastructure.
Fall River’s
Taunton River is
an underutilized
asset because
it’s hard to get
to. Proposed
alternatives would
improve access.
The existing roadway network is a barrier to the waterfront,
and connectivity - by car, bicycle and walking - between the
neighborhoods and the Taunton River is limited. Much of the
land in the corridor is currently devoted to transportation
infrastructure and is unavailable for economic development.
MassDOT’s 5-step transportation planning process [see page 4]
was used to analyze the area and develop recommendations.
The study was guided by an engaged Working Group comprised
of representatives of Fall River government, neighborhood
associations, state agencies, and elected officials [see page
4]. The Working Group has provided feedback throughout the
process, which was used in the development of alternatives.
After the public meeting, there will be a Working Group
meeting in December to discuss the comments received.
OVERALL STUDY
GOALS…
• Identify opportunities to improve
mobility, connectivity, and safety
along and across the Route 79 and
Davol Street corridor study area
• Promote and foster regional and
local economic development
potential
Development at
Commonwealth
Landing offers a
glimpse of the kind
of development
opportunities that
are possible along
the waterfront.
• Improve the quality of life for
residents
IN A NUTSHELL…
All three of the alternatives are intended to support important community and transportation goals and objectives, but
have differences or similarities that are important to highlight.
How are the three alternatives alike?
How are the alternatives different?
• Route 79 is shifted to the east
• Three new east-west street connections to the
waterfront are provided
• Brightman Street is restored to two-way traffic
• A shared use bicycle and pedestrian path is provided
• New development parcels totaling 10-15 acres are
created
• Route 79 is elevated in one alternative, and at grade
in two of the alternatives
• The roadway is narrower (less lanes) in the Boulevard
alternative with frontage roads
• There is a varied design for North and South Davol
Streets
The shared use bicycle and pedestrian path will connect to the Veterans Memorial Bridge path,
allowing access from the bridge to Fall River State Heritage Park
Travelers – people in cars, on bikes and walking - will have more options to get from the
Lower Highlands and North End neighborhood to the waterfront.
SUMMARY OF ALTERNATIVES
Alternative 1
Elevated Route 79
Route 79
Remains elevated
Moved to the east
Alternative 2
Urban Boulevard
Removed and replaced
with boulevard
Removed and replaced
with boulevard
Moved to the east
Eliminated
Moved to the east
Remains – 1-way
northbound
Remains – 1-way
southbound south of
President Avenue; 2-way
north of President Avenue
Brightman Street 2-way
with direct access to/from
northbound Route 79
North Davol Street
Remains – 1-way
northbound
South Davol Street
Remains – 1-way
southbound
Remains, becomes 2-way
Access to Brightman
Street from North Davol
Street
Brightman Street 2-way
with direct access to/from
northbound Route 79
and to southbound Davol
Street
Brightman Street
New Bridges
Connections to
Waterfront
New Development
Parcels
Bicycle & Pedestrian
Open Space
Brightman Street 2-way
with direct access to
northbound Route 79
5 new bridges (to provide
east-west connections)
Alternative 3
Urban Boulevard with
Frontage Roads
(Turner Street, South
Coast Rail, President
Avenue, Brownell Street)
4 street (3 new)
connections to waterfront
All bridges removed
except U-Turn from
northbound to
southbound Davol Street
near Brightman Street
All bridges removed
including U-Turn
from northbound to
southbound Davol Street
near Brightman Street
4 street (3 new)
connections to waterfront
4 street (3 new)
connections to waterfront
(Turner Street, South
Coast Rail, President
Avenue, Brownell Street)
5 parcels – 10.1 acres
(Turner Street, South
Coast Rail, President
Avenue, Brownell Street)
5 parcels – 10.6 acres
(Turner Street, South
Coast Rail, President
Avenue, Brownell Street)
6 parcels – 15 acres
Shared use bicycle
and pedestrian path
throughout area with
connection to Veterans
Memorial Bridge path
2.45 acres
Shared use bicycle
and pedestrian path
throughout area with
connection to Veterans
Memorial Bridge path
3.73 acres
Shared use bicycle
and pedestrian path
throughout area with
connection to Veterans
Memorial Bridge path
13.37 acres
WORKING GROUP
A diverse group of residents, officials and transportation officials guided the study process, offering substantial input on
the work tasks. The Working Group consists of the following members, groups, and agencies:
Elected Officials
Community Representatives
Offices of State Representatives Paul Schmid, David
Sullivan, Carole Fiola, State Senator Michael Rodriques,
Congressman William Keating and James MacGovern,
Fall River City Councilors Linda Pereira, Mike Miozza, Ray
Mitchell, and David Dennis
Lower Highlands/Highlands, North End, and South End
Neighborhood Association, Fall River Bicycle Committee,
Boys & Girls Club of Fall River, Fall River Park Advocates,
Battleship Cove, National Park Service, Commonwealth
Landing, Fall River Area Chamber of Commerce, and
insterested Fall River residents
City Officials
Transportation Officials
Planning and Engineering Departments and Office of
Economic Development
MassDOT District 5, South Coast Rail, and Office of
Transportation Planning
HOW WILL AN ALTERNATIVE BE SELECTED?
MassDOT will select an alternative based on the established Evaluation Criteria, with input from the Working Group.
• Mobility (e.g. how does alternative provide travel
efficiency, connectivity and safety for vehicles,
pedestrians, bicyclists, transit and rail?)
• Safety (e.g. how well does alternative meet design
standards and reduce conflicts between cars,
pedestrians and bicyclists?)
• Health and Environmental Effects (e.g. will air quality be
improved; will the environment be degraded?)
• Land Use and Economic Development (e.g. what level
of development does each alternative support?)
• Community Effects (e.g. is access to the waterfront and
to the new South Coast rail station improved, and what
is the impact of redistributed traffic?)
• Cost (e.g. what will it take to build the project and is it
cost-effective?)
Questions/Comments? Please contact:
Ethan Britland
MassDOT Project Manager
ethan.britland@state.ma.us
857-368-8840
Jill Barrett
Community Liaison
jbarrett@fhiplan.com
860-570-0740