Context Sensitive Solutions in Massachusetts: Communities First Stephen H. Burrington Deputy Chief of Commonwealth Development Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Communities First Origins Longstanding demand from communities Examples of context-sensitive projects dating to at least 1980s Footprint bridge program – model for VT Municipal traffic calming and other design experience Directive on community outreach (2002) Recent Footprint Roads Program

Communities First : A New Priority Governor Mitt Romney –Commitments Responsive government No agency silos Careful use of every dollar Sustainable development –Appointments Doug Foy – Chief of Commonwealth Development Dan Grabauskas – Secretary of Transportation and Construction

Communities First Overview Statewide Road and Bridge Policy (Jan. 27, 2003) –Fix It First –Communities First Incorporated into daily decision-making – design and process/relationships Highway Design Manual revision Ombudsman being appointed

Footprint Roads Program Allows for resurfacing/improvement on roads in protected or sensitive areas Applies to selected non-NHS roads Provides for bicycle and pedestrian improvements without widening Documentation of accident record

Ready to go Community Friendly Projects Initial list: Result of collaboration with communities, increasing flexibility in design Additional Projects: Based on further review of projects and pending requests for design waivers

Highway Design Manual Revision To incorporate principles of –Context-sensitive Design –Traffic calming –Multimodal accommodation Advisory committee central to process To be completed by late 2003 Goal: Define the state of the art

Advisory Committee Composition Urban, suburban, rural municipalities Regional planning agencies Massachusetts Municipal Association Environmental (parks) agency Historic preservation, conservation interests Pedestrian, bicycle advocates FHWA Others

Advisory Committee Process Draws on expertise of municipal transportation and planning officials Reflects range of public interests affected by projects Proceeds from review of best practices Relies on subcommittee structure Has intensive meeting schedule …And a skillful, committed chair

Community Friendly Projects

Opportunities and Challenges No brainers –Getting design speed right –Early and effective community involvement Some special issues –Traffic calming on higher-volume or –speed roads –Parkways –Gateways to towns and villages –Pavement for bicyclists –Measuring our performance Goal: The Dan Grabauskas Feat