This study furthers a key aspect of the community’s Southbridge Transportation Action Plan (STAP) and the Southbridge Neighborhood Action Plan (SNAP). An equitable redevelopment plan, the SNAP identified actions to address the community’s self-identified challenges such as high poverty, limited investment, and mobility concerns. One of the mobility recommendations in the SNAP was to complete a traffic circulation study (what became the STAP, completed in 2023) to calm traffic and reduce truck traffic. The STAP recommends steps to calm speeding traffic, improve walking and bicycling, enhance bus access to food and jobs, and lessen the impact of truck traffic.
Trucks are common in and around Southbridge. About 450 large trucks pass through Southbridge each day along Heald Street and New Castle Avenue, instead of nearby roads more appropriate for trucks, such as Christiana Avenue and Terminal Avenue. In part due to their heavy truck volumes, New Castle Avenue and Heald Street are burdening facilities for Southbridge residents. Along blocks without a dedicated parking lane, homes are often separated from fast moving trucks by a five-foot sidewalk. Residents have consequently noted shaking walls, building damage, and loud noise. Exposure to air pollution – including localized circulation of excessive coarse dust and elevated diesel particulate emissions – are also concerns. The volume and impact of through truck trips also discourages walking and bicycling, which inhibits both community health and wealth.
Proposals due by March 3rd at 4:30p.m.
Link to RFP/RFQ:
