Those who opposed
the number of residential property acquisitions in the West
End neighborhood, including Marvin Gardens.
Those interested in the connection between the Washington Secondary
Bike Path and the Woonasquatucket River Bikeway.
Those in favor of
the addition of a direct connection from northbound Route 10
to westbound Route 6.
Those who opposed to the location of the new entrance ramp from
Broadway to southbound Route 10.
Those interested in noise abatement for the West End neighborhood.
Those interested
in a landscaping plan for the project.
Responses to Recurrent Comments
The following responses are directed towards the substantive
comments and questions submitted during and after the Public
Hearing:
Residential Acquisitions Comments
Comment: For many reasons, numerous
people were opposed to the number of residential property acquisitions
in the West End neighborhood for the preferred alternative.
This was especially true for the acquisition of Marvin Gardens,
which includes 26 low-income, subsidized units.
Response: The original design demonstrated
the worst-case scenario of impacts resulting from reconstruction
of the interchange including full replication of the existing
Frontage Road. The plans showed the entire road replicated with
a two-lane, two-way frontage road. Comments received indicated
that the frontage road is used sparingly, condones high speeds,
and is aesthetically poor. Based on these comments, alternative
designs will be investigated which will eliminate this continuous
roadway, and connect the side roads with smaller sections. RIDOT
will work with the City of Providence and the local emergency
agencies to make sure adequate access is still provided for
general use and any emergency situations that could arise. We
are confident that the alternative designs eliminate almost
all residential acquisitions in the West End, including the
need to acquire Marvin Gardens.
Bikeway
Connection Comments
Comment: Many people recognized
the fact that this project would provide a good opportunity
to explore the connection between the Washington Secondary Bike
Path and the Woonasquatucket River Bikeway.
Response: RIDOT agrees that the
project provides a good opportunity for the connection to be
made between the two bicycle facilities. It is RIDOT’s
intention to investigate completion of the connection as part
of the project.
Northbound Route 10 to Westbound
Route 6 Connection Comments
Comment: Many people agreed that
it would be prudent to provide the missing traffic movement
for the interchange from northbound Route 10 to westbound Route
6.
Response: RIDOT agrees that the
new northbound Route 10 to westbound Route 6 ramp proposed for
Alternative 4 is needed to provide the missing movement. This
also affords the added benefit of reducing interchange related
traffic in the surrounding neighborhoods.
Broadway Entrance Ramp Comments
Comment: There were concerns regarding
the location of the new entrance ramp from Broadway to southbound
Route 10 for the preferred alternative.
Response: The new Broadway on-ramp
would replace the Tobey Street and Westminster Street on-ramps
as the access route to southbound Route 10 for motorists from
the Federal Hill and West End neighborhoods. This change in
access eliminates the weaving problem for the Tobey Street on-ramp,
which will remain as an entrance ramp to provide access to westbound
Route 6 only. There would no longer be access to Route 10 from
Westminster Street. Also, as a result of the new Broadway ramp,
left turns would not be permitted from the Broadway off-ramp
that exits eastbound Route 6.
This access change, in combination with the addition of the
new northbound Route 10 to westbound Route 6 ramp, would result
in the following redistribution of traffic in the aforementioned
neighborhoods:
AM Peak Hour
• Broadway (west of Barton Street) +378 vehicles
• Broadway (east of Barton Street) +112 vehicles
• Westminster Street (west of Barton Street) -166 vehicles
• Westminster Street (east of Barton Street) -69 vehicles
• Tobey Street (south of Broadway) -75 vehicles
• Tobey Street (north of Broadway) -323 vehicles
• Barton Street (south of Broadway) +64 vehicles
PM Peak Hour
• Broadway (west of Barton Street) +575 vehicles
• Broadway (east of Barton Street) +166 vehicles
• Westminster Street (west of Barton Street) -276 vehicles
• Westminster Street (east of Barton Street) -55 vehicles
• Tobey Street (south of Broadway) -63 vehicles
• Tobey Street (north of Broadway) -544 vehicles
• Barton Street (south of Broadway) -12 vehicles
Noise Abatement Comments
Comment: Some people suggested
that methods for noise abatement should be explored.
Response: Once RIDOT settles on
the final alternative layout for Alternative 4, including modifications
to the West End, noise abatement measures will be explored during
Final Design according to Department policy.
Project Landscaping Comments
Comment: Some people suggested
that landscaping and other beautification methods be provided
for the entire interchange,
including the vicinity of the frontage road in the West End.
Response: Landscaping and architectural
treatments shall be provided for the entire interchange, including
plantings to buffer the West End neighborhood and architectural
treatments for the new northbound Route 10 to westbound Route
6 flyover ramp.
