Route 28 Study Kickoff

A public kickoff meeting for the Centerville-Hyannis corridor study was held on Monday, March 17, 2014 at Barnstable Town Hall. The goal of the meeting was to take community feedback on the transportation-related opportunities and issues on Route 28 from Old Stage Road to Bearses Way.

Steven Tupper, Technical Services Planner at the Commission, introduced the project and process to the 35 attendees, including why the project was being undertaken, and highlighting some of the challenges for this particular location.

The section of Route 28 between Old State Road and Bearses Way is important to both tourists and full-time residents of the Cape due to the numerous attractions, businesses, hotels, and restaurants in the area. The congestion in the summer is problematic as it impedes reliable access to the economic and transportation centers in Hyannis.

There are plans to reconstruct the intersection of Route 28 and Bearses Way to alleviate these issues as part of an approximately $4 million Massachusetts Department of Transportation project that will begin in 2015. [Dollar Amount Corrected] The Commission is implementing a $75,000 corridor study for the section of Route 28 adjacent to this intersection in order to develop alternatives that will provide safe and convenient access within the study area for all users of the roadway system, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists.

Stakeholder input is being collected at this state in the process so that the project effectively addresses the concerns of the people impacted by this segment of the Route 28 transportation corridor.

Participants discussed the pros and cons of different portions of the study area, as well as some of the potential solutions to alleviate problems within the corridor. This exercise underscored the major points of conflict with the study area, which will help Commission staff members tailor the solutions to the needs of local residents and business owners.

The anticipated completion date for the corridor study is September 2014.