<p>Against a backdrop of explosive population growth and traffic congestion in the summer months, a draft transportation plan released by the MVC outlines a series of goals and projects for the next quarter century on the Island.</p>
Against a backdrop of explosive population growth and increasing traffic congestion in the summer months, a draft transportation plan released this week by the Martha’s Vineyard Commission outlines a series of goals and projects for the next quarter century on the Island.
About $47.5 million in state and federal funding is expected to support infrastructure projects on the Vineyard over the next 25 years, according to the plan. Projects slated for the next five years include the ongoing multi-million-dollar drawbridge project at Lagoon Pond and a shared-use path running through Oak Bluffs.
But despite the results of a recent online survey that shows deep concern about traffic congestion at several key intersections, the plan proposes very little spending on improvements to Five Corners, the intersection of the Vineyard Haven-Edgartown and State Roads and at the area known as the Triangle in Edgartown.
The Martha’s Vineyard Transportation Plan is updated every four years, with opportunity for public comment. A shorter-term plan for Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) projects is updated every two years, along with another plan for management activities. Every region in the country uses the same three document types for transportation planning.
Public comments on the Vineyard transportation plan are open through Monday. A public hearing on Tuesday in Oak Bluffs was attended by MVC director Mark London, senior MVC transportation planner Priscilla Leclerc and one member of the press.
Vineyard still highly dependent on cars for getting from here to there.
Vineyard still highly dependent on cars for getting from here to there.
“Usually no one comes to these,” said Mr. London, who had brought his lunch to the afternoon meeting. “We have to assume that people are happy with the proposal.” He added that nothing in the revised plan is new or controversial. Further comment will be collected for specific projects once they begin.
On the Vineyard, the transportation planning process starts with each town identifying potential projects or problems that are then reviewed by an MVC subcommittee and added to the transportation plan. Projects that are approved by the state go on to the TIP document, which provides a more detailed four-year budget. The entire process, from planning to completion, often takes years.
The latest TIP project to get underway on the Vineyard is the adjustment of the intersection of Old County and State Roads in West Tisbury to make each leg more visible to drivers. That project was budgeted at $350,000 in local funds and designed by the state Department of Transportation. The MVC began discussing the project more than 10 years ago. The roundabout project in Oak Bluffs, completed in 2013, was also about 10 years in the making.
Some projects, like the roundabout, are relatively straightforward, Mr. London said, although they may generate heated debate. But for some problem areas, including the Five Corners in Vineyard Haven, there are no obvious solutions. “If someone had a really great idea . . . . they would have done it a long time ago,” Mr. London said.
MVC survey respondents this year rated Five Corners the most dangerous intersection on the Island, followed by the intersection between Look street and State and Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Roads. Neither intersection has been flagged for TIP funding, although $150,000 in pedestrian improvements at the Five Corners is proposed for sometime between 2021 and 2025.
Infrastructure goals on the Vineyard, as in other places, focus on reducing the number of cars on the road. The MVC encourages biking, public transit and walking as alternatives, by distributing maps and brochures, but also by improving infrastructure. Many of the proposals in the transportation plan call for sidewalk and shared-use path improvements. Ten new bus stops around the Island, at $15,000 apiece, are proposed for the period between 2021 and 2025.
Most survey respondents (77 out of 119) strongly agreed that Island bike paths should be completed to connect town centers in Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs and Edgartown. Respondents also prioritized the expansion of free shuttle service and park-and-rides near the town centers.
“All these things take time,” Mr. London said. “When I moved here 13 years ago, the Tisbury park and ride was empty. Now it’s full. These things take many, many years.” But he added that with low-density development, most of the Vineyard is still very much dependent on cars. Most survey respondents do not favor altering existing roads to accommodate more traffic.
Ride-share networks like Uber may help take cars off the road, Mr. London said, but most people are just starting to think about how they would fit in with the existing transportation mix. He pointed out that taxi companies on the Vineyard operate more like shuttles, departing only after they are full. But Uber, which employes private drivers with their own cars, is more like a regular taxi service, which could give it an even greater advantage on the Vineyard.
The draft plan does not mention the possibility of commercially viable automated cars, although Mr. London pondered the idea of the Vineyard serving as a trial area for the new technology. “With a limited road network, it would be interesting to try it out,” he said, recalling a discussion several years ago about doing the same for electric cars. “I could see that being something.”
The next stop for the plan is the state Department of Transportation, which will decide which proposals to fund. The MVC subcommittee approved the draft plan in June. Public comments may be sent to Priscilla Leclerc at [email protected].
Comments
So Mark no one never comes to
VeryAnnoyed Vineyard HavenSo Mark no one never comes to these meeting because they are happy with the proposal. When are the meetings? I do not think the meeting time was viable the public because we are sitting in traffic trying to get from point A to point B! As for 25 year plan, you might as well toss it if you do not have a solution for 5 corners and the triangle because those are the biggest areas of congestion other than downtown OB and VH. All these things take time! Well that is the problem! The MVC needs to think outside of the box and bring efficient to the table to solve problems in the present and refine them for the future! So when is the new guy taking over so you can retire?
Take that $47 million and do
deshandra brown mvyTake that $47 million and do something good with it. To alleviate the traffic at the triangle, a good start would be to have a connector road between the Edg VH road and the Edg WT road. In order not to disturb an established neighborhood such as Pennywise path, put it through the 'hallsgate' development that has been sitting idle up the road for years. All of the traffic bound for south beach could avoid the triangle that way.
The "Hallsgate" woods is a
Nom DePlume EdgartownThe "Hallsgate" woods is a large tract of undeveloped woodland that should stay that way and be accessible to people only. You put a road through there and it will turn into VH-Edg road version 2.0
I know nothing of the
Alice Kyburg West TisburyI know nothing of the logistics or politics of this idea, but it seems that a solution for 5 corners is to move the post office inland and use the real estate to make a large roundabout or something equivalent to coordibate all the various directions of traffic. I'm sure that a solution to that mess is well worth losing the convenience of a down town post office. Is there some issue with getting the federal bureaucracy involved (post office) that keeps this idea from taking center stage?
Couldn't agree more with this
Tori Vineyard HavenCouldn't agree more with this! A roundabout is the only plausible solution
If there was a good solution
Ed VHIf there was a good solution to 5 corners it would have been done a long time ago??? 5 corners is such an easy fix. Of course local folks ( which I am one of ) will have to get over using traffic lights, Close Beach Street extension that goes to the Black Dog Restaurant and make it a pedestrian walkway, now 4 corners, and to pacify the traffic light haters, utilize them for the 3 months they are needed, to start, and they can be set up so the police can control them during boat arrival times. Moving the SSA would also be a huge improvement, but no one will ever hold their feet to the fire.... As long as this island refuses to even try traffic lights, which would give everyone a fair and equal turn, then they should just sit in whatever traffic for 3 months and enjoy it as that is their choice.
Meeting House Way is going to
Steve KatamaMeeting House Way is going to be paved. It was approved in April. I believe this will solve a lot of the congestion at the Triangle for traffic to South Beach.
Meeting House Way is going to
Steve KatamaMeeting House Way is going to be paved. It was approved in April. Also proposing a bike path. Not sure why it wasn't mentioned in the article. This will go a long way towards solving the traffic congestion at the Triangle heading to South Beach.
I really think this is a
Richard Toole oak BluffsI really think this is a difficult issue and perhaps the real question is what is number of cars the Island can reasonably accommodate. What I would really like to suggest though is if you are willing to take the time to respond to these Gazette online articles, you do get involved and attend meetings and then when you do respond you have the courage and conviction to sign with your real name especially if the comment is negative. I suppose "Very Annoyed" could be a real name????
Realize this, it is the only
VeryAnnoyed Vineyard HavenRealize this, it is the only place where roads are created but never connect. All these developments are NIMBY's. It's forces the traffic to congest the main roads with no alleviation. There is no real proper "planning" nor infrastructure; it is always done after the fact. Stop & Stop EDG, the out and in with the combination of Chase/Pinehurst Rd. Then have two main roads dumping traffic at a chokehold that is an issue which should have been dealt with. MVC does not listen to the real people of the island that you supposedly serve.
Why do comments have to be
Dear Lord Martha's VineyardWhy do comments have to be with your real name? I do understand that people should be civilized when responding but to be blunt and honest Richard, people on this island are cruel so many wish to remain anonymous with their comments as to not bear the brunt of the bullies out here (or there).
I could care less if one uses a name just as long as their comments are constructive. What would be better projects on this island would be for local towns to actually do some planning. We can pick on the MVC as much as we want but the truth is the MVC works best with input from the towns.
Where were the elected town officials? Where were they in this process and I am not talking about the Town Administrators. Where were the public hearings that the towns should have held (the planning boards and selectman) concerning the short and long term planning that TIP money works to address. Without them pushing the MVC nothing will ever got done. The MVC is just a tool for the towns and instead we seem to have "tools" working, or not working, on behalf of our towns.
Integrity and honor are
George Stein EdgartownIntegrity and honor are indicative of remarks aligned with an identidy. Allegations of cruelty are mostly unfounded . I have found people supportive of my online remarks here and other Island sites. If you can't respect the right for another opinion to exsist you invalidate your own. People have the right to advise you of their failings. I do have issue with postings that are altered / edited by a site administrator. There are no journalism awards given for that. This publication does not play that game.
My mother was on two Tisbury
Michael Anthony Auburn, MAMy mother was on two Tisbury traffic study groups in the '70s and '80s. I remember seeing plans drawn up and spread out across our dining room table. The plans including rebuilding Five Corners with new sidewalks, dedicated traffic lanes, new signage, and the evil traffic signals which could be switched off in the off-season so as not to offend islanders. I think the post office was still on Main Street, at least for the first study. In addition, the group recognized traffic had to be diverted away from Five Corners. Additional proposals included expanding Cook St. and/or Evelyn Way to allow traffic from up-island to avoid the VH-Edg Rd/State Rd/Look St intersection. The second new road proposal was a connector from Howard Avenue/Lagoon Pond Rd to Beach Rd. near what is now the Thrift Shop, the old bowling alley and the Artcliff. This would allow traffic to come down Skiff Avenue (and right past our house) onto Lagoon Pond Rd and proceed to Beach Rd and Oak Bluffs while avoiding Five Corners.
I'm sure for multiple reasons --- the traffic lights, the land taking, the increased traffic on Skiff Avenue -- the Selectmen rejected both proposals.
I think the committee has
William EdgI think the committee has missed an important traffic point which I would say is "Dangerous" especially in the summer. Barnes Road and West Tisbury Road intersection. Cars making a left from Barnes to West Tisbury Road have a particularly difficult time since the WT Road traffic is traveling at a high rate of speed.
During the summer, there is daily congestion at that intersection. I travel it regularly between 12pm and 1pm and have seen the backup go past the Mobil station on occasion.
Short term fix: Widen the road at the end to accommodate space for right and left hand turning lanes.
Long term fix: Roundabout.
About the VTA:
A number of years ago when gas prices spiked, I bought a bus pass for the year. Once summer came around I got on the bus on an 85 degree day. It was so hot inside the bus I pulled the cord, got off the bus, walked home and got my car. Never again. It is inconceivable to me that the buses do not have air conditioning when they are at their busiest. Thank goodness they heat the buses in the winter...
Surge Pricing for a Steamship
Jon Laird Edgartown, MASurge Pricing for a Steamship Authority Car ticket in July and August, reimbursed directly into new Island Transportation Fund, run by All Island Selectman, proceeds used to make nice bus stop shelters and construct sanitary, comfortable places for people to pee......Please.
How is Meeting House Way
John Edg.How is Meeting House Way going to meet up with VH/EDG Rd., before the Triangle.
At the rate the SSA is raising rates $15 a day to park (8 days=$120), for $17 more the convenience of a car can come over to the Island ($137 round trip)MORE CARS. And since I mentioned the SSA, why don't they use (Dynamic Pricing) like other forms of transportation do. When not full and off hrs.(less expensive)and prime time and when full (more expensive) Balances out and everyone is happier.
If the MVC encourages biking
Ken Esq EdgartownIf the MVC encourages biking then why is there no bike path that goes into Edgartown, OB, or VH without dumping cyclists onto the road? Going in/through OB and VH on a bike is truly hazardous. In addition, except for the bike path along Beach Road which apparently comes under the auspices of the State there is basically no maintenance to most of the other paths. Many are cracked badly, with piles of sand and deep holes.
Then, of course, there's riding up Island without any paths, and the decision a few years back to not widen the roads to include a shoulder.
Looking at all that I'd hate to think what biking would be like here if the MVC didn't encourage it.
We should do everything we can to make biking viable as a means of transportation here. Every bike in a rack is one less car on the roads and looking for parking spots. Couple bikes with services like Uber and people will stop going to the expense of bringing/keeping cars on the on the Island.
I noticed this morning the a
Mike EdgartownI noticed this morning the a major cause of congestion at the triangle is the entrances to Stop and Shop. The Edgartown Bank end should be -exit only- I think if you made that small change it would free up the chain reaction congestion that happens all around there because of people trying to make a left into that entrance.
The traffic backup at the
Carla EdgartownThe traffic backup at the triangle in Edgartown is directly related to people turning into and out of the Stop & Shop parking lot. Heading into town, the traffic immediately dissipates after the lot. We need a traffic study to look into the feasibility of installing a couple of turn lanes and maybe reconfiguring the flow of traffic within the parking lot. There appears to be enough width in that location to accomodate that. The real problem is then who will pay for it?
Attended several meetings,
Frank Brunelle Vineyard HavenAttended several meetings, tried to criticize the Shared Use Path concept on Beach Road, was ordered to stop talking. The Commission does not accept criticism, and even if it does it does not act any differently no matter how many points are made. You might as well talk to the wall.
I have been fighting the
Frank BrunelleI have been fighting the Beach Road SUP concept for over 3 years including personal one on one meetings at the Commission. They come out on Friday the 17th of July and say that if no one objects to their plans, and no one has, by July 20th, then they go forward.
I tried everything I could to get peoples' attention including writing to the editors of both papers, the Commission, the BOS in Tisbury, the Planning Board, ran for office on that issue, and they still say no one objects.
I guess that makes me "no one".
There are to many motor
David Whitmon Oak BluffsThere are to many motor vehicles clogging our roadways. When does it end? When do we say enough is enough? Building more roads to cure the ever growing self induced gridlock is like curing obesity with bigger pair of pants. It doesn't solve the problem.
I think we missed the boat
johnnie Packish Vineyard HavenI think we missed the boat (no pun intended) years ago, when we didn't do what Nantucket was smart enough to do, limit the number of cars that can come to Martha's Vineyard. All proposals for more roads and changes to the problem intersections will only change the beauty and space that the tourists visit the Vineyard for. If the traffic keeps growing as it has every year for as it has as long as i"ve lived here, the tourists will stop coming. They don't want to go on vacation to sit in traffic like they do year round at there winter homes. They want to enjoy a vacation on a beautiful island that is different from their winter grid. This island is so beautiful and enjoyable for visitors in the cushion months before summer and winter. That is the time it is appreciated by both locals and tourists.
My sister visited me 2 years ago in August without a car. This was a time in the past that her family came down for a week. After that last visit she told me she would never again come to the island during the summer. She lives in another tourist attracting area during the summer Manchester by the sea but even she couldn't enjoy a visit because of all the cars.
Ken Esq's comment is right on
Chris Potts Vineyard HavenKen Esq's comment is right on. I've biked from VH to OB a couple of times, but it was nerve-wracking being on the road -- especially near and on the bridge. There has to be a way to create a safe bike path between the VH, OB & Edgartown to get cyclists off the road. I'd much prefer to bike to OB vs. drive (and my kids too, but I won't let them).
As an island native, I have
Susan Canha Mendell MaineAs an island native, I have not been back since my grandmother passed away in 2000. Even then, my heart sank with all the changes I noticed in Vineyard Haven. I cannot even imagine what it is like now. I remember 5 corners as a real pain, even in the 50s and 60s. Go the European way and have a roundabout. Or, God forbid, install a seasonal traffic light.
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