Plymouth Unveils Comprehensive Traffic Study for Downtown and North Plymouth
Study identifies over 60 projects to improve safety and mobility; Select Board also approves outdoor dining fees for 2025 season
PLYMOUTH - March 4 - The Plymouth Select Board received a detailed presentation on the Plymouth Center and North Plymouth Circulation and Mobility Study, a comprehensive traffic analysis that identifies over 60 potential projects to improve traffic flow, pedestrian safety, and overall mobility in these key areas.
The study, which took nearly two years to complete, was initiated by Precinct 3 and approved by town voters in May 2023.
"This was a near overwhelming vote to spend the money on this project because so many people travel through the precinct. So there was a great show of support," said Dale Webber, Precinct 3 Town Meeting Chair.
James Downey, assistant DPW director, introduced the study, noting that while it took longer than originally estimated, the comprehensive analysis provides a roadmap for future improvements.
Nicole Rogers from GPI, the engineering consultant that conducted the study, presented the findings, highlighting three key issues identified through data analysis and public input: speeding, pedestrian and mobility safety concerns, and traffic flow problems.
"Speeding is the very root cause for most of the issues that are going on in Plymouth," Rogers said, noting that speed-related collisions account for 8 percent of total collisions in the study area, almost double the statewide average.
The study area includes the historic downtown, surrounding residential neighborhoods, and key regional corridors such as Route 3A, bounded by Obery Street to the south, the waterfront to the east, the Kingston town line to the north, and Route 3 to the west.
Rogers emphasized that Plymouth has experienced significant growth in the past decade, with more expected over the next 20 years, putting strain on the transportation network.
"There's a need for safe and walkable and bike-friendly streets in Plymouth, and that's exactly why we're here today," Rogers said.
The study identifies several priority corridors including Route 3A, Nelson Street, Standish Avenue, Allerton, Birch Avenue, Cherry Street, Oak Street, Summer Street, and Water Street.
Public input played a significant role in shaping the study's recommendations, with 225 people responding to an online survey. Speeding concerns topped the list of issues, followed by road safety concerns and unsafe pedestrian crossings.
Nelson Street was the most frequently cited problematic street, followed by Standish Avenue and Summer Street.
"As a resident of Nelson Street, I agree with the recommendations of the study," said Yara Montminy, a resident and member of the Plymouth Center Steering Committeee who spoke during public comment. "We would really strongly recommend that the town not study Nelson Street as is proposed in the study, but instead put piloted chicanes in there in the form of the sandbags or construction barriers."
DPW Director Bill Coyle indicated that the department plans to move forward with some of the "low-hanging fruit" projects soon.
"There's some projects here that we can implement quicker than others that probably won't be too costly," Coyle said. "We want to prioritize safety improvements where we have the pedestrian accidents, where we have motor vehicle accidents, bicycle accidents."
Downing mentioned that Birch Avenue, Fremont Street, Nelson Street, Oak Street, Standish Avenue, and Westerly Road at Liberty are streets that could see quick improvements.
The Select Board also approved the continuation of the town's outdoor dining program for the 2025 season, raising fees to $2,400 for existing participants to renew their parklets and $4,200 for new applicants. Last year it was $2,900 and $1,000.
The outdoor dining season will run from May 19 to Oct. 13.
Rick Vayo, president of the Downtown Waterfront District, had requested a $1,000 reduction in fees, arguing that outdoor dining benefits the entire downtown area, not just participating restaurants.
"Outdoor dining has been a phenomenal boom for Downtown Plymouth," Vayo said. "It is bringing more people to downtown Plymouth."
Katie Thayer, owner of Uva Wine Bar, expressed concern about the fee increase.
"The restaurants that we're talking about are all small restaurants. A $2,400 bill at this point for us is a really big bill to swallow," Thayer said. "The profit margins for the restaurants right now are not very high."
Select Board Chair Richard Quintal expressed opposition to subsidizing the program.
"If it's that much of a good deal, and it's really great for business, then you shouldn't have a problem with the fee," Quintal said. "I think to use taxpayers' money in budgets as tight as they are is just, you know, I just don't get it."
The board also approved a $100 per table fee for restaurants that choose to place tables on sidewalks rather than using parklets.
Other items discussed at the meeting included:
* Town Manager Derek Brindisi announced that the Board of Health will hold a public hearing on potential amendments to tobacco control regulations, including a possible ban on nicotine pouches.
* The DPW will hold a public information meeting about improvements to the Halfway Pond and Long Pond Road intersection on March 6.
* An audit identified approximately 588 affordable housing units in town that were never submitted to the state, potentially bringing Plymouth's affordable housing percentage to 6.56 percent.
* A public education forum on wildfires will be held on March 12 at PCIS cafeteria.
* District Attorney Tim Cruz is contributing $5,000 to cover expenses for the town's newest comfort dog, Rio.