Opinion: Transportation links on the agenda
By STATE SEN. Richard T. Moore
Several exciting transportation proposals have the potential to create a "Golden Triangle" linking the major cities of Southern New England and will enhance the economic prosperity and quality of life for residents of South Central Massachusetts. Several of these proposals were aired recently
at a New England Transportation Summit hosted by Connecticut Senate President Donald Williams and attended by Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray of Massachusetts, Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts of Rhode Island and other leaders.
Rail links for passenger as well as freight service represent a tremendous opportunity for stimulating the economies of Worcester, Providence, R.I., Hartford, Conn., and Springfield. Specifically, commuter rail service linking Worcester with Providence and New London, Conn., could be developed along the existing Providence and Worcester Railroad lines with stops in the Massachusetts and Rhode Island portions of the Blackstone Valley and in
the Webster-Dudley-Oxford area. Connections are also possible along rail links between Hartford and Providence as well as Hartford and Springfield and Worcester and Springfield.
Such a passenger rail system would give added impetus to increasing commuter rail service between Worcester and Boston. Rail studies are moving forward in Rhode Island to demonstrate the feasibility of commuter rail links between Woonsocket and both Providence and Worcester. Connecticut has also authorized a study of commuter rail from New London to Worcester. Massachusetts needs to play a role in these projects as well.
Another important proposal being advanced is the continued upgrading of Route 146, ultimately to Interstate standards, between Worcester and Providence. Already in preliminary planning stage is a proposed fly-over at Boston Road in Sutton where the current traffic signals cause a growing bottleneck at morning and evening rush hours. Part of this upgrade includes building service roads parallel to Route 146 from Central Turnpike north to the intersection for the Shoppes at Blackstone Valley in Millbury closing direct access to the main highway for safety purposes. Upgrading to modern safety standards of the interchange of Route 146 and Elm Street, and other local roads with direct access to the highway, will increase the benefits of the new gateway for Worcester and the Blackstone Valley.
Though less vital as transportation links, alternative transportation corridors such as the Blackstone River Bikeway linking Worcester and Providence and the Quinebaug Rail Trail linking Southbridge and Webster through Dudley as well as the planned French River Greenway will provide major new recreational amenities.
While several of these projects are at various stages of discussion and planning, local leaders and the Central Massachusetts Legislative Caucus will need to formulate and launch a major strategic initiative if the benefits of these projects are to help our region realize its full economic potential. Just as the Blackstone Canal and the Providence and Worcester Railroad help to boost the economy of the Industrial Age, these vital transportation links can launch a second economic revolution in the 21st Century.
Sen. Richard Moore resides in Uxbridge. He is chairman of the Senate's joint committee on health care financing in the Massachusetts General Court.
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