MPO reviews FFY 2025 UPWP priorities: Route 6A visioning, safety, climate and transit work slated

The Cape Cod MPO reviewed proposed priorities for the fiscal year 2025 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) at its virtual meeting, with staff seeking member feedback before a more detailed slate comes back in March.

Dave Nolan, senior transportation planner at the Cape Cod Commission, outlined the UPWP tasks: management and certification activities; data collection and traffic counts; short‑ and long‑range planning (including a Route 6A visioning study focused on crash history and non‑motorist accommodations); transportation safety work that updates the top‑50 crash locations and the crash dashboard; infrastructure inventories (bike racks and flashing beacons); climate change implementation building on low‑lying roads work and EV charging station siting; a Safe Streets for All safety action plan (staff said they had the grant and are working with a consultant); and technical assistance and transit projects in coordination with the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority (CCRTA).

Nolan laid out the schedule: project discussion in February, a detailed presentation and vote on a draft slate in March, a draft UPWP released in April for a 21‑day public comment period, and a final MPO approval targeted for May. Work on approved UPWP projects would begin in October 2024.

Members provided substantive feedback. Kevin Galligan praised the materials but asked staff to re‑examine equity scoring on the East Orleans rotary (Route 6) — noting that Eastham has historically had little TIP funding and suggesting additional equity characteristics such as seasonally high numbers of J‑1 student users might warrant higher ranking. Nolan said staff and Colleen would revisit scoring and coordinate with towns. John York, a public commenter, urged the MPO to note limitations in crash data: "The crash data for pedestrians and bicycles is only registered when there's a motor vehicle involved," he said, and recommended a disclaimer where that data are used; York also urged planning attention to the Canal/Bourne Bridge area and cross‑canal transit needs.

Nolan said staff will bring more detailed project scopes in March, incorporate members’ feedback on scoring and coordination, and continue outreach to towns and the joint transportation committee.