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Route 9 Smart Growth Plan and Corridor Study

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In Fall 2011, the MetroWest Regional Collaborative (MWRC) received funds through the Sustainable Communities grant program to create a smart growth plan for future development along the Route 9 MetroWest corridor.

The MWRC and MAPC worked with Southborough, Framingham, Natick, and Wellesley on the Route 9 Smart Growth plan that further develops the recommendations outlined in the Route 9 Corridor Analysis.

The Route 9 Smart Growth Plan includes alternative designs and land uses for several smart growth opportunity areas along with computer visualizations, traffic analysis, design guidelines and zoning recommendations.  By advancing the recommendations of the Route 9 Corridor Analysis, the Route 9 Smart Growth Plan focuses on the potential for compact, mixed-use (housing, office, and commercial) developments that are pedestrian and bicycle friendly.

Route 9 Smart Growth Poster displayed at the Final Sustainable Communities Consortium Meeting on May 21, 2014.

Documents

Public Meetings

The public outreach effort for the Route 9 Smart Growth Plan consisted of three public meetings, as well as outreach to a broad spectrum of stakeholders.  All public meetings were designed to obtain feedback and shape the development of the Route 9 Smart Growth Plan.

Final Public Meeting
May 20, 2013 from 7-9pm at the Morse Institute Library in Natick

The Future of Route 9: What Might Smart Growth Look Like?
December 4, 2012 from 7-9pm at the Callahan Center in Framingham

The Future of Route 9: Can We Achieve Growth Without Gridlock?
May 22, 2012 from 7-9:30pm at Framingham State University

Route 9 Corridor Study

MAPC responded to a community request for use of planning funds under the District Local Technical Assistance (DLTA) program, to study the potential for commercial, industrial and office growth along the Route 9 Corridor between Route 128 and I-495; the implications of that potential growth on mobility within the corridor; and alternatives for mitigation of the impacts of this potential growth.

In March, 2011, MAPC presented preliminary findings of the Route 9 Corridor Analysis, which aimed to provide alternative development scenarios to prevent traffic congestion from worsening along Route 9. A summary report, the Route 9 Corridor Analysis, describing the potential for growth along the Route 9 Corridor was released by MAPC in June 2010.  The summary report concluded that if the region was to continue to be built to the maximum extent allowed by current zoning regulations, the resulting traffic could eventually exceed the remaining capacity on Route 9, leading to gridlock and adversely impacting businesses.

Historical Perspective

In 2010, Route 9 turned 200 years old.  For two centuries, this important east-west highway has brought development, transportation and people from Metro Boston through the western suburbs, to the Worcester foothills, and beyond.

In the News

Questions?

For more information contact Transportation Planner Alison Felix at 617-933-0742, or email [email protected].