Ideas Needed to Improve Rt. 6 Corridor

Anyone who drives Rt. 6 from Fairhaven to Wareham on a regular basis knows that the state highway can be both busy and dangerous. And anyone who has ever tried to cross the corridor on foot will tell you that the experience can be harrowing.

Now the public is being invited to weigh in on plans to improve the Rt. 6 corridor as it passes from Rt. 240 in Fairhaven to High Street in Wareham. Two meetings have been scheduled in Mattapoisett and Marion where attendees will be treated to a presentation and given an opportunity to speak up. Details can be found at the bottom of this post.

The Rt. 6 Corridor Study is analyzing the corridor’s current and future traffic conditions, intersection operations, bicycle, pedestrian, and public transportation facilities, land uses, and overall safety. The study and its public meetings are being organized by the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District.

Although the corridor study began last year -- and quite a bit of public input has already been collected -- organizers say it's not too late. People are encouraged to attend the meetings, to fill out comment cards or to respond to an online survey.

The regional planners have assembled information and documents on their project website, including an interactive map and video which shows the entire 13-mile journey. There is also a project Facebook page. There are no immediate plans for construction, but officials say putting a plan in place is the first step.

Those interested in helping shape the future of the region are encouraged to participate.

If you go:

What: Route 6 Corridor Study Meeting #1
When: Thurs. Dec. 12, 6-8 p.m.
Where: Center Elementary School, 17 Barstow St., Mattapoisett MA 02739

What: Route 6 Corridor Study Meeting #2
When: Wed. Dec. 18, 6-8 p.m.
Where: Sippican Elementary School, 16 Spring St., Marion MA 02738