FROED One Government Center Fall River, MA 02722-7700 Tel 508-324-2620 Fax 508-677-2840 info@froed.org		CITY'S DRIVING FORCE Transportation chief: Correia, reps have vision for road projects The Herald News, Saturday, June 6, 2009 - Page B1 FALL RIVER — State Transportation Secretary James A. Aloisi Jr. got a hard-hitting look at a laundry list of anticipated projects in the city Friday. The first-person tour, led by Mayor Robert Correia and state legislators Sen. Joan Menard, D-Fall River, and Rep. Michael Rodrigues, D-Westport, included a stop at the planned Exit 8 1/2 off ramps from Route 24 and Riggenbach Road, which would be used to link to the planned SouthCoast BioPark. Aloisi also saw Route 79 and Davol Street, where some city officials wants to reroute the highway to create a pedestrian-friendly boulevard, and reviewed the twisting "spaghetti ramps" that link city roadways to Interstate 195 and the anticipated route where a commuter rail system would run into the city. Aloisi said the driving tour was a great opportunity to see projects that have long been discussed. “It’s always good to see this kind of vision,” Aloisi said. “The mayor and legislative delegation have a real vision to take Fall River to another level.” He said work is underway to make the Route 24 ramps a reality with stimulus cash, saying the project is a perfect fit for the funds because it paves the way for economic development. Aloisi said the state is also interested in helping the city correct “well-intentioned mistakes” of the past, such as the triple-deck of spaghetti ramps that connect Route 79 and I-195. Correia has proposed eliminating the ramps in an effort to daylight the Quequechan River as part of a larger renewable energy initiative across the city. Aloisi said many of the projects have been long discussed, and their future should be bright because they bring more to the city than just upgraded infrastructure. He pointed to the importance of transit-oriented design around the proposed rail stops, as well the opportunity for commuters to live in the area and travel to Boston without driving. He also said current economic conditions should not serve as an excuse to let worthwhile projects linger. Aloisi said the Empire State Building was built and filled during the Great Depression. “We have to look at how they did it,” Aloisi said. Correia said Aloisi’s visit provides optimism that the city’s transportation-related projects can become reality after years of being ignored on Beacon Hill. “If you don’t have leadership, nothing's going to get done,” Correia said. “For me the opportunity is there more than ever.” Back