How Can Newburyport Deal with Traffic Congestion in Its Community?
A recent letter to the editor of the Newburyport News addresses the growing issue of traffic congestion in the town. According to the editorial, the increase in traffic congestion harms the city’s appeal, disrupting city life and affecting Newburyport’s overall charm and livability.
According to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), Route 1 around Newburyport, Massachusetts, handles approximately 30,000 vehicles daily, and this figure increases to 40,000 vehicles during the summer months.
Newburyport residents have also complained about speeding on the town’s local streets, particularly on cross streets such as High Street and Merrimac Street. Residents have brought these concerns to Newburyport’s Traffic Safety Advisory Committee and asked for solutions.
Organizers of Newburyport Livable Streets are calling for a neighborhood traffic calming program for Newburyport to reduce the incidences of vehicle speeding and volume. Members of the organization’s board of directors cite the communities of Burlington, Vermont, and Portsmouth, New Hampshire, as examples of cities that have established several traffic calming measures on the communities’ streets and created processes for residents to request the implementation of these measures.
Residents and visitors to Newburyport are encouraged to visit the organization’s website for more information about the efforts to improve the livability of Newburyport.