The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA), in partnership with the City of Pawtucket, engaged McMahon to develop concept design plans for the creation of a new Transit Emphasis Corridor along Goff Avenue and Exchange Street. This multi-entity effort identifies a new transit vision for Pawtucket, relocates the existing bus hub adjacent to the proposed Pawtucket/Central Falls commuter rail station, and creates a downtown transit emphasis corridor feeding this future intermodal center. McMahon evaluated existing traffic operations along the corridor, as well as proposed conditions with the commuter rail station in place, and determined the traffic impacts of repurposing travel lanes to add bus lanes throughout the corridor.
Concept design development included consideration of exclusive and shared bike and bus lanes, separated bike lanes, shared lanes, travel lane realignment, and reconfiguration of both on- and off-street parking areas. Existing traffic signal equipment inspections were also conducted. Bus stop locations were optimized, pedestrian crossing improvements have been identified and design guidelines were developed to outline criteria for bus stop configurations, including curb extensions and floating bus stops, and amenities, such as bus shelters, benches, trash compactors, transit technology, bike racks, and sidewalk pavement treatments.
McMahon is now an integral part of the Design-Build team for the station and bus hub, as lead design engineer for the transit emphasis corridor.
