Traffic, traffic, traffic

Thursday, April 14, 2005

Dear Editor,

Joel Mathews, Director of Planning and Development for the City of Woonsocket, in his Letter to the Editor of April 12, 2005, sought to help us understand a section of the Med Zone law with clarity and authority. Perhaps he would take on this task.

The Developer of the proposed Dowling Village has assured us that traffic to this 140-acre development with its regional attractions, entertainment facilities, restaurants, and big box retail will not be a problem. This was a great comfort to some, and an incredulous fantasy to others. I am hopeful that Mr. Mathew's view might not be so rosy. Perhaps he would share with us his independent studies of the effect this mega mall might have on Park Avenue, Logee Street, Saint Paul Street, Transit Avenue, 146A through Union Village, Providence Street, and all of the adjoining neighborhoods.

Can we assume that this mega mall will have a draw for a ten-mile radius? Isn't it naive to think that everyone will come neatly via 146 to 146A to the South? The congestion at Sales Hill Road is already a bother at certain times. How will the population concentrations come from Millville, from Blackstone, from Bellingham, from Douglas, from Uxbridge, from Burrillville come? There are only so many bridges across the Blackstone. Will everybody from East Woonsocket go 99? And what about Fairmount ?

Mr. Mathews rightly points out that a mega mall should be "on or near a major highway". This one, however seems to be located at the bitter end of one and the beginning of a maze of neighborhood streets and secondary state roads designed by his predecessors long before any of us were born.

Mr. Mathews calls for honesty, and proper representation. He shares this conviction with the concerned citizens of the Valley Alliance for Smart Growth. But, this includes not only the truth, but also the whole truth. Lets get the whole truth about our darling, Dowling, before we pave over paradise!

James Brennan
North Smithfield, RI