With fishermen, pedestrians, and pets all trying to share the newly reopened Padanaram causeway, safety and cleanliness are again becoming issues. But the Dartmouth Waterways Management Commission has a solution: A dedicated fishing pier just for fishermen. 

The idea has been floated for years among Commission members, but is now moving forward as the causeway recently wrapped up its first summer open in two years.

With new sidewalks, railings, and enhancements for cyclists, the long-standing issues relating to fishing off of the pier re-emerged, including risks posed by casting lines to pedestrians and cyclists, trash and debris like fish guts left behind, and difficulties accommodating pedestrians with pets or strollers on sidewalks shared by fishermen.

Commission members and an architectural firm have developed a rendering and plans to build a pier extending perpendicular to the west side of the causeway. The pier would end at a larger platform suitable for multiple people to cast and reel in fish.

Commission Vice Chairman Roger Race explained the fishing pier is intended to serve the same number of people who currently fish off of the causeway, but would feature a more direct connection to the water and plenty of space to work, compared to the current area where fishing is permitted.

“It will be the same physical square footage that we’re going to give [them] in the fishing pier,” Race said. “We’re giving them nicer, better access because they’re further out and they like to cast their lines out.”

Funding could come from a state Division of Marine Fisheries grant program designed to improve public access to Massachusetts waterways for fishing. The grant has been used successfully by other cities and towns to build similar projects.

Securing approval and ultimately building the pier will likely be a multi-year process. Chairman Gerald Hickey said Commission members are currently in a “consensus-gathering” mode, and are pitching the project to various town departments for feedback.

Most recently, the commission heard back from the Department of Public Works. Director David Hickox indicated in an email that “overall, the DPW felt the pier would benefit pedestrians walking over the bridge and along the new causeway by enhancing safety and cleanliness.”

In his email, he asked several questions regarding parking, maintenance responsibilities, and input from the Padanaram Business Association. Commission members said their department could handle maintenance, and input from the association will be sought. Parking would be available at Dias Landing, the town landing located next to Apponagansett Park.

“It’d be the same number of people, but we’re moving the entrance for the fishing to the west side of the bridge, and moving it closer towards the Dias Landing parking,” said Harbormaster Steve Melo.

Once consensus is gathered among town departments and residents, commission members will bring the idea to the Select Board, which must sign off on the project and grant application. It could take several years to secure funding — Race noted the grant is competitive.

It is not the only big change in the works for the area. Dias Landing could also receive a major facelift. The state budget has funding earmarked to make repairs to the town landing, including fixing walls along the northern shoreline.

Construction on the new maritime center at the corner of Bridge and Water Streets is also on track to wrap up by the end of the year, member Kevin Murphy said.