Road improvements — namely, more protected lanes and paths for pedestrians on major roads like Route 6 — will be a necessary part of Dartmouth’s future development.

That’s what more than 20 residents agreed while discussing the town’s transportation networks during the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District’s Master Plan workshop on March 18.

The fifth and final workshop for Dartmouth’s master plan — a guiding document produced every decade to assess where the town is now, how it got here, and where to go from here — focused on issues with the current transportation setup, along with other major town services and facilities.

One of the biggest issues regional planners tackled was reducing traffic and collisions on the roads.

“A top high-crash area [is] Faunce Corner and Cross Roads,” said Helen Zincavage, the Assistant Director of Environmental Programs. “That’s an intersection that needs some work there.” 

Pathways Committee member Sandra Medeiros had a number of suggestions, including reducing speed limits and creating more crosswalks around densely populated areas.

“There aren’t any crosswalks or any safe places to walk,” she said.

Medeiros also suggested finding ways to reduce traffic backups on the town’s major roads, something resident and State Rep. Chris Markey agreed with. An intersection the Dartmouth legislator especially wants to see fixed is Route 6 and Tucker Road.

“That Dunkin’ Donuts on the corner causes all types of problems,” Markey said. “Going northbound in the morning trying to get out, you sit through four or five cycles of the light right now.” 

According to Markey, officials are trying to purchase a number of properties through eminent domain to create more of a connection between Tucker and Hathaway roads.

The legislator added that if the junction could be improved, it would be “a major win for Dartmouth.” 

Attendees also highlighted a need to improve bike lanes.

Medeiros, a member of the South Coast Bikeway Alliance, said that she’s noticed some roads are better for biking than others and that “just putting a line on a road does not make it safe.”

Interim Development Director Cody Haddad agreed, noting that even with the striping, he has nearly been hit on Chase Road multiple times. He added that cycling around Faunce Corner Road isn’t easy either.

“Up through those medical facilities, it’s pretty bad,” he said.

According to Medeiros, more protected lanes are needed, particularly along Route 6.

“People driving cars around in this area aren’t used to having that many bikes on the road,” she said. “They’re not as understanding that we have the right to be on the road and use the full lane for safety.” 

Residents interested in learning more about the transportation discussion can visit www.srpedd.org/dartmouthmp/transpo.