The City should continue to pursue transportation modes other than the
automobile. Existing modes should be enhanced, while significant new investments
in public transportation infrastructure should be encouraged.
The College Street Shuttle continues to prove that free transportation
between desired destinations works. Every day, the Shuttle keeps dozens—and
sometimes hundreds—of vehicles off the Waterfront. Expansion should include
event-related transportation, expanded hours, and other permanent routes that
connect desirable points with no fares and headways under 15 minutes.
The Multimodal Transportation Center will create a hub for interconnecting
rail, ferry, pedestrian, bus and automobile traffic. See Element
I for details.
The expansion of passenger rail is critical to the economic development of
Burlington’s Waterfront. Passenger rail has the potential of bringing one
thousand additional visitors to the Waterfront every day, year round. Burlington’s
new train station at Union Station will open in 1998.
Commuter Rail will improve access to and from Burlington for commuters and
visitors who must now travel on congested roads. Originally, the route will
connect Burlington south to South Burlington, Shelburne and Charlotte. Track and
crossing improvements along this route are nearing completion. The train is
scheduled to begin running by fall 1999.
An important addition to this project will be the expansion of the Commuter
Rail route north and east through Winooski to Essex. With such a route, much of
Chittenden County would have fast, affordable and congestion-free access to
Burlington.
Accompanying transportation from the Burlington train station to the riders’
final destinations will be critical to the success of this transportation
system. The Multimodal Transportation Center—adjacent to Union Station—will
meet that need by providing a link to city buses and taxis.
Amtrak currently runs from New York City to Rutland. This route should be
expanded north to Burlington. Such an expansion would create a seven hour link
to Manhattan for Chittenden County residents. It would provide visitors to
Vermont an alternative to interstate highway travel and would put Burlington’s
Waterfront directly in the path of many visitors to Vermont. The train would
become popular with summer tourists, leaf peepers and skiers, and keep thousands
of cars off Vermont’s roads.
As the Interim Development Area, the Moran Station and the Lake Champlain
Transportation Company property are redeveloped, public transportation between
points on the Waterfront and from off-site parking to the Waterfront will be
necessitated. Possible people-moving systems might include:
- Creation of a north-south tram from the Moran Plant to Roundhouse Point.
- Use of golf carts or a small van to shuttle visitors from downtown parking
to the Waterfront—especially during special events.
- An extension of the College Street Shuttle route down Lake Street to the
proposed Moran Circle turnaround.
The Harbor Plan discussed in Element C: Boating
and Fishing should include a section which addresses waterborne
transportation opportunities and alternatives.
Above all else, there should be a preference for clean, environmentally sound
means of transportation around the waterfront. In addition, a preference should
be given to pedestrians and bicyclists on the waterfront.
As stated previously, circulation and parking issues associated with proposed
developments will be addressed through a Parking, Pedestrian Safety and
Circulation Study outlined previously. This Plan will include the effect of
alternative forms of transportation on the circulation patterns and parking
needs of the area.
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