Active Plans

SRPEDD’s 2023-2028 CEDS is available in PDF and through an interactive reader.

In our role as the region’s Economic Development District (the “EDD” in SRPEDD), we work with the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), the Commonwealth, and numerous partners to bring millions of dollars of public and private investments into the region each year. 



Our 2023-2028 CEDS presents the region’s current economic development goals, our latest target redevelopment sites, and commonsense permitting and financing strategies. It also serves as a guidebook, vision statement, and inventory of opportunities. And – because SRPEDD understands that the business and development communities look to the public sector to be a reliable partner – it sets clear goals, relies on good data, and creates reasonable expectations – all to provide sufficient, necessary, but not excessive planning. Please visit www.srpedd.org/CEDS for more information!

The Southeastern MA Metropolitan Planning Organization (SMMPO)’s draft of the 2024 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), Moving Forward 2050, was released for public comment on August 15. The RTP thoroughly details and assesses the transportation needs of SRPEDD’s 27 communities and identifies improvements in areas including roads, bridges, travel patterns, public transit, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, airports, freight, congestion management, and safety. Moving Forward 2050 also includes a needs assessment of zero emission vehicle infrastructure and alternative transportation needs relating to mixed use and multifamily housing development. The RTP is a framework for future investment as the region continues to experience population, housing, and climate-related changes.  

Moving Forward 2050 was developed with input from meetings with municipal officials across SMMPO region municipalities, a widely distributed public survey, drop-in style public listening sessions, stakeholder meetings with diverse community-based organizations, and ongoing collaboration with MassDOT, SRTA, and GATRA officials. Survey responses revealed an overall strong desire for expanding multimodal transportation options and a desire for dollars to be spent fixing local roads followed by adding and fixing bicycle lanes and sidewalks. A common challenge identified by municipalities is the inability to access funding needed to complete local-level projects. Limited budgets and staffing capacity to apply for and administer grants remains a significant barrier constraining the expansion, improvement, maintenance, and planning for multimodal transportation infrastructure across SMMPO communities.  

On September 12 at 4:00 PM, SRPEDD staff to the SMMPO will hold a virtual public meeting to discuss Moving Forward 2050 and address any public questions and concerns about the draft Plan. Public comment is welcome up until September 19, 2023 via email to jjones@srpedd.org; direct message/comment on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SRPEDD; or direct message/Tweet to @SRPEDD_NEWS. For more information, please see www.srpedd.org/MovingForward2050. 

SRPEDD's Draft Moving Forward 2050 Plan pictured above is available on the SRPEDD website

SRPEDD staff recently completed a draft update of the Southeastern Massachusetts Regional Bicycle Plan. The Regional Bicycle Plan provides a framework for the region’s existing and future bikeway network and identifies future planning and investments needed to advance safe cycling infrastructure in the region. 

In summary, the Regional Bicycle Plan update: 

• creates a vision for a high-comfort and connected regional bikeway network in Southeastern Massachusetts and provides detailed recommendations towards advancing that vision; 
• details numerous economic, public health, environmental, and equity benefits to make the case for why bicycle infrastructure is a good investment for the region; 
• emphasizes the need for additional intermodal coordination between bikeway and transit planning efforts; 
• provides updates and summarizes recent developments in the regional bike network including the South Coast Bikeway, Taunton River Trail, WWII Veterans Memorial Trail, Ten Mile River Trail, and Mount Hope Bay Greenway; and 
• reports on the results of the 435 Regional Bicycle Plan survey responses. 

For more information about the Regional Bike Plan, or to provide public comments on the draft document, email Jon Gray at jgray@srpedd.org, visit www.srpedd.org/regional-bicycle-plan, or attend the virtual public meeting for the Regional Transportation Plan and Regional Bike Plan on September 12 at 4:00 PM via Zoom. Public comments on the Regional Bike Plan may be received up until September 19, 2023, the date of final SMMPO meeting of federal fiscal year 2023. 

SRPEDD's Draft 2024 Regional Bicycle Plan pictured above is available on the SRPEDD website

Members of the Southeast Region Homeland Security Advisory Council (SRAC) met multiple times earlier this year to promulgate its Fiscal Year 2023 Homeland Security Plan. This plan details regional goals, priorities, and projects for the next 12 to 24 months. Representing a total investment of $1,187,749.15, this plan identifies investments across our ninety-eight-community region. Highlights include an Active Shooter Tabletop Exercise, support for regional team members to attend conferences and out-of-state continuing education training, and over half a million dollars in equipment and training for regionalized Law Enforcement teams. 56% of funds are allocated toward projects considered “Law Enforcement, Terrorism Prevention Activities,” meaning they will directly prepare for and prevent terrorism-related incidents.

Projects for future plans are solicited in the first quarter of each year (January-March). For more information, please visit www.srac.us. 

SRPEDD staff worked with SRAC and EOPSS to create the FFY23 SRAC Plan pictured above

Fresh off a busy year that yielded our Regional Transportation Plan, Regional Bicycle Plan, Coordinated Human Services Transportation Plan, the FFY24-28 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), and studies including many technical assistance requests, the Transportation Department is pleased to announce the start of our new work program on October 1, 2023. Our FFY2024 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) supports many activities designed to benefit our communities’ various needs and directly addresses the goals, actions and objectives established in our Regional Transportation Plan. 



In FFY2024, we will continue our popular ongoing programs such as bicycle planning, pedestrian planning, traffic counting, pavement management, regional modeling, transit planning, mobility management, development of the Transportation Improvement Program, etc. Our Community Technical Assistance Program will continue to assist with a wide array of smaller transportation issues at no cost to our communities. Through our 3C (Comprehensive, Cooperative and Continuing) efforts we will continue to provide professional support to our committees (the Southeastern Massachusetts Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Joint Transportation Planning Group, and SRPEDD Commission), as well as MassDOT and our member municipalities. 

Also planned for this fiscal year are an overhaul of the Regional Pedestrian Plan, a Route 28 Study in Middleborough, Rochester and Wareham, a workshop on project development through the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), and a collaboration with our Environmental Department to address cross-department issues such as stormwater management, floodwater management, open space and recreation planning, air quality, climate change pollution reduction and adaptation, and brownfields cleanup.  



In all our activities, we strive to engage the public in meaningful ways and approach all efforts with an equity lens. We are looking forward to planning with our communities this year! 

Pictured above, SRPEDD planner speaks with community members at the annual South Coast Bikeway Alliance Summit, May 9, 2023

SRPEDD is excited to announce an ongoing initiative to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) pollution in the SRPEDD region and beyond! Starting in September 2023, through an EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) for the Providence-Warwick Metropolitan Statistical Area, SRPEDD will work across state lines with Rhode Island officials and the 27 SRPEDD member communities to understand regional emission trends and create an action plan to reduce these emissions into the future.  

A "Metropolitan Statistical Area" (MSA) can be an unusual planning geography. Delineated by the Census Bureau, MSAs represent "a core area containing a substantial population nucleus, together with adjacent communities having a high degree of economic and social integration with that core." The states of Rhode Island and Massachusetts are both undergoing state-level CPRG planning processes, while SRPEDD and other Massachusetts regional planning agencies lead regionally-based CPRG planning efforts at the MSA level.  

For many in the Providence-Warwick MSA Planning Area, cross-border trips are part of routine, daily life. Commuting to and from work, visiting cultural destinations in Providence or tourist locations on the shore, and seeking out commercial corridors like Route 6 all take Planning Area residents across borders. Similar flows occur with natural resources. We are a coastal region, and despite varied landscapes, we are a largely urban and suburban region. We face common challenges—climate change chief among them—but from unique contexts, state regulatory vantages, and varied municipal priorities. As we prioritize GHG reduction strategies, we will focus on identifying how our interstate connections and regional scale reframe climate pollution reduction goals, connections between local- and state-level efforts, and the needs of environmental justice communities.  

Per grant requirements, the project has two major deliverables and phases. After the CPRG planning phase, the implementation phase will make available $4.6 billion in competitive grant funding opportunities for measures identified in the phase one GHG reduction plans. By March 2024, a Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP) will be developed, consisting of:  

• A regional greenhouse gas inventory;  
• Quantified priority greenhouse gas reduction measures (we have committed to evaluating 20 measures, and putting forth 12 as a set of regional GHG reduction priorities in the PCAP);  
• A low-income and disadvantaged communities benefit analysis; and   
• A review of authority to implement GHG reduction measures.  



By fall 2025, we will build on the initial priority phase to complete a Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP), with additional required elements. In the coming months, SRPEDD will be actively seeking municipal PCAP steering committee participation from Justice40 communities and municipalities that are taking or aspire to take a strong leadership role in GHG reduction. We will ultimately be engaging with all SRPEDD region communities on this topic through various conversations and outreach opportunities during the PCAP and CCAP phases.

Picture above, EV charger behind Dighton Town Hall

SRPEDD is pleased to be working with the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) to help bring affordable and reliable high-speed internet to every home and business in the region. Just as we do through environmental, transportation, and land use planning, SRPEDD is committed to improving economic outcomes and quality of life through regional coordination and support for digital equity.  

Staff made an introductory presentation to the SRPEDD Commission on July 27, 2023. The next step of our work is to continue to gather information - and we need your help! Please assist these efforts by inputting important 'digital assets' into the Massachusetts Asset Mapping tool!

The Massachusetts Broadband and Digital Equity Asset Tool will gather information on digital programs and services being offered by your local organizations, coalitions, agencies, and practitioners.

Lastly, please be on the lookout for more information on digital equity initiatives throughout the SRPEDD region. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to reach out to Maria Jones and Amber Davis with any questions or visit www.srpedd.org/digital-equity-planning for more information.

Recent Events

Training and Technical Assistance

An image of Middleborough Route 28 at Merchant's Way and school driveway

SRPEDD's Transportation Department provides technical assistance to member communities for addressing local transportation issues that do not require a full planning study such as data collection for traffic volumes, speed, and classification, pavement condition analysis, heavy vehicle exclusions, and signal warrants analysis. In 2023, SRPEDD received five requests, two were completed and three are in draft for final review. Each request is detailed below and highlights some of the capabilities of this program. Have a have a problem area? Visit www.srpedd.org/cta to learn more about this program. 

Acushnet Avenue at Ashley Boulevard and Belair Street Evaluation, New Bedford 

Although modifications were recently completed at the intersection it is still experiencing significant queues and crashes. SRPEDD conducted turning movement counts, and reviewed existing signal timing, geometry, lane designation, crash data, and access points, to determine if any improvements could be made at the intersection. Recommendations include modifications to the signal timing and phasing and consideration of turn restrictions to improve operations. 

Old Center Street Heavy Vehicle Exclusion, Middleborough 

SRPEDD was asked to collect and analyze data for the volume of heavy vehicles travelling on Old Center Street in Middleborough between Vernon Street and Bedford Street. An evaluation of the data collected showed that the heavy vehicle volumes were in the range of total volumes required to warrant an exclusion. Next steps lie within the responsibility of Middleborough to submit the technical memorandum and coordinate with MassDOT on the requirements and truck exclusion authorization. 

Grove Street at Merchant’s Way and Williams Street – Traffic Signal Warrants Analysis, Middleborough 

Due to a recent pedestrian fatality and other safety concerns at the intersection, a traffic signal warrants analysis was conducted. The analysis showed that the intersection met the majority of signal warrants including the Eight Hour Warrant, which is a major consideration in the decision to install a traffic signal. Next steps include an Intersection Control Evaluation (ICE) by MassDOT to determine if a traffic signal is the best option. In the meantime, short-term improvements have been implemented to address immediate safety concerns including trimming brush, restriping crosswalks, and upgraded signage. Also under consideration is the installation of a rapid rectangular flashing beacon for improved pedestrian crossing safety. 

Smith Neck Road Volume & Speed Evaluation, Dartmouth 

SRPEDD collected and analyzed volume and speed data at three locations between Gulf Road and Mishaum Point Road. A detailed analysis will highlight patterns and issues and provide recommendations.  

Fisher Road and Gulf Road Speed Limit Evaluation, Dartmouth  

Utilizing MassDOT’s Procedures for Speed Zoning on State Highways and Municipal Roads an evaluation of volume, speed and crash data was completed. The results of this effort will be used to make a speed regulation request through MassDOT.  

Please contact Luis de Oliveira - ldeoliveira@srpedd.org for more information on the community technical assistance program. 

Is your community struggling to maintain its stormwater infrastructure? Do you have water body nutrient impairments that need to be addressed? SRPEDD is part of a network of technical service providers, called the Southeast New England Program (SNEP) Network, that works together to address these issues and build local community capacity for wholistic watershed management, ecological restoration and climate resilience. The Network provides trainings and informational webinars, alongside targeted and more in-depth direct technical assistance projects.

The Stormwater Planning Series is an annual training offered by SNEP Network partners that provides in-depth guidance selecting and designing nature-based stormwater management systems. Over five two-hour training sessions, participants are guided through the process of developing a conceptual design for a retrofit option for their selected drainage area of concern. SRPEDD and the Town of Marion participated in the training with three other Massachusetts and Rhode Island communities (including district member New Bedford) who were awarded this technical assistance opportunity last year. With SRPEDD’s and the Network’s support, Marion prepared a concept design and quantification of benefits for a gravel wetland retrofit to an existing detention basin at Silvershell Beach that will remove pollutants from the outflow before it enters Sprague’s Cove. These materials are helping the Town secure funding for further project engineering and installation. 

The SNEP Network is accepting applications for municipal representatives to join the 2023-2024 Stormwater Planning Training Cohort until September 8, 2023. Communities who would like assistance applying for this opportunity, or who wish to learn more about the training and other technical assistance opportunities from the SNEP Network can reach out to Danica Belknap at dbelknap@srpedd.org. 



The SNEP Network is a project of the New England Environmental Finance Center and is funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Southeast New England Program. 

Pictured above, staff Investigating stormwater infrastructure at Sprague’s Cove, Marion, as part of the facilitated stormwater retrofit planning process

The Massachusetts Citizen Planner Training Collaborative (CPTC) will once again host its fall webinar series to address a broad range of planning topics. These instructive and affordable classes help support CPTC, “a collaboration of citizens, nonprofits and government agencies dedicated to providing essential and advanced training to citizens involved in municipal planning and land use.”



Please complete this brief survey to help SRPEDD identify which topic(s) to host! For more information, please review the topic descriptions here.