Frequently Asked Questions

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What is this study all about?

EOT's Office of Transportation Planning (Planning) is conducting a comprehensive study of the greater Hyannis area in the Town of Barnstable that will examine and recommend ways to improve overall transportation mobility for residents, businesses, and visitors, while minimizing impacts to neighborhoods and communities.  Due to significant commercial, industrial, and residential development in recent years, traffic congestion has increased steadily in and around Hyannis. 

What are the anticipated outcomes of this study?

A full range of alternatives will be developed and analyzed as this planning study progresses.  This range includes transportation demand management and other "non-highway" options in addition to potential roadway improvements.  A recommended plan of short-term and long-term improvements – based on the alternatives analysis and the collective input of many stakeholders – will be the end product of this study.

Who is involved?

Planning has worked with local officials to form an advisory Task Force for this study.  These task forces typically include federal, state, regional and local agencies, legislators, local elected officials, and interested community and business organizations.  The Hyannis Access Study Task Force will provide a forum for community involvement and input into the study.  TranSystems is the lead consultant for the study team.

How will decisions be made?

Decisions that must be made during the course of the study include which alternatives to develop and study in detail, as well as which recommendations to make, following evaluation of those alternatives.  The Executive Office of Transportation must ultimately make those decisions, but they are committed to soliciting task force and public input and giving that input careful consideration at every step of the way.  The Task Force is an important forum for dialogue about these decisions.  While unanimous agreement on all the issues may not be possible, one aim of the study is to reach reasonable consensus on what should be done.

What else is being done in this area regarding other projects or studies?

Current roadway improvement projects in the area include the widening of Route 132 (Exit 6 of Route 6) and widening of Willow Street (Exit 7).  These projects will improve traffic operations throughout the area, and will be considered as part of an updated evaluation of other potential improvements.  In 1998, MassHighway completed a "Conceptual Design and Feasibility Study for a New Route 6 Interchange in the Town of Barnstable."  This potential interchange became known as "Exit 6 ½," and was proposed to provide direct access to the industrial properties along Independence Drive, west of Mary Dunn Road.  The Hyannis Access Study will look beyond the immediate vicinity of Exit 6 ½ and undertake a broader, more comprehensive analysis and evaluation of all transportation issues in the area.

When will the study be completed?

The study is expected to take approximately 12 months, with a scheduled completion of June 2007.  There will be substantial opportunities for task force and public input throughout the study process, and beyond the study completion as well during subsequent phases of development for any recommended projects.

How long until something is done?

Major transportation improvements can take many years to implement.  This study will attempt to recommend both short-term and long-term solutions, while considering both highway and non-highway options.  Any major long-term improvements recommended by the study would likely first need to be more fully analyzed in a separate environmental study.  Following the environmental phase, improvements must be fully designed (beyond the conceptual designs that would be outlined in this planning study).  Short-term, more minor improvements that do not pose significant environmental impacts could potentially be implemented in 3 to 4 years (depending on the specific type of improvement recommended).  Another consideration is funding.  Transportation projects must appear on a regional Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) in order to be funded.  The TIP is a staged six-year program of capital improvements that reflect the needs of the regional transportation system.  Each metropolitan region in Massachusetts updates its TIP every year.  Under federal regulations, the TIP must be constrained to available funding, and be consistent with the long-range Regional Transportation Plan.  For more details, see the description of the Metropolitan Planning Process.