Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District

06/05/2026

Join our Joint Transportation Planning Group (JTPG) meeting on June 10 at 2:00PM! We’ll have presentations from MassDOT and MBTA staff about the South Coast Rail Noise Mitigation Program and MBTA’s Focus 2050 Plan, annual elections for JTPG Chair and Vice-Chairs, vote on recommending our staff FY2027 work plan to the SMMPO Board for endorsement, and will poll member municipalities about their transportation funding priorities.

To view meeting agenda and learn more visit: https://srpedd.org/transportation/jtpg/

💻Register to join via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Qjcvuf7-TEeBLOdWX7LxvA

About JTPG: The JTPG is the regional advisory group and forum for public involvement on all issues pertaining to transportation in southeastern Massachusetts. It includes chief elected officials/their designees from each of SRPEDD's 27 member municipalities who meet monthly to advise the Southeastern Massachusetts Metropolitan Planning Organization (SMMPO) on transportation planning programs and funding for the region.

06/04/2026

🚸🚦Hey Fall River Community! Stop by City Hall next Thursday June 11 anytime between 5:00 and 7:00 PM to share your thoughts about Pleasant Street and road improvements you would like to see!

SRPEDD is partnering with Fall River Government to host a Drop-In Listening Session where residents, workers, property owners, and road users can provide input about their experiences using Pleasant Street and changes that would make it feel safer and more enjoyable to use while driving, walking, biking, riding the bus, scootering, etc.

This is an opportunity to voice your concerns, ideas, contribute to Fall River's Pleasant Street Corridor Study, and help shape the future of this corridor as the city continues to undergo changes! Your view is important and we want to hear from you!

Fall River Reporter HNNow Fall River Development News

06/02/2026

Happy ! 🚗 Starting this week, from June 1 to August 31, 2026, all MBTA commuter rail service, except Boston Stadium or CapeFLYER routes, will be free every Friday throughout the summer! 50% discounts are also being offered to monthly pass holders, saving riders between $321 and $639 this summer. Southeastern Massachusetts residents can travel within the region, to Boston, and throughout the state this summer for $0 every Friday on the MBTA Commuter Rail. 🚋Swipe through this post to learn more about our top picks across the region to visit, why they're important, and how you can take public transportation beyond the MBTA Commuter Rail to access them!
📍Downtown New Bedford
📍Battleship Cove, Fall River
📍Taunton Public Library and Green

05/28/2026

📢🚧 The Southeastern Massachusetts Metropolitan Planning Organization (SMMPO)’s draft FFY2027 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) and Amendment 6 to the 2026-2030 TIP is out for public comment! Send your feedback on our staff’s transportation workplan and Proposed Amendment 6 by Monday June 15 or at the virtual public meeting on June 4 at 4:00 PM.

Along with various ongoing planning activities, special projects outlined in the draft UPWP work plan to be completed in the October 2026 through September 2027 period include:
• Phase 2 of the Corridor Study for Fall River’s Pleasant Street
• Phase 2 of the Mansfield Bicycle and Pedestrian Network Plan
• Phase 2 of an Economic Impact Analysis of the Southeastern Regional Transit Authority’s Fare Free Program
• Update of the region’s Coordinated Human Services Transportation Plan
• Update of the region’s Top 100 Most Dangerous Intersections List
• Maintenance of a database to prioritize flood prone roadways and culvert replacements
• Update of the region’s Freight Plan

Proposed TIP Amendment 6 programs Project 614243 for construction, which is part of a MassDOT statewide initiative to add missing crosswalks at multiple locations at signals on state roads. Project 614243 in the SRPEDD region will add these improvements at North Attleboro’s South Washington Street outside the Emerald Square Mall North driveway. The projects in this initiative aim to make crossings on state roadways safer for vulnerable road users like pedestrians and bicyclists.

Review the Draft UPWP, Amendment 6, and ways to provide comment: https://srpedd.org/event/public-comment-period-for-draft-2027-upwp-work-plan-and-proposed-26-30-tip-amendment-6/

Submit a Comment to: [email protected]

05/27/2026

SRPEDD is currently developing both its regional Age-Friendly Mobility Plan and Food Access and Security in Transportation (FAST) Plan. We are looking for your input to better understand Southeast Massachusetts residents' experiences and needs relating to food access, aging, and transportation. For both plans, our Healthy Living Survey is now live to take! The information gathered from this survey will help SRPEDD staff better understand the needs of our community members and support transportation-specific initiatives moving forward! The survey is currently open until June 30th, and individuals who live, work, and travel within the SRPEDD region are welcome to provide input! Help us plan for healthier communities! 🚗🚲🍎
📍Link to survey: arcg.is/04u4ez0
📍Link to Age-Friendly Plan information: srpedd.org/agefriendlyplan
📍Link to FAST Plan information: srpedd.org/transportation/food-access

05/27/2026

Fall River Youth: Help design a traffic garden for learning safe biking and walking in your community!

🚧✨ ROUND 2: YOUTH BUILT ✨🚧
Last time, they learned the rules…

This time, they’re building the streets 👀
Our next Traffic Garden pop-up is officially YOUTH BUILT: designed and brought to life by the young people in our community 🎨🚲

📍 Father Travassos Park
📅 July 18th | 1PM–3PM
🌧️ Rain Date: July 25th | 1PM–3PM

Come check out how they’re turning a blank space into their own traffic garden, complete with crosswalks, bike paths, and creative ideas.

🚸 Hands-on learning
🚲 Real-world safety skills
🎨 Built by youth, for youth
💡 Want to be part of it?
We’re looking for youth to help with the design and build!
👉 https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/A78ax1ccYT

Perks include:
✔️ Community service hours
✔️ Letters of recommendation
✔️ Mentorship opportunities
✔️ New skills (design, planning, teamwork)
✔️ Saying “I helped build that” 😌
Stop by and support because they’re doing something special.

05/21/2026

Announcing Webinar 1!:
Farmland Protection Tools for Municipalities
June 3rd, 2:00-3:30pm

Are you a municipal representative or stakeholder and would like to help protect farmland in your community?

Join SRPEDD, OCPC, and Wildlands Trust in a regional initiative to support municipal Chapter 61A farmland protection in Southeastern MA.

Register HERE for Webinar 1!: https://ow.ly/znYp50Z2P9m

The first webinar in the project series will focus on farmland protection tools and techniques that municipalities can engage with to support farmland protection in their communities.

Webinar #1 will cover the following topics:
• Tools for permanent farmland protection
• Municipal planning and zoning tools for agricultural land protection
• Agricultural Commissions and Agriculture Preservation Funds
• Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds for agricultural land protection
• Benefits of partnering with a land trust
To register for the webinar and receive a calendar invite, please use the link above or copy this link into your browser: https://ow.ly/znYp50Z2P9m

SE MA Farmland Protection Initiative Mailing List: If you would like to sign up for our project mailing list, please use this link (https://ow.ly/OYm750Z2P9h). By signing up for email updates, you will only receive project updates and announcements from SRPEDD related to the Southeastern MA Farmland Protection Initiative. If you are interested in other SRPEDD projects please visit our website (https://ow.ly/5xmc50Z2P9j).

This project is being supported by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Farmland Partnership Program.

05/19/2026

Happy ! 🚗 Days like today have us thinking of summer and all of the incredible public outdoor spaces across the SRPEDD region! Today, we are highlighting the top paved paths in the SRPEDD region! Grab your bikes, grab your shoes, and get out to explore! Scroll through this post or read below to learn more about each of the highlighted destinations! 🚲☀️

🚲Name: Fairhaven / Mattapoisett Trail
📍Address: 7 Depot Street, Mattapoisett, MA
🗺️Distance: Partially completed 4.5-mile Mattapoisett trail, 4-mile Fairhaven trail
🚗 Parking: Limited, spots available at Depot Street and Railroad Avenue, or on-street where signs do not prohibit it
✏️More info: https://mattapoisettrailtrail.com/
✏️More info: https://www.savebuzzardsbay.org/places-to-go/phoenix-bike-trail/

🚲Name: Fort Rodman / Fort Taber
📍Address: 1000 S Rodney French Boulevard, New Bedford, MA
🗺️Distance: 50-acre park that connects to both New Bedford Harborwalk and the Saulnier Memorial Bike Trail
🚗Parking: Available, paid during busier months
✏️More info: https://forttaber.org/

🚲Name: Quequechan River Rail Trail
📍Address: Wordell Street, Fall River, MA
🗺️Distance: 2-mile scenic, multi-use trail through Fall River's downtown and waterfront
🚗Parking: Multiple areas, at South Watuppa Pond and Britland Park
✏️More info: https://www.vivafallriver.com/alfred-j-lima-quequechan-river-rail-trail/

🚲Name: WWII Veterans Memorial Trail
📍Address: East Street and Fruit Street, Mansfield, MA
🗺️Distance: 6-mile multi-use trail along the Old Colony Railroad route between Mansfield and Norton
🚗Parking: Available at both East Street and Fruit Street, unpaved lot at Briggs Street
✏️More info: https://www.ww2railtrail.org/

05/14/2026

Residents of Middleborough, Lakeville, and Carver: Join us next Tuesday, May 19th from 5:00-7:00 pm at the Lakeville Public Library to share your thoughts about internet access and digital equity in the area! We hope to see you there!

05/12/2026

Happy ! 🚗Along with Bicycle Safety Month, May is also observed as Older Americans Month! Every day, more than 10,000 Americans turn 65. In Massachusetts, there are over 1.1 million adults age 65 and over. Since 1963, Older Americans Month has highlighted how healthy communities provide care, support, and access to all generations. This year's theme, "Champion Your Health," encourages older adults to be active decisionmakers of their well-being. Swipe through this post to learn more about "age-friendly" communities and what they look like. Further, read more about SRPEDD's current Age-Friendly Mobility Plan, which prioritizes top areas for improvements and specific, achievable recommendations in transportation and mobility infrastructure. Read more about the agency's Age-Friendly initiatives here: https://srpedd.org/transportation/mobility-southeast-mass/