MassDOT’s 'Beyond Mobility' plan presented to Cape Cod MPO; public comment period extended to May 31

Massachusetts Department of Transportation staff presented 'Beyond Mobility,' the agency’s updated statewide long‑range transportation plan, and asked regional partners to review the draft and submit comments during an extended public comment window.

Derek (MassDOT manager for MPO activities) said the plan reframes transportation around access rather than vehicle movement and identified six priority areas: safety, reliability, clean transportation, destination connectivity, resiliency and travel experience. The plan pairs problem statements with more than 100 recommended action items for MassDOT and partner agencies and drew outreach from more than 5,000 respondents statewide.

Derek noted the public comment deadline has been extended: "The plan is actually out now until May 31," he said, and posted materials are available at mass.gov/beyondmobility. Presentation highlights included a focus on equity and environmental justice — staff reported that 42 of the top 200 pedestrian crash clusters are located in environmental‑justice communities and said that the plan calls for a stronger bench of safety projects in those areas.

The plan also encourages studies on roadway pricing and land‑use strategies to reduce single‑occupancy vehicle trips and improve car‑free connections, and references complementary statewide initiatives such as the Transportation Funding Task Force and the Resilient Mass Initiative. MPO members asked clarifying questions about the plan’s local implementation and were reminded that regional partners will translate plan goals into specific projects and funding requests.

Next steps: MassDOT staff will accept public comments through May 31, publish outreach materials and present summaries at future MPO meetings; local and regional partners were invited to coordinate on implementing the plan’s listed action items.