Oakland moving forward with mobility

The town of Oakland held its second in a series of Mobility Master Plan charrettes in early August with engineering consultant firm Kittleson & Associates Inc., and new ideas were shared. Also revealed was the grid network of future streets that will tie historic Oakland to upcoming development along West Colonial Drive.

J.P. Weesner, of Kittleson, explained how the Transit-Oriented Development concept can be used in Oakland with a transit hub at Tubb Street and Colonial Drive. The idea incorporates green space with a Lynx bus pick-up and drop-off, and the area would have a mix of shopping, offices and residences.

All of this would be connected by a multimodal transportation system using streets, bike paths and sidewalks.

Another component of this mobility plan is how to keep drivers, walkers and bikers moving once they are in the town limits.

A combination of robust trail systems and multiple roundabouts — as well as an additional east-west roadway and a continuation of the current grid system — could be the answer. Weesner said roundabouts could possibly be located at Oakland Avenue and Tubb and at Oakland and Machete Trail.

A bike-share program could also be instituted in the town, and residents would be able to rent a bike at one location and leave it at another.

The next step, Weesner said, is to take all the ideas that were presented during the two days of meetings and come up with a vision.

Town Planner Jay Marder said a Master Mobility Management Plan will be presented to the Oakland Town Commission in late September or early October.

Contact Amy Quesinberry at [email protected].