Plans to remove the bus station from Kennedy Plaza are in the works

By Ana Bottary

abottary@abc6.com

@anabottary

The short distance between providence’s main bus hub at Kennedy plaza and the city’s train station may soon be eliminated. RIDOT Director Peter Alviti says it’s something that has been talked about since 2014.
 
"There had been a bond referendum approved for 35 million dollars to build a new transit hub or bus hub adjacent to or near the train station. Makes a lot of sense," says Alviti.
 
Because of where the bus station is currently, there are safety concerns for people walking around. On Wednesday, 30 year old Michelle Cagnon was killed by Peter Pan bus despite many witnesses saying she was on a marked cross walk. That tragic accident was not the first for the area.
 
"It never worked properly, people have ignored it. It’s not working now. There’s been over two dozen accidents by busses and automobiles hurting people over the past couple of years,” Alviti says.
 
Joe Paolino, former Mayor of Providence and chairman of the Downtown Improvement District describes driving in the area as a nightmare, and says changes need to be made.
 
"If anyone remembers going to crescent point or rocky point and going on the dodging cars, that’s what Kennedy plaza is right now,” says Paolino.
 
Alviti says they plan to move the bus station which is currently housed down at Kennedy Plaza to up here near the train station. One of their options this plot of land just adjacent to it.

"We can build it in a way that includes first and foremost safety features that make it safe for people to move through the area, for busses and traffic. There are a number of vacant areas in that vicinity that lend themselves toward a transit oriented development,” adds Alviti.

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