Lochmueller developed a regional transportation plan for the City of Quincy and surrounding areas. The plan was an outgrowth of the Quincy NEXT Strategic Plan, which recommended strategies for achieving the community’s goals for the future. One such goal was the creation of an accessible and connected city for all, through transportation, infrastructure, and safety.
The Regional Transportation Plan was a high-level study of transportation throughout the region, utilizing the goals and objectives established by the Steering Committee as a guide. This plan consisted of modality assessments that addressed all modes and elements of the transportation system. Lochmueller prepared a Thoroughfare Plan that evaluated all arterial roadways, a Freight Plan that evaluated freight mobility, a Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan that evaluated pedestrian and bicycle mobility, and a Multimodal Plan that addressed transit and Amtrak service in the region.
Downtown was a focus area where ease of circulation, wayfinding, and enhanced walkability would contribute to placemaking and a more vibrant regional core. Simultaneously, IDOT was planning a new Mississippi River Bridge to replace the existing Quincy Memorial Bridge, which serves eastbound traffic crossing the river.
The emphasis of the Regional Transportation Plan within the downtown was to determine the feasibility of key transportation strategies aimed at achieving the goals of Quincy NEXT, while also evaluating the traffic impacts of the new Mississippi River Bridge. The goal was to provide a cohesive plan for downtown transportation that advanced Quincy NEXT, while also accommodating regional traffic needs.
One pivotal strategy of Quincy NEXT specifically addressed the feasibility of converting 3rd and 4th Streets from one-way to two-way traffic. In addition, the Downtown components of the plan recommended on-street bicycle lanes on Vermont Street and 4th Street as well as a more prominent pedestrian connection between the riverfront and downtown via Maine Street.
The regional plan evaluated opportunities to enhance multimodal connectivity through congestion mitigation, safety improvements, pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, and freight mobility. One focus was the movement of trucks, including enhanced access and connectivity to the south riverfront industrial area and less impactful truck traffic in the downtown. This study included extensive public and stakeholder engagement, including an online survey, public open house meetings, and “pop-up” public engagement in tandem with Small Business Saturday.
