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The high number of people driving in the city can be attributed to a transportation system that caters to the automobile user in terms of road supply. Since the advent of the automobile, roads have been given a high priority over other intermodal infrastructures. This has been the case for Providence. Unlike its neighbor city of Boston, Providence lacks adequate transit infrastruture and thus, does not have a mass transit system, per se.

Kennedy Plaza, is perhaps the most popular transit infrastructure in Providence. This bus terminal serves over 30 RIPTA bus routes, including the Providence Link Trolley. The plaza was renovated in Fall 2000 to add in a new indoor terminal and other commuter amenities [8].

Commuter rail is available for commuters traveling between Providence and Boston. The Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) operates the "T" from Boston's South Station to Providence's Union Station [9]. The MBTA, in coordination with Rhode Island state agencies, are currently working on plans for extending the "T" down to Warwick and Wickford Junction [10]. However, it is unknown as to when this project will be completed.

The RI Department of Transportation is responsible for the development of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructures. When compared with other states, Rhode Island is the most progressive in terms of their bicycle/pedestrian program, Bike RI. The state currently has a fairly vast network of bicycle paths, which include the East Bay Bike Path and the South County Bike Path. These bicycle paths, however, do not connect well into the city core and thus, are often utilized for recreational purposes rather than commuting purposes. Bicycle lanes are nonexistent, making the bicycle commute dangerous sometimes. Yet there is still a fair proportion of people who commute by bike (13.3% estimated to commute by biking/walking), thanks largely to the advocacy efforts of Bike Downtown, a joint campaign effort between Groundworks Providence and the Providence Foundation.

A sustainable transportation system must have infrastructures for other modes of travel. Providence's intermodal infrastructures need more resources and investments. More could and should be done to expand these infrastructures and promote their use. Continued emphasis on a road based infrastructure will only lead to more traffic and congestion. The Texas Transportation Institute estimates that just to maintain the current congestion levels, the area would need to add 54 miles of freeways/streets annually [6].

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