Plum Island Turnpike Feasibility Study for Resiliency Improvements Project

Want to provide input? Take this short survey! Click here. The Plum Island Turnpike Project is looking to learn about YOUR experience on the Plum Island Turnpike and suggestions for short and long-term improvements. 

May 28, 2025 Public Open House Information

The Town of Newbury and the City of Newburyport and our partners held an Information Gathering session for the Plum Island Turnpike Resiliency Improvements Project on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters.

Were you unable to attend? Do you have additional information to share with the Project Team? Please take this short survey! Click here. 

The meeting included:

• Brief Presentation by Project Team: Overview of the project, work completed to date, and project schedule
• Public Engagement: Informal, interactive discussion and a chance to provide related to safety, multi-modal transportation opportunities, and resiliency improvements for access to and from the Island. Participants of the meeting left comments on posters listing improvements they wanted to see happen. These suggestions ranged from better bike lanes to redesigned culverts for improved water flow. A summary of public feedback can be found below:
  • Safety: Concerns around narrow shoulders, lack of bike lanes and sidewalks, and dangerous curves
  • Flooding: High tides and storm events frequently flood the Turnpike impacting accessibility
  • Transit and Parking Solution: Suggestions like a seasonal shuttle to alleviate parking issues were supported, but there are still considerations around overcrowding
  • Environmental and Marsh Health: Concerns about the impact of road elevation on marsh migration, more support for better culverts for drainage
  • Public Amenities: Kayak access was widely supported 
• Watch the full video recording of the meeting here. 

Check out some photos from the information session! 

What is the Plum Island Turnpike Project Feasibility Study for Resiliency Improvements?

The Feasibility Study for Resiliency Improvements for Plum Island Turnpike Project is a project being conducted by a partnership of the Town of Newbury, the City of Newburyport, and the Parker River Wildlife Refuge. The project is funded by a grant received from the Federal Lands Access Program ("FLAP") program. Tighe & Bond consultants have been hired to lead the project.

The scope of the project includes a feasibility study that builds on preliminary planning and research studies, and seeks to identify economically and environmentally sound next steps in both short and long term. The Phase 1 project work includes determining the options for and impacts of raising the turnpike, including cost estimates, construction timelines, environmental impacts and mitigation requirements, cost/benefit analysis, permitting requirements, impacts on cross-streets on Sunset Drive, and alternative design approaches such as the development of a causeway.

The project will also include consideration for multimodal infrastructure, such as improved shoulder/edge conditions, lane widening, traffic calming, and emergent solutions for advancing shared streets principles.

Responses will help the Town of Newbury and City of Newburyport to better understand the current challenges associated with access to the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge via Plum Island Turnpike, Plum Island Boulevard and Sunset Drive. The results will help inform recommendations for future resiliency and transportation improvements to maintain and improve access to Plum Island and the Refuge.  

Thank you!

Questions? Please contact Kristen Grubbs at [email protected] or 978-465-0862 x336