Governor Tabbed as Honorary Chair for Made In The Berkshires Festival

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Theatre Group announced that Gov. Deval L. Patrick will preside as honorary chair of this year's Made in the Berkshires Festival, which will be held over the Columbus Day weekend. 
 
The Festival opens with a gala performance at the Colonial Theatre on Friday, Oct. 5. The Made in the Berkshires Festival, now in its second year, features plays, films, dance, music and multi-media created and presented by local Berkshire County artists.  
 
"The Festival was such a huge success last year," said Kate Maguire, artistic director and chief executive officer of BTG. "Co-curators Hilary Somers Deely and Barbara Sims have, once again, helped put the spotlight on the incredibly vibrant arts community in our region. The 2012 festival will take place over a single weekend with eight performance blocks utilizing both the Colonial and the Stockbridge theater facilities. We've been able to schedule over 30 separate performances involving 100 local artists."
 
 
Festival-goers have the option of purchasing tickets for individual performance blocks at $15 or they can purchase an all-performance sponsor pass for $100, which allows them immediate seating at any performance and venue, as long as they arrive 15 minutes prior to show time. Future information on the festival and ticket availability can be found at the festival's website or directly from The Berkshire Theatre Group ticket office at 413-997-4444.
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MassDOT Project Will Affect Traffic Near BMC

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Prepare for traffic impacts around Berkshire Medical Center through May for a state Department of Transportation project to improve situations and intersections on North Street and First Street.

Because of this, traffic will be reduced to one lane of travel on First Street (U.S. Route 7) and North Street between Burbank Street and Abbott Street from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday through at least May 6.

BMC and Medical Arts Complex parking areas remain open and detours may be in place at certain times. The city will provide additional updates on changes to traffic patterns in the area as construction progresses.

The project has been a few years in the making, with a public hearing dating back to 2021. It aims to increase safety for all modes of transportation and improve intersection operation.

It consists of intersection widening and signalization improvements at First and Tyler streets, the conversion of North Street between Tyler and Stoddard Avenue to serve one-way southbound traffic only, intersection improvements at Charles Street and North Street, intersection improvements at Springside Avenue and North Street, and the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of First Street, North Street, Stoddard Avenue, and the Berkshire Medical Center entrance.

Work also includes the construction of 5-foot bike lanes and 5-foot sidewalks with ADA-compliant curb ramps.  

Last year, the City Council approved multiple orders for the state project: five orders of takings for intersection and signal improvements at First Street and North Street. 

The total amount identified for permanent and temporary takings is $397,200, with $200,000 allocated by the council and the additional monies coming from carryover Chapter 90 funding. The state Transportation Improvement Plan is paying for the project and the city is responsible for 20 percent of the design cost and rights-of-way takings.

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