BRTA Granted $670K For Buses And Roof

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
05:03PM / Tuesday, October 02, 2012Print Story | Email Story

The BRTA is receiving $670,000 in federal funds for new vans and building maintenance.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority received more than a half-million dollars four new vehicles and to put a new roof over its head.

Gov. Deval Patrick and the state Department of Transportation announced a federal earmark of $13.2 million to 10 of the state's regional transit authorities on Tuesday, with $670,000 of that going to the Berkshires.

The money comes from three years of unused federal transportation funds and will provide the Berkshire authority with four new 14-passenger vans with fare boxes — at a cost of $420,000 — and a $250,000 roof and fencing for its 34-year-old maintenance facility in the Downing Parkway.

"The Obama administration has made a smart decision to put unspent dollars into necessary projects that create jobs," Patrick said in a prepared statement. "These projects reflect our commitment to improve public transportation for residents across the commonwealth."

The funds are part of the federal "We Can't Wait" initiative allowing states to reuse unused federal earmarks from 2003 to 2006 for highway and transit projects. The state Department of Transportation chose the "shovel-ready" projects for funding.

"Regional Transit Authorities provide a critical service to residents of every region of the commonwealth who depend on transit to get to work and school," said MassDOT Secretary Richard Davey. "MassDOT is pleased to partner with the RTAs in moving these projects forward."

Eleven projects in the state's 28 RTAs were funded. The projects are fully funded by the federal government and does not require state or local matches.

Tags: Berkshire Regional Transportation Authority, federal grants, transportation,

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Taconic High Closed Wednesday for Cleanup

07:16PM / Tuesday, February 10, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A sewer backup forced the closure of Taconic High School on Tuesday afternoon and canceled all afternoon activities and classes on Wednesday.

According to a message sent to the school community by Principal Matthew Bishop, plumbers working at the school removed a drain cap at about 1:50 p.m., which allowed sewage to spill into the Career Technical Education hallway.

Students were taken to the gym and auditorium, and then released from the building at about 2:25 p.m., a few minutes earlier than normal. The girls basketball team did meet at the school to take the bus to the game at Putnam Vocational in Springfield.

Bishop had messaged that crews were being coordinated to clean the building and reopen it on Wednesday but by early evening that was found to not be possible.

Classes were canceled Wednesday, he wrote, "to allow for the sewer drain issue in the building to be fully resolved.

"Professional sanitation and cleaning teams are on site in cooperation with city maintenance officials, to ensure our building is thoroughly cleaned before students and staff return."

The school community will be updated if there are any changes.

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