$15 Million Eyed For Berkshires In State Senate Bond Bill

The crumbling Brown Street Bridge in North Adams is set to get $1.5 million should the transportation bond make it through the House and governor intact.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The state Senate passed a transportation bill Thursday which sends $15 million to the Berkshires to improve roads, bridges and a parking garage.

The bill includes $6 million for the replacement of the parking garage between Columbus Avenue and Summer Street; $5 million for reconstruction of the Hubbard Avenue railroad overpass; $1.75 million for Thiel Road in Adams; $1.5 million for the Brown Street Bridge in North Adams and $750,000 for repairs to the bridge over the Housatonic River on Route 7 in Great Barrington.

"These important funds show our commitment to transportation across the state," said state Sen. Benjamin Downing in a prepared statement. "Transportation investment will not only keep our roads and bridges safe and reliable, but will also create jobs and promote economic development."

The bill also includes an amendment, co-sponsored by Downing, that releases up to $50 million to pay snow plow contractors for services rendered this winter. That funding was tied into a supplement budget not yet approved.

•     $1.9 billion for interstate/non-interstate federal highways, which is approximately 80 percent federally reimbursable;
•     $2.2 billion for non-federally aided roads and bridges;
•     $125 million for the Department of Conservation and Recreation for repairs, improvements, construction of parkways and related equipment;
•     $350 million for transportation facilities and rolling stock for improvements to facilities, urban development plans and the purchase and rehabilitation of rolling stock;
•     $24 million for the mobility assistance program and regional intercity bus and intermodal services;
•     $80 million for the statewide rail access program;
•     $2.5 billion for heavy and light rail and bus projects to fund state of good repair projects, including on the Red, Orange and Green line cars;
•     $55 million for the airport improvement program to allow for paving runways and upgrades;
•     $63 million for Registry of Motor Vehicles modernization;
•     $1.3 billion for Green Line extension projects;
•     $175 million for Springfield-Worcester, Boston-Cape Cod and Pittsfield-NYC rail projects;
•     $30 million for service improvements to the Knowledge Corridor Rail Line; and,
•     $146.5 million for information technology at the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.

Lt. Governor Driscoll Visits Great Barrington Businesses

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:50AM / Wednesday, December 24, 2025

Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, Housing Secretary Ed Augustus and state Rep. Leigh Davis are ready to chop wood out back of Pleasant and Main. 

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll did some holiday shopping on Main Street last week after announcing millions of federal Community Development Block Grant funds. 

She was glad to see an array of small-business owners thriving, and the eclectic items that Great Barrington has to offer. 

"We know that the vibrancy of communities can often be defined by what's happening on Main Street," she said. 

"It's great to be here in Great Barrington and see so many independent entrepreneurs who are running really, not only fun, but businesses that are doing well, and we want to try and find ways to uplift and support that work moving forward." 

State Rep. Leigh Davis coordinated a business tour with Pleasant and Main Cafe and General Store, Robbie's Community Market, and Butternut Ski Mountain. While downtown, Driscoll also stopped at Coco's Candy and Rob's Records and Audio. 

Earlier that day, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced $33.5 million in federal CDBG funds at the Housatonic Community Center. Great Barrington, in conjunction with Egremont and Stockbridge, has been allocated $ 1.25 million to rehabilitate approximately 14 housing units.  A new Rural and Small Town Housing Choice Community designation for its Housing Choice Initiative was also launched. 

Davis emphasized the significance of the state announcing these dollars in the small village of Housatonic.  

Craig Bero, founder of Pleasant and Main, prepared desserts and hors d'oeuvres for the group at his cozy cafe across the street from the Housatonic Community Center. Bero opened more than a decade ago after migrating from New York City, and Pleasant and Main offers sustainable, organic meals for an affordable price while enjoying the museum of antiques that is the restaurant.