Adams Community Bank Supports Medical Shuttle Service

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ADAMS, Mass. — Adams Community Bank is partnering with several organizations to ensure that individuals from the Northern Berkshire County do not go without health care because of a lack of transportation.

With the bank's financial support, partners including the Adams, North Adams and Williamstown Councils on Aging, Berkshire Community Action Council, Elder Services of Berkshire County and BerkshireRides, will work together to augment the services offered by Berkshire Regional Transit Authority to provide transportation to and from non-emergency medical services that have moved to Pittsfield as a result of the closing of North Adams Regional Hospital.

BCAC will shuttle residents to Pittsfield on the following schedule and from the following locations:

To Pittsfield

9 a.m.  former Nassif's Pharmacy    
9:15 a.m. Walmart, near garden center
9:30 a.m. Big Y, Adams, near main entrance
10 a.m. Arrive at BMC, main entrance

To North Adams



1:15 p.m. Depart BMC, main entrance
1:45 p.m. Big Y Adams, near main entrance
2 p.m. Walmart, near garden center
2:15 p.m. former Nassif's Pharmacy

To North Adams, as needed
4:45 p.m. Depart BMC, main entrance
5:30 p.m. Nassif's Pharmacy

To reserve a space on the North Adams/Pittsfield shuttle, call BerkshireRides at 413-664-0300 at least two business days in advance. If you need a ride to connect with the shuttle, a Council on Aging vehicle can pick you up at home and bring you to the nearest shuttle location.

Adams Community Bank is an independent, community savings bank located in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts and headquartered in Adams and with seven branch locations in Adams; Cheshire; Lanesborough; Lee; North Adams and Williamstown.

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

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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