The Saga of Hadley Overpass: North Adams

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The monument stone read 2012, date completed of the Hadley Overpass. Now, it's 2014 and the work and problems go on and, we continue to be strapped with the inconvenience and taxpayer cost of this long drawn out and overdue project. Let me tell you of the most recent setback and continuing problems with the historic bridge.

Last week, I received a call from a concerned citizen who was looking for guidance in what he should do to investigate what he indicated were cracks in the curbing on both sides of the bridge. He was advised to call the mayor to discuss the concern. In the mean time, this writer took a look and saw what was the basis of the recent call. Every foot to two, hairline cracks appear on the curbing. Not only that but, the decking also show cracking. Speaking to a local engineer, he also voiced concern with the quality of the project and indicated that oversight of the project seemed to be quite lacking.

Now, despite all the years of waiting, frustration, and cracking of concrete, the unspeakable occurred recently when a bike rider got his wheel caught between the expansion gap in the bridge. He went flying and ended up with a broken shoulder.

Are corrections taking place? Yes, patches have been put over the cracks and the expansion joint has been fixed but the fact remains that we are getting less than expected. I believe that over the coming years that the concrete problem will re-emerge as hot and cold weather along with traffic will see deterioration of the concrete at the points of repair.



Next time you pass over the Hadley Bridge take a quick glance at the patching that has gone on with this expensive structure for which you and I are footing the bill. Then if you feel the way I do, give the mayor and or the state a call and express your concern. Seems like in hindsight, it would have been more expedient to have constructed a completely new structure.

Just a finishing note! If you remember that in Pittsfield they put up a solid concrete wall on the roadway blocking the view of Pontoosuc Lake. This drew the anger of many people which ultimately resulted in this new wall to be torn down and replaced with a railing structure so that the view was once again visible. Maybe we need to have our elected officials lead the way in seeing that the Hadley Overpass is a first rate and acceptable project.

Vincent Melito
North Adams

 


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Macksey Updates on Eagle Street Demo and Myriad City Projects

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

The back of Moderne Studio in late January. The mayor said the city had begun planning for its removal if the owner could not address the problems. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Moderne Studio building is coming down brick by brick on Eagle Street on the city's dime. 
 
Concerns over the failing structure's proximity to its neighbor — just a few feet — means the demolition underway is taking far longer than usual. It's also been delayed somewhat because of recent high winds and weather. 
 
The city had been making plans for the demolition a month ago because of the deterioration of the building, Mayor Jennifer Macksey told the City Council on Tuesday. The project was accelerated after the back of the 150-year-old structure collapsed on March 5
 
Initial estimates for demolition had been $190,000 to $210,000 and included asbestos removal. Those concerns have since been set aside after testing and the mayor believes that the demolition will be lower because it is not a hazardous site.
 
"We also had a lot of contractors who came to look at it for us to not want to touch it because of the proximity to the next building," she said. "Unfortunately time ran out on that property and we did have the building failure. 
 
"And it's an unfortunate situation. I think most of us who have lived here our whole lives and had our pictures taken there and remember being in the window so, you know, we were really hoping the building could be safe."
 
Macksey said the city had tried working with the owner, who could not find a contractor to demolish the building, "so we found one for him."
 
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