Curling Added to Bay State Winter Games

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WOBURN, Mass. –The Bay State Games has added curling to its 2018 winter program.
 
Curling has gained popularity since the sport was reestablished consistently in the Olympic Games in 1998, after being first debuted in the 1924 Olympics.
 
As an exhibition sport in 2018, the Bay State Winter Games competition will be comprised of eight teams from curling clubs across Massachusetts. When curling is incorporated into the regular Bay State Winter Games’ program in the 2019 games, the competition will be opened up to the general public as well as clubs from the Northeastern United States.
 
“We are extremely excited to add curling to the 2018 games,” said Pete Leclerc, the organization’s director of sport and operations. “There are over 1,000 registered curlers in Massachusetts and over 20,000 in the United States. We wanted to provide an opportunity for them to showcase curling along with the well established Bay State Winter sports. I can’t wait to see it this year and then open curling up to the general public to compete in the 2019 games.”
 
The Curling competition will take place on Saturday, Feb. 24, at the Boys & Girls Club in Pittsfield. Spectators are encouraged to come, enjoy the competition, and learn more about curling.
 
For more information regarding the Bay State Winter Games including full schedule of events, how to become a volunteer, and to register, visit www.baystategames.org/winter, or call the Bay State Games’ office at (781) 932-6555.
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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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