PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The state Department of Transportation prioritizes safety when determining which road projects it undertakes.
And that starts by knowing where the most dangerous intersections are located. MassDOT and Berkshire Regional Planning Commission track accidents and create a list of trouble spots.
The ratings use a weighted system. If there is a fatality at an intersection, it is given a score of 10. If the accident causes a non-fatal injury, the intersection receives five points. An accident that only causes property damage receives one point. Over a three-year period, those scores then start to show specific areas that tend to see more and more serious accidents.
Simply put, the higher the score, the higher the number and severity of accidents at that location.
There are projects in the works to ease trouble at many of these. But from 2013 through 2015, the latest data released, here are the top-scoring intersections in the city of Pittsfield.
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The corner of Springside and North Street should have been added to this list. There is an accident there all the time people have even died there.
DALTON, Mass. — Solutions are being sought for the lift in Town Hall that has been out of service since December because of safety concerns.
Building Grounds Superintendent Jeff Burch told the Americans with Disabilities Act Committee meeting on Tuesday night that Hill Engineering has been contracted to come up with a potential option.
The lift is in the police station and the only other lift for the town hall is in the library, which is not accessible after library hours.
Previous attempts by Garaventa Lift to repair it have been unsuccessful.
Replacing it in the same location is not an option because the new weight limit requirement went from 400 pounds to 650 pounds. Determining whether the current railings can hold 650 pounds is outside the scope of Garaventa's services to the town.
The first option Hill has proposed is to install a vertical lift in a storage closet to the left of the police entrance, which would go up into the town account's office.
A member of the committee expressed concern that the current office location may not be suitable as it could hinder access to the police station during construction.
Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.
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Between disagreements about site design and a formal funding process not yet established, more time is needed before a decision can be made.
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The Ordinances and Rules subcommittee on Monday unanimously supported a pay raise for election workers, free downtown parking for veterans, and safeguards to better protect wetlands.
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A parking study of North Street will be presented at Tuesday's City Council meeting. The design maintains parallel parking while expanding pedestrian zones and adding protected bike lanes. click for more