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The Airport Commission was updated about the progress of multiple ongoing improvement projects.

North Adams Hangar Project To Be Extended

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Shamrock Hangar renovation project, although moving along, will be completed later than expected.
 
Peter Enzien of Stantec, the engineering firm overseeing the airport improvement projects, told the Airport Commission Tuesday that instead of completing the Shamrock Hangar by December 4, as agreed upon, the project will be pushed out towards the end of the month.
 
"They are hoping by the end of this week to have the windows in and do some of the electrical work," Enzien said.
 
"The ultimate goal here is to get the space wrapped up by Christmas to a point where there may be a few miscellaneous things that need to be addressed but the space is mostly complete."
 
The city purchased the hangar this summer and through Non-Primary Entitlement Funds from the Federal Aviation Authority, the city is renovating the space.
 
Enzien said the project is being held up by materials that have not yet arrived such as the windows. He said much of the plumbing is complete and the interior walls have been framed.
 
Enzien said while removing old sheetrock, they found that a portion of the lower wall was rotting but they were able to correct the issue.
 
"The bottom portion of the wall was rotted right out about 8 inches from the floor so water coming in from the outside over the years had caused a lot of the wood to rot," he said. 
 
Enzien said although the hangar is anticipated to be largely complete by Christmas, the hangar door installation will likely be complete sometime in the early new year because the contractor must work in tandem with the door manufacturers. 
 
Chairman Jeff Naughton asked that the contractor submit an official request for an extension.
 
Enzien said not much work has been done on the administrative building project, which is also planned to be renovated, however, the gate improvements are mostly complete.
 
Enzien said gate eight and gate ten have been motorized and although both gates seem to be functioning, there is a slight issue with the remote-control operation of gate ten. The remote should be able to operate within a 500-foot radius of the gate.
 
"They don’t know if it is the plantings that are causing a line of sight issue, but I spoke with Berkshire Fence and they are looking at other options," he said. "Hopefully in the next week or so we will have a solution and then we can close out the project." 

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Brown Street Bridge Reopens in North Adams

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff

Mayor Jennifer Macksey is the first to drive across the bridge, closed since early 2023.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Mayor Jennifer Macksey led a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, Dec. 15, marking the official reopening of the Brown Street Bridge.
 
"We are very excited despite the cold weather," Macksey said before the ribbon-cutting. "… We are chipping away at these projects, but this is long overdue."
 
The bridge had been closed to all vehicle traffic since March 2023 after being deemed structurally deficient by the state Department of Transportation (MassDOT). The 26-foot steel structure, built in 1952, was flagged after its superstructure rating fell to 3.
 
The reopening follows a temporary repair project designed to safely restore access while the city and state determine a long-term plan. The temporary repair contract was awarded to J.H. Maxymillian at a cost of $349,920.
 
Funding for the project included $75,000 from state Chapter 90 road funds, with the balance was covered by state flood money the city had been previously awarded following a severe storm in July several years ago.
 
The mayor emphasized the critical need to reopen the span, particularly for public safety. 
 
"The perception behind that was we have flooding on West Main Street and River Street, we have to use this bridge," she said. "We are very excited to have it open. Not only to alleviate traffic problems down at the intersection of Big Y and the intersection of City Hall, but to help our friends at emergency management with the ambulance."
 
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