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The MassDOT grant will fund a number of parklets and traffic calming projects as well as creating bike lanes and outdoor pedestrian spaces.

Pittsfield Receives State Funds For Shared Streets And Spaces Projects

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city has received $238,826 for Shared Streets and Spaces projects from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to support 20 placemaking projects.
 
The city announced Tuesday that the state Department of Transportation approved and funded the its grant application for the Shared Streets and Spaces Program in the amount of $238,826.
 
The grant program was instituted in part to aid communities in developing areas for pedestrian access and outdoor economic activities, such as outdoor dining, during the novel coronavirus pandemic. However, applications were weighed on the potential and intent for making these improvements permanent.  
 
This program will support 20 placemaking projects in the downtown corridor designed to enhance mobility for pedestrians and bicyclists, integrate additional open and public spaces for community life, and improve navigation.
 
The grant program provides grants as small as $5,000 and as large as $300,000 for cities and towns to quickly implement or expand improvements to sidewalks, curbs, streets, on-street parking spaces and off-street parking lots in support of public health, safe mobility, and renewed commerce in their communities.
 
Projects are split into two categories: 
 
Enhanced Mobility Components: Projects that will enhance mobility by taking paved space typically used for car travel and altering it for more diverse use.
 
These projects include traffic calming measures, bicycle and pedestrian-friendly paths and improvements, parking changes, and traffic changes.
 
Placemaking Components: Projects that draw foot traffic by creating focal points throughout the downtown to create a more inviting outdoor experience.
 
The projects include the installation of various parklets and plazas throughout the downtown as well as interactive play streets. Projects also include gateway intersections and corridors that invite pedestrians to explore and continue their walk through the downtown. 
 
Projects vary in cost from $4,000 to just over $20,000
 
A full outlay on the projects can be found here but some highlights are protected bike lanes from Maplewood Avenue to Wahconah Street, a play street installation on Melville Street, and the North Street gateway enhanced corridor that will include shade structures, bike racks, public art, and seating.
 
Work is expected to begin now and continue through early October, adhering to the grant's required timeline. 
One of the projects would push parking away from the curb on the south side of Bank Row, opening it up for public and dining space. 

 

 


Tags: bike path,   construction,   

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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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