Berkshire Line Railroad Track Improvement Project Phase II

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) announced that the second phase of the track improvement operations for the Berkshire Line Railroad has begun in Great Barrington and Stockbridge. 
 
The work, which began on Monday, Sept. 21, will be conducted along the railroad right of way and consists of installing new stone ballast, replacing jointed rail with new continuously welded rail, replacing turnout switches, and reconstructing private crossings. 
 
The project also includes replacing the railroad bridge near Park Street north in Housatonic, reconstructing private railroad crossings in the area near Van Deusenville Road and North Plain Road in Great Barrington, and rebuilding the Furnace Road grade crossing in Stockbridge.  
 
The work will require local roadway detours which will be coordinated with police and fire departments.
 
Construction will continue through the fall until the winter shutdown. The project is anticipated to be completed in Summer 2021.
 

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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
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