NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The state Department of Transportation will hold a virtual public hearing on the Brayton Elementary School Improvements project on Tuesday, Aug. 3, at 7 p.m.

 

The $622,000 project is part of MassDOT's Safe Routes to School initiative and is being funded through the Transportation Improvement Program.

 

It will include revamping the steep entrance on the west side of Brayton School and the YMCA and adding in sidewalks and other improvements. 

 

About 1,500 linear feet of sidewalk will be installed along Brayton Hill Terrace and Brickyard Court to create safer infrastructure for children walking from the neighborhood to Brayton School. Children on the west side of the school have been cutting over private property, crossing at the steep driveway entrance to the YMCA and walking through the parking lot. 

 

The entrance to the parking lot will be shifted south to reduce the slope and improve visibility and crosswalks will be put in from the new sidewalks to keep pedestrians away from traffic. Flashing devices will be installed at the new entrance and at the main entrance off Brayton Hill Terrace and bicycle lanes will be added. The new improvements will to tie into the revamp of the park at the bottom of the hill. 

 

A secure right-of-way is necessary for this project. Acquisitions in fee and permanent or temporary easements may be required. The city is responsible for acquiring all needed rights in private or public lands. MassDOT's policy concerning land acquisitions will be presented in the hearing.

 

All views and comments submitted in response to the hearing will be reviewed and considered to the maximum extent possible.

 

For accommodations for the hearing impaired or language assistance, contact MassDOT at 857-368-8580, TTD/TTY at 857-266-0603, fax 857-368-0602 or MassDOT.CivilRights@dot.state.ma.us. Requests should be made as soon as possible prior to the meeting and at least 10 business days before the hearing.

 

This public hearing or a cancellation announcement will be hosted at www.mass.gov/massdot-highway-design-public-hearings.