MassDOT Launches Billboard Design Contest

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BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is launching a statewide billboard design contest to support the American Traffic Safety Services Association's (ATSSA) National Work Zone Awareness Week.  
 
The contest is open to all students who are currently enrolled in colleges and universities in Massachusetts.  
 
Applicants are asked to create and submit proposed billboard Public Service Announcements (PSA's) to encourage drivers to obey the rules of the road and exercise caution when travelling through work zones where crews are involved in active construction and maintenance projects.
 
"We hope this contest will raise awareness about steps drivers are required to take when they approach and travel through work zones on the highway," said Transportation Secretary and CEO Gina Fiandaca.  "Injuries and deaths on our roads are preventable if drivers obey traffic laws, including laws around moving over for road crews and traveling at lower speeds in work zones.  We want everyone traveling and everyone working on our highways to get home safe at the end of the day and that means drivers must obey speeds for work zones, must driver sober and hands free and should wear seat belts at all times."
 
National Work Zone Awareness Week is an annual event which brings attention to work zone safety and the theme for this year is, "You play a role in work zone safety. Work with us." Entries from college students for the MassDOT billboard contest must be submitted by 5:00 p.m., Friday, April 21. The winning designs will be selected based on creativity, impact, and relevance to this year's identified theme.
 
"Work zone safety awareness is an important message for MassDOT. Every year work zone safety crashes lead to unnecessary deaths on our roadways as well as traffic and project delays." said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. "We are excited to see the creative content and informational PSA's which will be submitted to help us communicate work zone safety on Massachusetts' roadways"
 
The top 3 designs will be displayed on a series of digital billboards along highways in Massachusetts throughout the 2023 construction season.
  • The submission selected for first place will be displayed on billboards for approximately three months.
  • The submission selected for second place will be displayed on billboards for approximately two months.
  • The submission selected for third place will be displayed on billboards for approximately one month.
The winning entries will be selected by a panel comprised of MassDOT senior managers. Entries will be judged on their visual appeal, adherence to the theme, quality of design, and ease of reproduction.   The winners will be notified via email and announced during the 2023 MassDOT Transportation Innovation Conference which is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, May 2, and on Wednesday, May 3.  In addition, entries will be posted on the Mass.gov website and communicated through MassDOT social media accounts.
 
For information on MassDOT's billboard design contest for National Work Zone Safety Week, including contest rules and requirements, eligibility, and submission guidelines, please visit: mass.gov/work-zone-billboard-contest-2023
 

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Pittsfield Council Preview: Councilor Privacy & Halting Berkshire Gas Work Permits

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Tuesday, the City Council will see requests to protect their own safety when it comes to sensitive information, and to deny work permits from Berkshire Gas due to "substandard" conditions. 

A request to remove councilors' addresses from city documents and websites and replace them with "70 Allen Street" to improve safety will be referred to the Ordinances and Rules subcommittee. Councilors' addresses, city email, and phone numbers are currently available on Pittsfield's staff directory page. 

The petition was submitted by Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren, Ward 2 Councilor Cameron Cunningham, Ward 4 Councilor James Conant, and Ward 7 Councilor Katherine Moody. 

The councilors explain in the meeting packet that they want elected officials to have the option to replace their home addresses on all city documents and websites, including Pittsfield Community Television, with the City Hall address. 

Recently, the City Council approved Ward 6 Councilor Dina Lampiasi's request to amend City Council Rule 1C. Rule 1C requires individuals to disclose their name, address, and the subject they wish to address the council about on a sheet before the open microphone portion of meetings.

Lampiasi asked to only require a person's name and municipality. 

"I don't think that submitting a street address is really appropriate," she explained to the O&R subcommittee earlier this month. 

"It feels invasive, and there are some safety concerns for folks." 

President Earl Persip III wants Berkshire Gas to correct safety and access issues before Pittsfield allows them to do additional work on city property. 

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