The first phase of the $2.4 million stormwater project has been completed under Ashton Avenue, which reopened to traffic on Monday.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — There's some good news for residents in the west end of the city: Ashton Avenue has reopened as of Monday.
There's also bad news: Massachusetts Avenue is now closed to through traffic from Ashton Avenue to Protection Avenue for at least the next three months.
The city is using a $2.4 million MassWorks grant to fix infrastructure issues that have slowed attempts to redevelop the Blackinton Mill.
A 5-foot diameter stormwater pipe is being installed between Ashton Avenue and Wood Street to address stormwater issues. The 1-foot to 2-foot drainage pipes under Wood and Ashton are undersized to handle the amount of water coming off the mountain to the north.
The waterway under the Blackinton mill and the culverts on Ashton Avenue had become clogged with sediment and debris, causing flooding.
The plan is to replace the existing pipes with a 60-inch pipe down Wood Street and then mostly along the same track, until it crosses under Massachusetts Avenue to the south before the intersection with Ashton to avoid a 24-inch water line.
A box culvert was installed below Ashton Avenue, which has been closed since early spring to allow for construction.
Eastbound traffic on Mass Ave will be routed over Ashton to Route 2 and westbound traffic over Protection to Route 2. The city sent out Code Red over the weekend and on Monday morning to alert motorists.
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Weekend Outlook: Mount Greylock, Shakespeare Day
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
Check out the events happening this weekend including birding, theater, and more to welcome the warmer weather.
Mount Greylock Summit Opening Day
Mount Greylock, Adams
Welcome the warm weather on the state's highest peak. Bascom Lodge opens Saturday at 10 a.m. A live raptor demonstration is at noon on Saturday; beekeeping presentation from 11 to 2 and presentation on the Greylock Glen at 5:30 on Sunday.
The War Memorial will also be open. Tours and a presentation on the "Tower of Remembrance" will be held on Sunday and Monday at 1 and 2 p.m. Meet at the bronze map.
Shakespeare & Company Community Day
70 Kemble St., Lenox
Time: Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The event features live demonstrations and performances, scavenger hunts, film screenings, food trucks, and dozens of other local nonprofits sharing the ways they serve the Berkshires — and beyond.
Radical Reptile Series
Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield
Time: 10:30 to 11:45 a.m.
Second of a three-part series on reptiles and amphibians introduced by The Reptile Nook. This Saturday will focus on the world of lizards, and next Saturday on snakes.
The 39th annual arts and crafts festival with more than 100 vendors. Free and family friendly with live performances, food trucks and local restaurant and downtown business specials. Held on Main and School streets.
Introduction to Bird Watching
Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Lenox
Time: 9 to 11 a.m.
Interested in learning about the birds and trying to catch a glimpse of all the different types? Join Mass Audubon and practice birding. Bring your own binoculars, some loaners available.
The market is open every Saturday. Every week, locally grown food, flowers, and plants will be available, along with other local vendors. The market accepts and offers doubling SNAP, HIP, WIC, and Senior market coupons. More information is here.
Lee Farmers Market
The Town Park
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The market offers locally grown produce, prepared foods, locally created arts and crafts, and herbal products. YogaLee offers free community yoga from 9:30 to 10:30 on the first Saturday of each month.
The market accepts SNAP, HIP, Senior Coupons, and WIC Coupons and also offers Market Match. More information here.
Lenox Farmers Market
St. Ann's Church
Fridays: 11 to 3.
This market is open every Friday through Sept. 12 and features fresh produce, pastries, cheeses, and more.
Brooke Harrington scored four goals, and Abigail Rodhouse had a hat trick as Wahconah won its second straight Western Mass title and the rubber match against the Mounties in the third one-goal game between the teams this spring. click for more
The graduates of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts' 127th commencement were sent off with the charge of "don't stop now" to make the world a better place.
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