Pontoosuc Ave. Bridge Project Meeting Set

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The state Department of Transportation will hold a virtual information meeting on the proposed replacement of the Pontoosuc Avenue bridge.
 
The new 65-foot span over the West Branch of the Housatonic River near the intersection with Wahconah Street will include complete bridge reconstruction and Americans with Disabilities Act compliant upgrades to the pedestrian facilities. The total length of the project along the roadway is approximately 455 linear feet and will include the addition of a 5-foot shoulder bike lane, reconstruction of the sidewalk and new pavement markings and signage.
 
This project is planned to be funded through the 2026 Transportation Improvement Program for the Berkshire Metropolitan Planning Organization at an estimated cost of $7.7 million. 
 
Construction is expected to begin in fall 2026. 
 
The bridge will be closed to all modes of transportation during construction. There is no potential for a temporary vehicular or pedestrian bridge given the site characteristics and adjacent properties. Vehicle and pedestrian detours are required to provide adequate accessibility accommodation.
 
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 at the hearing.
 
Reasonable accommodations and/or language assistance is free of charge upon request (e.g interpreters in American Sign Language and languages other than English, live captioning, videos, assistive listening devices and alternate material formats), as available. 
 
For accommodation or language assistance, the chief diversity and civil rights officer at 1-857-368-8580, TTD/TTY at 1-857-266-0603, fax 1-857-368-0602 or at MassDOT.CivilRights@dot.state.ma.us. Requests should be made as soon as possible and prior to the meeting, and for more difficult to arrange services including sign-language, CART or language translation or interpretation, requests should be made at least 10 business days before the meeting.
 
More information here

Tags: bridge project,   information session,   MassDOT,   

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Pittsfield School Building Committee OKs PHS Statement of Interest

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield High, the city's oldest school, will be the subject of the next funding request to the Massachusetts School Building Authority.

During a special meeting on Monday, the School Building Needs Commission voted to move forward with a statement of interest. The City Council on Tuesday night unanimously approved submitting a PHS statement of interest.

Mayor Peter Marchetti said that if they don't get in the queue, they could be talking an eight-year wait rather than a four-year wait. The deadline for submission is April 17. 

"To underscore the discussion today, which would be one of many by multiple bodies, any action taken today by us is not a funding commitment, is not a project commitment. It's a concept commitment," Finance Director Matthew Kerwood said. 

Focus areas include the renovation and modernization of the heating system and the replacement or addition to obsolete buildings for educational offerings. 

The school was built in 1931 and is about 163,600 square feet. It was renovated in 1975 to add nearly 40,000 square feet, including the theater and gym, the Moynihan Field House. 

Vocational spaces have been added and upgraded over the years, and laboratories have been improved, along with periodic updates to building elements. Security systems were modernized, and a couple of years ago, the school's three inefficient, original-to-the-building boilers were replaced

"It's a 95-year-old school, and there are things that are going to come up with a 95-year-old school," Commissioner Brendan Sheran said while giving a presentation. 

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