New Peck's Road Bridge Coming Soon

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new Peck's Road bridge will be installed in February after six months of closure.

On Wednesday, the city reported that progress is "well underway," with the bridge structure expected for delivery in early February and installation in the following 2-5 weeks.

"Several unexpected delays have occurred during this project due to the unplanned, sudden closure of the one lane crossing as required by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (DOT) due to observed structural failures. This necessitated significant changes to the project plans, specifications, and approach, transitioning from a phased, side-by-side installation to a single, complete bridge installation," the city wrote in a press release.

"Despite these challenges, progress is well underway. The bridge structure has been fabricated and is ready for delivery. DOT has approved shop drawings for installation, and utility companies are on track to complete their preparatory work this week."

The bridge was abruptly closed to traffic in July following a MassDOT inspection found six areas of deterioration. 

Work includes the demolition of the old bridge, which happened last fall, and reconstruction of the span over Onota Brook that had been reduced to one lane for five years. A detour takes travelers from Peck's Road to Onota Street, Vin Herbert Boulevard, and to Valentine Road.

• settlement in the wearing surface along the east curb, full length by 3 feet wide by up to 2-inches deep (This aligns with bay 17)
• buckling of beam 18 along with a gap between the deck and the beam forming up to 1/4 inch
• beam 17 bottom flange is distorted up to 1/4 inch full length
• beam 16 bottom flange is distorted 3/4 inch full length. (Beam has several holes in the flange and web)
• beam 14 has holes at the north end and the web is distorted 1 1/4 inch out of the plane
• beam 13 web is distorted 5/8 inch out of the plane

For more information, contact the Department of Public Services and Utilities at
dpw@cityofpittsfield.org or by calling 413-499-9330.

 

Dalton Board Signs Off on Land Sale Over Residents' Objections

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:50AM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Residents demanded the right to speak but the agenda did not include public comment. Amy Musante holds a sign saying the town now as '$20,000 less for a police station.'

DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board signed the sale on the last of what had been known as the Bardin property Monday even as a handful of residents demanded the right to speak against the action. 

 

The quitclaim deed transfers the nine acres to Thomas and Esther Balardini, who purchased the two other parcels in Dalton. They were the third-highest bidders at $31,500. Despite this, the board awarded them the land in an effort to keep the property intact.

 

"It's going to be an ongoing battle but one I think that has to be fought [because of] the disregard for the taxpayers," said Dicken Crane, the high bidder at $51,510.

 

"If it was personal I would let it go, but this affects everyone and backing down is not in my nature." 

 

Crane had appealed to the board to accept his bid during two previous meetings. He and others opposed to accepting the lower bid say it cost the town $20,000. After the meeting, Crane said he will be filing a lawsuit and has a citizen's petition for the next town meeting with over 100 signatures. 

 

Three members of the board — Chair Robert Bishop Jr., John Boyle, and Marc Strout — attended the 10-minute meeting. Members Anthony Pagliarulo and Daniel Esko previously expressed their disapproval of the sale to the Balardinis. 

 

Pagliarulo voted against the sale but did sign the purchase-and-sale agreement earlier this month. His reasoning was the explanation by the town attorney during an executive session that, unlike procurement, where the board is required to accept the lowest bid for services, it does have some discretion when it comes to accepting bids in this instance.