Pittsfield Announces Concurrent Street Improvement and Water Flushing Schedules

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PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The City of Pittsfield has announced concurrent infrastructure projects scheduled for the week of May 12 to May 16.

Street improvements will take place on the following streets from May 12 to May 16: raising structures on Daniels Avenue and Newell Street; and loam and seed application on Ridge Avenue, Orlando Avenue, Backman Avenue, and Jason Street. Additionally, curbing installation is scheduled for Newell Street on May 12 and 13.

Separately, a Massachusetts Department of Transportation project will involve milling North Street from the Lanesborough Town Line to the Berkshire Medical Center entrance, with structure raising also occurring on North Street.

During these street improvement activities, on-street parking will be prohibited on the affected streets between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.

The City of Pittsfield’s water system will also undergo its final phase of spring flushing from Monday, May 12, to Friday, May 16, between 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Water mains citywide will be flushed through hydrants. Areas anticipated to be affected by the flushing include Cascade and Churchill streets, and West Street from Fort Hill Avenue westward, encompassing Meadow Ridge Drive, Lillybrook Road, and Westbrook Terrace.

The city advises that water flushing may cause temporary localized discolored water and reduced water pressure. Residents experiencing these issues should run their water briefly to clear it. Persistent discolored water or low pressure should be reported to the Water Department at (413) 499-9339.

The city reminds residents that the water flushing is a standard procedure for maintaining water quality. Motorists are asked to use caution on roads where street improvements are underway. Both schedules are subject to change based on weather conditions. Updates are available on the City Hall- City of Pittsfield Facebook page, Mayor Peter Marchetti’s Facebook page, and the Pittsfield Mayor’s Office Instagram account.

 

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Pittsfield ConCom OKs Stairs at Pontoosuc Lake

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— Shoreline access stairs are coming to the south side of Pontoosuc Lake. 

Last week, the Conservation Commission approved an amendment to the Order of Conditions for work at Pontoosuc Lake Park.  There will be two stair sets on the south shoreline, and additional bank stabilization. 

In 2025, the park's south side saw new stairs from the parking lot, a boardwalk, and other improvements.  Later phases of the project will enhance the north side of the park for swimming, and remedy a concrete barrier wall that is partially underwater. 

"Generally, what we're looking to do at Pontoosuc Lake Park is install some stair sets in two locations to help folks access from up above the bank, over the bank, and into the water," Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Manager James McGrath explained during the July 23 meeting. 

"We're sensitive to some of the issues that are currently existing on the bank, and we're also sensitive to some of the needs for lake recreation out there."

Stairs for water access will be placed on the shoreline at the beginning of the boardwalk, where it is highly eroded, and the second staircase will be at the extreme western end of the project area, which has around 100 feet of highly eroded bank. 

Additional brush layering will also stabilize the bank. 

An area near the boat ramp where live stakes were vandalized will see them replanted after the ConCom found some of the bank erosion was worse than believed on a site visit last year. 

The city originally proposed not replanting the area where live stakes were removed. 

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