Public Hearing Set on Pittsfield's Pontoosuc Bridge Project

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The state Department of Transportation is holding a public hearing on the replacement of the Pontoosuc Avenue bridge. 
 
The in-person hearing will take place on Wednesday, July 9, at 6 p.m. in City Council Chambers. 
 
 Located next to the former Harry's Supermarket, the bridge extends over the West Branch of the Housatonic River and provides access from North Street to Wahconah Street.
 
The proposed recommendation is a full replacement founded on deep foundations with the existing substructure removed in its entirety. The proposed bridge and approach roadways will provide a minimum of 5-foot sidewalks.
 
The bridge will be closed to all modes of transportation during construction. A temporary pedestrian bridge and vehicle detour are required to provide adequate accessibility accommodations. 
 
The detour will use Briggs Avenue for through traffic between Wahconah Street and Pontoosuc Avenue.
 
The bridge has been in poor condition for a decade. The $9.8 million project will be funded through the 2026 Transportation Improvement Program for the Berkshire Metropolitan Planning Organization. Construction is expected to begin in fall 2026 and take a year.
 
More information can be found here.
 

Tags: bridge project,   MassDOT,   public hearing,   

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Pittsfield Affordable Housing Initiatives Shine Light, Hope

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

Housing Secretary Edward Augustus cuts the ribbon at The First on Thursday with housing officials and Mayor Peter Marchetti, state Sen. Paul Mark and state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The holidays are here and several community members are celebrating it with the opening of two affordable housing initiatives. 
 
"This is a day to celebrate," Hearthway CEO Eileen Peltier said during the ribbon-cutting on Thursday. 
 
The celebration was for nearly 40 supportive permanent housing units; nine at "The First" located within the Zion Lutheran Church, and 28 on West Housatonic Street. A ceremony was held in the new Housing Resource Center on First Street, which was funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. 
 
The apartments will be leased out by Hearthway, with ServiceNet as a partner. 
 
Prior to the ribbon-cutting, public officials and community resource personnel were able to tour the two new permanent supported housing projects — West Housatonic Apartments and The First Street Apartments and Housing Resource Center
 
The First Street location has nine studio apartments that are about 300 square feet and has a large community center. The West Housatonic Street location will have 28 studio units that range between 300 to 350 square feet. All units can be adapted to be ADA accessible. 
 
The West Housatonic location is still under construction with the hope to have it completed by the middle of January, said Chris Wilett, Hearthway development associate.
 
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