Public Hearing Set on Pittsfield's Pontoosuc Bridge Project

03:15PM / Sunday, July 06, 2025Print Story | Email Story

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 Committee Recommends Scanlon for City Audit

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
04:30AM / Thursday, August 06, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— After the bid for a new auditing company came back over 30 percent higher, Pittsfield will stick with Scanlon and Associates.

On Tuesday, the Auditing Services Evaluation Committee voted to advance Scanlon to the City Council for an independent audit. CliftonLarsonAllen also responded to the bid, but came in costing $120,000 more.

"I have to go with saving money for the city. I mean, the discrepancy is too much of a difference," committee member Karen Kalinowsky said.

"The city could have use for that difference over the next three years."

This process was prompted by Rule 40 of the council rules and the City Charter, where in any year the City Council votes to hold a procurement process for an independent certified public accountant or firm to audit Pittsfield's books and accounts, the city must, through its Finance Committee with the assistance of the purchasing department, solicit requests for proposals or invitations for bids before June 1.

The council in March recommended that the purchasing agent draft a request for proposals and put it out to bid.

Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren, who has been vocally in favor of the independent audit for years, said the city doesn't have to follow a bidding process for the professional service, "We are doing this so the public knows that we're being professional, and a looking for other options, looking at what the best options are, and comparing them based on what they can offer and what the cost is."

Board member Kathy Amuso said both CLA and Scanlon have equitable reviews with high recommendations. Especially considering the budget crisis Pittsfield is in, she moved to recommend Scanlon to the full council.

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