MassDOT Project Will Affect Traffic Near BMC By Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
02:56PM / Monday, March 18, 2024 | |
 Equipment is being staged outside the Berkshire Medical Center entrance for the construction of a roundabout. Traffic delays and detours will occur over the next six to seven weeks. |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Prepare for traffic impacts around Berkshire Medical Center through May for a state Department of Transportation project to improve situations and intersections on North Street and First Street.
Because of this, traffic will be reduced to one lane of travel on First Street (U.S. Route 7) and North Street between Burbank Street and Abbott Street from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday through at least May 6.
BMC and Medical Arts Complex parking areas remain open and detours may be in place at certain times. The city will provide additional updates on changes to traffic patterns in the area as construction progresses.
The project has been a few years in the making, with a public hearing dating back to 2021. It aims to increase safety for all modes of transportation and improve intersection operation.
It consists of intersection widening and signalization improvements at First and Tyler streets, the conversion of North Street between Tyler and Stoddard Avenue to serve one-way southbound traffic only, intersection improvements at Charles Street and North Street, intersection improvements at Springside Avenue and North Street, and the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of First Street, North Street, Stoddard Avenue, and the Berkshire Medical Center entrance.
Work also includes the construction of 5-foot bike lanes and 5-foot sidewalks with ADA-compliant curb ramps.
Last year, the City Council approved multiple orders for the state project: five orders of takings for intersection and signal improvements at First Street and North Street.
The total amount identified for permanent and temporary takings is $397,200, with $200,000 allocated by the council and the additional monies coming from carryover Chapter 90 funding. The state Transportation Improvement Plan is paying for the project and the city is responsible for 20 percent of the design cost and rights-of-way takings.
MassDOT estimated last year that the project contract would cost around $9 million.
Also last year, nearly 100 residents rallied against the traffic-calming measure with a citizens' petition that reads "To the City Council of Pittsfield: No more roundabouts."
MassDOT defines roundabouts as being safer than a traditional traffic signal or all-way stop-controlled intersections because they have fewer conflict points between turning vehicles, through traffic, and people crossing.
The agency says tight roundabout circles and curbed median islands promote slower driving speeds that give drivers more time to react to people in crosswalks or other vehicles and that slower vehicle speeds also result in less severe crashes if they do occur.
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