By Danielle Eaton
Staff Writer
Westfield High School’s Marching Band participates in the Westfield Day Parade during a past Big E fair. (WN File Photo)
WEST SPRINGFIELD – With the Big E opening Friday, the construction of the Morgan-Sullivan Bridge connecting Agawam and West Springfield is a concern for travelers.
The bridge, which is currently down to a single lane each way, is scheduled to be under construction until 2022 and is a popular route for fair-goers to get to the Big E. Both Agawam and West Springfield officials are taking steps to prepare to alleviate the inevitable traffic congestion.
Agawam Mayor William Sapelli said the two towns have been working closely with the Big E to make “traffic flow as best we can.” The Big E officials, who Sapelli said have been “incredibly cooperative,” met with town officials twice already and plan to meet again soon.
Sapelli said the West Springfield and Agawam police departments have also met to go over details and have even synced their radio frequencies for easier communication throughout the fair.
Other steps being taken to try to reduce traffic congestion are the use of additional signs, extra police details, and the Big E encouraging vendors to use different routes. However, Sapelli said the towns and Big E are going to have “to learn as we go along.”
He also encouraged people to avoid going through Agawam if possible. “Don’t go through Agawam because that bridge is a bottleneck, especially Connecticut traffic. It’s going to bring them to the bridge and the traffic is going to be backed up,” he said.
Sapelli said the best routes for people to take are I-91 or Route 5, crossing the Memorial Bridge, and then continuing down Memorial Avenue to the fairgrounds. West Springfield Mayor Will Reichelt, however, said people should avoid driving altogether if they can.
“My recommendation is once you get to the point of a quarter mile it’s faster to park and walk,” said Reichelt.
Reichelt suggested either parking on the Agawam side of the bridge, which Sapelli said now has sidewalks “back in place,” or parking at one of the homes offering parking in West Springfield before walking to the fairgrounds.
Additionally, Sapelli said there will be no construction taking place on the top of the bridge throughout the fair. The Big E has partnered with King Ward Buses to provide another transportation option. This year, for $5, Big E visitors will be able to take a weekend shuttle from both the Enfield Square Mall and Holyoke Mall to the fairgrounds.
The shuttle will run both Saturdays and Sundays, picking up from the mall every half hour from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and returning to the malls every half hour from 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Those taking the shuttle will be able to park for free at the malls.
Tickets for the Enfield shuttle can only be purchased with cash at the commuter lot; at the Holyoke Mall, shuttle tickets can be purchased at the White Lot.
MGM Springfield will provide shuttle service to and from the Big E daily from MGM Springfield via King Ward. People can park at the casino for free and take a free shuttle to The Big E.
Another transit option, available to those planning to travel by train, is a weekend shuttle from Union Station in Springfield. The shuttle runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and offers commuters a free ride to the Big E.
Although precautions are being taken, and taking public transportation is encouraged, Reichelt said he thinks traffic is inevitable.
“No matter what we do, no matter how many lanes you put there, there’ll always be traffic,” he said.
However, Reichelt added that he doesn’t think it will be “catastrophic,” but instead, “it’s just an inconvenience.” Reichelt noted that emergency service vehicles will be able to get through if needed.
