SPRINGFIELD- The Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has released the Draft 2016-2019 Transportation Improvement Program for the Pioneer Valley for public comment.
Several Westfield projects are included in the draft, which serves as the region’s planning tool for programming federal and state transportation aid. Little River Road, two additional phases of the Columbia Greenway project, and two phases of Western Avenue improvements have been earmarked for assistance in the coming federal fiscal years (FFY).
First, Little River Road will be reconstructed at a cost of $5.3 million in FFY 2016. This project extends from Route 20 to the bridge and will include intersection upgrades at Shaker Road. This project is the second phase of Route 187 construction in Westfield. Work is currently ongoing on Feeding Hills Road but will be complete prior to commencement of the next phase.
Also in FFY 2016, the MPO has programmed $2.6 million for the construction of the northernmost portion of the Columbia Greenway, from Cowles Court over the Westfield River to its terminus on the north bank of the Westfield River. In FFY 2017, the central section of the Columbia Greenway will be constructed, thanks to $6.5 million in state and federal assistance.
“These projects have been in the queue for well over a decade and the City made an important commitment to spend money to design these projects early in my first term as Mayor,” Mayor Daniel M. Knapik said. “I am very pleased the MPO has programmed state and federal dollars to complete these projects,” he added.
Finally, also in FFY 2017, the first phase of the reconstruction of Western Avenue will begin, with a $2.7 million federal and state investment. The first phase includes sidewalk reconstruction, installation of stormwater drainage, and reconstruction and some widening of the road surface from Llewellyn Drive to Lloyds Hill. An additional $5.7 million, programmed for FFY 2019 will extend the Western Avenue reconstruction to the intersection with Court Street and High Street.
“All of these projects have been subject to extensive public review and engineers have adjusted the design to accommodate public comment,” Knapik said. “Certainly, these projects will be subject to additional review, but I am pleased that funding is in place to make these improvements as we work to address structural and functional deficiencies.”
The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission is accepting public comment on the draft Transportation Improvement Plan until June 22, 2015.
