AGAWAM – Sam Di Santi, candidate for state representative, 3rd Hampden District, said he hopes to breathe new life into the Route 57 extension project.
“This is no longer a budget issue or an issue of ‘suburban sprawl’,” Di Santi, a newcomer to the political arena and resident of Agawam, said, “It is about the safety of our children and the safety of our citizens. This has been on the back burner for far too long. There is a need now more than ever to explore all possible ways to breathe new life into this project. Safety is paramount in this issue.”
“Right now, traffic in Agawam backs up on South Westfield Road where cars line up to turn left onto Southwick Road heading into Southwick.
“The congestion in such a refined space is a safety concern to our youngsters who attend Clifford M. Granger School and the Junior High School, as well as our citizens who drive and walk within this refined space,” said Di Santi.
Incumbent candidate Rep. Nicholas Boldyga said the extension is something he supports. However, it has taken a backseat, for now.
“The Route 57 extension project is a long-term goal,” said Boldyga. “Right now though, Senator (Michael) Knapik and I have been working on completing the short-term needs.”
Boldyga said this past year was an unusually productive one in Agawam, where he helped secure $825,000 for the city in road and bridge projects, which he said is the most the community has ever received. The funds were used for a bridge project, work at the Route 57 rotary, and last week it was announced that Main Street in Agawam, from the Connecticut line to West Springfield, will be repaved and five traffic lights will be replaced.
Boldyga said in addition to those projects, work to alleviate traffic and safety concerns at the Feeding Hills intersection of South Westfield and Southwick roads is underway.
“They are in the design phase to address that area, including widening the road to improve the whole intersection,” Boldyga said of the MassDOT project.
Di Santi believes continuing Phase II of the Route 57 project will open the corridor to Southwick in order to alleviate traffic jams, create jobs, and create an opportunity for new business.
“We need additional businesses to locate in Agawam and Southwick,” Di Santi stated. “There are endless possibilities of building ‘signature’ stores and outlets along the expansion of Route 57, benefiting both communities. With the easier commute to Hartford and Springfield, this completed extension will have a direct result in higher property values and lower property taxes in the Town of Southwick.”
Southwick Chief Administrative Officer Karl Stinehart said the extension is something previous boards of selectmen in Southwick and Agawam Mayor Richard Cohen have tried to keep on the front burner. He said there would certainly be benefits to Southwick if the highway was extended.
“It would be a quicker commute for our residents and it would provide easier access to our business corridor, so Southwick businesses would benefit, as well as residents,” said Stinehart.
Di Santi maintains that, “the outdated March 2007 Final Report” compiled by the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) is just that: outdated. He said there are many more concerns that should be addressed, including the traffic created on small residential streets from drivers trying to avoid the long lines of traffic in Feeding Hills to get to Southwick on Route 57.
Di Santi said commuters exiting the highway portion of Route 57 often turn left onto Pine Street, right onto Barry Street to Rising Corner Road to South Longyard Road and either continue onto Depot Street or onto Foster Road.
“The impact of the vehicles traveling through these communities has increased the safety issues and has caused an environmental impact to the towns of Agawam and Southwick with excessive road ware and vehicle exhaust emissions in these residential neighborhoods,” Di Santi said. “It is without question the numbers have grown from the March 2007 Final Report done by the PVPC showing the largest amount of traffic turning onto Southwick Street in the afternoon peak hour at 433 vehicles. The study never showed the impact of vehicles traveling through the residential areas where the numbers could be even higher.”
Data obtained by DiSanti from the Agawam Police Department shows an increase in car crashes at that intersection of South Westfield and Southwick roads.
Di Santi said in 2002 total number of crashes was 27. In 2011, total number of crashes was 67, and as of Aug. 17, there have been 42 accidents reported.
Di Santi said he has been working with Cohen on this project.
Boldyga said while the extension of Route 57 has not been terminated, until it can move forward, the safety concerns are being addressed.
