Sen. Adam G. Hinds (D-Pittsfield)
HILLTOWNS – Sen. Adam G. Hinds (D-Pittsfield), a member of the working group for the MassDOT Turnpike Exit Study which is considering adding a turnpike exit on I-90 between Exit 3 in Westfield and Exit 2 in Lee, said on Tuesday that the group reached a consensus at a meeting Sept. 6 in Lenox, narrowing down potential exit locations to three.
Hinds said going forward the study will focus on the feasibility of a new turnpike exit at either the Blandford Maintenance Facility, the Blandford Rest Stop or on Algerie Road in Otis. He said the discussion centered around which exit location would provide the most benefit, and the group agreed to narrow it down to the ones closer to the middle of the 30-mile stretch, knocking out previously considered sites at Route 23 in Russell, and three others in Becket and Lee.
Hinds said the three now being considered are more than 11 or 12 miles from Exit 3 in Westfield or Exit 2 in Lee.
Hinds said the MassDOT and the working group will now focus their efforts on the costs and existing road conditions in the three locations, and which would maximize the benefits to the population being served.
“Now that we have these three identified, we will take a serious dive into all of the implications for the region, and start to flush out the real cost,” Hinds said.
Issues to be considered include environmental factors and existing infrastructure, such as bridges and surrounding roads.
An open house for the turnpike exit study drew a crowd to Blandford Town Hall in June. (WNG File Photo)
The goals and objectives listed by the MassDOT in a report following the June 4 meeting of the working group listed reducing congestion on local roadways connecting I-90 to Lee and Westfield at Exits 2 and 3; reducing vehicle-miles traveled (VMT) and vehicle-hours traveled (VHT) on the regional roadway network; and providing alternative route(s) for commercial vehicles currently adding to local roadway congestion. Other objectives listed included balancing access opportunities and impacts to local communities, minimizing environmental impacts; and identifying potential economic benefits associated with improved access to I-90.
Considerations associated with the identified locations were also listed in the report. For Algerie Road in Otis, wetlands in three quadrants, state forest and steep slopes were listed. For the Blandford Maintenance Facility, wetlands on both sides of I-90 and protected open space were listed; and for the Blandford Service Station, some wetland areas, along with additional MassDOT property on the WB side of I-90.
Hinds said there is a desire among the group for another opportunity for the public to have some input into the plan at this point. He said another informational meeting will be scheduled for later this year, as the group is focused on finishing this stage of the planning by February.
“It’s a tremendous lifeline to our hilltowns,” Hinds said about the proposed exit, which he said would enhance opportunities for residents and commercial interests in the region.
