WESTFIELD—The Route 20 Access Improvement Project along Western Avenue could begin as early as 2018, according to City Engineer Mark Cressotti, but funding may need to be increased from the state.
According to Cressotti, the first portion of the improvement project, known as the “Central Phase,” could kick off in 2018, with the second or “Eastern Phase” possibly beginning in 2020. The project will include a number of modifications and improvements to Western Avenue, including pavement rehabilitation, as well as the addition of turning lanes and sidewalk widening.
Another aspect of the proposed Western Avenue Project involves the complaints of damaged sidewalks caused by trees lining the street and what must be done because of it. Proposed plans at this point in time include current sidewalks to be redone and sidewalks put in place where there currently are none. (WNG file photo)
The funding for the project is mostly coming from the state and federal governments, according to Cressotti, but he said that the first phase costs have increased.
“The central phase has increased and we are looking at the availability of additional state funds,” Cressotti said.
Cressotti said that the current estimates for the Central Phase are now around $9 million, with about $870,000 estimated in city costs. Previously, the estimates for the total project cost were closer to $6 million. Regarding the Eastern Phase, projections are around $6.5 million.
What this could mean for Westfield is that the project may become modified, though the majority of funding is still expected to come from the state. Cressotti said that the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), who is overseeing the project, will be able to come back and make judgements on additional funding when the state fiscal year starts.
“If additional state funds fall through we may have to adjust some of the Central Phase to the Eastern Phase,” Cressotti said.
Regarding the project itself, pavement work is expected to be done, with potential for sewer, water and stormwater improvements along Western Avenue, according to previous articles in The Westfield News. The project is expected to encompass Western Avenue, extending from Laura Drive to Lloyds Hill Road.
In addition, it will include a 10-foot multi-use trail for portions of Western Avenue along the northern side, which would allow for multimodal travel such as bicycles or pedestrians.
This last portion however, has been somewhat controversial, according to Cressotti.
So, the city has been looking at trying to get the width reduced. Cressotti said it is a MassDOT regulation but cities can request modification.
“There’s some public concern about it being 10 feet wide,” he said. “We’ve been given direction to pursue 8 feet and we will pursue 8 feet.”
There will be areas where the pathways will be reduced to 8 feet, such as in front of Pine Hill Cemetery, in order to save tree frontage, Cressotti said.
