Burnett Road residents concerned about traffic, crosswalks

Date: 11/3/2010

Nov. 3, 2010

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor

CHICOPEE -- Mayor Michael Bissonnette brought his "listening tour" to Ward Six and the Litwin School last week and answered concerns about the number and placement of crosswalks as well as other traffic concerns on Burnett Road.

Bissonnette, Department of Public Works Director Stanley Kulig, City Engineer Steve Fredericks and Police Chief John Ferraro were all involved in the conversations about the two subjects.

Residents expressed concern that additional speeding earnings and enforcement are required due to the heavy commuter and commercial traffic on Burnett Road.

Ferraro noted there is a permanent radar speeding sign on Burnett Road, but said he would add Burnett Road to the city's movable radar sign's rotation. Ferraro said he would like to have more movable radar signs and Bissonnette said he hopes to be able to purchase additional units in the spring.

Bissonnette explained originally Interstate 291 was supposed to extend into Ludlow and Granby, but those plans were modified so the interstate would stop at the exchange of the Massachusetts Turnpike. The result, Bissonnette added, was a quiet rural road that developed over time into a busy thoroughfare linking the interstate for commuters and businesses from other communities.

In response to one resident who reported seeing a motorist passing a school bus that was stopped to pick up children, Ferraro advised those attending to report the license plate of the driver to the police for action.

Several residents brought up the placement of crosswalks as the recent roadwork done to Burnett Road eliminated some crosswalks. Crosswalks must now meet a number of state and federal requirements and those that were eliminated, such as one near the entrance of Chicopee State Park, did not meet those guidelines.

Currently the city is trying to interest the state to buy city property that abuts the entrance of the state park. Because of that, the city would not want to invest money into building a crosswalk and sidewalk system there, Bissonnette added.

One resident said an existing crosswalk was not properly lit at night and the officials said it would be evaluated.

Bissonnette said one action the city is investigating is to decrease the amount of traffic on Burnett Road by creating a new way to access the landfill. He said he has spoken with the owners of the Pride Station for a right-of-way and is now speaking with the owners of the Ramada Hotel for a similar permission.

Bissonnette also promised one resident he would bring School Superintendent Richard Rege to the Litwin School to inspect the faulty floor and ceiling in the school's gym.