Davey promises funding for rotary study
Date: 11/7/2013
By Chris Maza
chrism@thereminder.comEAST LONGMEADOW – Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation Richard Davey announced on Nov. 4 that he would see to it that a new study on ways to improve the East Longmeadow rotary would be funded.
Davey said the study would be funded by an upcoming transportation bond bill.
“I was amazed to drive up and actually see dangerous intersection signs. We shouldn’t have those in this state, so this is a project that I committed today that we would work with the town, state Sen. Gale Candaras and state Rep. Angelo Puppolo Jr. to fund the new study,” he said, explaining that the bond bill, which should be completed by the House and Senate by Thanksgiving, will allow the Department of Transportation to spend money that has already been raised.
Davey was visiting the rotary, as well as roads in Longmeadow and the Interstate 91 viaduct in Springfield at the request of Candaras and Puppolo
“This has really been a part of what the governor has asked us to do in his cabinet – to get out and see what the needs are across the Commonwealth,” Davey said.
Davey credited Candaras and Puppolo with their leadership in the matter, which he said extends beyond roads.
“At the end of the day, transportation is really about jobs and economic development,” he said.
While the viaduct and flyover at the intersection of Interstates 91 and 291 have garnered the most publicity, Candaras said she and Puppolo felt it was imperative to have Davey see traffic at the rotary first-hand in order to better understand its current limitations and potential future issues.
“We wanted to show him this rotary because it really needs remediation. The last time the state looked at it in any meaningful way was years ago,” Candaras said. “We thought we would bring fresh eyes and Secretary Davey’s expertise and his team’s expertise.”
Davey said he appreciated having the opportunity to see the intersection up close and that “a picture tells a thousand words.”
Candaras cited a growing commercial base that followed an increase in population as a major reason for increased traffic, which, in turn, has led to more danger. She said Planning Director Robyn Crosbie informed her that the unorthodox traffic pattern results in one accident a day.
She went on to say that proposed gaming developments would only augment the existing problems.
“[Board of Selectmen Chair] Paul Federici is concerned about the possibility of a casino in the South End of Springfield and what that will mean as folks come up from Connecticut and from all over and pass through this rotary to get there,” she said. “Alternately, if there is a casino in Palmer, it’s going to be the same situation, just in reverse, and that will exacerbate the enormous traffic problems we already have here in East Longmeadow.”
Palmer residents voted in opposition of a casino development in their Nov. 5 referendum vote.
Many of those same concerns exist for Longmeadow’s roads, which include Route 5, which runs parallel to I-91 and into the South End, Candaras added.
Davey said it was his understanding that the last time a study of the rotary was conducted was 14 years ago.
“I think it’s timely that we take a fresh look at how we can solve these problems and move forward – not just study it, but then actually follow through,” he said.
In addition to the rotary, Davey said he anticipated the viaduct would be a point of emphasis for spending if and when the bond bill passes.
“I have said often that the I-91 viaduct is really the poster child for neglect of transportation infrastructure, in particularly in Western Massachusetts,” he said.
Candaras explained that the viaduct was in such disrepair that it was a danger not only to motorists, but to those below.
“We had to close the parking garage underneath the flyover due to the crumbling cement falling down and it’s dangerous to people,” she said. “Of course we all know how hard it is to come by parking in inner-city venues just like Springfield.”
Any successful remediation of the viaduct would cost “several hundred million dollars,” Davey said.
“But I’m on the record as saying we have to do it; we have no choice,” he said.
He explained he has spoken with Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno regarding temporary repairs to address the safety situations to which Candaras alluded and have taken action.
“We started doing temporary repairs this past weekend,” he said. “It’s that serious of an issue and we take is seriously.”
He said in the coming weeks conversations regarding “a more permanent fix” would take place and a decision should be made by the end of the year.
