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Date: 12/9/2020
EASTHAMPTON – Although the winter is just approaching, the Department of Public Works (DPW) has worked to prepare the roads in town for the winter since late summer.
DPW Director Gregory Nuttelman told Reminder Publishing the DPW begins to repair potholes and seal cracks a season ahead of winter to prevent further deterioration of the roadways during the colder months.
Mountain Road is often closed during the winter due to safety concerns. Nuttelman said the DPW closes the road based on temperature, forecasted precipitation and roadway conditions. “The main factor in deciding to close the road is safety.”
Nuttelman went on to say that if precipitation is light and the DPW can safely keep up with it, the road stays open but noted that the conditions can be different at the top of the mountain.
According to Nuttelman, the DPW works long hours during the winter season to make sure all roads are safe for travel and to get Mountain Road reopened. He emphasized that the DPW does not reopen Mountain Road until it is safe for travel.
“Closing Mountain Road shifts a great deal of traffic onto Hendrick, East, and Line streets and leads to substantially lighter traffic on Holyoke, Cottage, and Union streets,” he said.
To maintain the major roadways in town, the DPW pretreats streets with salt before winter precipitation and begin plowing once there are 3 inches of accumulation.
Nuttelman said residents are informed by a code red call, there is a notification message put on the city website, www.easthamptonma.gov, and there are signs around town that indicate whether or not the road is open or closed.
For any questions or concerns contact them at dpw@easthamptonma.gov or 529-1400.