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Date: 2/14/2023
CHICOPEE — As city leaders focus on addressing roadway safety concerns throughout Chicopee, the City Council approved $200,000 for signal maintenance and an additional $35,000 for a new senior engineering aide during their Feb. 7 meeting.
Background
Roadway safety has emerged as a critical issue in Chicopee. Over the past five months, eight serious crashes have occurred that resulted in the death of six people – including four pedestrians and one bicyclist.
Among the roughly 1,595 crashes that occurred in 2022 across Chicopee, 10 resulted in deaths.
With the rising concern, Mayor John Vieau announced the development of the Safe Street Program. He and Chief of Staff Michael Pise are eliciting requests from residents and city officials to address areas that may feature antiquated street crossings and high-traffic locations that could utilize additional deterrents.
Vieau described the initiative as a “necessity” for Chicopee.
“We want Chicopee to be safer, and this is an important part of it … There’s antiquated lights and signal crossings. I want them addressed,” said Vieau in an interview with Reminder Publishing.
Pise provided an informational update on the program during the council’s Jan. 16 meeting. He said measures, such as flashing traffic lights and stop signs, additional pedestrian walk signals and other visibility improvements, will be installed throughout Chicopee. Pise shared that the city will also be repainting crosswalk lines in the spring as they do annually.
When asked about speed tables, Pise explained that City Engineer Doug Ellis is exploring what could be applicable. Currently, Chicopee is operating a speed table pilot program on Front St. to deter speeding in areas with numerous pedestrian crossings.
DPW funding
Vieau and DPW Director Elizabette Batista discussed the two funding allocations during the mayor’s orders.
Vieau further explained his goals with the Safe Streets Program.
“What we’re trying to do is enhance the safety at pedestrian crossings throughout Chicopee. We’ve asked constituents, city councilors, School Committee members and our engineering department to take a look at areas that are particular locations of concern … We’re looking to do some upgrades and updates,” said Vieau.
The mayor championed how the $200,000 will lead to the purchase of equipment for implementing additional roadway safety measures. Batista said the equipment includes signs and rectangular rapid-flashing beacons.
“These are things we can do in-house to install and help,” said Batista.
One hindrance for installing new safety equipment is delays in the supply chain. Vieau and Batista said the city has received some parts so far from their purchasing requests. City leaders are still waiting on other orders, such as flashing beacons in front of City Hall.
Batista shared the DPW is also working on pedestrian crossing projects. She discussed an ongoing project on Chicopee Street – a location where one of the fatal roadway crashes occurred. The street’s wide pavement constitution will allow the DPW to install a median in the middle of the crosswalk.
“The pavement width is very wide, so we will create a median in the middle as a safe space that if a person is crossing, they have a place that is protected,” said Batista.
Vieau stressed that new roadway deterrents, like crosswalks and speed tables, will come as projects are engineered. He hopes installation of several of the roadway measures occur in the spring.
Additionally, The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) recently contacted Chicopee leadership and expressed their desire to aid the Safe Street Program. Vieau considered their help a benefit to the program. Highway District 2 Director Patricia Leavenworth, who previously served as the MassDOT’s chief engineer, will be working in collaboration with the city.
“Her services through MassDOT are available to assist us. I am excited for that opportunity to help,” said Vieau.
Ward 9 Mary-Elizabeth Pniak-Costello praised the DPW for working attentively to address roadway concerns. She said one issue that she highlighted within her ward was attended to immediately.
“I appreciate your attention to address problems that existed and your immediate response to address them … That makes it a safe city,” said Pniak-Costello.
As for the $35,000 for a new DPW senior engineering aid, Batista said the funding will help address the numerous engineering projects as the department is currently inundated with requests.
“We’ve been increasing our workload within the Engineering Department … There’s been so much going on and we’re really overtaxing our current staff,” said Batista.
The new staff member will provide oversight on various engineering and design efforts. Vieau mentioned the importance of strengthening the city’s engineering team as outsourced help can often be expensive.
“Design consultant work is very expensive. I would rather do more of these small projects in-house,” said Vieau.
The City Council approved funding for both efforts in unanimous votes. The council will meet again on Feb. 21.