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Date: 10/26/2023
CHICOPEE — A total of $50,000 will be allocated to address pedestrian safety in Chicopee.
State Sen. Jake Oliveira (D-Ludlow) and the Chicopee legislative delegation presented the check to Mayor John Vieau on Oct. 23 at City Hall.
The funds were secured through the fiscal year 2024 budget and will be used to purchase rectangular flashing beacons, solar powered speed indicators and additional signage to improve pedestrian safety.
Oliveira said the number of pedestrian deaths that occur in some of these cities represents a growing need that the delegation sees every year.
In February, a pedestrian fatality occurred on Chicopee Street, following fatal crashes that occurred around Thanksgiving and in December 2022.
“Speaking with the mayor and members of [the] City Council, we wanted to ensure that Chicopee got their fair share of funding to ensure that we protect pedestrian safety here in the city of Chicopee, to make sure our roadways are protected,” Oliveira said.
Looking back, Vieau said COVID-19 was a time that people spent at home and communicated through social media. He believes that this caused people to become addicted to their cellphones and ultimately lead to distracted driving.
Vieau said a drivers’ top priority should be focusing 100% on the road — keeping yourself and everyone else safe.
Regarding the three fatalities, Vieau said, “It is too many.”
The city implemented its first rectangular rapid flashing beacon in front of City Hall, although it took almost a year because of supply chain issues.
Immediately, the city worked with the Engineering Department, Massachusetts Department of Transportation and others, to try and find ways to make Chicopee Street safer, Vieau shared.
In January, 13 rectangular rapid flashing beacons and four signs were purchased for $200,000, although not all have been received or installed yet.
A safety improvement project was also started in an effort for the city to learn about high level traffic locations that need to be addressed. The public was asked — and is still encouraged — to inform the city where improvements are needed.
Vieau shared that the overall goal is to slow traffic and while crossing the street may seem like common sense to many, people must pay attention and stay alert.
He concluded his comments by thanking the state and its representatives — especially Oliveira — for putting in the earmark for this funding.
State Sen. Adam Gomez (D-Springfield) and state Rep. Shirley Arriaga (D-Chicopee) both serve the city of Chicopee and noted that there are no boundary lines — their main goal is to serve the people, wherever in the city that might be.
They recognized the importance of this funding and expressed gratitude to the delegation for representing this issue.