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Date: 3/17/2022
CHICOPEE – Proposed intersection improvements at Montgomery Street, Granby Road and McKinstry Avenue took center stage during a March 2 public hearing hosted by Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT).
The project will implement a two-lane roundabout between the three intersecting streets, which is proposed to improve safety at multiple intersections, reduce corridor congestion and improve pedestrian and bicycle accommodations, according to a MassDOT press release.
Currently, the project expects to cost approximately $10.26 million.
With the public hearing, MassDOT informed citizens about updates regarding the project and gathered input from different submitted comments. The project represents a significant undertaking, with MassDOT sharing their plans to undertake a full depth reconstruction of the roadway.
The reconstruction efforts will include upgrading signs and pavement markings, striping a 5-foot-wide shoulder lane for bicycle use, reconstruction of the 5-foot sidewalk, and the removal of traffic signals to install the roundabout. Once completed, the roundabout will connect the three streets while also providing an entrance and exit to Interstate 90 on the Massachusetts Turnpike, according to the MassDOT press release.
The project presentation revealed that 25 percent of the design phase is complete. MassDOT expects to finish further designs, permitting and right of way acquisitions by the end of 2025, with the earliest construction expected by spring 2026.
Communications Director of the Massachusetts Department of Public Transportation Kristen Pennucci said the project started due to heavy traffic congestion in the area. She shared that MassDOT cited a roundabout as a solid avenue for improving efficiency and safety for the busy intersection.
“The area experiences chronic traffic congestion and safety issues in its current signalized configuration. Roundabouts improve both safety and efficiency relative to signalized intersections by reducing vehicle speeds and reducing the number of conflict points,” said Pennucci in an interview with Reminder Publishing.
Pennucci also stressed that the addition of a bicycle lane will improve traversal in the intersection. “Pedestrian and bicycle accommodations are currently deficient within the project limits and the proposed design will provide a shared-use path for pedestrians and bicyclists along with crosswalks with rectangular rapid flashing beacons and splitter islands to allow for refuge and two-stage crossings,” said Pennucci.
During the public hearing, Pennucci said questions asked regarding the two-lane roundabout and its accessibility to other nearby locations, including the request for a sidewalk along the driveway leading to a Big Y on Granby Road, came up. She shared that MassDOT addressed each comment from the public.
With the project existing within his purview, Ward 8 Councilor Gary Labrie said the roundabout should effectively decrease traffic. “In my opinion, it will move the traffic. It won’t be such a standstill. I’ve been in Chicopee all my life and it has always been a problem intersection,” said Labrie.
The councilor shared that the intersection used to be synonymous with the four gas stations existing within each corner. While the roundabout will improve traffic performance, Labrie said the new structure will come with an inherent learning curve.
“Looking at the designs, it’s going to be complicated. Hopefully the drivers will learn how to operate this vehicle on this kind of rotary. It’s different from the rotaries we used to have on Memorial Drive,” said Labrie. The former Memorial Drive rotary was eventually replaced with traffic lights, according to Labrie.
Labrie said there are certain factors he will remain cognizant about once construction begins. The councilor said adding a bike lane into a rotary could present some challenges, while the construction of the project itself will create a backlog of traffic on nearby side streets like Lafayette Street and Chapel Street
“The cut through streets are going to get backed-up with traffic.
During construction, they are going to take the brunt of the traffic,” said Labrie. The councilor said he will ask for police support to guide congested traffic during the construction process.
Readers can find updates regarding the proposed roundabout at https://www.chicopeema.gov/922/Roundabout-Project.