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Date: 7/25/2023
SPRINGFIELD — After a long wait, Springfield’s “X” intersection is set to undergo a significant revamping. The “X” connects Sumner Avenue, Dickinson Street and Belmont Avenue. The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission ranked the roadway among the top 100 crash intersections in the region.
The latest project design was presented July 18 during a public meeting at the John J. Shea Bright Nights Building. Mayor Domenic Sarno and Public Works Director Chris Cignoli were in attendance.
The discussion focused on environmental considerations, roadway reconfigurations and improved pedestrian access.
Around $16 million in federal funding and $2.1 million from the commonwealth was secured for the $19 million project. The design has reached the 100% completion phase. The project bidding process is expected later this year, with construction commencing in 2024.
The Springfield Department of Public Works and engineering firm Fuss & O’Neil recently unveiled a comprehensive plan to enhance the integration and connectivity of the road and pedestrian ways in the city’s Forest Park neighborhood.
“Living in our beautiful Forest Park neighborhood all my life and raising my family there, this project is long overdue and essential to securing and enhancing safe pedestrian and vehicular traffic,” Sarno said.
He added that the project also holds great importance for the economic development of local businesses at the “X.”
According to a statement, the project was expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote healthier transportation alternatives and support Smart Growth Development. The improvements align with the Massachusetts Green Department of Transportation Policy Initiative.
The project’s scope includes a 0.6-mile stretch along Sumner Avenue, extending from Forest Park Main Greeting Road to Daytona Street, Belmont Avenue, and Dickinson Street.
The comprehensive plan encompasses upgrading traffic signals, formalizing pedestrian crossings and introducing sidewalks, turning lanes, bicycle lanes and stormwater facilities.
An environmental justice study emphasized the project’s potential long-term ecological and public health benefits, with improved air and water quality. The study noted the presence of environmental justice populations within a 5-mile radius of the project site.
While the initial cost and scope of the project, valued at $11.3 million, have expanded over the years, Sarno emphasized the substantial benefits. The benefits include enhanced open spaces, improved public safety, better stormwater management, and increased economic development opportunities.
Sarno acknowledged the community’s concerns about the initial design’s environmental impact, which proposed removing over 100 trees along the corridor. He indicated significant adjustments were made in response to the feedback.
Alexander Maxwell, a resilience planner with Fuss & O’Neil, stated that the environmental review submission was successful, citing that the project meets all environmental regulations. He noted significant changes from the original design, including increased tree planting.
The plan shows a gain of 57 trees from the initial proposal along the roadways. Overall, 61 trees must be removed along the project’s route. The new design keeps 35 more trees than the previous version and decreases the proposed road width by 6 feet.
In response to a resident’s concern, Maxwell said planting less mature trees ensures survivability and sustainability and adheres to state guidelines on permitted species. He expects the tree canopy to bloom in the coming decades, sequestering more carbon emissions.
The new plans also remove a roundabout from Belmont Avenue and Burlington Street, replacing it with a modified intersection. In addition, Cliffwood Avenue at the Sumner Avenue intersection changes from a proposed dual-left turn to a signal left-turn-only lane and a shared right-through lane.
Maxwell said the community benefits include:
Cignoli clarified that the increased costs from initial estimates are due to additional elements and complications not included in the original plans, such as utility work.
Cignoli, who spoke before the meeting, stated that the signaling setup would undergo significant changes to ease the long waits experienced by drivers.
“An average person waiting gets stuck there for a long period. The idea is we’re going to be changing a lot of that signalization and making it more efficient to go through there,” Cignoli said.
The project plans to introduce more controlled pedestrian crossings and dedicated crosswalks, focusing on improving pedestrian access near CVS.
Cignoli added the design strongly considers bicyclists and pedestrians.
“One of the problems is that there’s nothing for bicyclists and minimal for pedestrians. This update will take into account all of those,” he added.
In the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission report, Sumner Avenue at Dickinson Street and Belmont Avenue were ranked first in high-crash intersections in the region. Three other corners in the neighborhood also earned rankings.
Deborah Weitkunat, a resident of the “X” neighborhood, expressed her concerns about the project before the meeting.
She spoke about the daily challenges locals face, particularly the poor road conditions and numerous potholes. In addition, she was apprehensive about the project’s impact on emergency response vehicles, stating that the road’s congestion could hinder their movement.
Weitkunat noted the severity of the road issues, especially the numerous potholes and the jarring experience of encountering them. She advised against “fixing what is not broken,” citing the inadequacy of Burlington Street to handle increased traffic.
She feared the new design would lead to congestion and increased accidents.
Addressing a resident’s concern, Sarno said most of the accidents were sideswipes and red-light violations. He emphasizes the need for improved enforcement and education to change behavior. He also spoke about the district court dismissing most traffic infractions.
The project will also recognize the “environmental justice populations” within a 5-mile radius of the site. The populations are identified based on minority status, income, and language barriers.
Residents will see utility work as the project takes shape in the coming months.
“We’re looking to bring back the glory days of the ‘X’ as a center of commerce and business, making it a safe thoroughfare,” Sarno said.