This brings the total funding awarded through the MassDOT Shared Streets and Spaces Program to over $482,000 within the last ten months. The previous two projects included $100,000 for enhanced pedestrian crossing along St. James Ave in the McKnight neighborhood and $215,000 for the expansion of the sidewalk for outdoor seating in front of Theodore’s on Worthington Street.
MassDOT’s Shared Streets and Spaces Program supports projects that promote public health, safe mobility, and renewed commerce by providing new or repurposed space for socially-distanced walking, bicycling, dining, retail, civic activities, and bus travel.
Springfield DPW’s most recent award was approved for Springfield’s Hybrid: Main Streets and Safe Streets and Paths project in the amount of $167,000 and is focused along the Main Street corridor in Indian Orchard between Oak Street and Pinevale Street. The work will include new sidewalks, bump outs, and enhanced parking identification.
Mayor Sarno states, “My continued thanks goes out to Governor Baker, Lt. Governor Polito, MassDOT, and our State Delegation, especially State Representative Orlando Ramos, and DPW Director Chris Cignoli for advocating for these traffic/pedestrian safety and quality of life initiatives for our Indian Orchard neighborhood and throughout our City. I’ve been recently informed by MassDOT that there are more improvement announcements to come, for which I am very appreciative too.”
DPW Director Cignoli stated, “I am extremely happy that the work my Department has completed to secure these additional funds to supplement other funds in order to provide needed improvements to the residential and business community throughout the City. The funds provided by the State have a limited schedule for use, so the people in the communities will see these improvements most like during this calendar year.”
Ward 8 Councilor and State Representative Ramos stated, “This is great news for the Indian Orchard community. There is so much potential for growth and improvement in this area of the city. I’m hopeful that is only the beginning of what will become a revitalization of Main Street Indian Orchard. Huge thanks to Chris Cignoli, Andy Krar and the entire DPW team for their efforts in helping secure this grant opportunity.”
In addition, Springfield DPW was also awarded a total of $197,500 through MassDOT’s Complete Street Program, which will include the following 2 projects:
- Tapley Street Corridor Improvements, $128,100
- Install bicycle lanes, including pavement arrows and symbols, for both directions from Bay Street to St. James along Tapley Street and include MUTCD bike lane signage. This relatively short segment is a critical link in the bike network. It links the highly traveled St James Avenue with Bay Street. It provides access to the bike trails in Blunt Park and extends the bike lanes/wide shoulder on Bay Street to Central High School. Also, new sidewalk would be installed by Bay Street to better serve the students/pedestrian crossing the street.
- Trafton Road Corridor Improvements, $64,400
- Install sharrows and MUTCD bike signage along both sides of Trafton Road from Dickinson Street to Dickinson Street. This crescent street abuts Forest Park, a 700-acre Park designed by Olmstead and a popular pedestrian/bike entrance to the Park and Ice Rink. The markings would guide riders on Dickinson to the Park, and eventually, to the “best route” for bike commuters downtown. This area (the “X “and Sumner Ave) is slated for improvements. Also, install new sidewalk and ADA ramps would be built in front of 511 Trafton Road and cross the street to connect existing sidewalk at Dickinson Street. This stretch of lanes and sharrows connects Springfield with Longmeadow.
In total, the City of Springfield has now been awarded over $674,500 for both MassDOT Complete Street, and Shared Streets and Spaces program funding.
Furthermore, the City of Springfield was awarded $200,000 from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission Community Mitigation Fund for the revitalization and paving of Dwight Street from the arch to Carew Street, and Hampden Street from Main Street to East Columbus Ave.
Also, through the State of Massachusetts Transportation Infrastructure Enhancement Trust Fund, the City of Springfield has been awarded over $41,000 by the State Department of Public Utilities (DPU) for FY 2022. This marks the fourth year of awards to the City of Springfield, totaling over $200,000 from the DPU. The funds provided by the State are part of funds collected through rideshare tax programs. The fund will be utilized to address sidewalk upgrades as well and other pedestrian enhancements around the City.
