Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Department of Public Works Director Chris Cignoli, Springfield Libraries Director Molly Fogarty, and Police Superintendent Larry Akers joined city and state officials on Wednesday afternoon in front of the new crosswalk on State Street near the Springfield Central Library to share progress on the ongoing State Street Cross Walk project. State Representatives Carlos Gonzalez, Orlando Ramos, Brian Ashe, and State Senators Adam Gomez and Jake Oliveira, City Councilor Kateri Walsh, and Betsy Johnson representing the Metro Civic Association (formerly known as Armoury Quadrangle Civic Association) and WalkBike Springfield.
The project was initiated in 2019 aiming to provide a safe crossing from one side of State Street to the other, primarily for the Library and the parking lot over to Classical Condos. As part of the same project, the City also constructed a larger parking lot adjacent to the library. This lot can be used for library staff so they do not have to cross State Street.
The project includes narrowing the road in both direction from two lanes to one lane, installing a raised crosswalk, installing a median refuge island, installing a HAWK light system (pedestrian hits the button and the crossing light turns red for traffic), and bump outs to make the crossing distance smaller. These features will result in slower traffic along this part of the roadway.
The project was funded in part through a grant the city received from MassDOT’s “Shared Streets and Spaces” Grant program. The remainder of funds are through Chapter 90 funding.
Mayor Sarno states, “We have implanted a road diet – narrowing of the roads to one lane – here and elsewhere in the city to help slow and control traffic. This state street crossing includes a raised crossing to ensure drivers are slowing down. It will have HAWK lights and bumpouts too. We also constructed the new parking lot next to the library so staff can utilize that and avoid crossing the street everyday. I appreciate everyone’s patience and happy that this project is finally near completion. This project will slow traffic and make crossing much safer. However, I must still urge drivers and pedestrians to please be cautious and safe on the roads. Even with all the bells and whistle, we must all use our eyes, ears, and common sense to ensure safety for all.”
