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Home > Departments > Engineering > Programs > Roads
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| Pavement and Traffic Congestion Management |
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Pavement Management and Traffic Congestion Management, though separate programs, share the City's transportation network and frequently certain funding sources. Both have involved an assessment of the City's entire pavement inventory as to condition and capacity. It is important to note that achievements in Congestion Management inherently improve the Pavement Management Program therefore the current projects are grouped for discussion.
The Congestion Management Program deals primarily with roadways on the National Highway System (NHS) which are so designated by the Federal Highway Administration and eligible for state/federal funding. These roads experience higher traffic volumes and constitute the majority of the arterial and collector roadways in the City. This category is further divided into state or local priority. Bridges are generally a state priority and require no local funding. All others require a 10% funding match typically in the form of design and right-of-way acquisition costs. Analysis under this program has determined that four through lanes, two in each direction, are required from the Massachusetts Turnpike Interchange south to Park Square and east to the West Springfield town boarder. The severest congestion occurs where the requisite lanes are absent, most notably on the two bridges spanning the Westfield River, these being the Great River Bridge (Route 202) and County Bridge (Route 20). The expense associated with adding lanes to bridges and the former state policy of deferring infrastructure improvements to bridges has resulted in unresolved problems over an exorbitant period of time, which current projects will address.
The City's Pavement Management Program in consideration of the discussed funding shortfalls separated the pavement inventory into categories of local funding responsibility. Roadways on the National Highway System (NHS) were not included in the discussed funding evaluation since State and/or Federal construction funding is applicable. Any roadway not on the NHS is considered a local road, however, "local" takes two forms. Accepted "Public" Streets and Unaccepted "Private" Streets". Private Streets were likewise excluded from the funding need's evaluation since they are not legally municipal responsibility. Any desired improvement to private streets requires funding in excess of that identified or application under another funding program.
- State Funded - State Priority Projects are as follows:
- State Funded - Local Priority Projects are as follows:
- Locally Funded Projects include:
- Root Road Reconstruction
- City View Boulevard Reconstruction
- Old Town Roadway Improvements including the following streets:
- Cortez Street
- Holcomb Street
- Perkings Street
- Hancock Street
- Pearl Street
- Fairview Street
- Oak Avenue
- Hedges Avenue
- West Street
- Bush Street
- Cherry Street
- McKinley Terrace and South Street Improvements
- Pochassic Road Reconstruction
- West Road and Bayberry Lane Reconstruction
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| Route 20 Bridge Replacements | Funding: State Funded - State Priority
Cost Estimate: $14,000,000
Ground Breaking: 2003
Final Acceptance: 2005
Location: East Main Street between little River Road and Union Street including Little River Rd. to the branch office of Woronoco Savings Bank and Springfield Rd. to the Professional Building @ #65.
Description: The project involves construction of two new bridges imediately south (down stream)of the existing structures known locally as County Bridge (Route 20 over the Westfield River, bridge #W25-04) and the Frogs Hole Viaduct (Route 20 over Powdermill Brook, bridge #W25-03)through the former Roy Rogers Restaurant adding an additional center turning lane for traffic congestion relief. This is fully a Massachusetts Highway Dept. project. The project also involves general pavement rehabilitation, sidewalk extension and signal upgrades. Traffic management will be achieved through use of the existing bridges until the new structures are complete, then traffic will be diverted to the new layout while the old one is demolished. |
| Cowle's Bridge Replacement | Funding: State Funded - State Priority
Cost Estimate: $3,500,000
Ground Breaking: 2008
Final Acceptance: Unknown
Location: South Maple Road over Little River including Southwick Road to Fowler Farms, South Maple Rd. to the Grange, Mill St. to Crane Ave. and City View Blvd. to top of hill.
Description: This is a Massachusetts Highway Department Project. A new bridge is being proposed just east(down stream) of the existing. The curve on the South Meadow Rd. approach will be smoothed and the intersection with Mill St. shifted. Permanent traffic control signals will be installed at City View Blvd. and Mill St., the Mill St./Crane Ave. intersection will be adjusted with elimination of the traffic island. |
| Southampton Road Reconstruction | Funding: State Funded - State Priority
Cost Estimate: $3,600,000
Ground Breaking: 2008
Final Acceptance: November 2009
Location: Southampton Road from Turnpike Interchange to Town Line.
Description: This is a Massachusetts Highway Department Project addressing traffic growth. Widenning with traffic signal installation is included. |
| Great River Bridge Traffic Improvement Project | | Funding: State Funded - Local Priority
Cost Estimate: $55,000,000
Ground Breaking: 2006
Final Acceptance: 2009
Location: Elm St. and North Elm St., the Elm St. Spur, Union Avenue, Union Street, Meadow Street and Railroad Avenue within that area between Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrement Church on the North and the Holy Trinity Church on the South.
Description: The Great River Bridge Project is a multi faceted effort encompassing bridge, park, traffic, utility and streetscape improvements to provide more than just a long term resolution of traffic congestion but also an urban renewal effort to reverse the idustrial orientation toward the Westfield River, a designated "wild and scenic" waterway. Connections will be made to the proposed Columbia Greenway pedestrian and bicycle trail through Womans Temperance Park on the northwest and to the Westfield Dike Riverwalk through as proposed parking facility on the southeast.
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| | The project involves rehabilitation of the existing truss structure bridge, construction of a sister truss structure bridge connecting Union Avenue on the North with the Elm Street Spur on the South, replacing and raising the CSX Railroad Viaducts and replacing the Pochassic Street over Pioneer Valley RR Bridge with a three lane structure. Park enhancements include combining Kane and Wojtkiewicz Parks across that section of Meadow Street between Elm St. and the Spur which will be eliminated. Also relocation of Half Miles Falls Park from Depot Square to the north bank of the Westfield River between the new and existing Great River Bridges, opposite Wojtkiewicz Park. |
| Main St./Broad St./ Park Square Traffic Improvement | | Funding: State Funded - Local Priority
Cost Estimate: $7,200,000
Ground Breaking: 2006
Final Acceptance: 2007
Location: Main Street and Broad Street to their full extent from Little River to Park Square to the Silver Street intersection. Also South Broad Street to Ponders Hollow Road and those portions of Court Street and Elm Street along Park Square. In addition Free Street and Meadow Street to Williams Riding Way.
Description: The Main Street/Broad Street/Park Square reconstruction Project seeks to address narrow lane widths, which become constricted with winter snow accumulation and traffic signal improvements to relieve congestion along the corridor. In conformance with current policy streetscape design is an essential element, since the work encompasses all roadways around Park Square the Green is included.
The Park Square Green design incorporates several controversial proposals as preliminarily identified by the Historical Commission and include expansion of the park by way of occupying the off-street parking on its north side. The green would be returned to a more historic layout of open lawn to accomodate modern usage with a gazebo structure, similar in appearance to that at Grand Mother's Garden, for concerts, speeches and glass enclosed in the winter to house Santa's visits. A fountain would remain though located further south together with an area for the multiple historical monuments and tablets housed on the Green. Relocation of the General Shepard Monument to this area of the green is under consideration. The move would allow the traveling public to pass in front of the symbol of the City of Westfield rather than have its back turned to them. Upon erection in 1919 the orientation facing down Broad Street was very controversial and intended to face the "General" toward his farm near the current Big Y, naturally the presence of affluent citizens along Broad Street at the time including the soon to be elected Governor Ely was pivitol. The proposed move does not change the orientation. The move would further bring the General back to the ground over which he reviewed his militia troops. Since the Town upon incorporation as a City in 1929 chose the statue as its sole symbol its location has taken on greater significance. The current locale was selected merely to balance the pre-existing Civil War Monument on a traffic island at the Court St./Elm St. intersection. |
| Columbia Greenway Rail to Trail Conversion | Funding: State Funded - Local Priority
Cost Estimate: $7,800,000
Ground Breaking: 2007
Final Acceptance: 2008
Location:
Description: The Columbia Geenway project utilizes the rail line bisecting the downtown to convey a bicycle/pedestrian corridor connecting Depot Square, north of the Westfield River, the multiple attractions of the downtown with the residential areas to the south as well as continuing a similar effort in the Town of Southwick and though the State of Connecticut to a major national eastern seaboard route. Again the City will encorporate streetscape issues as it seeks to design this route as a linear park. The numerous bridge crossings afford excellent vantage points for views, rest areas will be incorporated as well lighting in the urbanized areas. |
| Route 187, Phases i, II & III Traffic Improvement | Funding: State Funded - Local Priority
Cost Estimate:
Phase I $3,600,000
Phase II $3,800,000
Phase III $1,100,000
Ground Breaking:
Phase III in 2006
Phase II in 2007
Phase I in 2008
Final Acceptance: 2009
Location: Little River Rd. and Feeding Hills Rd. to their full extent including Old Feeding Hills Rd. to to top of the hill, Pontoosic Rd. to the top of the hill, Shaker Rd. to Cardinal Lane and Ridgecrest Dr. to the top of the reverse curve.
Description: The project involves relocation of Sherman's Mill Bridge (Little River Rd over Great Brook) to the north straightening the curve at this location and extending Pontoosic to the new location, similarly the curve at the Shaker Rd. intersection will be further smoothed out. Permanent traffic control signals will be installed at Shaker Rd. and Pontoosic Rd. Sidewalks will be installed throughout in addition to streetscape improvements in the form of street trees, retaining walls and possible fountain at Shaker Rd. |
| Down TownTraffic Improvement of 2010 | Funding: State Funded - Local Priority
Cost Estimate: $6,500,000
Ground Breaking: 2010
Final Acceptance: Unknown
Location: Elm Street from Rte. 20 (Franklin St.) to Holy Trinity and North Elm St. from Union St. to Notre Dame St.
Description: The project involves installation of four through travel lanes throughout the location. This will involve removal of on-street parking along Elm St. with associated replication off-street. In addition a center turning lane at the Notre Dame St. intersection will be designed. The replication of off-street parking presents opportunities to undertake additional urban renewal along the lines of the 2001 Concept Plan for Westfield Riverfront Revitalization by Thompson and Brestrup wherein an open air market and multi use facilities were incorporated into the off-street parking scheme. |
| Western Avenue Traffic Improvement | Funding: State Funded - Local Priority
Cost Estimate: $6,500,000
Ground Breaking: Unknown
Final Acceptance: Unknown
Location: Western Avenue in its entirety including Court St. between High St. and West Silver St.
Description: The project involves the installation of a new traffic control signal at Lloyds Hill, upgrade to the Court St./High St./Mill St. signal, replacment of sidewalks and pavement throughout as well as streetscape and drainage improvements where applicable. |
| East Silver Street/South Meadow Road Traffic Improveme | Funding: State Funded - Local Priority
Cost Estimate: $Unknown
Ground Breaking: Unknown
Final Acceptance: Unknown
Location: East Silver St. and South Meadow Rd. in their entirety.
Description: The project intends to shift industrial truck traffic from East Silver St. to South Meadow Rd. by improving the latter to an industrial caliber with general pavement and sidewalk improvents to East Silver St. |
| Old Town Roadway Improvement of 2005 | Funding: Locally Funded
Cost Estimate: $450,000
Ground Breaking: 2004
Final Acceptance: 2005
Location: Cortez St., Holcomb St., Perkins St., Hancock St., Pearl St., Fairview St., Oak Ave., Hedges Ave., West St., Bush St. and Cherry St. in their entirety.
Description: In an effort to address deteriorating infrastructure and infuse new vitality to the city's oldest neighborhoods the City is attempting a comprehensive approach involving asthetic as well as functional elements. This project will involve pavement and sidewalk replacement with concrete curbing installation, street tree and drainage improvement as appropriate. |
| Old Town Roadway Reconstruction of 2006 | Funding: Locally Funded
Cost Estimate: $500,000
Ground Breaking: 2006
Final Acceptance: 2007
Location: Full reconstruction - Linden Ave., Dudley Ave., Murray Ave., Collins Ave., Foss Ave.; Treebelt reconstruction - Montgomery St. (to Prospect), Pochassic Street, East Silver St., Meadow St.
Description: This effort is a continuation of the Old Town 2005 with many of the same features. The project will involve pavement and sidewalk replacement with concrete curbing installation, street tree, drainage and water main improvement as appropriate. Significant realignment of Montgomery Street at the Crown Street intersection is included. |
| Gas Light District | Funding: Locally Funded
Cost Estimate: $500,000
Ground Breaking: 2006
Final Acceptance: 2007
Location: Central St., School St., Church St., Arnold St., Summer St. and Spring St.
Description: This project seeks to establish a streetscape atmosphere similar to Boston's Beacon Hill condusive to arts and entertainment while addressing aging infrastructure issues. The project area includes off-street parking facilities and will augment the Breckenridge Inn/Multi Modal Center. Work will involve pavement and sidewalk replacement with brick sidewalks and some textured pavements as well as concrete curbing installation, street tree, drainage and water main improvement as appropriate. |
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