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Fourm updates residents, businesses on bridge closure |
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Jan. 26, 2011
By Katelyn Gendron
Assistant Editor
WESTFIELD — Business owners and residents inconvenienced by last year's closure of the Pochassic Street Bridge will have the opportunity to voice their concerns and get an update on its re-opening at a public hearing on Thursday.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation closed the bridge, which connects North Elm Street with Montgomery and Pochassic Streets, last January citing structural deficiencies. The repairs totaling approximately $5 million will be funded via the Pioneer Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization's 2011 Transportation Improvement Program.
"It's been a really hardship," City Engineer Mark Cressotti said of the bridge closure. "I've got businesses hanging on by their fingertips."
He noted that other than the Pochassic Street Bridge there's only a "single access [road] to hundreds of homes out there."
Mayor Daniel Knapik said the safety aspect of only a single major access road to that area of the city "can't be overlooked."
"It's a major traffic artery for that side of Prospect Hill neighborhoods. It's a significant inconvenience to reroute them down Notre Dame Street," he added.
Knapik said reconstruction of the bridge should begin in the spring.
The public hearing will take place Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall. Those who cannot attend the meeting may submit comments or concerns to Cressotti via e-mail at m.cressotti@cityofwestfield.org or by calling 572-6219.
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