AGAWAM/WEST SPRINGFIELD – Traffic between Agawam and West Springfield will be a little more complicated this summer due to the first stages of demolition, which began June 7, on the Morgan-Sullivan Bridge that spans the Westfield River. Mayor Bill Sapelli of Agawam is optimistic, though.

“Knock on wood, it’s been pretty good,” Sapelli said. He said that traffic may become a little more congested during peak hours, at 9 a.m., 12 p.m., and 5 p.m., but otherwise it has been flowing fairly well.

“The DOT has been responsive,” Sapelli said of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. “They met with businesses about a month ago to address concerns.”

The demolition to the bridge and early stages of the project have caused several overnight lane shutdowns. In Agawam, one lane of Walnut Street, where it intersects with Springfield Street, was closed  8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 10 and a lane of Springfield Street was closed the nights of July 11 through 13 to allow for drainage and water utility work.

The East side of the bridge, which has been reduced to one lane in each direction, was closed to traffic for a few nights from July 14 to 16, to allow crews to remove large pieces of steel and demolish the abutments and piers on the bridge’s west side. The bridge closure meant that some traffic had to take the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial (Strathmore) Bridge in West Springfield.

That bridge has its own set of problems. Sapelli said residents have complained for years about trains blocking that route as cars are hooked to the back of the train at the CSX railyard. The bridge can be blocked for up to 45 minutes, several times per day.

“That’s been an issue forever, and it’s continuing because CSX doesn’t care, frankly,” Sapelli said.

To combat the train blockages, which compound construction-related traffic issues, electronic signs warning motorists of stopped trains were ordered from MassDOT and were originally slated to be installed in March. Sapelli said the signs will be “up and running” by July 15.

Eugene Cassidy, president and CEO of Eastern States Exposition is concerned about the train issue, as well. With the Big E just a couple months away, the traffic will increase dramatically and could create a public safety issue.

“It’d be an awful thing to have a train across [the street] with the traffic from the fair,” if there were an emergency, Cassidy said. That’s one of the logistical issues that was addressed when Cassidy met with Sapelli and West Springfield Mayor Will Reichelt.

Sapelli said that police and safety officers will be on hand during the Big E to help with traffic issues. He also said that there will be no construction on the top of the Morgan-Sullivan Bridge during the 17-day fair, removing heavy machinery from the equation. There will also be signs on Interstate 91 advising drivers not to use the Agawam exits.

Cassidy said that the Connecticut DOT has been very helpful in preparing for the Big E. They have given Eastern States the use of their commuter lots and King Ward bus lines will be shuttling fair-goers to and from the lots. Cassidy said discounted tickets to the Big E will include a bus ride to encourage public transportation to the fair.

Updates on the bridge project and traffic detours can be found at www.mass.gov/morgan-sullivan-bridge-replacement-project.