SPRINGFIELD– The “X” intersection in Springfield is well-known in the area for accidents and is often the center of traffic-related frustrations.

In fact, the intersection was named as #1 most dangerous in the Pioneer Valley region by the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission in their Top-100 High Crash Intersections in the Pioneer Valley Region in 2016.

In the coming years, however, the intersection made up of Sumner Ave., Belmont Ave., and Dickinson St. will be reconstructed provide safer and easier commutes for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists.

On Sept. 17, MassDOT held a public hearing at the Forest Park Middle School to present their future plans for the intersection thus far to Springfield residents and elected officials.

During the meeting Director of the Springfield Department of Public Works (DPW), Chris Cignoli, explained the current plans and estimated cost for the construction project. The designs of the intersection shown at the meeting and what MassDOT has moved forward with Cignoli said, was “the concept that was agreed upon a year ago.”

The goals of the project, according to the MassDOT presentation, are to make the intersection safe, make the intersection walkable, improve congestion and traffic delays, reduce cut through traffic on side streets, add bike lanes, replace traffic signals, and upgrade walks, ramps, and pedestrian plazas in the area. Essentially, the project will redistribute traffic around the intersection to alleviate traffic within the area of the X.

Some of the parts of the proposed projects include smaller modifications such as changing what Cignoli called “obsolete signal equipment” that is “going through failure and can’t be maintained.”

One of the most significant proposed changes to the intersection, however, will be to the stretches of Belmont Ave. that go through Sumner Ave., will become one-way roads. Belmont Ave. going away from the intersection towards Burlington St. will become a one-way road going North, while the section of Belmont Ave. going towards Commonwealth Ave. will become a one-way street going South.

Another significant proposed change is the installation of two mini roundabouts, one on either side of Belmont Ave. that runs through Sumner Ave. Once Belmont Ave. is converted into two, one-way streets a small roundabout will go at the intersection of Belmont Ave. and Burlington St. and the intersection of Belmont Ave. and Commonwealth Ave.

This, according to the presentation, will provide two-way traffic flow at each intersection and a one-way traffic flow approaching each intersection from Belmont Ave.

Another road that will become a one-way street is Ormond Street. The street will become a one-way North from Belmont Ave. to Sumner Ave.

The entire construction project is estimated to cost around $11.5 million, but MassDOT Supervising Project Manager, Tom Currier said the cost is projected to change before the project is finished. The final design is expected to be submitted in December of 2021, with design completed entirely by 2022, and construction is anticipated to begin in the spring of 2024.

During construction, all streets in the area will have at least one lane of traffic open at all times. If needed, pedestrian detours will be put into place, and sections of sidewalk may be closed at points to allow for concrete to be poured. While crews will make every effort to minimize public inconvenience and traffic disruptions, some still may take place through project construction.

A full list of proposed changes to the intersection and other project information can be found at https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2019/08/27/dot-hwy_Springfield_091719.pdf.