Beacon Cinema Construction

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PITTSFIELD – Over the next few weeks, construction activity will be increasing on the Beacon Cinema project. This means Allegrone Construction and the City will be implementing the traffic changes approved last fall by the Traffic Commission. A diagram, illustrating the temporary changes, is attached. The anticipated time frame for each change is also shown on the diagram.

As a reminder, at various times during construction these changes will include:

North bound traffic on McKay Street being diverted through the McKay Street parking garage;

South bound traffic on McKay Street dead ending at the Central Block;

The open short term parking area on McKay Street, directly in front of the parking garage, being closed.

The City is working to provide:


Temporary parking along West Street, east of McKay Street;

A temporary loading zone along West Street, west of McKay Street; and

Relocate 2 handicap parking spaces – one into the garage and one on to West Street.

As with any major construction project, these changes will cause short term disruptions in pedestrian and vehicle access in the area of the cinema construction project. Steps have been taken to limit the duration of changes, while recognizing that public safety on and in the vicinity of the construction site is the first priority.

The City appreciates the cooperation being given by all affected by these changes. When completed, the cinema center will bring 200,000 plus people downtown each year, continuing the renaissance of downtown Pittsfield, the urban center of the Berkshires. For more information, please contact Matt Dindio in the Mayor’s office, 413 499-9322
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

'Poor' Pontoosuc Avenue Bridge to Be Replaced

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The Pontoosuc Avenue bridge has been in poor condition for a decade and will be replaced next year with improved pedestrian access.

Officials assure the public that it is not in danger of failing before construction begins. A detour will use Briggs Avenue for through traffic between Wahconah Street and Pontoosuc Avenue.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation held a 25-percent design hearing virtually on Tuesday. Located next to the former Harry's Supermarket, the bridge extends over the West Branch of the Housatonic River and provides access from North Street to Wahconah Street.

"In November 2015, the bridge superstructure was determined to be in poor condition as part of its routine bridge inspection," explained Shannon Beaumont, senior project manager with Fuss & O'Neill.

"The project was subsequently scheduled for funding by a MassDOT for rehabilitation or replacement, and the project kicked off in October of 2021."

The $7.7 million project will be funded through the 2026 Transportation Improvement Program for the Berkshire Metropolitan Planning Organization. Construction is expected to begin in fall 2026 and continue for about a year.

The aim is to provide a new bridge that meets current requirements, enhances existing multimodal access with bike lanes and sidewalks, maintains or improves the existing bridge opening, and avoids unnecessary abutter impacts by minimizing changes to the alignment and vertical profile.

An evaluation was done on the strength, stability, and condition of the more than 30-year-old structure.  The concrete abutments are in fair condition with adequate strength but the stability of the existing abutments don't meet current design standards and a full bridge replacement is required.

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