BRTA Granted $670K For Buses And Roof

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
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The BRTA is receiving $670,000 in federal funds for new vans and building maintenance.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority received more than a half-million dollars four new vehicles and to put a new roof over its head.

Gov. Deval Patrick and the state Department of Transportation announced a federal earmark of $13.2 million to 10 of the state's regional transit authorities on Tuesday, with $670,000 of that going to the Berkshires.

The money comes from three years of unused federal transportation funds and will provide the Berkshire authority with four new 14-passenger vans with fare boxes — at a cost of $420,000 — and a $250,000 roof and fencing for its 34-year-old maintenance facility in the Downing Parkway.

"The Obama administration has made a smart decision to put unspent dollars into necessary projects that create jobs," Patrick said in a prepared statement. "These projects reflect our commitment to improve public transportation for residents across the commonwealth."


The funds are part of the federal "We Can't Wait" initiative allowing states to reuse unused federal earmarks from 2003 to 2006 for highway and transit projects. The state Department of Transportation chose the "shovel-ready" projects for funding.

"Regional Transit Authorities provide a critical service to residents of every region of the commonwealth who depend on transit to get to work and school," said MassDOT Secretary Richard Davey. "MassDOT is pleased to partner with the RTAs in moving these projects forward."

Eleven projects in the state's 28 RTAs were funded. The projects are fully funded by the federal government and does not require state or local matches.

Tags: Berkshire Regional Transportation Authority,   federal grants,   transportation,   

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Safety Solutions Proposed for Berkshire Mall Intersection

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — A speed bump and traffic mirror have been proposed at the reportedly problematic intersection of Old State Road and the Berkshire Mall entrance.
 
Last week, abutters approached the Select Board with concerns about drivers ignoring stop signs and speeding through the area. Target owns its building and is the lone business left on the property.   
 
"When you turn into Old State Road, our driveways are right there," Judy Bennett said. "Nobody stops, nobody slows down to come around that corner. They go faster and that's where someone is going to get hurt."
 
Carl Bennett added, "We are taking our lives into our own hands when we pull out during the day."
 
The Old State Road bridge connects the mall and Old State Road to Route 8. Abutter Pauline Hunt would like to see it closed entirely, making the Connector Road the access point from Route 8.
 
"That entrance isn't necessary," she said.
 
"It's chaos. There's an entrance over by the bike path that would serve everybody, there would be no problem, and there are lights at the end of it, it's a dream to get into there. I don't see the reason that chaos is there."
 
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