Ward 6 Councilor Dina Lampiasi speaks at public hearing on plans to reduce speeding on West Street. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city believes that traffic lights at the intersection of lower and upper West Street will improve safety.

Last week, a hearing was held for improvements on the roadway that saw two pedestrian deaths last year. After a few iterations, the updated design reduces the footprint and adds a signal at the intersection of lower and upper West.

"This is a big change," City Engineer Tyler Shedd said.

"Traffic signals are expensive and it's part of the reason why we decided to reduce the sort of scope along West Street and stopping at Backman Avenue instead of continuing with the resurfacing all the way to Valentine Road."

All three directions will have a signal and it will be bordered by three crosswalks.

The City Council has authorized a $2 million capital borrowing for the streetscape improvements on the corridor and the hope is to bid work in the fall with construction beginning in the springtime.

Ward 6 Councilor Dina Lampiasi appreciates the effort and a lot of the work done to improve safety in the corridor but is hesitant about the light.

"I'm going to be honest, I'm not a big fan of the light," she said. "And residents I've spoken to I think it's about a 50/50."