MassDOT Launches Latest Statewide Travel Study

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BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) recently launched the latest Massachusetts Travel Study, the first comprehensive statewide data collection project in over 10 years.

If invited to participate, residents across the Commonwealth will have the opportunity to share information about their travel behavior and help inform the future of transportation planning and service delivery.  

Households across the state will be randomly selected to participate in the study. If chosen, household members will be able to complete a short travel diary and questionnaire that asks about various trip purposes, and travel modes taken. Once complete, every participating household member will receive a gift card for use at select retailers.  

Invitation letters are currently being distributed to households and will continue to arrive in mailboxes all across the state throughout the Fall. MassDOT encourages all who receive an invitation to participate in the study, as this data will help MassDOT make capital investment, service delivery, and transportation planning decisions.  

For more information about the Massachusetts Travel Study, please visit https://www.mass.gov/massachusetts-travel-study  


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Pontoosuc Under Public Health Advisory

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A blue-green algae bloom was confirmed on Friday at Pontoosuc Lake that may present harmful health effects for users of the lake.
 
The city has issued a health advisory as recommended by the state Department of Public Health for both people and pets. 
 
• Do not swim.
• Do not swallow water.
• Keep animals away.
• Rinse off after contact with water.
 
Warning signs are being posted around the lake.
 
Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, occur naturally in lakes and ponds throughout Massachusetts. These microscopic organisms are components of the aquatic food chain. In ordinary circumstances, cyanobacteria cause no apparent harm. However, warmer water temperatures and high nutrient concentrations may induce a rapid increase in their abundance. 
 
This response is commonly called a "bloom" because algal biomass increases to the extent that normally
clear water becomes markedly turbid.
 
Harmful health effects from the bloom can result through skin contact with the algae tainted water, swallowing the water, and when airborne droplets are inhaled. Pets are especially prone to the health effects not only through skin contact, but also by ingesting significant amounts of the toxin by licking their wet fur after leaving the water.
 
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