PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city wants to ensure that upcoming construction doesn't turn Lenox Avenue into a bypass.

On Thursday, the Traffic Commission tabled Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren and Ward 7 Councilor Rhonda Serre's request to resolve excessive traffic and speeding on Lenox Avenue until after the city gathers speed data.

Serre explained that this is about the upcoming detour from the Bel Air Dam removal and a general increase in speed on the southern end of the street. Because it is split between Wards 1 and 7, she and Warren got together to request a review of the detours, signage, and traffic calming measures that will be enacted when traffic is disrupted for the project.

"On or about July 1, the detour will be put in place and we certainly hope that Lenox Ave is not used as a bypass," said project manager James McGrath, the city's parks and open space program manager. 

He reported that folks from the city and state are concerned about the street, "and there's only so much that signage can do, so we're going to look to monitor that."

Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, the $20 million dam removal will kick off soon and take up to 18 months. Around July 1, one lane of Wahconah Street will be shut down; northbound traffic will be able to pass down Wahconah Street, but southbound traffic will be diverted south on North Street and west on Pontoosuc Avenue.

Warren said constituents on the section of Lenox Avenue between Weller Avenue and Pontoosuc Avenue have reported speeding and fears of people being injured by vehicles, noting "With or without the Bel Air dam, there are problems."

"It's several people having problems with the traffic, so I was wondering if you guys could brainstorm what might be happening, what we can do temporarily to see if that'll do it," he said.

"Maybe do a speed study or something like that, and then maybe these speed 'calmings' will also impact."