Park Square:

There is a scheduled detour that should begin on Thursday 9/2 when traveling southbound on Elm Street into the Park Square area.  For the next two weeks, during working hours ONLY, traffic going south on Elm may want to detour to Franklin Street and Washington Street to go West or South of the city. Traffic traveling east on Court Street towards the Park will also be detoured down Pleasant Street to West Silver and then back up Broad Street to travel East of the downtown. Alternatives for people traveling South on Elm that want to go east towards West Springfield may want to take Meadow Street or Chapel Street to avoid the Park area.

Elm Street:

There will both Water Line work along with Gas & Electric projects going on all week along Elm Street this week.

Main Street:

Lynch Construction will continue with the drainage work along Main Street this week between the Veteran’s Bridge and Meadow Street.

As a reminder there are no turns available from Main Street into Lindbergh Boulevard or Noble Street and Cross Street remains as the cut over street.

The G&E will be working on underground services in the Main Street and Elm Street area this week.

Special Notes:

School Opens today throughout the City so remain alert for children and School buses.

The Westfield Police Department remains vigilant in the work zones and will assist the traffic through these work areas. Please remember to use your directionals for everyone’s safety.

Thank you for your patience as we continue to work towards making Westfield a better place to live, work and relax.

Jim Brown

Ward 2 – City Councilor

Here is the traffic update for the week of August 16th. There is some very good news in this week’s report so please read it over carefully. This information is based on the report filed by Captain Mike McCabe of the Westfield Police Department, with some editing by Ward 2 City Councilor Jim Brown:

Broad Street:

Because of the steady progress being made by Lynch Construction they are preparing to pave the east side of Broad Street this week. If the weather cooperates they are planning on paving this area on Tuesday (8/17) and Wednesday (8/18) from the intersection of East & West Silver Streets to the Park Square area. Two lanes of traffic will remain flowing on Broad Street with the only closure being at Hedges Avenue and Broad Street during the paving. With the addition of this primary or binder coat of pavement on Broad Street this completes the construction phase of the project. Please note that when the entire project is complete is when the finished coat of pavement will be applied with all the proper lane markings.

Elm Street:

Lynch Construction will be working on Elm Street near the Park and will be doing so all week. Police will be on hand to help with the flow of traffic but you should expect delays as this area will see activity all week.

Main Street:

The work will continue on Main Street from the Veterans Bridge, just east of Noble Street, to Meadow Street. There are also crews from the Westfield G&E doing minor “prep work” projects on Main Street between Meadow and Park Square.

As a safety reminder there will continue to be NO means of entering onto NOBLE STREET or LINDBERGH BOULEVARD when traveling on Main Street during this phase of the project. You will be allowed to enter Main Street from both Streets to help with the movement of traffic in this area. This phase of construction is expected to be a 2 to 3 month long process so please keep this in mind when making your travel plans.  The north side of the road will have the same work done upon completion of the south side.

Mainline Drive and Main Street:

The Westfield G&E will have a crew working at this intersection on Monday morning only.

Mechanic Street and Main Street:

Monday (8/16) ONLY. A crew from the Westfield G&E will be working at the intersection on various utilities so you may experience a minor delay in this area and please keep this in mind as you prepare to travel in the area with the on-going train trestle removal project, which is restricting the traffic flow in this area.

Bridge Removal On Main Street:

The contractor is progressing well with the removal of the train trestle and is projecting that they will be completed on Wednesday (8/18) or Thursday (8/19) which could mean that Main Street will be re-opened to thru traffic by the end of this week. In the meantime please remember that Main Street is closed between Free Street and Mechanic Street. This area will be closed until the bridge removal project is complete and detours will remain over local side streets in the area. You should expect delays and plan accordingly for this change.

Remember the Westfield Police Department will have Police Officers directing traffic in all of these areas for the public’s safety. Please obey their signals – and use your directionals.

There is also new updated information regarding the train bridge removal project. This information is based on the report filed by Captain Mike McCabe of the Westfield Police Department, with some editing by Ward 2 City Councilor Jim Brown:

Broad Street/Park Square:
Construction will continue on the east side of Broad Street and two lanes of traffic will continue to flow on Broad Street. This work area will extend up and around the Park Square area as well. The contractor and the Police report that they expect no detours in this area this week and that traffic should move with minor delays.

Main Street:
Wow – where to start:

Main Street is now down to two lanes and the traffic barrels are in place between Meadow Street and the Veterans Bridge. A change that was required for public safety was the elimination of entering Noble Street or Lindbergh Boulevard from Main Street in either direction. Vehicles can enter Main Street from Lindbergh and Noble but will be going East only towards West Springfield. Pavement removal work on the south side of Main Street will start Monday.

Bridge Removal Over Main Street:
The contractor is now approved for the demolition of the bridge trestle and it will begin on Monday August 9th and the area of Main Street between Free Street and Mechanic Street will be closed.This area will be closed for the duration of the bridge removal which is projected to be for 10 days and detours will be established over local side streets as noted below. You should expect delays and plan accordingly for this change.

First of all, truck traffic is being advised, by MDOT signs that they should travel over Union Street to get to and from Route 20 West/East. Trucks will be allowed to travel Main Street to make deliveries as needed.

It is being recommended that cars use Meadow Street or Cross Street to get around the trestle removal construction area or to get to the downtown area. You will be able to drive on Main Street to Mechanic Street to visit your favorite places of business. You can also travel down Mechanic Street, to Thomas Street and then Free Street by Rockies to get to businesses in that immediate area, i.e. the bank, supermarket, restaurants, etc.

Remember the Westfield Police Department will have Police Officers directing traffic in all of these areas for the public’s safety. Please obey their signals – and use your directionals.

Thank you for your patience as we continue to work on making Westfield a better place to live, work and relax.

Broad Street:

Construction will continue on the east side of Broad Street and two lanes of traffic will continue to flow on Broad Street. The contractor and the Police report that they expect no detours in this area this week and that traffic should move with minor delays.

Elm Street:

The Water Line replacement project should be completed in this area but we will keep an eye on it just in case.

Main Street:

This work was delayed because of signage issues between the contractor and the state. Everything has been cleared and Monday we will see the lane shift begin with Lynch Construction will begin to do the same work that you have seen on Broad Street on Main Street. Remember: When this happens, Main Street will be reduced to two lanes of travel from the Veterans Bridge, just east of Noble Street, to White Street (a change). There will be flashing and fixed signs located in this construction area assisting drivers, along with the police officers.

The two south side lanes of Main Street will be closed and there will be NO left turns allowed onto NOBLE STREET or LINDBERGH BOULEVARD when traveling west on Main Street during the construction day (7am-4pm).  This phase of construction is expected to be a 2 to 3 month long process so please keep this in mind when making your travel plans.  The north side of the road will have the same work done upon completion of the south side.

Bridge Removal Over Main Street:

The contractor is now approved for the demolition of the bridge trestle and it will begin August 9^th and the area of Main Street between Free Street and Mechanic Street will be closed. This area will be closed for the duration of the bridge removal and detours will be established over local side streets in the area. You should expect delays and plan accordingly for this change. We will have more news as the project date gets closer.

Remember the Westfield Police Department will have Police Officers directing traffic in all of these areas for the public’s safety. Please obey there signals – and use your directional’s.

Thank you for your patience as we continue to work on making Westfield a better place to live, work and relax.

Broad Street:

Great progress has been made as the contractor has paved over the west side of the street as well as the major intersection of East Silver Street, West Silver Street and Broad Street. Because the pavement is in place on the west side of Broad Street the construction zone will shift to the east side, but two lanes of traffic will remain flowing on Broad Street. The contractor and the Police report that they expect no detours in this area this week..

Park Square:

The area around Elm Street and School Street will see continued work on the drainage system. As this is a major undertaking – many of the pipes are over 50 years old – it is tedious work….and I am sure the heat is not helping. This area will see activity all week.

Main Street:

Will be a very active site this week as electrical crews will be working all week to transfer electricity from the old poles to the new ones. Some lane restrictions might occur as some of the work will be close to the travel lanes. Please expect some minor delays.

Important Street Closing:

On Wednesday Meadow Street will be closed, with a detour in place, from Casimir Street to Main Street to pave the road. This should be done in one construction day and the road shall be passable again – something we all look forward to.

Major Announcement Regarding Main Street:

On Thursday or Friday of this week, Lynch Construction will begin to do the same work that you have seen on Broad Street on Main Street. When this happens, Main Street will be reduced to two lanes of travel from the Veterans Bridge, just east of Noble Street, to Meadow Street. The two south side lanes of Main Street will be closed and there will be NO left turns allowed onto NOBLE STREET or LINDBERGH BOULEVARD when traveling west on Main Street during the construction day (7am-4pm).  This phase of construction is expected to be a 2 to 3 month long process so please keep this in mind when making your travel plans.  The north side of the road will have the same work done upon completion of the south side.

Remember the Westfield Police Department will have Police Officers directing traffic in all of these areas for the public’s safety. Please obey their signals – and use your directionals.

Thank you for your patience as we continue to work on making Westfield a better place to live, work and relax.

We would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate Lt. Hipolito Nunez, Sgt. Michael Ugolik and Ptl. Robert Saunders as they have been promoted to captain, lieutenant and sergeant, respectively, effective August 8, 2010. Congratulations and stay safe.

You will see some delays on Franklin Street near Elm Street and Maple Street where gas lines are being tied in.  There is no need for traffic to be detoured around the construction site so there should be only minimal delays. The work will be from 7:00 am to 4:00 p.m.

They will continue to work in front of the library going north through the intersection of School Street.  The work in this area will be done between 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

The Broad Street detour from the park going south will see work on Monday and Tuesday only  from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  Holland Avenue and Pleasant Streets will be your easiest routes to get around this area.

Main Street will see some delays as there will be sewer work and the continuation of the   electricity and telephone poles being moved from 7:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m.

The only intersection that will see real delays is Broad Street at West Silver and East Silver Streets where Lynch Construction will begin the process of putting down a binder coat which is   temporary pavement in the intersection.  The work will be done between 7:00 a.m and 5:30 p.m.  This should greatly reduce the dust in the area and temporarily finish the work there until everything gets a permanent paved surface. A great sign of progress!!!

Broad Street will see work on the east side of the road but only after the west side has been brought back up to the correct road level and traffic can safely pass on the west side of the road.

The members of the police department working these sites would like to thank you for your patience and are grateful to those who offered water during the recent heat wave.

Thank you for your patience as we continue to work on making Westfield a better place to live, work and relax.

Kudlic Construction will be working on Franklin Street between Maple Street and Elm Street putting in gas lines.  There will be minimal disruption and police officers assisting traffic.

Lynch Construction will be continuing their work on Broad Street and they are anticipating moving their work to the east side of the road by the end of this week – we will keep you posted.

CDM will also be working on Broad Street which will cause an alternating traffic pattern on Broad Street for most of the week as they are inspecting the sewer system in the area.

Witch Equipment Company will be working for the Westfield Gas & Electric on Main Street doing service cuts between Lindbergh Boulevard and White Street. This activity will reduce the traffic to one lane around the work crews so you can expect minor delays.

Verizon will be continuing to work in the Main Street area as well and some lane restrictions may also occur depending on how close to the road they are working in setting the poles and moving the lines.

Lynch Construction will also be working on Elm Street near the library on the west side of the road and working north toward School Street. There will be minimal disruption in this area as the street is still wide enough to handle the regular traffic flow.

The Westfield Police Department will have sufficient Police Officer presence in all of the construction areas and are working hard to minimize the impact on your travel time through the area.

Thank you for your patience as we continue to work on making Westfield a better place to live, work and relax.

Special Alert:

Traffic will not be allowed to turn north from Franklin St. (Route 20) onto Elm St. (Routes 10 and 202) during that time frame.

*******Eastbound passenger car traffic on Franklin St. will be able to turn right at the intersection and head south on Elm St.

*******Eastbound truck traffic traveling east on Franklin St. will be detoured onto Washington St., and then to Court St. from Washington back to the rotary reconnecting with routes 10 and 202.

*******Truck traffic traveling west on Route 20 into the city should seek alternate routes to avoid the Franklin St. intersection.  Trucks should use Court St. to Washington St. to Franklin St. to avoid the intersection.

There will be officers at the intersection of Court St. and Washington St., and at the intersection of Washington St. at Franklin St. to assist traffic flow.

1.    Monday through Friday work will continue on Elm Street between Orange Street and Franklin Street between 7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.  Traffic will be flowing in both directions but expect some minimal delays.

2.    The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MDOT) will be continuing their efforts on Broad Street all week between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.  They might run a little longer but traffic will run in both directions unless equipment is in the road and then there might be some alternating traffic.  So expect a minimal delay.

3.    Verizon will still be on Main Street but the traffic will remain running in both directions as they are working on telephone pole relocation off the roadway. They have been working longer hours in order to wrap up their part of the project.

4. SPECIAL NOTE: Broad Street at the rotary will be temporarily closed south bound up to the Fire Station through Wednesday this week – the contractor hopes to be done with that section by then and have it reopened for regular traffic on Thursday morning.  Traffic will be rerouted southbound to Holland Avenue or Pleasant Street until Thursday.  Broad Street will be open south of Yale Street and to all northbound traffic during this period.

2.    The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MDOT) will be continuing their efforts on Broad Street all week between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.  They might run a little longer but traffic will run in both directions unless equipment is in the road and then there might be some alternating traffic.  So expect a minimal delay.

3.    Verizon will still be on Main Street but the traffic will remain running in both directions as they are working on telephone pole relocation off the roadway.

4.    SPECIAL NOTE: Broad Street at the rotary will be temporarily closed south bound up to the Fire Station Tuesday through Friday.  Traffic will be rerouted southbound to Holland Avenue or Pleasant Street.  Broad Street will be open south of Yale Street and to all northbound traffic during this period.

5.   Lastly, plans had to be resubmitted for the removal of the trestle over Main Street by Free Street so there will be no work on this part of the project in the near future.