To the Editor:
This letter is lengthy, but worth your time to read. If you are one of the approximate 1,400 who signed the petition to keep Lake Mansfield Road in Great Barrington a two-way access, I’m sure you will agree with what follows. Keep in mind, 925 – 950 signatures are from people who live in town…..that’s more than the typical turn out for a town vote.
As many of you know, or may not know, there is a large project being planned right now for Lake Mansfield Road in Great Barrington. While I’m sure most, if not all, would agree this road does need serious attention. However, must we go above and beyond what is deemed necessary? I’m sure there will be more than a few people who will be unhappy this letter has surfaced; however, there are a lot more who will agree with me.
The Consultant Design Team has proposed its plan to the Lake Mansfield Task Force and Great Barrington Selectboard. The recommendation from the Task Force to our board is that Lake Mansfield Road become a one-way access with a south to north direction. Hmm…isn’t that away from the hospital? I’ve been told the Selectboard will be voting on this Sept 26 at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall, so please try to attend. Aside from the petition, make your voices heard, call or email the Selectboard’s office, or submit your own letter. Please don’t choose to do nothing!
There is a strong political divide on this issue. Most of the people who would prefer a one-way access reside on the south side of the lake otherwise called “The Hill,” and obviously want the traffic routed away from their neighborhood, while the rest of the people who live on the north side want the road to remain two-way. Many, many people rely on this road day in and day out. The reasoning to convert the road to one-way is based on preserving the environment, ecology of the land, and safety.
Let’s first discuss safety. The road is unsafe due to the disrespect and ignorance both with pedestrians, bikers, and cars. During the 20 hours throughout July that I spent over at the lake I witnessed many things that left me shaking my head. Safety would not be an issue if people would adhere to the rules of the road, and maybe it’s time to re-educate some! This is true of any road. For example, you do not walk with the traffic, you walk against it. I realize there are a couple of areas on the lake road that make it difficult for a car to see you, but again, you must be responsible and move over. There are certainly cars that drive too fast, but this will still happen no matter what measures are taken. When, pedestrians, drivers and bikers are responsible, you can pass other cars and walkers at the same time as I have on several occasions.
Second, you do not bike opposite the flow of traffic; you bike with traffic, and you certainly don’t own the road……move over, and at the same time, reel in your dogs!
Next, you do NOT text while walking, biking, or driving!
Furthermore, you do NOT stand in the crosswalk while having a conversation with someone else on the beach, talking on your phone and having two vehicles waiting for you to get going and cross the road.
Do I even need to say, hold your young child’s hand always?
Finally, according to the Great Barrington Police Department, there have been only two pedestrian/car accidents since 1995… fortunately, none of which involved any injuries.
Moving on to preserving the ecology of the land and the environment. Yes, important. However, according KZLA Landscape Architecture Inc, Lake Mansfield Road CAN remain a two-way road while preserving the ecology/environment. Within the proposed plan of expanding the existing parking lot, creating a boat launch parking area, making the road one-way, the Outlet Control, and the permit fees that go along with the above, the costs are as follows:
Design and Permitting Estimates: $370,000
Construction Estimates: $1,810,000 (this does not include the cost for burying the utility lines).
Total: $2,180,000 (which we all know will run over).
These figures are taken from the Lake Mansfield Task Force Comprehensive Report.
If maintaining the environment and ecology is a priority here, then WHY are we removing acres of land to add more pavement for bigger parking lots? A total of 50 parking spots are planned at the beach area and another six at the boat launch area. August of this year was one of the hottest months of the summer and every day I went past the lake when I knew it was the busiest times, I never counted more than 24, and that was only on one day! Most days it was 7 – 17 cars, never 50. So, why would we want to do all of this for about 10 weeks of the year when July is really the only busy month anyway? The KZLA team referenced that the area should be inviting to people. Well, people are already here! Might I add that in the ‘60s ‘70s and ‘80s, the lake area was much busier.
Next, according to the KZLA team, the sediment from the gravel in both parking areas is detrimental to the lake. Okay then, pave them, but do not expand them by deforesting the land! This very action would be going against what the Task Force is trying to “preserve.” If we only update the road to meet environmental and ecological standards, fix only what is truly necessary, the cost would be cheaper than converting to a one-way and adding a monstrosity of a parking lot by the beach and another parking lot at the boat launch that doesn’t even allow motor boats. We do not need a dock in the water, a pedestrian/bike lane, new bathroom areas, etc.
Finally, a few last things:
I spoke to several members of the Police Department, ambulance, Fire and the DPW employees. They are in favor of leaving the road a two-way access. Of course, they will go along with the project of choice. Keep in mind, they work here and feathers get ruffled if we don’t always comply. I also contacted East View Pool Members who agree on the two-way.
Do we really need to bury utility lines? Expensive!
This proposal has been rejected in the past because the majority of the residents want this road to remain a two-way access. Let’s not forget about how many people use this road for obvious and various reasons.
Lastly, throughout this entire process, the Lake Mansfield Task Force has repeatedly stated how important it is to listen to the people’s input on this project. Many did not know of a survey online that was open to the public. I felt the need to try and reach more people for their opinions on which option they would choose. Again, it is evident with the petition that was circulated how strongly 1,400 people feel about Lake Mansfield Road! Fix it up, address the necessary issues, and leave the road a two-way road!
Nadine Foster
Great Barrington
