Berkshire County — The Department of Transportation announced on Tuesday, Aug. 8, that $16.4 million has been awarded to 138 municipalities and seven transfer authorities through the state’s Shared Streets and Spaces program.
According to a press release issued by MassDOT, the program provides technical assistance and project funding to help cities and towns design and implement changes to curbs, streets, and parking areas in support of public health, safe mobility, and community growth and revitalization.
Projects in this round of funding placed emphasis on projects that would reduce vehicle speeds in order to increase safety, and for projects that involve purchasing equipment needed to improve and maintain infrastructure for active transportation. Through the program, Great Barrington, in partnership with the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority, received $62,500 in order for several transportation related projects.
The funds will be used by the town to upgrade bus stops with signage, create more accessible curbs for pedestrians, construct new bus shelters, solar powered lighting, and benches. Stockbridge received $132,994.95 in order to install raised and improved crosswalks and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant curb ramps.
Also through the program: Chesterfield received $45,458, and Cummington received $19,729 both for speed feedback and messaging signs, Northampton received $24,132 for snow removal equipment for pedestrian and bicycle facilities, a line painter for bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and a bicycle shelter, Otis received $46,417 for snow removal equipment for pedestrian and bicycle facilities, and Williamsburg received $32,400 for pedestrian-activated warning devices/ crossing signals.
“Our Shared Streets and Spaces grant program is just one of the many municipal grant programs that has demonstrated what we can accomplish by working together with our partners at the local level,” Gov. Charlie Baker was quoted as saying in the press release. “Today’s announcement represents the largest award round since the program was launched and we are glad to be funding projects that reduce vehicular speeds and provide safe mobility for children, for seniors, to public transportation, housing, and to open space and parks.”
“We’ve been proud to award a total of $50 million dollars in grant funding to cities and towns to facilitate 494 projects since launching Shared Streets and Spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic in June of 2020,” Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito was quoted as saying in the press release. “We are pleased to partner with local leaders to create safer and more connected cities and towns.”
