Holyoke mayor urges residents to voice support for downtown street upgrades
HOLYOKE — Holyoke Mayor Joshua A. Garcia is asking residents to support what's known as the High and Maple Streets Corridor Improvement Project by sending comments to the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission.
Garcia wants residents to share a sense of urgency to improve the busy corridor, which is contending for money in competition with other projects — even though possible construction remains years away.
A 21-day public review period ends May 23.
'This project is up for the resources needed for implementation in the year 2030,' he said.
The project is important because it will fix aging traffic signals, make pedestrian crossings safer and add bike lanes. These changes will help reduce accidents and make the streets better for all, Garcia said in a post on Facebook this week.
Intersections along High and Maple streets are heavily used and have been the subject of transportation audits, planning and evaluation since 2011.
The junctions are on the state's Department of Transportation's 200 worst intersections list and are in the top 5% of problematic intersections in the Pioneer Valley. Both lists are based on state crash data.
Gary Roux, principal planner and traffic manager at the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, said transportation documents were recently released for public review and comment.
'There is a clear need for the project in the area, but we have limited funds and many worthy projects,' Roux said. 'We are always interested in hearing which projects are supported by the region's residents.'
According to Garcia, the corridor is home to obsolete traffic signals and non-compliant pedestrian crossings. The routes lack modern 'complete streets' features necessary for a vibrant and accessible downtown.
Upgrades would cut down on accidents between cars and people, make intersections safer and encourage walking and biking, which fits with Holyoke's plan, he said.
Part of the project area lies in the MassDevelopment Transformative Development Initiative District. This program helps neighborhoods grow by improving public spaces and working with local partners.
Garcia said that making the streets better and easier to use will help attract private investment, support new businesses and make High Street a lively and welcoming place.
'Although the project has faced challenges and delays, including removal from prior Transportation Improvement Programs, the city remains committed to its completion,' he said.
Garcia applauded the state DOT's recent decision to move the project forward to early design stages, aiming for construction in 2029-2030.
'It is essential that this momentum continue so that Holyoke can realize the full benefit of this critical investment,' he said.
The regional Transportation Improvement Program lists the High and Maple streets project for possible federal funding in the 2029 fiscal year, said Roux, of the PVPC.
The commission is required to provide a public comment period before the document can be finalized.
Every year, the commission releases a five-year project schedule. 'Based on the status of each project through the design process, we will update it and make recommendations,' Roux said.
Roux said many factors influence when a project can proceed. Funding is a key factor, as well as a project's readiness to be advertised for construction.
Read the original article on MassLive.
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