PITTSFIELD- INTERSECTION & SIGNAL IMPROVEMENTS AT 9 LOCATIONS ALONG SR 8 & SR 9

Three intersections, SR 8 & SR 9 (DALTON AVENUE) @ MERRILL CHESHIRE ROAD, DALTON AVENUE @ CRANE AVENUE CONNECTOR & SR 9 (MERRILL ROAD) @ CRANE AVENUE CONNECTOR, form a triangular signal network which is the site of several HSIP crash clusters. A Road Safety Audit, performed June 1, 2015, made recommendations to rehab/replace the existing traffic signals to comply with current MUTCD standards, including potential replacement of span wire & mast arms. The RSA also recommended to increase visibility of traffic signal heads; install back-plates with yellow retro-reflective borders; and review/calculate proper signal clearance intervals to better account for intersection width and approach speeds. Since the RSA, MassDOT has identified six (6) additional traffic signal locations, in the vicinity of the three main signals, that would benefit from signal replacement using adaptive signal control technology. Four of the locations are State-owned signals; these include Route 8 (Cheshire Rd) @ Allendale Shopping Center, Route 9 (Merrill Rd) @ Unkamet Plaza, Route 8/9 (Dalton Ave) @ Meadowview Drive, and Route 8/9 @ Hubbard Ave. The other two locations are City-owned; Hubbard Ave @ Berkshire Crossing/Wendy’s, and Hubbard Ave at Berkshire Crossing Rear Site Drive/Covanta. Two of the additional locations contain HSIP crash clusters. No geometric changes are currently proposed; thus, by keeping the project limited to signal replacement only, right-of-way impacts should be minimal. The proposed improvements should help reduce crash frequency at relatively low cost. The use of adaptive signal control will improve signal progression through the network; thereby reducing congestion, delay, and driver frustration in this heavily commercial area.