Evan Vitale Consulting: Springfield seeks to hire consultant for traffic study, improvements to 'The X … – The Republican

Monday, October 27, 2014

Springfield seeks to hire consultant for traffic study, improvements to 'The X … – The Republican – masslive.com

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SPRINGFIELD – The city will be hiring a consulting firm for a comprehensive study of the “X” at Forest Park, aimed at improving traffic flow and safety, pedestrian improvements and further enhancements in that area.

Consulting firms interested in vying for the transportation engineering planning study at the “X” must submit their qualifications by Wednesday at 2 p.m., at the Office of Procurement at City Hall to be considered for the study. The estimated $100,000 study is being funded by the federal Community Development Block Grant program.

The “X” is an area that surrounds the intersection of Sumner Avenue, Belmont Avenue, and Dickinson Street.

“It really needs attention,” said Christopher Cignoli, the city’s director of Public Works. “Traffic has really increased. Pedestrian travel has increased. Signals are antiquated.”

With many of the city’s main roadways and intersection having been improved, or under construction, the “X” stands as another major intersection in need of improvements, Cignoli said.

Some of the challenges facing the “X” area include: pedestrians crossing major streets at unsafe locations, antiquated traffic signals; drivers ignoring traffic rules; significant traffic delays during peak periods; deteriorated road and sidewalk areas, according to the city’s advertisement for a consulting firm.

Kevin Kennedy, the city’s chief development officer, said that traffic patterns in a large commercial district such as the “X,” have a definite effect on economic activity.

“We want to look at a better way to improve traffic where a number of major arteries intersect,” Kennedy said.

According to the solicitation for a consultant, the firm hired must complete various tasks including “land planning reviews, perform traffic engineering, roadway design, utility analyses, pedestrian improvements, streetscape enhancements, (and) lighting analyses.”

The Department of Public Works in conjunction with the Office of Planning and Economic Development is overseeing the project. A “Selection Committee” with representatives of both departments will review the consultants and select a company for the study.

It is hoped that future improvements will be approved and funded by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, Cignoli said.

The study is expected to begin in December and be completed by July 1, 2015.

The primary area within the study consists of: Sumner Avenue, from Forest Park Avenue to White Street; Dickinson Street, from Grenada Terrace to Trafton Street; and Belmont Avenue, from Beaumonth Street to Hollywood Street.

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