Belchertown Public Works Director Steven J. Williams is anticipating state funding for a project that will improve traffic flow at the intersection of Main and Maple streets.
BELCHERTOWN – Public Works Director Steven J. Williams told the selectmen Monday that funding prospects for improving the intersection of Main and Maple streets look good, partly because the project would alleviate traffic congestion in the center of town.
“We are very close to seeing this project move forward,’’ Williams said.
The project will cost abut $1 million.
Williams said it receives higher priority because it meets criteria for state road projects funded with Congestion Management Air Quality money.
“When you reduce congestion at an intersection, it qualifies for the Congestion Management Air Quality funds,’’ Williams said.
The project would include widening Main Street in front of the Finnerty House and Town Hall so that a lane can be added for right turns.
“This is all about improving traffic flow right in front of Town Hall,’’ Selectman Kenneth E. Elstein said. “It will allow turning lanes.
Williams said that this project could be added to the list of those funded this year or next because its price tag of $1 million, while a lot of money, is relatively small for traffic improvement projects and could wind up being added to a list of state projects if others approved wind up short of hitting the amount of funds approved for a fiscal year.
Williams said the town is close to receiving approval of state funding for a major rebuilding of Route 181 which runs from the center of town to the Bondsville section of Palmer.
The Route 181 project has a price tag of $9 million and has been being designed for the past five years.
In response to Williams’ recommendation, the Board of Selectmen Monday voted to request permission from the Hampshire Council of Governments to change the layout of the Main and Maple streets intersection, which will involve the town approving the use of what is now property in front of Town Hall and the town owned Finnerty House.
“It does sound a little strange because the land in question is town land,’’ Williams said.
But he explained that the layout of streets in front of Town Hall was approved in 1766 by the County Commission, and when the state Legislature ended county government several years ago, some responsibilities, including road layouts like this one, were transferred to the Hampshire Council of Governments.