EASTHAMPTON – A new transitional motorcycle trail, opened last week on Williston Avenue, is part of a series of adjustments close to the city streets thanks to a $160,000 grant from the Transportation Street and Shared Spaces Decomposer program. Massachusetts. The motorcycle trail runs through the Williston Avenue component to high school, where a momentary component of the grant opened a connection to Nonotuck Park.
“When we start this conversation, it will be an option to take the kids to the best school,” urban planner Jeffrey Bagg said of the new path.
And while Easthampton students are now starting remote school because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bagg says the track still offers a motorcycle trail committed to the park.
The grant will also be used to install permanent protection innovations at a crosswalk on Pleasant Street and to create a crosswalk available to other people with disabilities on Williston Avenue.
In addition, the sidewalk near the new Williston Avenue pedestrian crossing will be expanded. Although the motorcycle trail is in position for one year, the other projects funded through the grant will be permanent.
“We choose those that depend on other projects,” Bagg said.
It also noted that by applying for a grant, applicants gained more problems in the application procedure for transitory projects that may be permanent.
Bagg said the public’s reaction to the motorcycle route was positive, but city dweller Fauna Albert was not happy and said the city would be better served if the speed limit on the street was reduced, rather than creating a new motorcycle lane. was involved in narrowing the traffic lane.
“Bigger cars are taking to the streets,” Albert said. “I wish they had consulted more people in the community. “
He said the 101-foot diameter of the narrow driveway is wider than some of cottage street’s driveways, which have a diameter of 91. 2 feet.
“It’s too narrow, ” he said.
He also stated that the city is contemplating reducing the speed limit on Williston Avenue for the duration of the program.
“We thought it would be to take this into account, ” he said.
Some neighbors approached the city and praised the motorcycle trail for slowing down traffic on the street, Bagg said.
“It had a calming effect on traffic,” said Lauren Faulkner-Duncan, who lives on Williston Avenue and enjoys riding a motorcycle.
Marvin Ward, who lives near the motorcycle trail and is MassBike’s representative on the Joint Transportation Committee of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, agrees.
“I think there is something permanent,” Ward said of the motorcycle trail. “Many children like to ride their bikes to school. “
On Sunday, from 10 a. m. , an opening and cycling rite will take place to celebrate the new route, and ValleyBike Share will also be present, providing loose passes for qualifyers.
“We hope to organize a small motorcycle parade,” Bagg said.
Westhampton learned last week that he won a $61,100 grant for streets and shared spaces, which he will use to pick them up and drop them off at Westhampton Elementary School.
“The fewer people walk on school buses . . . safer will be,” said Cheryl Provost, municipal secretary and administrative assistant.
Provost said the grant will help pave a domain on Hathaway Road that is used as a delivery point for the school, on Kings Highway, which has followed a hybrid style for the fall.
“The concept was that,” Provost said of the site, which would provide a place to pick up and drop off cars at school. In addition, the grant will finance the addition of a bike rack and pavilion in the area.
Provost said having two places to pick up and drop off the school will distance social media and reduce traffic.
Westhampton Select President Philip Dowling implemented the grant. He said his first attempt had failed, but that he had succeeded for a moment with two consultants from the State Department of Transportation.