Consultants present designs for Exit 19 improvements

By Owen Boss

Staff Writer

NORTHAMPTON - Residents had the opportunity to weigh in on several proposed designs for improvements at Interstate 91's Exit 19 as a consulting firm presented its most recent findings at a public meeting Monday night.

The meeting, which drew more than 80 people to Bridge Street School's cafeteria, involved a brief presentation of 12 different designs being considered by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and drafted by TranSystems, a company from Kansas City, Mo., that has spent the last six months reviewing and updating traffic studies conducted in the last decade.

"We wanted to make sure that throughout the course of this study that the public had access to all of the information that we had available and to make sure that information was made clear," said Marcy Miller, of TranSystems. "This is the first of what would be four neighborhood meetings ... and while 12 alternatives may seem like a lot to digest, this is just our effort to remain transparent. We didn't want you to think a decision has already been made."

Proposals presented Monday range from no change to the exit's current layout through a simple two-lane roundabout to a three-story flyover ramp, but all are aimed at improving traffic congestion at Exit 19, which connects I-91 to Damon Road and Route 9.

According to Gary Bua, of TranSystems, the key difference between Monday's meeting and past study presentations was that the 12 possible designs were ranked based on a host of criteria, including impacts on traffic flow, the environment, abutting agricultural land, surrounding properties and safety.

"We've carefully analyzed the current conditions and we've also projected the future conditions, and we are here to get more comments from you," Bua said. "And from your input, we will choose three or four (designs) and advance those through another study and arrive at a preferred alternative."

Many of those who spoke voiced concern that most of the designs would be too costly and wondered if the funding could rather be used to address other problems facing the city.

"I can't believe that they are thinking of spending this kind of money to further our dependence on cars - it makes no sense," said Northampton resident Susan Lantz, drawing a round of applause from the audience. "One of the alternatives here is to do nothing and I so strongly support that. Let us use this funding to address the changes that are coming at us in the next 20 years."

Also presenting findings at the meeting was a Project Advisory Committee consisting of representatives from the Ward 3 neighborhood association, environmental interest groups, local colleges and universities, transit agencies, bicycle advocacy groups and state legislators. The committee has worked closely with the study team since its formation in November 2009.

Before revealing its recommended design choice, PAC member Frank Werbinski said the committee's aim was to find an alternative that closely matched the interchange's current footprint, required the use of as little land as possible, was safest for pedestrians and cyclists and did not disrupt the floodplain or nearby agriculture.

Although he said the PAC supported an alternative that scrapped the idea of new construction and rather used funding to increase the number and frequency of PVTA shuttles and improved Norwottuck Rail Trail connections, the group recommended concepts 12 and 13, the two cheapest designs.

Concept 12 would convert the Route 9-Damon Road intersection to a two-lane roundabout. Concept 13 would require the construction of another left turn lane from Bridge Street onto I-91's southbound on-ramp, an extra northbound through lane to Damon Road from the northbound off-ramp, among other improvements.

Monday's slide presentation and a wealth of background information is available on a specially created website, www.mass.gov/massdot/interchange19. The site also has a page for residents to submit written comments or suggestions that will then be relayed to MassDOT officials.

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com