DPW Director Chris Cignoli presented updates on the $22.7 million “X” reconstruction project, a roadway initiative over 10 years in the making, during a March 25 public gathering.
Reminder Publishing photo by Ryan Feyre
SPRINGFIELD — MassDOT is conducting a public information meeting regarding Springfield’s “X” reconstruction project on May 14 at 6:30 p.m. inside the Forest Park Middle School auditorium.
According to a flyer, attendees will learn more about the project’s design, the schedule and construction phasing, early construction activity, public involvement and next steps.
“This event will include a formal presentation followed by an opportunity to ask questions and make comments,” the MassDOT flyer said. “Public input will be reviewed and considered to the maximum extent possible.”
During a public gathering at the Forest Park Civic Association on March 25, DPW Director Chris Cignoli said that the $22.7 million project was ready to commence, and residents should expect to see some utility work happening throughout this year.
“All the permits, all the approvals for the project are in place,” Cignoli said in March. “The project is ready to go.”
When done, the project will fix what city officials say is an antiquated section of Springfield, where a tattered pavement, lack of bike lanes and “awful” pedestrian crossings are exacerbated by a growth of vehicles on the road, as well as an increase in accidents and motorists speeding.
Reconstruction of the roadway, encompassing Sumner Avenue at Dickinson Street and Belmont Avenue, will include the addition of transition lanes, new traffic signals and traffic signal coordination; 5-foot bicycle lanes plus widening and reconstruction of sidewalks to shared-use paths; pedestrian facility and accessibility upgrades; as well as replacement of street lighting, furnishings and landscaping.
According to the state website, the project begins at the Sumner Avenue intersection with Churchill Street and continues 3,400 feet east to the intersection with Daytona Street. The Belmont Avenue project limits begin just northwest of its intersection with Burlington Street and continue 1,650 feet south to the intersection with Ormond Street. Meanwhile, the Dickinson Street segment begins at the intersection with Burlington Street and runs south 1,050 feet to the intersection with Cliftwood Street.
Aside from those areas, the project will also affect Lenox Street, Ormond Street, Burlington Street, Oakland Street and Commonwealth Avenue, the state website says.
“By far, this is probably the largest roadway project we’ve done in the city since we did State Street [Corridor Project],” Cignoli said. “We’re doing this [project] to get speeds down, and we’re doing it to make it safer.”
“The other thing this project is going to do is get rid of a lot of cut-through traffic,” Cignoli continued.
At the time of the March 25 meeting, Cignoli said schedules were not available yet, however, the MassDOT meeting flyer states that early construction activity began in March with installation of traffic signage, survey work and preliminary utility investigation.
The state’s timeline also tentatively expects utility work to occur over the next few years and for roadway construction to officially begin sometime in summer 2028.
If all goes well, the project is expected to be completed by summer 2030, according to the state website.
In his comments about the project, Sarno said that he hopes MassDOT will continue to clearly communicate with the businesses and residents of Springfield as project updates unfold over the next several years.
He also told the public that he appreciates their patience and understanding throughout the project’s process.
“The X is a major thoroughfare here in the city of Springfield, and I wish I had the power to snap my fingers and get this done yesterday,” Sarno said. “It’s going to take some time, but it’s going to be for the betterment not only of the residents, but for the business community here in the X area.”
Readers can learn more about updates to the project by visiting the state’s website, mass.gov/the-x-springfield, or the DPW’s Facebook page.
