The city of Springfield is set to pave 25 pothole-pocked streets in various neighborhoods after receiving a significant increase in state funding for road and bridge repair. Typically receiving $3.6 million in state assistance for road paving, this year officials are expecting an increase to $5.1 million. Governor Maura T. Healey proposed boosting the annual funding for road improvements to $300 million, a welcome increase that will last for five years. Additionally, the city will receive $807,384 in additional funds from the state Fair Share Amendment, also known as the Millionaires’ Tax.
The city plans to go out to bid for $5.1 million worth of paving in the coming weeks, with work set to begin in May or June. The funds will cover repaving for four main roadways and 21 residential streets in different neighborhoods. Department of Public Works director Christopher Cignoli explained that the city selects streets for improvement based on pavement condition reports, urging concerned residents to compare their streets to those selected.
City councilor Sean Curran raised concerns about the rusted and graffiti-marked Plainfield Street Bridge, expressing the desire for it to be repainted. Cignoli acknowledged the complication of getting this work done due to larger projects in the area, promising to address it in future meetings with the Department of Transportation.
The scheduled paving includes main roads such as King, Union, and Locust streets, as well as residential streets like Alsace, Benham, Clough, and Parkside. City Councilor Victor Davila emphasized the importance of maintaining good roads for a thriving city.
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