Chicopee City Council stalls Burnett Road truck stop expansion, requests traffic study, okays increased fuel storage
Transcript available here: https://skynet-times.blogspot.com/2024/11/transcript-chicoee-city-council-nov-19.html
[Transcript length: 01 hr 53 min / 16,923 words / 20,190 tokens]
[Model: hf.co/bartowski/SuperNova-Medius-GGUF:Q6_K_L / Temperature: 0]
---
Chicopee City Council stalls Burnett Road truck stop expansion, requests traffic study, okays increased fuel storage
By Jonathan Gerhardson on Nov. 21, 2024.
CHICOPEE, MA — The Chicopee City Council unanimously passed a resolution on Nov. 19 requesting safety and traffic calming improvements at the entrance ramp onto Interstate 291 from Shawinigan Drive leading to Burnett Road.
The resolution, introduced by Councilor Samuel Shumsky with co-sponsorship from President Frank LaFlamme and Vice President Robert Zygarowski, addresses significant safety concerns reported by residents, commuters, and local businesses. These issues include excessive speeding, near-misses, and traffic flow problems that have made the intersection a critical area for improvement.
During the meeting, Councilor Shumsky emphasized the urgency of addressing these safety concerns. “This entrance ramp serves as a significant access point for both local and interstate travel,” he said. “Ensuring its safety and accessibility is a priority for the city.”
The resolution calls on the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to conduct a comprehensive safety review of the intersection and evaluate potential improvements aimed at reducing traffic speeds and enhancing overall safety. These measures may include traffic calming measures, signage enhancements, and other modifications as needed.
Councilor Shumsky also expressed hope for collaboration with MassDOT in assessing and implementing necessary changes. “We are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents and those who travel through our community,” he stated. “This resolution is a step towards achieving that goal.”
The council also voted to send an application for a new truck stop at 357 Burnett Road to the License Committee for further review. The decision came after public input from residents who expressed deep concerns about safety and traffic issues.
Susan LaPlante was one of many who spoke out against the proposal. “I’ve
lived here for over 50 years,” she said. “The area is already prone to
accidents involving tractor-trailers. Adding another truck stop will
only exacerbate these issues and put our families at risk.”
Eugene
Prisbillowitz echoed similar concerns. “We don’t need any more trackers
in our neighborhood,” he said. “You’re playing with our lives if you
approve this. This is not just about tax revenue; it’s about the safety
and well-being of our community.”
The proposed truck stop, applied for by Pilot Travel Centers, would be located directly behind a Pride Service Station located at 363 Burnett Road. It would also be near several schools, nursing homes, and residential areas. During the meeting, numerous residents voiced their opposition to the project, citing potential dangers associated with increased traffic and heavy trucks in an already congested area.
Pilot Travel Centers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Despite kicking the application for a new station back to the license committee, the council voted 12-1 to approve an amended fuel storage license at the exact same address 357 Burnett Road, from 32,000 gallons to 48,000 gallons. Councilor Gerry Roy was the lone no vote. "I'm all in favor of increasing the tax base up there [around] Burnett Road," said Roy. "I'm just not in favor of the gas station, period."
It was not clarified during the meeting if the current owners of the lot, Chicopee Inn, Inc. plans to sell to Pilot Travel Centers but this seems more likely than the possibility of two competing truck stops sharing a parking lot.
The existing stop at 363 Burnett includes a diner that is decorated in a similar retro 1950s style as the one that Uma Thurman's character overdoses in the bathroom of in Pulp Fiction. The abutting lot that is the proposed site of the new gas station has been vacant since 2016, according to satellite imagery.
Comments
Post a Comment