Mayor Sarno Authorizes New Traffic Light to Alleviate New Brightwood/Lincoln School Traffic Congestion
Springfield, MA – Mayor Domenic J. Sarno announced today that in partnership with School Committeewoman Maria Perez, Superintendent Daniel Warwick, Department of Public Works (DPW) Director Chris Cignoli and Chief Administrative and Finance Officer (CAFO) TJ Plante, that he has authorized a new traffic light to alleviate traffic congestion at the new Brightwood-Lincoln School.
The new traffic light will be installed at the Avacado / West Street / Plainfield Street intersection. The project is expected to cost around $600,000 and is anticipated to start in the Spring of 2022 and be completed before the start of the school year. In the meantime, Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood has directed the Springfield Police Departments (SPD) North End C3 Unit and Squad to help with traffic congestion in the afternoon during school dismissal. SPD will continue to monitor the situation and provide morning traffic attention as appropriate and if needed.
Mayor Sarno states, “School Committeewoman Maria Perez brought this to my attention and we all huddled together to review and resolve this ‘quality of life’ situation for our residents of our North End neighborhood area. I want to thank DPW Director Chris Cignoli, CAFO TJ Plante, Superintendent Daniel Warwick and Assistant Superintendent Lydia Martinez for their prompt response and coming together to help address this matter.”
Superintendent of Schools Daniel Warwick thanked Mayor Sarno, Assistant Superintendent Lydia Martinez and School Committee woman Maria Perez for their diligent work in addressing this public safety issue for North End school students, staff and families, neighbors and motorists. “Once again, our Education Mayor is providing resources to improve the experiences of our students, families and staff,” said Warwick. “We are pleased that the issue has been addressed so early into the school year, allowing the focus to remain where it should – on what’s going on inside of the school rather than what’s happening outside of it.”
School Committeewoman Maria Perez stated, “This is great news for everyone whose driving route takes them along Plainfield Street every day, especially around school drop off and pick up times,” said School Committee woman Maria Perez. “Easing traffic jams that have been experienced this school year will greatly improve the quality of life for North End residents and visitors. We thank Mayor Sarno for hearing us and working to resolve this issue.”