Representative Don Humason



NEW BRIDGE August 22, 2009 By State Representative Don Humason, Jr. I stayed out of Boston the whole week and what a rare and wonderful treat that was. It’s a very quiet month at the State House and there’s little happening on Beacon Hill. In fact, I’ve only been to the capitol twice this month. Compare that to 13 days in July. Back in Westfield, there’s not usually too much happening during the dog days of August to celebrate. But this week was an exception. Last Friday night, a group of volunteers, myself included, staged a murder-mystery dinner theatre to raise money for the Cancer House of Hope in Westfield and Springfield. “Reunion at Hippie High” was a huge success, thanks in no small part to a very groovy audience that got into the hippie-themed event and came decked out in long hair, peace beads and plenty of tie die clothing. There’s talk of doing an encore presentation later this year in November. I’ll be sure to get the word out so you can attend if you are so inclined. Last Sunday was the 60th anniversary of Stanley Park, one of Westfield’s crown jewels. There was a parade up Western Avenue topped off by a celebration under the big top inside the park. Kudos to the brave spectators and parade marchers who braved the hot, humid weather to join in the festivities. This weekend is the annual Westfield Fair, held up at the fair grounds on Russellville Road. It runs Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The fair organizers have done wonders in reinventing the fair and keeping what was historically an agricultural fair current and interesting to people of all ages and interests. But in my book the biggest cause to celebrate in Westfield was the opening of the new bridge over the Westfield River this past Tuesday. It was intentionally done with little fanfare or formal pomp and circumstance. They decided not to do a ribbon cutting or ceremony. They just wanted to get the new bridge open to motorists and get the traffic flowing. I joined with Senator Mike Knapik, Mayor Mike Boulanger, and Councilor Peter Miller as the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Highway Department, Luisa Paiewonsky, toured the new bridge and spoke with the MassHighway project engineer about the scope of the project. The old Great River Bridge is now closed to traffic and renovation and rehabilitation work will begin almost immediately on that span. The girders need to be stripped of lead paint and some will most likely need to be entirely replaced before the bridge can be painted to match the bright green of the new one. They told us they hope to have the old bridge re-painted by this winter although the total rehabilitation will take until late 2010 or 2011. Work is continuing on the railroad overpass. Steel for the tracks will be put down soon so that trains can be moved off the old steel structures onto the new concrete and stone pylons. Then the old steel overstructure can be taken down and the foundations poured for new railroad supports on the North side of the CSX overpass. This will not only make things look much nicer but it will also elevate the tracks so that trailer trucks won’t be hitting them and getting wedge under them. This will go a long way to alleviate the constant traffic backups. Obviously, the opening of the new bridge this week is just phase one of a much bigger project. But it’s a good start. Judging by the reaction of motorists this week, people are very happy to see the new bridge opened. I’ve heard from many of my older constituents, including my own grandmother, that they never thought they would live to see the new bridge built! It’s been talked about in Westfield for 50 years. There will definitely continue to be traffic jams and interruptions due to construction for another 2 years. But if we can be patient I am hopeful Westfield residents and motorists will think it was all worth it by the time the bridges are all done and the park land is restored. The new park will be bigger and better than ever. The views of the river will be excellent. The access to the river and the new gateway to the city will become landmarks in Westfield that we will all be proud of. In the meantime, plan accordingly when you travel, be patient with the construction, and please patronize the businesses in the construction zone like the Butcher Block, Pilgrim Candle, Whip City Candle, Elm Pizza, Westwood, and all the others. Thank you. * * * Representative Don Humason and his Chief of Staff Sarah Latour may be reached at their Westfield District office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085, 568-1366. Email address: Rep.DonaldHumason@Hou.state.ma.us Website: www.donhumason.org
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NEW BRIDGE

August 22, 2009

By State Representative Don Humason, Jr.

I stayed out of Boston the whole week and what a rare and wonderful treat that was. It’s a very quiet month at the State House and there’s little happening on Beacon Hill. In fact, I’ve only been to the capitol twice this month. Compare that to 13 days in July.

Back in Westfield, there’s not usually too much happening during the dog days of August to celebrate. But this week was an exception.

Last Friday night, a group of volunteers, myself included, staged a murder-mystery dinner theatre to raise money for the Cancer House of Hope in Westfield and Springfield. “Reunion at Hippie High” was a huge success, thanks in no small part to a very groovy audience that got into the hippie-themed event and came decked out in long hair, peace beads and plenty of tie die clothing.

There’s talk of doing an encore presentation later this year in November. I’ll be sure to get the word out so you can attend if you are so inclined.

Last Sunday was the 60th anniversary of Stanley Park, one of Westfield’s crown jewels. There was a parade up Western Avenue topped off by a celebration under the big top inside the park. Kudos to the brave spectators and parade marchers who braved the hot, humid weather to join in the festivities.

This weekend is the annual Westfield Fair, held up at the fair grounds on Russellville Road. It runs Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The fair organizers have done wonders in reinventing the fair and keeping what was historically an agricultural fair current and interesting to people of all ages and interests.

But in my book the biggest cause to celebrate in Westfield was the opening of the new bridge over the Westfield River this past Tuesday. It was intentionally done with little fanfare or formal pomp and circumstance. They decided not to do a ribbon cutting or ceremony. They just wanted to get the new bridge open to motorists and get the traffic flowing.

I joined with Senator Mike Knapik, Mayor Mike Boulanger, and Councilor Peter Miller as the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Highway Department, Luisa Paiewonsky, toured the new bridge and spoke with the MassHighway project engineer about the scope of the project.

The old Great River Bridge is now closed to traffic and renovation and rehabilitation work will begin almost immediately on that span. The girders need to be stripped of lead paint and some will most likely need to be entirely replaced before the bridge can be painted to match the bright green of the new one. They told us they hope to have the old bridge re-painted by this winter although the total rehabilitation will take until late 2010 or 2011.

Work is continuing on the railroad overpass. Steel for the tracks will be put down soon so that trains can be moved off the old steel structures onto the new concrete and stone pylons. Then the old steel overstructure can be taken down and the foundations poured for new railroad supports on the North side of the CSX overpass.

This will not only make things look much nicer but it will also elevate the tracks so that trailer trucks won’t be hitting them and getting wedge under them. This will go a long way to alleviate the constant traffic backups.

Obviously, the opening of the new bridge this week is just phase one of a much bigger project. But it’s a good start. Judging by the reaction of motorists this week, people are very happy to see the new bridge opened. I’ve heard from many of my older constituents, including my own grandmother, that they never thought they would live to see the new bridge built! It’s been talked about in Westfield for 50 years.

There will definitely continue to be traffic jams and interruptions due to construction for another 2 years. But if we can be patient I am hopeful Westfield residents and motorists will think it was all worth it by the time the bridges are all done and the park land is restored.

The new park will be bigger and better than ever. The views of the river will be excellent. The access to the river and the new gateway to the city will become landmarks in Westfield that we will all be proud of.

In the meantime, plan accordingly when you travel, be patient with the construction, and please patronize the businesses in the construction zone like the Butcher Block, Pilgrim Candle, Whip City Candle, Elm Pizza, Westwood, and all the others. Thank you.

* * *

Representative Don Humason and his Chief of Staff Sarah Latour may be reached at their Westfield District office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085, 568-1366. Email address: Rep.DonaldHumason@Hou.state.ma.us Website: www.donhumason.org

This Site Designed and Maintained by: The Barre Group