Pittsfield Mayor Highlights 2025 Infrastructure Projects
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Several infrastructure projects gained momentum in 2025, and miles of roads were paved or repaired.
Mayor Peter Marchetti highlighted these successes during his State of the City Address on Monday during the new City Council's inauguration.
The Healey-Driscoll administration has invested $4.4 million in road resurfacing along Route 7, including North Street from the Lanesborough town line to the new roundabout near Berkshire Medical Center, First Street, and South Street from Park Square to the Country Club of Pittsfield.
Pittsfield has paved 11.55 miles of road, done road treatments such as crack sealing along 2.5 miles of road, and repaired 1.5 miles of sidewalks. Marchetti said the work didn't stop at the surface; underground water lines on King Street and Valentine Road were replaced.
He highlighted major road projects on East Street and West Street, both of which are critical routes.
The state's repaving and improvement of East Street is expected to be completed later this year. The $10 million project began with underground utility work that took longer than anticipated because of unexpected road bumps, such as an unknown abandoned sewer line and the removal of contaminated material.
"I know you'll be excited to hear that when the underground work is complete, a full road resurfacing will occur curb to curb from Lyman Street to Merrill Road," Marchetti said.
"In addition, the intersection of East and Woodlawn [Avenue] will see improved road markings and a dedicated turning lane from East Street to Woodlawn. No more bumpy drives or uneven surfaces along this stretch of road."
While West Street connects the city to schools, residences, and businesses, there have been growing concerns about deteriorating roads, outdated lighting, insufficient pedestrian and ADA facilities, traffic congestion, and reduced visibility in the area. There were two pedestrian fatalities on West Street in 2023.
In the summer of 2025, the city began improvements to the sidewalks to slow traffic and protect pedestrians, add rapid flashing beacons to well used crossing, and add a traffic signal to the intersection of upper and lower West Street.
Cameras are also being placed at the intersection of West Street and Onota Street for better traffic flow.
In November, Marchetti submitted a request to the City Council for $15.2 million in sewer enterprise funds for the construction of a new administration and laboratory building at the wastewater treatment plant, as the current building was constructed in 1938 and no longer meets our current needs.
The new lab will allow for same-day, on-site analysis and less reduced nutrient loads in the environment.
"The proposed building will address many issues which impact the proper management and operations of the facility, including mold, the lack of exhaust cabinets for flammable storage, insufficient hood spaces, limited refrigeration capacity, and a lack of processing and storage space," the mayor said.
"These deficiencies require us to send samples to external labs, causing delays in critical data access for process control."
Pittsfield is also working with the Edward J. Collins Center for Public Management at UMass Boston to review the Department of Public Works and determine if it can be more efficient in delivering services to the community and meeting expectations.
Marchetti has also begun informal conversations with the city of North Adams about working together in a more regional approach to solving issues that both cities deal with.
Tags: infrastructure improvements, state of the city,
