Search
 

Locals Gear Up for Fight Over Proposed Pike Entrance

STOCKBRIDGE, MA-Locals are furious at their own state representative's proposal to build a Turnpike interchange here. While this has been attempted before, this time neighboring northern Berkshire towns support the proposal.

By Naomi Grossman | Updated on March 26, 2001

STOCKBRIDGE, MA-In this Norman Rockwell town of charming inns and quaint stores, residents are fuming over their state representative’s proposal that the Massachusetts Turnpike build an interchange here. State representative Christopher Hodgkins also represents neighboring Lee, which was tired of being the only access for trucks that needed to get to Pittsfield and other areas north of the Pike.

According to J. Christopher Irsfeld, chairman of the board of selectmen for this town, most residents do not support an interchange exit here. “The Highway Department has tried to do this a few times over the past 50 years,” he tells GlobeSt.com. “The town sits in the middle of Route 7 and once you build an interchange, you bring in more traffic.” Irsfeld notes that a Highway Department study states that with the new interchange traffic on Route 7 will increase by 87%.

Stockbridge is home to a number of well-known venues that attract tourists all year long. Among these are Tanglewood, the Norman Rockwell Museum, the Berkshire Theatre Festival, the Red Lion Inn and Chesterwood. “Stockbridge is the goose that laid the golden egg,” notes Irsfeld. “Our venues are internationally famous. People come here for the town. If you mess up the town, people won’t come.”

Want to continue reading?
Become a Free ALM Digital Reader.

Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:

  • Unlimited access to GlobeSt and other free ALM publications
  • Access to 15 years of GlobeSt archives
  • Your choice of GlobeSt digital newsletters and over 70 others from popular sister publications
  • 1 free article* every 30 days across the ALM subscription network
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM events and publications

*May exclude premium content
Already have an account?

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

GlobeSt

Join GlobeSt

Don't miss crucial news and insights you need to make informed commercial real estate decisions. Join GlobeSt.com now!

  • Free unlimited access to GlobeSt.com's trusted and independent team of experts who provide commercial real estate owners, investors, developers, brokers and finance professionals with comprehensive coverage, analysis and best practices necessary to innovate and build business.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM and GlobeSt events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com.

Already have an account? Sign In Now
Join GlobeSt

Copyright © 2024 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.