Street Paving Returns as Phase-One Begins

As the Massachusetts economy slowly begins to make its return, there’s evidence in Pittsfield that road construction has picked up where it left off before the COVID-19 pandemic began. The same day that Governor Charlie Baker announced Phase-One of his plan to reopen the Massachusetts economy, giving the go ahead for construction and manufacturing, trucks were rolling down Gamwell and Cole Avenue on the city’s southern end.

A newly milled Gamwell Avenue Monday - Tom Conklin, Townsquare Media Berkshire

Around 7:30 AM on Monday, a low roar grew in volume slowly as a road milling machine made its way down Gamwell Avenue, spewing the former road surface into a dump truck that was leading the way. Its not exactly what you want to hear at 7:30 in the morning, but the residents of Gamwell and Cole were probably happy to hear it.

A close-up look at the newly milled surface of Gamwell Avenue - Tom Conklin, Townsquare Media Berkshire

It has been quite some time since these two residential streets were last paved. It was at least a welcomed sight for this long-time resident. The milling of course is only the first step in the process, but I am looking forward to zipping along on a newly paved Gamwell Avenue for the first time in a long while.