I always say an exit off 116 leading directly to parking for The Mullins Center would solve a lot of traffic issues for UMass events!
There was supposed to be one -- they only built the first phase of a three phase project. The second phase was to put a cloverleaf where the northbound lanes end (note that the road beyond this is just the southbound lanes of a divided highway). And the third phase was to have a bridge over Route 9 and continue straight to the Turnpike.
It is one thing to propose this in 1958 (look at the date on the bridges at the existing UM exit), but a decade later Frank Sargent shut down a lot of highway projects, there were now laws about wetlands, and different attitudes toward highways.
But had the 2nd phase been built, there would be no Pine Street traffic light (deadliest intersection in Amherst) and it would be a divided highway all the way to the Sunderland substation - with the North UMass exit coming in through where the Parking Services trailers are.
Because then the parents will be taking their children to the nicer restaurants in Northampton and Springfield.
Don't you understand? UMass students are a fungible resource that exist for no purpose but to finance the local economy and we can't let them escape while they (or their parents) have some money still not yet spent....
I all along, for years, if not decades, have been insufficiently grateful for the contribution of students to the economic, social, and cultural life of the Town of Amherst.
I repent of all my sins in this regard. My lack of joy in every act of student behavior has caused me to become disrespectful to them, and I do not see them as people, but simply as moving wallets.
I also love the Town when the students are gone. I have been oblivious to the enormous contribution that students, especially UMass students, make every single day that they are here to the vibrancy of Amherst. I know that I am dead wrong in feeling this way, and I am trying desperately to change my attitude on this.
I agree -- congratulations to those hard won degrees! Have a great graduation party and, as they used to say on Hill Street Blues, be safe out there!
ReplyDeleteWhy block 116 South??? It can handle the traffic
ReplyDeletePot holed Meadow St?- or N Maple/ Roosevelt St??? Not the best route (especially for tractor trailer trucks forced off of 116 S for NO REASON!)
I always say an exit off 116 leading directly to parking for The Mullins Center would solve a lot of traffic issues for UMass events!
I swear to God- my Common Sense is gonna kill me one of these days!
I always say an exit off 116 leading directly to parking for The Mullins Center would solve a lot of traffic issues for UMass events!
ReplyDeleteThere was supposed to be one -- they only built the first phase of a three phase project. The second phase was to put a cloverleaf where the northbound lanes end (note that the road beyond this is just the southbound lanes of a divided highway). And the third phase was to have a bridge over Route 9 and continue straight to the Turnpike.
It is one thing to propose this in 1958 (look at the date on the bridges at the existing UM exit), but a decade later Frank Sargent shut down a lot of highway projects, there were now laws about wetlands, and different attitudes toward highways.
But had the 2nd phase been built, there would be no Pine Street traffic light (deadliest intersection in Amherst) and it would be a divided highway all the way to the Sunderland substation - with the North UMass exit coming in through where the Parking Services trailers are.
Why block 116 South??? It can handle the traffic
ReplyDeleteBecause then the parents will be taking their children to the nicer restaurants in Northampton and Springfield.
Don't you understand? UMass students are a fungible resource that exist for no purpose but to finance the local economy and we can't let them escape while they (or their parents) have some money still not yet spent....
So- last night we had an wrench assault on a 22yr old in Amherst-
ReplyDeleteA fire in the infamous dumpster on Hobart
and this morning- I saw that Hadley police as they responded to a vehicle break in at Ho Jo's.
Happy Valley at its best for graduation weekend!
Have a good summer, students!
ReplyDeleteWe will miss most of you.
We'd say "y'all come back" but we don't really mean y'all.
"Y'all civilized human beings come back" should do it.
OK, Ed, you got me:
ReplyDeleteI all along, for years, if not decades, have been insufficiently grateful for the contribution of students to the economic, social, and cultural life of the Town of Amherst.
I repent of all my sins in this regard. My lack of joy in every act of student behavior has caused me to become disrespectful to them, and I do not see them as people, but simply as moving wallets.
I also love the Town when the students are gone. I have been oblivious to the enormous contribution that students, especially UMass students, make every single day that they are here to the vibrancy of Amherst. I know that I am dead wrong in feeling this way, and I am trying desperately to change my attitude on this.
How'd I do?