Route 2 finally open again

CHARLEMONT, Mass. (WWLP) - Some very good news for drivers in northern Berkshire and western Franklin Counties: a six-mile stretch of the Mohawk Trail has re-opened.

Rains brought by Tropical Storm Irene hit in late August, washing out sections of the road and causing rock slides and erosion around bridges.

For months, Route 2 from western Charlemont to Savoy remained closed as repair work continued.

The situation caused lengthy, twisting detours for drivers who usually use Route 2. Heath Selectman Tom Lively told 22News that the road's re-opening takes a huge weight off the shoulders of those who live in the area.

"There's a lot of transportation of friends and family that were really cut off. And even though there are a couple of the little back roads that you can loop around, it's just such a relief to not feel cut off," Lively said.

The project to repair the highway cost $23 million. Work to re-open the road finished in less than four months; originally it was feared that it could take two years to get it done. Though Route 2 is now safe for travel, there will be additional roadwork in the spring, which may cause some lane closures or other delays.

The stretch of road re-opened following a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday morning.