Northampton looks to improve intersections

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) - Having an attractive downtown setting helps businesses thrive. 

The streets of Northampton are considered among the top crash sites in the state. A recent Pioneer Valley Planning Commission study found that Northampton has three intersections ranked among the top 100 high crash intersections in Massachusetts. 

Thanks to a Department of Public Health grant, Mass in Motion held a workshop in Northampton Friday looking to address safety concerns. Participants from several Hampshire County communities, including South Hadley and Amherst also shared tools on how to transform village centers and make them more walkable.

“That includes not just things like crosswalks and sidewalks but also things like parking and parking lots; and traffic flow and traffic calming,” said James Lowenthal. “How a pedestrian feels about a space is influenced by a whole built environment around them.”

This Health Hampshire initiative also aims at working to improve the health of Hampshire County residents.