Full Notification

West Springfield, MA:  Major safety improvements are on the way for the Memorial Avenue rail crossing in West Springfield, thanks to successful pressure from the Town of West Springfield, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) and SMART Local 352. After months of coordination and negotiation, CSX has formally agreed to fund and implement significant infrastructure upgrades at the crossing, which is an area that has long posed safety concerns for rail workers, motorists, and pedestrians.

These improvements are being completed in conjunction with MassDOT’s larger initiative to overhaul Memorial Avenue in its entirety. The combined effort will enhance traffic management, pedestrian safety, and rail operations along one of the region’s busiest corridors. The full scope of work is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

Local rail workers and SMART Local 352 have raised ongoing concerns about the lack of safety infrastructure at the Memorial Avenue crossing, where trains carrying flammable materials have had to rely on flares and personnel to manually control traffic. These outdated and dangerous procedures, paired with limited signage and no physical barriers, led to numerous close calls and a growing sense of urgency.

In response, Mayor William Reichelt led a collaborative effort involving state agencies as well as West Springfield’s Department of Public Works (DPW), to demand action from CSX. Following a series of meetings and on-site evaluations, CSX agreed to move forward with a comprehensive safety plan and to eliminate third-party maintenance requirements that had previously stalled progress.

The upcoming work includes installation of brighter, high-visibility red flashing lights, early warning signals to better alert oncoming traffic, and new fencing to improve security and reduce environmental debris from entering the rail yard.

Construction of the upgraded rail infrastructure will begin this fall, following the conclusion of the Big E, with signal work scheduled for spring 2026. These upgrades will be carefully coordinated with MassDOT’s broader roadway improvement project on Memorial Avenue to ensure a seamless rollout and minimize disruption to the community.

“These improvements have been years in the making and represent a major win for the safety of our residents, workers, and visitors,” said Mayor Reichelt. “This is the result of real collaboration with state agencies, our DPW, and a persistent focus on accountability. Together with the MassDOT overhaul of Memorial Avenue, this project will transform the entire corridor and deliver long-term safety and traffic benefits for West Springfield.”

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