A reconstruction project of the Calvin Coolidge Bridge, which connects the towns of Hadley and Northampton, may be the source of significant traffic hassles and delays for the next two years. The bridge, part of Route 9, is the quickest route for drivers looking to access the southbound lanes of Interstate 91. Construction began Aug. 1 and is scheduled to finish on July 30, 2003.

The aim of the $19.8 million project is to improve the capacity and safety of the bridge that carries approximately 30,000 vehicles daily. The construction will increase the current three lanes of traffic to four, replace the deteriorated bridge deck, refurbish the historic Art Deco bridge railings and light fixtures, clean and restore granite facing, add a five foot sidewalk to the North side of the bridge and repair and improve the approach roadways.

In order to cope with consequent traffic problems, an Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) is located in the MassHighway Department District 2 Headquarters office in Northampton.

"For the Coolidge Bridge project, the ATMS is intended to mitigate the traffic impacts of the construction," said business manager of the Regional Traveler Information Center (RTIC) at UMass Kristina P. Stetson.

"This includes congestion impacts-rush hour traffic, special events traffic, accidents on the bridge or partial/full closure of the bridge-as well as impacts on emergency vehicles."

In addition to ATMS, the RTIC is currently being developed at the University of Massachusetts and Amherst and is accessible via the Coolidge Bridge Information website www.coolidgeinfo.com.

"Students can expect traffic delays traveling to and from campus, jobs and home," said Stetson. "The eventual effect on students will be shortened travel time, as the project will make for easier travel between Northampton and Hadley on Route 9."