Highway Department

Highway crew member uses backhaul to load sand into back of town snow plow at dusk ahead of storm
Jim Noe Highway Superindent sitting in his office

Jim Noe's Quick Take on the Town's Snow Removal

Noe is no stranger to the vagaries of storms - snow, ice, wind, and rain - disrupting travel along Egremont's 35 miles of gravel and dirt roads. With 17 years of experience in the Town's Highway Department - the last 7 years as Superintendent - his knowledge and that of his 3-man crew to storm response is well-tested.

Asked about snow removal, Noe points out that North and South Egremont can experience different precipitation from the same weather event. Elevations can mean the North (higher) gets snow while the South (lower) gets rain. The differing elevations impact air and road temperatures. He now sees that climate change affects the accuracy of weather predictions, so much so that he checks storm institutional awareness bulletins every 6 hours; during a storm, it's every hour or half. 

Noe acknowledges that operating a Town snowplow can be inherently dangerous. Though the plows typically travel at 15 to 18 mph, imagine the sensation of sliding on ice in a 46,000 lb (23-ton) plow versus a car. Additionally, the crews operate in the dark 90% of the time when visibility is seriously impaired. Noe plows Baldwin Hill in all its directions; in a storm, he says, "flakes are all I see."

Noe is operating on winter time. That means he's up between 3 to 4 AM and out driving Egremont's roads to check conditions. He's also got an oversized, comfy recliner in his office for the expected overnights.

NOTICE: Parking Ban in Effect November 15, 2022, to April 15, 2023

NO PARKING IS ALLOWED ON ANY TOWN ROADSIDE OR PUBLIC PARKING LOT IN EGREMONT OVERNIGHT OR FOR EXTENDED PERIODS DURING THE DAY BEGINNING NOVEMBER 15, 2022, AND ENDING APRIL 15, 2023. ALL VEHICLES FOUND PARKED ON ANY ROADSIDE OR PUBLIC PARKING LOT AND OBSTRUCTING SNOW REMOVAL WILL BE TOWED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE

RT. 23/41 Reconstruction Updates

March 20, 2023:

This week (March 20-24, 2023) and next week (March 27-31, 2023), utility companies will continue to string lines along Main Street in the South Egremont Village.

Construction contractor Maxymillian's crew plans to start with waterline work beginning on the west end of the project near the Route 41 intersection on Wednesday, March 29, and work daily as weather permits. Construction will continue throughout spring, summer, and fall. Expect traffic delays as the road will frequently be down to one lane.

Right after the 4th of July holiday, there will be a 72-hour time frame during which Route 23/41 will be closed to through traffic while a culvert is replaced near the former Egremont Country Club. Traffic will be rerouted on Route 71 to Creamery Road during this time. The rerouting will have significant impacts as there are estimated to be 6000 cars per day traveling on Route 23/41 in the South Egremont Village.

Please plan and be prepared for delays and changes in traffic flow and timing. 

Clearing trees near Turtle Rock was necessary for the rip rap slope work and concrete level spreader. Approximately 45 new plantings are going in there, including 20 dogwood trees and a mix of 25 elderberry and arrowwood shrubs. When these plants are established, they will look natural and blend into the existing landscape.

All work is weather dependent. Further updates will be as needed. 

Reconstruction Overview

MassDOT awarded Berkshire-based and family-owned J.H. Maxymillian Inc. the $7.77+ million contract. 

As of October 3, 2022, work has begun on the reconstruction project involving Main Street, So. Egremont. This fall, Maxymillian will focus on surveys, pole location marking, tree protection, and some drainage work. As part of the drainage work, turtle sweeps and protection measures will take place near the RT 41 intersection and the dam. MasWildlife is involved in the turtle sweep and protection actions providing weekly inspections throughout the reconstruction. Utility work (approx. 227 days worth) on some 45 poles may begin within 90 days and continue, if weather permits, through the winter. The bulk of the reconstruction will get underway in 2023.

MassDOT will make weekly reports to Town Hall on progress and detail the work to take place in the following week. The completion date is September 25, 2024.

MASS DOT Route 23/41 Roadway Reconstruction

  1. Concept 1 (PDF)
  2. Concept 2 (PDF)
  3. Examples (PDF)
  4. Plan Details (PDF)
  5. Power Point Slides (PDF)
  6. Project Overview (PDF)

Mount Washington Road Construction

  1. MOUNT_WASHINGTON_ROAD 25 per cent Design Plan (PDF 6MB file)
  2. Mount Washington Road Construction Full Design Report (2MB PDF)
  3. Mount Washington Road Construction Design Plans (30MB PDF)
  4. MassDOT Public Meeting Flyer (PDF)
  5. MassDOT Public Hearing Notice - Reconstruction of Mount Washington Road (PDF)

Access to Public Way (Driveways)

  1. Access to Public Way Application (PDF)

Egremont Roads

Egremont has 64 miles of roads and other transportation corridors. Public roads number 30; private roads number 23; and State roads number 2 (Routes 23 and 41). Questioning if your road is public, private,  or state, download the complete list of Egremont roads to check.

List of Egremont Roads

  1. List of Egremont Roads (PDF)

Egremont Road-Stream Crossing Management Plan

  1. Egremont Road-Stream Crossing Reference Map (PDF)
  2. Town of Egremont Road-Stream Crossing Management Appendix (PDF)
  3. Town of Egremont Road-Stream Crossing Management Plan (PDF)