Was it not a few years ago when the north bound lane under the "tunnel" was in such bad repair that the road was shut down? I believe that the entire road from the Springfield Rotary to Holyoke needs some re-engineering. I also believe that that this route is important to the area economy. When you consider the number of business along that road from the Big Box Home Depot to the numerous new car agencies one would think that that portion of the roadway be given some priority. If I were a business owner I would be concerned if the highway gets any worse that it it lead to a slow down of business.

I did lose a front rim on a S40 Volvo but I think those are made from plastic anyway.

I agree! I think the general condition of the roads and highways in western Massachusetts are deplorable. I live in one of the towns north of Chicopee and our local streets and roads look like they've been bomb. Awful.

I also agree with your sentiments of Congressman Neal. He hasn't done much for our area and his mediocre help in retaining S&W is a tragedy.

Help me understand as you seem to have a much better understanding of this subject but does Mass DOT receive Chapter 90 funds for infrastructure improvements? And does the Fed approve the requests for funding these projects? Because it's call US Route #5 I thought that this designation indicate it is a US highway? After all this road is interstate and therefore part of interstate commerce?

It is colder then my mother-in-law's kiss!

I live in Massachusetts and have worked in the utility industry for 40 years. Here's some advice that worked for me. First thing I would recommend is to replace ever light outlet with a LED lamp or system. I replaced my 20 year old oil furnace with a modern system for $9,500 and so far oil has cost me less than $1,500 this season. Also have your present system cleaned and inspected. Finally, as the cost of electricity is far above the cost of oil I would stop using the heat pump as much as possible. I cook and dry my clothing with gas and I do much baking in the winter. MassSave should provide you with a free energy audit that will show you where your home is consuming energy and what steps you may take to make improvements and the cost of these recommendations. This will include the cost of insulation, replacing your oil heating system with a newer style unit, window replacement, etc. They have very good energy auditors. Call them again and ask for an energy audit. MassSave also has a list of contractors and well as some financial aid.

If it is possible to move to a new community in Massachusetts I would also recommend looking at the 42 communities that have their own municipal electric companies. The one that serves my area has never exceeded $0.1875/kWh (minus the $5.00 customer charge) that's sorta still expensive but much cheaper than National Greed or Eversore. (Imo, another reason why this country should not allow foreign companies to own critical resources.) I live in a large five bedroom, three bathroom house built in 1919 and I've done all of the above and my electric bill has never exceeded $50.00/month but I do live alone and keep my house at 64 degrees with electronic thermostats and because my home is large it is broken up into four independently controlled heating zones. I also keep all of the many doors in the house closed. My hot water is off of the tankless boiler so it is heated with oil. If you are using any form of electric heating shut that off immediately and move heat from one area to this area.

Massachusetts is the only New England State that is divided into three separate transmission areas because it is at the cross road between New York and southern New England energy grids. Check out ISO.NE's web page to review current real time energy prices and transmission costs and restraints. It's very interesting. Finally, one of the real reasons why electricity is so expensive in Massachusetts is partly do to the transmission system upgrades currently underway and the lavish ROI the FERC gave the transmission owners to urge them to do so. (This was what was behind the merger of NorthEast Utilities and Boston Edison; NU had the need and BE had the financial resources.)

Good luck, and I hope that you find this useful.