FAQ: Traffic & Public Safety
What kind of effects will this venue have on our city's infrastructure?
The venue will have positive impacts on Leominster’s infrastructure, with planned improvements to roads, pedestrian access, and public safety measures.
Key Infrastructure Effects:
Traffic Management – The access will be off the Leominster Connector, reducing congestion on residential streets like Mechanic Street. Additional traffic studies and mitigation measures will be implemented to improve flow.
Pedestrian Safety – New sidewalks will be added along Mechanic Street, enhancing walkability and safety.
Public Safety Enhancements – The project includes security plans, video surveillance, and emergency access coordination with local police and fire departments. Baystate will also fund police and fire details on event days.
Land Revitalization – The development will transform the Leominster landfill into a productive entertainment and community space, aligning with modern land-use trends.
Overall, the project enhances infrastructure by improving traffic flow, pedestrian access, and public safety, while revitalizing an underutilized area.
What is your plan for parking? On event days + non event days?
There is a comprehensive parking plan for both event and non-event days to minimize local impact.
Event Days:
Primary access via Leominster Connector to reduce congestion.
A Transportation & Parking Plan developed with city officials.
Baystate funds traffic studies, road improvements, and security (police/fire details).
Measures to prevent overflow traffic on residential streets.
Non-Event Days:
On-site parking for visitors, staff, and daily operations.
Coordinated parking for community access, events, and equine therapy.
Ongoing evaluations and adjustments to optimize parking.
This ensures smooth event operations and everyday accessibility while reducing neighborhood impact.
How will the traffic be affected on Mechanic Street?
Traffic on Mechanic Street will be minimized and managed to reduce the impact on local residents. The access point for the venue will be off the Leominster Connector, keeping most event traffic away from Mechanic Street. Additionally, an exit off the Connector will further help divert vehicles away from residential areas.
To enhance public safety and traffic flow, the project includes:
Adding sidewalks along Mechanic Street for pedestrian safety.
Traffic studies to identify and address existing congestion issues.
Emergency access only via Mechanic Street to prevent regular traffic use.
Baystate covering all race-day security and cleanup costs, ensuring orderly traffic management.
Overall, the project aims to reduce congestion on Mechanic Street while improving pedestrian infrastructure and safety
How will traffic be handled on event days?
Bay State Racing’s operations will be a fraction of daily traffic and will mostly occur in off-peak commuting times. Bay State Racing will not add to the morning or evening rush hour. Festival days will only be held a few days out of the year, and again, most traffic will occur on off-peak time.
A full traffic analysis will occur as part of our permitting process with the city. Elements of the plan will include, but are not limited to, the following:
Pre- and post-event staging (deliveries, set up,
and break down),Event timing (to coincide with off-peak commuter traffic),
Parking management (guests, VIPs, and participants),
Shuttle bus routes (to remote parking areas),
Signage and wayfinding,
Temporary intersection control (police details and signage),
Media and digital content outreach, and
Identification of police/medical emergency access/egress
