Chris Cignoli

Radioactive waste, ballooning mattress disposal costs and more are all factors behind newly-approved solid waste changes in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Springfield will foot the bill initially, then seek federal funds

Hazardous intersection will undergo $19 million upgrade beginning in 2024

Work was expected to start this spring in front of the Springfield Central Library

The conversion of all 14,000 streetlights to LED will take five years.

Amount of state money for annual local street work has not changed in more than a decade

Upgrades planned at 15 intersections, 10 high-traffic streets

Existing sewer mains date from 1881

New rules are part of an effort to reduce waste 30 percent by 2030

Changes to lower State Street in Springfield not likely before next spring