However, safety measures will be important. Accidents on this path deserve to be monitored carefully in order to guide improvements. These should include measures to slow motor traffic on cross streets. The combination of novice and child cyclists, which this path will attract, and fast, crossing traffic at unsignalized intersections poses serious risks. Placing barriers across the path, as on the Northampton path, will not solve the problem, that the cars are going too fast.
Congestion is likely here.
The entrance to the Route 9 tunnel curves sharply, reducing sight distance greatly. Improvements to the connection between this path and the Northampton path have been discussed in the section on the Westfield-Northampton route segment. The route from Amherst to Northfield is on narrow country roads. At present, traffic on these roads is light. It will increase, particularly near Amherst, whose population is growing steadily.