The three-color traffic signals on Route 28 saw their first full day of use on Tuesday, July 22, with motorists voicing concerns almost immediately to Town of Webb Supervisor Ted Riehle, about back-ups and delays.
The signals have been installed temporarily for single-lane passage, while bridge work is being done on the Moose River bridge at McKeever.
The work is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2015.
Supervisor Riehle said excessive traffic back-ups at the bridge prompted the calls to his office.
The problems were confined to the hours of the morning and late afternoon, primarily, when the bulk of commuters and visitors are entering and leaving Old Forge for the day, Riehle said.
“When you think about the volume of people that come for the water park, and employees coming from other areas to work, it makes sense that there would be difficulties,” he said.
And those peak traffic hour slow-downs need addressing, according to Riehle.
“When mile-long lines form, I would imagine [motorists] to be waiting a couple light changes or more before crossing the bridge,” he said.
Riehle said he called the New York State Department of Transporation (DOT) to make them aware of the problem.
“I suggested changing the timing of the signals to better facilitate traffic movement. I spoke with the DOT’s traffic signal division. They were receptive, saying those adjustments should be possible,” he said.
Elsewhere, local businessman John Nemjo said he faults the DOT in not adequately involving the Town of Webb in its planning of the bridge work.
Given the importance of Route 28 as an economic artery to Old Forge and points north, shoulder season construction should have been a paramount focus, he said.
Input should have been sought from the Town of Webb, its residents, and its business community. And a better alternative should have been arranged, according to Nemjo.
“We don’t need access to our area made less convenient during our busiest season. This was not good planning,” he said.