Will Bypass Improve Traffic Flow?

By: Meaghan Snyder

Albany, NY, Dec. 2, 2007 - The purpose of the bypass project is to create a smoother flow in the movement of traffic. There will be about 1.5 miles of construction on Route 85, Cherry Avenue extension and Blessing Road.

“We are trying to improve traffic flow and make it safer for travelers now waiting 35 to 40 seconds for the traffic light,” said Peter Van Keuran, public information coordinator for the New York State Department of Public Transportation.

The New York State Department of Transportation Regional director Thomas C. Werner announced February 21, 2007 that a $13.2 million contract to construct the Slingerlands by pass in the town of Bethlehem, Albany County, had been awarded to Delaney Construction of Mayfield, N.Y.

“As far as choosing Delaney, our contracting process is to deliver a design/construction package to the contracting community and have them bid on the job. Usually, the job is awarded to the lowest bidder; in this case, that was Delaney,” Van Keuran said.

Route 85 serves as a main highway between Bethlehem area and Albany. Werner said “The road accommodates 25,000 vehicles a day and, as this area, grows, its importance in the local and state highway system grows.”

Many college students attending Saint Rose and Suny Albany living in the Bethlehem area will travel this highway daily. Jenna Shanley, a junior at Saint Rose College, travels this route a few times a week coming from the town of Bethlehem. “I have seen the newly constructed roundabouts to increase traffic flow. It may take some getting used to, but in the end it will be worth it.”

Eric Andrus, a chef at Bellini’s Italian Eatery on New Scotland Road in the Price Chopper plaza, said “In the beginning people were confused where to go, but now that it’s been open a few weeks I believe it has made traffic flow a lot better.”

Laboratory technician for the New York State Department of The Environmental Conservation Wildlife Pathology Unit David Galinski said, “My main concerns are the ecological footprint left behind from the construction. The construction of the roundabouts is taking out a lot of acreage that is a sanctuary for wild life. With roundabouts there will be increase surface run-off from heavy rainfall and snow melt discharging into the Normans Kill. This could potentially cause erosion of the river banks.”

Drainage, curbing, resurfacing and sidewalk installation will be done over a one mile stretch of New Scotland Road. The bridge over the Normans Kill will be widened with two additional lanes and a pedestrian bridge will be constructed over the Krum Kill. Three roundabouts will be put in to produce safe and efficient travel. This project was scheduled to begin March 2007 and the project’s finish is estimated to be the summer of 2008.

Vista Technology Campus will be built behind the price Chopper Plaza around spring time, which will be a 440-acre park. “After about a year long build out period the park could have 1.4 million square feet of space scattered among 20 to 30 buildings with shops and restaurants as well,” said BBL Vice President William Herbert.

Sergeant Robert Helligrass said, “I believe this will cut down on road congestion and improve traffic flow; however elderly people are not accustomed to roundabouts so an increase in accidents at first is possible.”

Officer Dave Harrington agreed that the roundabouts will take some getting used to. “I think once all the barrels and construction vehicles are removed from the area it will be a lot less confusing for drivers. There have been no significant accidents, just a few fender benders. Traffic flow has increased and the roundabouts have been proven to be successful.”

Traffic Sergeant Robert Donnelly of the Colonie Police Department said, “The roundabout on Sand Creek which goes through Aviation drive has increased traffic flow. There is a speed limit of 30 miles per hour which slows the traffic down, but in turn creates a smooth flow. The traffic lights have been eliminated so that there is no stop and go, which can result in back-ups. There is an apartment complex there which houses a majority of senior citizens. Many of the senior citizens rejected the plans of the roundabouts, but there have not been any complaints since it was put in.” Donnelly also says there were lights put in at the roundabout, which increases the visibility for the drivers. Although Donnelly is in favor of the roundabout, he said he talked to the middle school crossing guard down the street, and to his surprise, she said the roundabout slows traffic down in the morning and creates a lot of backed up traffic.

Rob Cherry, project manager of the New York State Department of Transportation said it is too soon to know the statistics of the accidents, because the roundabouts have only been open as of Sunday November 4 th and it takes about six months for any accident reports to be sent to him. As for any ecological impacts Cherry said, “We follow strict guidelines for water quality. All particles from the water drainage are pre-treated through the storm water irrigation basins, which is their live water body system. We are in compliance with D.E.C (Department of Environmental Conservation) and recognize that Normans Kill and the Hudson River are trout streams and that it is important to protect these water bodies.” He also said that the project will be finished as was planned in the summer of 2008, either by the end of June or beginning of July.