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Delmar businesses split on ‘road diet’ plan – Albany Times Union

Posted: August 24, 2017 at 1:47 am

A view of Delaware Ave. on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in Delmar, N.Y. This area of Delaware currently has four lanes for traffic. (Paul Buckowski / Times Union)

A view of Delaware Ave. on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in Delmar, N.Y. This area of Delaware currently has four lanes for traffic. (Paul Buckowski / Times Union)

A view of Delaware Ave. on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in Delmar, N.Y. This area of Delaware currently has four lanes for traffic. (Paul Buckowski / Times Union)

A view of Delaware Ave. on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in Delmar, N.Y. This area of Delaware currently has four lanes for traffic. (Paul Buckowski / Times Union)

A view of Delaware Ave. on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in Delmar, N.Y. This area of Delaware currently has four lanes for traffic. (Paul Buckowski / Times Union)

A view of Delaware Ave. on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in Delmar, N.Y. This area of Delaware currently has four lanes for traffic. (Paul Buckowski / Times Union)

Delmar businesses split on 'road diet' plan

So what would a "road diet" on Delaware Avenue in Delmar do for businesses there?

The town of Bethlehem is considering reducing from four to three the number of traffic lanes along Delaware from Elsmere Avenue to the Normanskill bridge. The change would make way for turn and bike lanes to help make the busy road safer and easier to navigate.

And while many residents might support the idea although it would add nearly a minute to the average evening commute many small business owners remain wary.

After all, getting to some shops and stores tucked in along Delaware can already be an exercise in frustration, especially during rush hour.

But Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce President Jennifer Kilcoyne says business owners in town are split on the issue, and many are still making up their minds as the town completes a study and holds public meetings.

"There have been various views on the potential project," Kilcoyne told the Times Union in an email. "Some concerns include reduced traffic volume, traffic diversion and possible congestion due to reduced lanes and speeds. Others were encouraged by the promise of increased ease of access to their business that a center turn lane might provide."

Kilcoyne and town supervisor John Clarkson are urging residents and business owners to get as much information as possible about the issue before the town board makes its decision to move ahead with the road diet proposal. The next public meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday at Bethlehem Town Hall.

Kilcoyne co-chairs the Delaware Avenue Improvement Group, a volunteer committee set up by the town to look at all issues involving the town's "main street" business district. The stretch is currently undergoing a $3 million upgrade that includes new sidewalks, landscaping and replacement of the water main.

That project goes from the Four Corners (where Delaware Avenue crosses Kenwood Avenue) to Elsmere Avenue, where the road diet would begin if adopted by the town board.

The idea is part of a movement to create so-called "complete streets" that better serve the often competing needs of cars, bikes, pedestrians and public transportation.

Some residents along side streets in the area have real difficulty during heavy traffic hours getting out of their neighborhoods. The congestion also contributes to certain businesses being avoided at those times as well.

Details of the ongoing study and other information about the potential "road diet" for Bethlehem's Delaware Avenue are located here.

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Delmar businesses split on 'road diet' plan - Albany Times Union


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