You may have noticed your commute has been crawling a bit slower than usual this week if you live on the east end of Long Island. And we’re sorry to say that traffic will not be getting any better throughout the weekend.
The US Open Is Here!
The U.S. Open on Long Island is expected to bring an estimated 30,000 spectators a day, all traveling in various ways on across Long Island to attend. Though the event is exciting for sports enthusiasts and businesses, it can be quite the traffic headache for motorists- some residents are reporting five-minute trips to the store are taking hours! The Open is being held at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton through June 17th. To get you through the remainder of the week, here’s what you need to know about the roads.
Road Closures and Restrictions
Suffolk County officials have enacted a number of road closures and roadway restrictions to accommodate the Open. These traffic updates have drastically affected the number of vehicles on the roads and completely altered routes commuters travel throughout the day:
Closures:
- Tuckahoe Road closed from County Road 39 to Sebonack Road and to Montauk Highway. The road will be partially open from CR 39 to Montauk Highway on June 19, followed by the remainder on June 22
- St. Andrews Road from CR 39 to the entrance of the Greek Orthodox Church, also closed to pedestrians and bicycles.
- Knollwood, Country Club, Underhill, Overlook, and Terrace drives closed from 6 AM to 10 PM.
Restrictions:
- Hills Station Road will be one way from CR 39 south to Longview Road from 6 AM to 10 AM.
- Shrubland and Greenfield roads, as well as Tuckahoe Lane, will be right-turn only between 6 and 10 AM
- St. Andrews Road West will be right turn only between 6 AM and 10 PM.
Bicycles and pedestrians are also susceptible to road closures/restrictions so be sure to check before you head out on any trips. For more information, take a look at the map of US Open road closures and vehicle restrictions.
Reduced Speed and Congestion Patterns
Speeding and traffic congestion can be the perfect recipe for serious accidents. To help keep traffic moving steadily and safely through the area during the Open, the speed limits on the following roads have been reduced, effective until June 19th:
- Reduced to 30 MPH: County Road 31, Old Riverhead Road, in Westhampton from Montauk to Sunrise Highways from 6 AM to 10 PM.
- Reduced to 35 MPH: Montauk Highway from Knoll and Tuckahoe roads in Shinnecock Hills.
Sunrise Highway, County Road 39 and Montauk Highways have all been nightmares since the beginning of the week. Drivers are also reporting the major congestion occurring on Flanders Road coming south from Riverhead and on Montauk Highway creating a backup extending west beyond Hampton Bays.
Temporary blinking traffic signals have also been reported to keep traffic moving in and around the Open course:
- County Road 39 at Shrubland Road
- Tuckahoe Road near the course intersection
- Montauk Highway at St. Andrews Road intersection and the Tuckahoe Road intersection.
- Canoe Place Road and Montauk Highway
Regardless of where you drive, the summer weather and natural increase of vacationers around this time of year are making other areas of Southhampton just as congested, causing grid-locks and constant stop-and-go conditions that are unavoidable.
LIRR Travel Updates
Officials are urging residents to take the train when possible to avoid the constant traffic near the Open. To accommodate the additional travelers in the area, Long Island Rail Road president, Philip Eng, reported there will be five to ten additional trains running on the Montauk line to help with the overcrowding and delays. There could be an average of 9,000 riders a day going through to Sunday, so leave plenty of time for travel delays in your commute.
Safety Concerns
As with any world-renowned event, public safety is a huge priority. Suffolk County police and sheriffs’ departments, New York State, Metropolitan Transit Authority, State University of New York-Stony Brook, and Southampton Village police will all be working together to react to any safety concerns regarding the event. If you see any concerning behavior while either attending the Open or if you just happen to be in the area of the events, please contact 911 immediately to alert officials of the suspicious activity.
Drive Safe LI
Traffic accidents and injuries are extremely common when changes in the roads occur due to a big event. Residents should stay alert at all times when driving or walking and use safe driving practices. Aggressive driving such as speeding, swerving, and passing illegally are all leading causes of vehicle and pedestrians accidents so please don’t take chances among the chaos.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a vehicle accident due to negligence, our experienced personal injury attorneys are here to help. As experts in the field of vehicle accidents and personal injury litigation, our team at Siler & Ingber will fight to win you the compensation you deserve for injuries sustained. Call 877-718-6079 or fill out the form below to schedule a free review today.