Board concerned about accidents at I-190 ramps
Traffic study sought

by Susan Mikula Campbell
Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, September 20, 2007

A request for traffic studies at two I-190 ramp intersections in the Town of Niagara will be on the Town Board’s agenda next week.

The board changed its September meeting date to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, since primary election day fell this week. The board will be holding a work session at 7 p.m. tonight.

The traffic study request will be for the I-190 entrance ramp at Packard Road and the I-190 exit ramp at Route 31 to see if traffic signals might be needed and feasible.

Deputy Supervisor Marc M. Carpenter said the Town Board is concerned about the number of accidents reported at these intersections. The first step before anything can be changed is the traffic study.

Police Chief Jim Suitor said he supports having lights at these ramps, since the town police have investigated numerous accidents at both intersections. Both town and state police regularly report to accidents in those areas, so total numbers aren’t available. Firm figures on the number of accidents would be determined by the state study.

The Route 31 exit ramp is hampered by a blind spot created by the interstate itself passing over the road.

At Packard Road, the entrance ramp is the only one of the four entrances/exits to the interstate that does not have a light. There have been a number of serious accidents there, including a van rollover in which a child was injured, Suitor said.

Also on Tuesday’s agenda will be a resolution to approve the application of Teeto’s Auto, 2964 Lockport Road, for a special use permit to operate an auto repair garage. Several resolutions to send town officials to out-of-town meetings also will be considered.