Schumer & Higgins call on postmaster general to address 'dangerous' traffic situation at Williamsville Post Office

Leaders press for changes to ‘hazardous parking lot configuration, which has contributed to dozens of accidents’

“Fed up with repeated excuses and delays,” U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Congressman Brian Higgins, D-NY-26, are calling on the United States Postal Service to fix what they called a “dangerous” traffic situation in the vicinity of the Williamsville Post Office branch.

In a joint letter to Postmaster General Louis Dejoy, Schumer and Higgins wrote, “USPS must design and construct a solution which allows its customers who wish to travel west on Sheridan Drive the ability to access Essjay Rd. at a point sufficiently distant from Sheridan Drive to allow this turn, even when vehicles are cued at this intersection. This is USPS’ problem, and it up to USPS to identify and implement a solution.”

Schumer said, “It is long past time for the United States Postal Service to fix this problem. The continued presence of a significant traffic hazard on one of the Buffalo-area’s busiest thoroughfares needs to be rectified as soon as possible, without delay or deflection. This is the postal service’s problem and it is up to them to find a solution.”

Higgins said, “The traffic situation outside the Williamsville branch is a clear and consistent danger to postal service customers and those traveling in the area. We are done with delays and deflection. The USPS has the responsibility to fix this.”

The most recent traffic data shows 42 accidents have occurred either in the Williamsville Post Office parking lot or on the section of Sheridan Drive immediately adjacent to the post office over the past 10 years.

Both Schumer and Higgins have been involved in multiple conversations with neighbors and meetings with local stakeholders to discuss what they called the “unsafe conditions” outside this USPS branch over the years. Despite repeated requests, they said USPS leadership has “failed to make changes to improve safety.”