Beginning on March 31, the Southampton Town Police Department, in conjunction with the Southampton Town Highway Department, will launch the Canoe Place Traffic Reduction Program aimed at addressing the ongoing seasonal traffic congestion in our community.
The Canoe Place Traffic Reduction Program will be implemented on weekdays between the hours of 5:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. The traffic light at the intersection of Montauk Highway and Canoe Place Road will be set to flash, and no left turns will be permitted at that intersection. Other traffic lane modifications will also be deployed to facilitate traffic flow through the intersection.
The program schedule will be put on hold during the spring school break week of April 14-18. Weather considerations that impact traffic volume may also affect the schedule. The Police Department will communicate this information through its website, and by the use of message boards.
Southampton Town Police officers will be posted to assure motorists’ safety, and Highway Department staff will be posted as well to deploy traffic cones, signage, and electronic message boards to alert and inform motorists traveling through the intersection. Motorists are encouraged to support these efforts by adhering to traffic laws, practicing defensive driving, and being mindful of pedestrians and other road users.
Supervisor Maria Moore emphasized that the Town Board is committed to maintaining this program as part of the larger effort to find ways to mitigate traffic congestion in the Town. The program will be in place until the end of September, at which point it will be subject to review and possible extension.