As Tempers Flare Over Pumpkin Traffic, Supervisor Looks For Solutions

NORTH FORK, NY — It's that time of year again. As thousands flock in droves to the North Fork in search of the perfect pumpkin and a day spent enjoying corn mazes, apple picking and other fall festivities, local residents have taken to social media to vent their frustration with hours-long delays and the feeling of being trapped in their homes due to traffic woes.

"Just went to Riverhead. I have truly never seen anything like it. There was absolutely no break in the stream of eastbound cars on Sound Avenue beyond as far as I could see when I turned onto Northville Turnpike. Backed up on 105 waiting to turn onto Northville. Wow. Just wow," wrote Susan Tyler on Facebook.

Others have posted social media statuses joking that all the pumpkins are gone and potential visitors should stay home.

Melissa Falco Hassildine said traveling west on Sound Avenue from Mattituck Saturday, at certain points west heading into Riverhead, traffic "was completely stopped" due to the pumpkin crowd. "It was a nightmare on both sides," she said, with westbound traffic moving slowly and eastbound traffic at a standstill.

Another resident, who asked not to be named, said, "The season has us trapped in our homes and not once have I seen a police officer doing traffic control."

Southold Town Police Chief Martin Flatley responded, "That’s a pretty broad statement. If they are referring to the fact that we don’t have police officers directing traffic in front of farm stands, then they would be correct."

While most agree the pumpkin pickers are a boon to the local economy and do not begrudge local farmers a prosperous harvest season, residents are crying out for solutions to the sheer volume of congestion on heavily burdened local roads; one person even suggested a shuttle to bring residents to pumpkin farms and other attractions on the North Fork.

Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell spoke out on the escalating traffic concerns, explaining that it's been a long-time issue across the board that's only worsening as the North Fork continues to grow in popularity as a destination.

Southold has hired consultants in the past to complete traffic studies; the studies always indicate that the North Fork sees a much greater volume of traffic in the fall than in the summer, despite historic presumptions, Russell said.

"Traffic year-round, however, is a real concern," he said. "We have heavily marketed Southold in the past to promote tourism. Clearly, we've been successful. Success has consequences."

Traffic, Russell reminded, is not just a problem in Southold but a concern throughout the East End, where towns and villages have been working together for years toward possible solutions.

The East End Transportation Council was created long before Russell became supervisor and continues to meet, he said; public transportation such as increased train service and bus service are just some of the goals of the group.

Locally, the town's Southold Town Transportation Commission works to address issues regarding traffic and implement programs, policies and projects to enhance transportation within Southold and also has a good working relationship with other East End groups, Russell said.

But Russell said certain conditions are creating a perfect storm.

"The infrastructure of this town was never built to handle the traffic we're seeing," he said. "Couple that with new challenges over the past decade or so ago, such as party buses and limousines, and the impacts on the community are severe. In my opinion, much of our new tourism is built around drinking. If unchecked, this will undoubtedly lead to more tragedies like we saw a few years ago and will erode the quality of life this community enjoys — if it hasn't already."

What do you think should be done to mitigate the pumpkin picking traffic woes on the North Fork? Share your thoughts here.

Patch photos courtesy of Melissa Falco Hassildine and Susan Tyler