Flashing Light Added To Help Ease U.S. Open Traffic Issues

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — A new flashing light was set up Tuesday to help ease traffic woes in Southampton sparked by the many heading to the area to attend the U.S. Open.

Southampton Town Police Department sent out an advisory Tuesday saying that a flashing light was set up at Canoe Place Road and Montauk Highway, with police officers also assigned there.

Traffic from Newtown Road was also directed to the west, with no U turns, and police officers were also assigned to that area, police said.

The 2018 U.S. Open Golf Championship kicked off in Southampton Monday, bringing thousands of sports enthusiasts to the East End — and creating traffic delays for residents just trying to get to and from work. Many reported delays of minutes and hours trying to get from Southampton Village to points west.

With a commute of only a few miles taking hours, residents turned to social media to vent their frustration.

"I'll be glad when the U.S. Open is over," Kristina Gale said "I saw a video this week of a guy in Germany that floats down the river to work. I was wishing I could do that!"

Gale said she had to go from Lynn Avenue in Hampton Bays to Sag Harbor, and the trip took an hour and a half. Others said the idea of leaving points east to head to Riverhead was pretty much unthinkable for the week.

According to Southampton Town Police Lt. Susan Ralph, traffic was heavier on Montauk Highway due to people avoiding Sunrise Highway.

Southampton Town Police asked all taxi services to utilize the drop off designated area on Montauk Highway to drop off passengers.

"Discontinue utilizing County Road 39 as it is extremely dangerous for passengers to walk along County Road 39 to walk across four lanes of traffic," a release said.

Also, police have said motorists are encouraged to utilize Sunrise Highway, or NYS Route 27, Montauk Highway, o County Route 80, and County Road 39 during the week of the tournament, which takes place through Sunday.

"Utilization of these roadways will alleviate some traffic issues," police said.

Others, however, said the traffic was to be expected and heralded the event; this is the fifth time the championship is being hosted at the historic Shinnecock Hills Golf Glub in Southampton.

The golf championship, which brought more than 550 jobs to the area, is anticipated to generate between $120 million to $130 million in economic impact for the region, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said. The analysis, he said, is based on expected weekly attendance of more than 200,000 people, including players, fans, volunteers, vendors and media.

According to the USGA, the 118th U.S. Open Championship is filled with opportunities for fans to experience the excitement.

Patch photo by Lisa Finn.