Homeowners who live near the new UBS Arena in Elmont are growing concerned about an increase in traffic as the facility is set to open Friday and with the Islanders' first game there Saturday.

Motorists say they are planning to avoid the area along Hempstead Turnpike and the Cross Island Parkway during Islanders game and events.

"We have to find other directions how to get out of here," says Queens Village resident Kamala Remdhar. "We have to divert to a different way now, but you got to deal with it."

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Construction is still going on around the arena so some civic groups are also concerned fans get confused and just look for street parking around the area.

"So that is a primary concern--are there actually going to go through the community to look for parking or where is this traffic going to go?" says Bob Barker, president of the Locustwood/Gotham Civic Association.

Those coming out to the UBS Arena also have the option of taking the Long Island Rail Road.

Local businesses, however, are hoping that fans driving in will shop in the area.

It is recommended that fans purchase parking beforehand and following specific instructions on how to get to the parking deck.

New York State Department of Transportation officials say they will be monitoring traffic around the UBS Arena and will post notices on electronic signs or its 511 app.