Commuters who have been enjoying less rush hour congestion on County Road 39 in Southampton may soon be griping again.

A pilot program, started Monday, eased traffic on the notorious highway by converting a westbound lane into an eastbound lane during peak hours. The program is set to end Friday, and town officials are asking the county for more funding to continue it. A spokeswoman for the town supervisor says one week cost $30,000 and more money is needed from Suffolk County if the program is to continue through Labor Day.

Suffolk Executive Steve Levy says the county paid $7,000 and it is up to Southampton to pay its own officers. He says the county is willing to continue the project in the upcoming week as long as the town keeps up its end of the bargain.

Related Information: Suffolk officials look to ease traffic woes in Southampton