U.S. Open expected to add to South Fork traffic woes
Practice rounds officially began this week, bringing thousands of golf fans to the area and raising concerns about congestion on roads that are already crowded during the summer season.
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Drivers heading to the South Fork should prepare for heavier-than-usual traffic as the U.S. Open gets underway at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club.
Practice rounds officially began this week, bringing thousands of golf fans to the area and raising concerns about congestion on roads that are already crowded during the summer season.
“It’s just going to be a rough week,” said Bill MacDougal of Westhampton, who expects to spend extra time behind the wheel while traveling through the area.
MacDougal said South Fork traffic is challenging even under normal summer conditions.
“It’s bad enough as it is on a regular basis, but now because of the Open it’s a little stickier,” he said. “But they’re doing what they can.”
Local officials have spent more than a year preparing for the championship and implementing measures designed to reduce traffic impacts.
“Planning started over a year ago,” Southampton Town Police Chief James Kiernan said.
According to Kiernan, the United States Golf Association worked with traffic engineers and local officials to develop a transportation plan for the event. One major change is the addition of a temporary eastbound travel lane on Sunrise Highway/County Road 39 reserved exclusively for shuttle buses during the morning hours.
“What it does is it takes the buses that are carrying the patrons of the event, it takes them out of the normal daily traffic,” Kiernan said.
Officials are also encouraging spectators to use public transportation. A temporary Long Island Rail Road platform has been established within walking distance of the golf course, providing an alternative to driving.
Traffic conditions appeared manageable during off-peak hours on Tuesday, but the biggest challenges could begin Thursday when tournament play starts and attendance increases.
“We are used to heavy traffic here,” Kiernan said. “It is a different situation when you have an event like this. You really need to pay attention to trying to help people get to where they need to go and keeping people safe.”
For spectators planning to drive to the U.S. Open, shuttle bus parking is available at Calverton Airfield and the Hampton Classic Horse Show grounds.
