This summer season brought yet another promising summer in the Adirondacks filled with nice weather, plenty of activities and many attractions that you should not miss if you swing through the Adirondacks and the Tri-Lakes area. The roads are filled with boat trailers and cars carrying kayaks and canoes along with plenty of bikes on the road making their way from town to town. However, they may be spending a little more time on the road if they decide to travel through the “new and improved” downtown Saranac Lake.
As one makes their way through Saranac Lake they will be welcomed to many shops and restaurants from the carousel, past the skate park, swinging by The Downhill Grill and the year-old coffee shop at Origin on your way down Main Street. But, do not be driving too quickly and make sure to not be in a rush! Why? Because you better plan for at least a few minutes for the redesigned travesty of a stoplight in the center of town.
As you approach the Town Hall coming from Main Street you will probably have to wait for a minute or two tops, but the other three entrances to the intersection can bring some serious delays in your travel. Personally, I come from Kiwassa Road and I have learned to budget at least an extra three minutes because that is what I have learned is the average wait time for me. However it will definitely vary, I will occasionally get a green light after about a minute but the light will only stay green for about twenty seconds. Meanwhile, this lane will be the only group of cars moving as ALL of the three other lanes will have red lights, and do not even think about turning on red because that is also not allowed. The two entrances to the intersections from route three will only both be active if no one is in the left turning lane. However, that is also rare as many people look to turn left onto Main Street when coming from the Tupper Lakeside of Route 3.
I, personally did not see a problem with how the light was run before, it definitely saved more time and was better off for all lanes than what we have now. And I know I am not the only one who is upset about this, I have heard many complaints, but I will only share a few, “As someone who travels through downtown at least four times a day I see absolutely no new improvements from what the stoplight used to be.” This comes from Robert, a resident of Saranac Lake for over ten years and a daily commute through town. “Cars are often backed up and some even shut their engines off in an attempt to save gas because they know they will be waiting for a while. Saying the light is a disaster would be giving it too much credit, it is unsafe and people often run red lights so they do not have to keep waiting.”
Do I know if a solution is coming to this issue? I do not. However, one should likely be thought about. We are burning more fuel and spending more time in our cars when we should be spending more times outside in this beautiful area that we live in. But, in the meantime, plan an extra few minutes at this intersection.
