New Design Slows Traffic on State Street in Binghamton

Drivers are encountering some changes as they travel through nearly-completed State Street Gateway Project construction zone in downtown Binghamton.

New sidewalks, curbing and bike lanes have been put into place since work began on the $2.2 million project in early April.

Travel lanes have been eliminated for vehicles on State and Hawley streets around the Governmental Plaza.

Some motorists have complained about the changes, noting the reduced lanes for vehicles slows down traffic.

Planners say that's by design. One of the goals was to reduce the speed of vehicles to make the area around City Hall and the Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena safer for pedestrians.

While most of the work has been completed, some construction remains to be done.

New traffic and pedestrian signals will be installed at the State and Hawley intersection. A City Hall spokesman said that work is expected to occur in September or October.

Local funds are covering just over half of the project cost. State and federal money is be used for the rest of cost.

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

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