Johnson City Preparing for Chick-fil-A Traffic Jams

Chick-fil-A's first Binghamton-area restaurant is about to open and that could lead to traffic mayhem at Broome County's busiest intersection.

The company has been working with Johnson City police to develop plans for the congestion that's anticipated when operations begin this month.

The new Chick-fil-A is tucked into the southeast corner of the Oakdale Commons at Harry L. Drive and Reynolds Road.

The new Oakdale Commons Chick-fil-A restaurant will have two drive-thru lanes. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

The north end of Route 201 - which links Johnson City and Vestal - terminates at the intersection,

Thousands of vehicles pass through the area near the Route 17 expressway interchange every day and the traffic count is expected to increase when Chick-fil-A opens.

Route 201 can be seen just south of the soon-to-open Chick-fil-A Oakdale on October 1, 2026. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

Johnson City Police Chief Brent Dodge said there've been discussions with corporate representatives and the state Department of Transportation on handling traffic flow.

He said Chick-fil-A is prepared to hire eight off-duty police officers during the restaurant's first two weeks of operation.

Dodge said DOT is expected to make adjustments to the traffic signals at the intersection as necessary.

If conditions warrant it, highway ramps leading to the Oakdale Commons could be shut down by the agency.

Spark JC, which owns the property, also has been working to coordinate traffic planning to minimize the impact on other nearby restaurants and businesses.

The drive-thru menu displays are ready - only the prices are missing. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

Dodge said the police department and other parties are trying to be "very proactive" ahead of the restaurant's opening.

In an online post, Oakdale Chick-fil-A owner and operator Danielle Cannella wrote that the restaurant "will be a place where people can celebrate, commiserate, and gather around food."

A Chick-fil-A representative said the place is scheduled to open in mid-October.

WNBF NEWS VIDEO: A visit to the Chick-fil-A Oakdale drive-thru lanes.