Sheridan Drive roundabouts in Tonawanda?

The Town of Tonawanda is looking to improve traffic flow in its community with a goal of making it safer for drivers and pedestrians.

While the town's first priority is to get improvements to a deadly stretch of Niagara Falls Boulevard where several pedestrians have been killed after being struck by vehicles, it is also exploring changes for Sheridan Drive - another very busy road.

"Improved traffic flow also has an environmental impact.  We have to keep that in mind," said Town of Tonawanda Supervisor Joe Emminger.

It is still very early in the process but town leaders are looking into the idea of putting Sheridan Drive on a "Road Diet" which would possibly include:

-Reduction of lanes in areas where there are now eight traffic lanes

-Reducing speed limits

-Adding bike lanes to Sheridan Drive

-Placing a second pedestrian crossing "Hawk" signal near the Hoover schools and the Aquatics & Fitness Center

-Installing synchronized traffic lights.

-Putting roundabouts at the intersections of Sheridan Drive and Eggert Road and Sheridan Drive and Niagara Falls Boulevard for better traffic flow.

Supervisor Emminger said the town is still open to all ideas and none of these suggested changes are final.

Sheridan Drive is a state road which would need approval from the NYS Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) for changes.  A NYSDOT spokesperson said there are currently no plans in place for changes to Sheridan Drive.

7 Eyewitness News Reporter Ed Reilly takes a look at the "wish list" of Sheridan Drive ideas and talks with Tonawanda residents to see how they feel in the attached video report.

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