By Mark Scott
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-782139.mp3
Cheektowaga, NY – Harlem Road along the Cheektowaga-Amherst town line has a brand new look. A two-year reconstruction project is nearing completion. A ribbon-cutting was held Tuesday.
Roundabouts were built at Harlem and Cleveland Drive and at the Harlem, Kensington Avenue and Wehrle Drive intersection. Traffic was moving smoothly through the Cleveland Drive roundabout where State Transportation officials gathered with elected leaders and local business owners.
The DOT's Regional Director Alan Taylor said the roundabouts slow traffic and result in fewer accidents.
For business owners, the end of construction is most welcomed. Shelly Schratz is an Amherst Town Board member who owns Bing's Restaurant at Kensington and Harlem. She says it's been a rough couple of years.
Improvements were made to the streetscape including the installation of sidewalks and lighting to make the area more pedestrian friendly. All construction should be finished within three weeks. Landscaping work will be done next Spring.
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