The Town of West Seneca is hoping the state may commence a study in the next year or so to consider ways to transform part of a busy road into a calmer, more pedestrian-friendly neighborhood.
The idea is to come up with something that would turn a section of Union Road into something similar to the Village of Hamburg. As far back as 2014, town officials asked the New York State Department of Transportation to consider it.
Among their ideas, said Town Supervisor Sheila Meegan, is a traffic circle.
"They were very receptive to our ask," she said. "They want to work with us. Traffic counts are high, so it's very hard to do that but they're willing to do bumpouts, so people can come along Union Road and park in front."
Another consideration is introducing parking behind several businesses.
Whether any of this would work must be determined by a feasibility study. Erik Bohen, who represents West Seneca as part of the state's 142nd Assembly District, says funding is currently being sought to get that study underway. His hope is for the study to be ready for launch in about a year.
When asked about the possibility of a traffic circle in West Seneca, he said the study will determine whether it's workable. He also recalled the initial negative response many had in the Village of Hamburg.
"It was met with a lot of resistance. However, the Village of Hamburg is now embracing it," he said. "They are calming centers. We need to make our communities more walkable, instead of relying on the automobile."
