A $3.4 million project is officially underway in the Town of Milton, where the traditional four-way intersection at State Route 29, Rowland Street, and Petrified Sea Gardens Road is being transformed into a brand-new, single-lane roundabout.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the project this week, calling it an important step toward keeping Saratoga County’s roads safer and traffic flowing smoother — just in time for a busy summer in nearby Saratoga Springs.
“New Yorkers need the best and safest roads so they can travel to work, visit their families and shop for leisure,” Hochul said. “This new roundabout on State Route 29 would not be possible without our roadside workers, who risk their lives every day to keep us moving.”
State Route 29, also known as Washington Street, is a major east-west connector leading to some of Saratoga’s biggest attractions, like the historic Saratoga Race Course and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. Town officials are hoping the project will help ease the congestion that’s been growing right alongside the region’s population boom.
“Our town is one of the fastest growing in the county,” said Milton Town Supervisor Scott Ostrander. “I think the roundabout is a positive for our town because it will clear up the congested traffic… hopefully take care of the congestion problem with the population continuously growing.”
Proponents say roundabouts keep cars moving, minimize crash severity, and cut down on those red-light waits that leave drivers tapping the steering wheel. Bonus points: no electric traffic lights needed.
Construction is expected to wrap up by early June — well ahead of Saratoga’s regular racing season — and shouldn’t impact travel to the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival scheduled for June 4 through 8, Hochul’s office said.
And if the idea of navigating a new roundabout has you spinning, don’t worry: The state has even created a handy video showing exactly how to cruise through one safely and smoothly. You can check it out below.
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