Slower traffic expected as construction ramps up on Thruway

Buffalo, NY (WBEN) Construction projects on two major roadways are leading to clogged roads and slower traffic.

"It's going to be slow, especially in the mornings," says WBEN traffic reporter Trevor Hauer. He says the morning commutes, especially along the 190 south from Hamburg Street to South Ogden Street have been slower. "They said it's going to take about three years, is what they plan on doing. So expect some pretty slow mornings in that spot." Construction is also in progress along the 90 east along the main line as well. "We've already been seeing a little bit of that speeds in both spots, though, have been knocked down from 55 miles per hour to 45 miles per hour. So expect, especially during the evening rush, as well, some very, very slow-moving congestion there. The 190 south, though, it is three lanes, and the left lane is closed, very similar to that of the 90 east from William Street to exit 51 at Route 33," says Hauer.

Hauer suggests adding up to 15 minutes to your morning commute to get to work on time. "It really depends on what time you're working. Usually around 7 to 8 hour in the morning is when we see the most amount of traffic and volume in that area, from 6am right around 7:15 is usually okay for the most part. It's always a wild card, though, along the main line, heading east from that William Street construction zone over there all the way towards ISIS 51 at Route 33," explains Hauer.

Hauer warns to follow work zone speed limits, even when crews aren't on site. "I know that there's been reports out there, especially on the main line construction, that there are speed trapping cameras in that area, and as to my knowledge, we've been seeing just some people talking about getting tickets in the mail from speeding in that, in that area, even in times where they're not working, when there's no construction vehicles there, there are cameras set up, so I would just follow the posted speed limits and save yourself the headache," says Hauer. The Thruway Authority says there are two shifts, 6am to 6pm and 6pm to 6am working six days a week.

The 190 project is a $52 million work that will take three years.