In preparation for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International, the Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office has released its plans for how it will handle the influx of motorists in and around the village of Watkins Glen. The following information was released by Sheriff Kevin Rumsey:
On Sunday (August 20th), we expect a large volume of traffic on County Road 16 because of the large influx of vehicles coming to the racetrack. As a result, it is necessary that we use County Road 16, as one-way traffic with three lanes of traffic going from State Route 414 to Gate 2 of the racetrack, and two lanes of traffic from Townsend Road to Kuhl Winner Way. There will still be one lane of traffic from Bronson Hill Road to Townsend Road. This will start at around 6:00 a.m. and last until 3:00 p.m. At 9:00 am, Kuhl Winner Way will be a one-way road southbound from County Road 16 to Gate #5 and northbound from Bronson Hill Road to Gate #6. It is necessary to make this a part of our traffic pattern due to the large number of vehicles that attend this event every year.
If you are attending church services, shopping, or going to Watkins Glen, and you live along this route, it is advisable if you live between County Road 17 and Meads Hill Road, you travel west in the traffic to Meads Hill and go north to State Route 329 and into Watkins Glen or left on Meads Hill Road to Wedgewood Road to State Route 414. Then you can turn right for Corning or left for Watkins Glen or Montour Falls. Persons living between Meads Hill Road and the racetrack are requested to get into traffic and go to Townsend and then take the Watkins – Townsend Road to Watkins Glen.
At approximately 5:30 p.m. on this Sunday afternoon, there will be only one-way traffic on County Road 16 with three lanes coming from the racetrack towards State Route 414 (traffic light) and then traffic will proceed two lanes down into the Village of Watkins Glen. This traffic is expected to last for more than 3 hours. There will also be one-way traffic, two lanes, going down Kuhl Winner Way from gate #6 to State Route 414. There will also be two lanes of traffic going from gates #5 and #4 on Kuhl Winner Way to County Road 16. All traffic coming off from Kuhl Winner Way will be three lanes and diverted in Townsend to County Road 16, County Road 19 or the Watkins-Townsend Road, preferably through the State Park, to Station Road and down into the Village through Steuben Street.
Plans are in place with Emergency Services to respond to emergencies during the egress period for the safety of the residents in this area. Sheriff’s patrols will also be in the area should there be any problems.
We apologize for any inconvenience this traffic pattern may cause you, but it is necessary for us to move a large volume of traffic in the shortest amount of time for the safety of everyone. Please remember that these times are approximate and can change due to weather. Traffic patterns on Monday will be normal, but there will be a large volume of traffic leaving the race track that day also, so delays will occur.
If you have any problems, please call me at (607) 535-8222.
