Heavy delays expected for those heading to the Catskills this Friday.
By YWN
This weekend always has a lot of extra traffic heading to the Catskills: It is Shabbos Nachamu. It is also Visiting Day, which always adds tons of extra traffic. But that is not what authorities are concerned about.
The New York State Police is expecting unusually long traffic delays in Sullivan County with a large gathering happening at Bethel Woods. Traffic will heavy on Rt-17 and Rt-17b beginning Thursday, August 15 through Sunday, August 18.
Traffic is expected to be particularly heavy on ST-17 westbound between the New York State Thruway tolls in Harriman and exit 104 onto ST-17b in Monticello.
Peak traffic for westbound lanes is anticipated between the hours of 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm and eastbound between the hours of 11:00 pm and 2:00 am. Motorists are encouraged to make alternate travel plans and avoid unnecessary travel during these hours on all four days of this anniversary concert weekend.
Additionally, heavy traffic at ST-17 exit 104 westbound may necessitate detours being put into place and motorists should be aware of alternate routes to camps and plan for these detours and heavy traffic accordingly.
Rabbi Abe Friedman, Special Assistant to the Sullivan County Sheriff encourages people to leave the city to upstate early Thursday afternoon and to avoid unnecessary traveling on the 17B.