The new traffic patterns on Comstock Avenue between Euclid and Waverly avenues and on Waverly Avenue are ill advised.  

They were probably executed to provide bike lanes that are separate from car traffic but why do it on streets that actually have very little bike traffic?  The new patterns mainly succeed in providing several blocks of free parking close to the university for students and staff.

There are many downsides to the new traffic patterns.  What we have are two narrow lanes that do not allow cars to get around a blockage.  The first day I drove down this stretch of Comstock Avenue, an ambulance came up behind me with sirens blaring but it was impossible to pull over.  Emergency vehicles will have a terrible time getting through and if fire trucks or other emergency vehicles must park, car traffic will be completely blocked. 

 Left and right turn lanes have been eliminated which would cause traffic backups.  The abrupt changes in lanes together with having a line of cars parked in the middle of the road are asking for accidents to happen, especially on dark, rainy nights when visibility is poor.  In summary, the benefits of the changes are not worth the drawbacks.

Gloria W. Sage

Syracuse, NY