Essex seeking input on Whallonsburg intersection draft plan

ESSEX | The town is continuing its efforts to improve vehicle and pedestrian safety at the NYS Route 22/Whallons Bay Road intersection, but more public input is desired before making a final decision. That is why a public hearing is being held on Aug. 26 at 6 p.m. at the Whallonsburg Grange Hall — to review the draft plan that would realign that area, as well as address speeding issues and parking improvements for the Grange and Whitcomb's Arts. "Fortunately, we have not had any major accidents, collisions, or fatalities there," Town of Essex Supervisor Ken Hughes said. "However, I do know that vehicles traveling through this area usually travel above the speed limit, especially on NYS Route 22; I do know that vehicles making turns from Whallons Bay Road often will cut into the parking lot to have a better line of sight; and I do know that coming off of Walker Road to make either a left turn or go straight across the intersection can be a little challenging since you're coming at the intersection at an angle." Due to these concerns, the town applied for and received a $103,355 Smart Growth Grant to conduct a road study that examined speed, turning movements, parking, sight distance, and crashes. This resulted in a preferred concept plan for intersection improvements to enhance multimodal operations and connectivity. During an open house held back in November 2025, officials from Creighton Manning, a multidisciplinary design firm from Albany, proposed three solutions — a minor realignment, a major realignment, and a roundabout. The study also examined additional parking options, including adding a widened shoulder on Whallons Bay Road to accommodate on-street parking. The town ultimately decided to move forward with the minor realignment option. "Based on community feedback from that event, the public was very adamant that they did not like the major realignment or the roundabout ideas at all," Hughes said. "We went with the minor realignment because it received the least amount of criticism and was seen by the public as having the most opportunity if one of those options had to be moved forward." The minor realignment was the least expensive option that had the least impact on parking, while attempting to improve traffic flow in the area. The town then shared that concept with the Essex County Department of Public Works and the New York State Department of Transportation and made some small improvements. The upcoming public hearing will serve as a way to gather more feedback from the public before the town board decides whether or not to move forward with the project. "I understand that there are some residents who don't want anything to happen to the intersection because there haven't been a lot of problems there," Hughes said. "However, I suspect that with the Whallonsburg Grange Hall and Whitcomb's Arts continuing to grow, and with increased traffic with the ferry, something should be considered to slow traffic down and make sure it's safe for everyone." There will be no remote access available to this meeting. So, those who want to learn more about the changes will have to attend in person at the same site that is being targeted for improvement. "That's why we have these public hearings — to hear what people think and take in their input," Hughes said. "Good, bad or indifferent, we want to hear what people think. I'm very hopeful that people will come out and voice their opinions." For more information or updates, visit essexnewyork.com.

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Essex seeking input on Whallonsburg intersection draft plan

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