My letter to the editor....

I have been reading about three different articles that have held me intrest. One being about the Frank Sottile Boulevard extension, the new plans for the old Costello Motor Court on U.S 9W and the planning of Kingston's second roundabout.

First off, the extension of Frank Sottile Boulevard to Route 199 sounds good, but it wouldn't need to be done if Kingston's road system was planned right in the first place. Route 9W is a traffic nightmare during parts of the day, and the clutter of retail stores between Miron Lane and Route 209/199, is simply not needed. Developers should be building out, not cramming everything in between a 1 mile space. The existing Frank Sottile Boulevard does not address the traffic situation. Motorists simply do not use it enough, because its easier to get to everything on 9W. To address this problem, new sinage should be installed for particular businesses, including the mall and Hudson Valley Plaza. If you do extend the road, it should continue back to Route 9W, not end at 199, so it could provide easier access to the mall and other businesses.

Secondly, I am all out for the plans for the old Costello Motor Court, but again, the existing road infastructure needs to be addressed. U.S 9W is wide enough for a center turn lane, and this should've been addressed when they repaved the road back in 2004. There is definately enough room.

And finally, the plans that the City of Kingston has for a second roundabout to be built RIGHT NEXT to the existing roundabout should not happen. It is said that it will improve traffic flow, but this will simply make it worse, not better. It will create more traffic headaches and confusion. The current roundabout that was built or "improved", from the old one, doesn't help the current traffic flow ethier. If traffic flow is a problem, simply add a center turn lane, or left turn lanes to Washington Avenue in that area to improve acess to both Sawkill Road, and businesses along that stretch.

Traffic flow through Kingston and the Town of Ulster has always been a problem. The right steps are not taken to prevent these kinds of traffic headaches. Millions of dollars are spent each year to "fix" a problem with traffic flow in the area when in reality, it makes it worse. Take the right steps, even if it costs a little more money. Money isn't as important as the lives that could be saved with better planning and safer roads.

Jack Thomas
Kingston, NY