Leave the library safely on MercyCare Lane

To the Editor:

The Guilderland Public Library Board of Trustees would like to thank town Supervisor Peter Barber, Highway Superintendent Greg Wier, and his excellent staff for their leadership in getting MercyCare Lane reopened. The road opened on Wednesday, Aug. 29, providing a safe and efficient way for library users to exit the library and travel west on Route 20.

By far, the most frequent concern that library users express to us is the difficulty of turning left on Western Avenue once they have left the library. The left turn can take several minutes to safely execute, and can be very frustrating, not just to westbound drivers, but also to those waiting behind them, whether they are traveling west or east.

The state’s Department of Transportation has taken the position that a traffic light at this intersection of Western Avenue is not practical due to the proximity of a nearby traffic light.

While it is slightly longer in distance, it can be much quicker to turn left out of the library parking lot onto MercyCare Lane and follow it down to the intersection with Winding Brook. Drivers can now safely turn on Winding Brook, as the town crews have trimmed the vegetation from that corner, so the turn is no longer a blind one.

From there, it is a short distance to the traffic light at the corner of Winding Brook and Route 20.  Speaking from experience, we can say that it is much safer, and at times faster to take this route rather than to wait at the library entrance for the elusive chance to safely turn left.

We encourage all our patrons to take advantage of this safe new way to exit the library and turn left onto Route 20. We appreciate all of Mr. Barber’s efforts in helping resolve a major safety concern for library users and we are thrilled with the attitude of helpful and constructive problem-solving from our friends at Town Hall.

Bryan Best, president

For the

Guilderland Public Library

Board of Trustees

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