Three presidential candidates are in Capital Region today, leading to heightened security and road closures.
The April 19 New York primary has taken on increased significance for Democrats and Republicans alike. The Albany area has become a whistle-stop for the candidates. Texas Senator Ted Cruz and former New York Senator Hillary Clinton were both in the area last week.
Now, Ohio Governor John Kasich, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and businessman Donald Trump are scrambling to woo voters and attract delegates.
Kasich has appearances scheduled in Albany, Troy and Saratoga Springs. Fellow Republican Trump is expected to draw a capacity crowd at the Times Union Center. Democratic contender Sanders had a morning stop in Binghamton, an afternoon event in Albany and then heads off to Buffalo for an evening rally.
The biggest impact on people and traffic affects Albany. CDTA director of marketing Jonathan Scherzer says if ever there was a day to take the bus, this is it. "In times like this when there is a lot going on and there's requirements associated with the high level of people that are coming in, whether it be Secret Service or any other security detail, there's a lot of work that needs to get done. Great credit to the city of Albany, they've been out in front of this working with us, the Times Union Center as well, the folks at the Armory, everyone's really been ready to make this happen. The city officials, county officials, pretty everywhere you look, everyone's telling people to use public transit for the obvious reason that parking is gonna be extremely limited and there will be closures and so on and so forth."
Albany Police Spokesman Steve Smith agrees: "There'll be some road closures in effect right in front of the Times Union Center where Donald Trump will be holding a rally at 7 o'clock tonight. South Pearl Street between Beaver Street and Hudson Avenue will be closed to all traffic, and there will be some parking restrictions on South Pearl Street, both sides of South Pearl Street from State Street all the way to Market Street, you'll be unable to park on either side of the street."
Scherzer: "From the CDTA perspective, we just wanna be available for everyone. We want customers to know that a couple of main stops are going to be challenging, in particular, the stop at Washington & Dove, and then the ones by the Times Union Center will be closed. So customers down looking discussing and thinking about attending the Trump rally, really are being directed to stop at Ten Eyck Plaza on North Pearl Street, which allows for a very short walk distance to the arena."
Local arenas were able to accommodate candidates like on short notice, according Washington Avenue Armory spokesman Joe Bonilla: "One of the most important things that we like to see is that New York's in play during this presidential year. The campaign reached out to us, given our particular niche as a mid-sized venue. The Armory can fit 4,380 in terms of full capacity."
CDTA does not expect any major disruptions in bus service in the Williams Road area of North Greenbush or the Spa City, and with Kasich's afternoon appearance in Troy in mind, Saratoga Springs police aren't anticipating any severe traffic disruptions, but have posted some road closures. Police spokesman Lt. Bob Jillson believes they could see about 2,000 citizens show up for the afternoon event at the Saratoga Springs City Center. "If anything it'll be, once people find a place to park, it'll be the foot traffic that's gonna be maybe crossing Broadway or coming form a different parking area to cross to get to the event, so if people just use caution with a higher volume of pedestrian traffic, for a Monday afternoon, I think that'll make life a little bit easier."
CDTA INFO FOR BERNIE SANDERS RALLY
Bernie Sanders will be holding his Rally at Washington Ave Armory. The bus Stop will be closed for ALL LINES that service this stop from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm. There will be a Supervisor at this location informing the customers and directing them down to the bus stop at Washington Ave & Dove St including the BRT buses will accommodate at this stop as well. The lines that will be affected westbound will be 1,10,12,182,712,737,905. The Eastbound stop drivers are going to encourage customer to alight the bus at Washington & Dove St Eastbound as well.
The North Greenbush P.D. announced these traffic changes in place for Gov. John Kasich’s Town Hall meeting at LaSalle Institute:
The roadways that will be affected from 1 pm until 4 pm are Williams Road and South Road (within HVCC).
Roadway changes could result in portions of Williams Road to be detoured, so drivers are encouraged to take alternate routes if you’re not attending the town hall meeting.
Established parking areas for this event are:
- LaSalle Institute
- St. Michael’s Church (across from LaSalle)
- HVCC ( behind LaSalle off South Road)
Drivers are asked to be alert and follow the traffic routes that will be in place.
CDTA buses will also experience some re-routes.
Parking restrictions in Saratoga Springs will be in effect on Maple Avenue, going from LakeAvenue to the area just north of the City Center, starting at 3 pm. Starting at 4 pm, Maple Avenue will be closed from Lake Avenue to just north of the City Center. In addition, Ellsworth Jones Place will also be closed starting at 4 pm. Closures will remain in effect until approximately 8 pm.
These road closure and parking restrictions are to be implemented near the Times Union Center:
Parking Restrictions: Monday, April 11, 2016 from 8:00 a.m. to Midnight
- NO PARKING – Both sides of South Pearl Street from State Street to Market Street.
Road Closure: Monday, April 11, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. to Midnight
- South Pearl Street from Beaver Street to Hudson Avenue will be closed to ALL TRAFFIC
