Letters

A recent editorial, “The Jam We’re In” [August 7], stated that to solve the problem on the South Fork, we must collectively address the core problem: There are simply too many vehicles. Spot on!

For decades, the main east-west road through the Hamptons has been a choke point every summer weekend. According to Suffolk County transportation data, peak-season traffic volumes on this route can exceed 40,000 vehicles per day — far beyond the road’s optimal capacity.

The traffic problem has been analyzed, debated, and lamented in countless town meetings and op-eds, yet the gridlock persists. The time has come to acknowledge that adding lanes or relying on “better timing” of traffic lights will not solve a problem whose root cause is too many vehicles on one road at the same time.

It’s time for a better way forward: The Hamptons Peak Flow Plan.

Capping the number of vehicles permitted to use the main artery during peak periods may sound radical. Still, it is a sensible and fair approach, one already adopted in other congested tourist regions around the world. Limiting road access at the busiest times could be achieved through timed-entry permits, modest tolling or a seasonal reservation system. This would encourage carpooling, shift some travel to off-peak hours, and make alternative transportation — such as shuttles or rail — more attractive and practical.

Such a measure would benefit everyone: Residents would gain back precious time and peace of mind, local businesses would see customers arriving less frazzled and more willing to explore, and the environment would be spared the idling engines and stop-and-go emissions that now hang over our summer afternoons.

This is not about restricting freedom of movement — it is about managing a finite public resource responsibly. Roads, like parks and beaches, have a carrying capacity. When we exceed it, everyone’s experience suffers. The Hamptons should lead by example and adopt a measured, enforceable system to keep our main road moving.

Let’s give The Hamptons Peak Flow Plan a chance.

Robert Dempsey

North Haven