Signs for a Trouble Spot

Finally, after years of confusion at the intersection in Montauk’s harbor area where West Lake Drive meets Flamingo Avenue, signs have been posted notifying drivers heading north and south that cross traffic from the east and west does not stop.

Suffolk County workers posted the signs earlier this month after Legislator Jay Schneiderman, a Montauk resident, visited a meeting of the Montauk Citizens Advisory Committee and heard concerns about confusion at the intersection. Drivers unfamiliar with the route seemed unaware that those heading east to west had the right of way while north-to-south drivers were required to stop, committee members said at the meeting, held in the fall.

Also at that meeting, Lt. Chris Hatch of the East Hampton Town police said that in addition to a slew of accidents at the site over the years, there had been many near misses.

Years ago Henry Uihlein of the nearby Uihlein’s Marina rallied residents for a traffic circle at the intersection, but county officials at the time said it wasn’t feasible and that the area was not wide enough for one.

Although the new signs should help, Mr. Schneiderman said on Tuesday that what he would really like to see there is a one-way loop in which cars would turn right near the Montauk Marine Basin from West Lake Drive and exit by looping around Soundview Drive through the north side of the intersection. Drivers would still be able to enter the harbor area from the south, as is currently possible.

“Then we wouldn’t have as much traffic at the intersection and there’d be only three points of egress,” he said.

If that were to happen, Mr. Schneiderman said, it would allow for additional head-in, on-street parking on the north side of the road near Gaviola’s Market and Uihlein’s Marina, which is needed more than ever since several new and successful businesses have opened in the harbor area.