To the editor:

As a lifelong resident of Long Lake (66 years), I would like to thank the New York State Department of Transportation and the Hamilton County Highway Department for being able to cooperate so that a dangerous condition on Route 30 can be repaired without disrupting our lives and commerce, other than to add a few extra minutes to travel from Long Lake to Tupper Lake or the reverse.

For many years the Sabattis (with an “a”) Circle Drive was part of the state highway between Long Lake and Tupper Lake. The telephone lines still go that way. Families lived at Whitney headquarters on Little Tupper Lake and their children were transported to school daily via school bus. At the same time pulp and log trucks also traveled the road. The drivers of 18-wheelers are professionals and probably the safest drivers on the road.

There is no more unwary wildlife on the Sabattis Road than on Route 30. They are most likely safer there than on Route 30 because of the slower speed limit. There are no more wetlands on the Sabattis Road than along Route 30, so I doubt that any wildlife will be impacted because of the detour. The birds will still be able to mate.

My wife commuted daily for over 40 years working as a registered nurse in Tupper Lake and would not have minded the inconvenience of the detour other than having to leave a little earlier for work. I was an employee for Whitney Industries for over 35 years and traveled many miles on both Route 30 and the Sabattis Road.

I realize that there will be some damage to the Sabattis Road, and I am sure that was taken under consideration and repairs will be made. I also understand why this project was undertaken at this time of year, because it was the safest course of action. During the summer months there would be a much greater flow of traffic. They have chosen the optimum time to complete this project.

Kudos to Acting DOT Commissioner Peter Karas, Nicholas Choubah, regional DOT director, and Tracy Eldridge, Hamilton County highway superintendent, for their development and implementation of this well-thought-out plan.

Respectfully,

Bob Dechene

Long Lake