Officials preview road diet plan for Baseline and Whitehaven to add parking and slow traffic

Grand Island officials told the conservation board that they recently met with Erie County and the state Department of Transportation to discuss a "road diet" on Baseline and Whitehaven near Town Hall.

Speakers described a proposal to change both roads from two travel lanes in each direction (with a center turn lane) to one travel lane each direction plus a center turn lane and parking lanes on both sides. The stated goals were to slow vehicle speeds, create additional parking near the town center, and improve pedestrian access.

Officials said county and state staff were supportive and that the DOT would perform the traffic studies needed; if the studies support the change, county representatives hoped to advance the project for implementation in early spring. Board members also discussed the idea of using a nearby vacant lot at Whitehaven and Grand Island Boulevard for parking but noted the property is privately owned and would require purchase by the town to convert it to public parking.

No formal action was recorded in the meeting; officials characterized the plan as in study and coordination stages with county and state agencies.