Why The New Binghamton Front Street Roundabout Is Making People Want To Pull Their Hair Out

If you've been in the Binghamton area at all for the past week, then you've probably had to deal with the temporary closure of the Exit 5 ramp from I-81 South. It's Front Street frustration as a second roundabout is being completed.

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If you come up Front Street and are hoping to get to Otsiningo Park or downtown Binghamton, you can't get there from here. The big question that's on everyone's mind has been, will it be open in time for Spiedie Fest?

Will I-81S Exit 5 Be Open In Time For Spiedie Fest?

Good news: The Department of Transportation say's that it'll reopen on Thursday, August 4th, just in time for Spiedie Fest which runs Friday, August 5th to Sunday, August 7th at Otsiningo Park.

That's great news but even after it opens, there are things about the Exit 5 roundabout to keep in mind. The light that used to be at the end of the exit is gone and there is a new pattern and the roundabout comes up quick.

Why Some Drivers Hate The Front Street Roundabout

I chatted with several listeners on the air last week, and they brought up several issues they have with the new setup. There already have been several accidents in the area because people aren't paying attention. If you don't slow down, you could go right over the roundabout because the sides are only 6 or 7 inches tall and you could flip your vehicle.

Also keep in mind, that you can only go right when you get to the roundabout. I've heard that some of the newer drivers went left because you could go in that direction when the light was there.

Some people have gone left because their GPS said to "go left" apparently some GPS's haven't updated yet. Maybe these problems are being addressed with the addition of the second roundabout but we won't know for sure until Thursday, August 4th.