SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News)— Snow is on its way this week in Upstate New York, and the New York State Department of Transportation is taking measures to make roadways safer.
One measure the department is taking is reducing the speed limits on Onondaga Lake Parkway in Liverpool.
The speed that many commuters are used to on Onondaga Lake Parkway is no longer the same.
The New York State Department of Transportation is preparing for the winter season and asking commuters like Bob Moore to slow down when driving.
“During the winter, we probably should be slowing down ten miles per hour,” Moore said.
The department of transportation is changing the speed limit to get the attention of other drivers. The Onondaga Lake Parkway speed limit will reduce from 55 miles per hour to 45.
The Public Information Officer of New York State Department of Transportation Chris Jetter said the Onondaga Lake Parkway is a unique roadway.
He said its location to the Onondaga Lake during the winter months makes the road more dangerous than others.
“It’s a very low roadway off of Onondaga Lake and in the winter months variable weather conditions can occur at any time in the parkway, especially once the lake freezes over, ” Jetter said.
And by dangerous weather conditions, Jetter means snowstorms.
Jetter said the Department of Transportation is reducing the speeds to warn drivers before the winter storms come.
He said when the lake freeze, snow will pack onto its surface.
Jetter said on a windy day, that snow blows over the parkway, and the blowing snow makes it difficult for drivers to see.
The New York Department of Transportation wants all commuters to drive with caution this winter season.
The speed limit reduction on Onondaga Lake Parkway will go into effect for five months.
The speed limit will change back to 55 miles per hour on April 1.
