Shutting Down For The Open

Have visitors coming to your place in the Hamptons anytime between June 11 and 18? Good luck with that. Here’s a better plan: Cancel while you have the chance.

“It’s probably best to make other plans,” said Southampton Highway Superintendent Alex Gregor, who noted the myriad of restrictions put in place for the event.

Not only will roads be blocked and parking forbidden anywhere near the place, but even bicylcists and pedestrians are banned from certain roads.

Nevertheless, record crowds are expected to see Tiger Woods and the other PGA superstars up close and personal.

The excitement is palpable, and town officials and organizers like the United States Golf Association are putting their best feet forward.

The Town of Southampton is proud to host the 2018 US Open at Shinnecock Hills from June 11 through June 17. Preparations are underway to make sure traffic will run smoothly before, during, and after the event,” according to a press release issued May 11.

The town will be closing roads, diverting traffic, and creating No Stopping zones from as far away as Westhampton all the way to the golf course in Tuckahoe.

The town has been working closely with Suffolk County, the State of New York, the FBI and other law enforcement agencies, and the USGA to plan for the event.

In addition to metal detectors, Gregor said there would be concrete barriers strategically placed at key entry points to prevent vehicles from crashing the event.

“The advantage of having hosted the event before helps the town tremendously,” said the ever-optimistic Southampton Town Supervisor, Jay Schneiderman. “We have a greater sense of what works and what’s needed to keep traffic flowing.”

Gabreski Airport in Westhampton Beach will be used for parking and a staging area for buses. Spectators will go through a security checkpoint and then board buses to the event. There will also be a parking area east of the US Open site at the Bridgehampton Hampton Classic grounds to shuttle spectators to the course. In addition, the Hampton Jitney will be taking spectators from Montauk to the US Open.

The Long Island Railroad is also adding train cars and a temporary stop at the Stony Brook Southampton Campus to accommodate the large crowds expected.

Gregor said buses coming from Gabreski would be diverted off the road onto a newly constructed temporary road on the south side of the golf course.

“They are bringing in 1800 tons of asphalt and they are going to remove it after the tournament,” Gregor said. The spectator buses will enter the course from St. Andrews Road, head west on the newly constructed road, and cut back onto CR 39 about 100 yards east of Tuckahoe Road.

As with past US Open events, a temporary pedestrian bridge will be erected over County Road 39 at Tuckahoe Road. To that end, Country Road 39 will be closed for eight hours, from 9 PM on Wednesday, May 16, to 5 AM on Thursday, May 17, between Shrubland Road to Tuckahoe Lane to move the bridge into place. Electronic signs are up to help drivers take alternate detours during that time.

Residents living in the Greenfield Road and St. Andrews West area will be permitted into the area with proof of identification.

Uber OKAY

During the US Open, Uber and car service drop-offs will be restricted to the designated area at Stony Brook/Southampton Campus from Montauk Highway only June 11 to 19. Bicyclists and pedestrians can enter via the Stony Brook/Southampton Pedestrian Bridge. There will be bike racks at the campus parking lot.

No Stopping, No Standing, and No Parking-Tow Away Zone designations are planned for the both sides of County Road 39 from Inlet Road east to North Sea Road. Shrubland/Sebonac Roads from CR 39 east to Sandy Hollow Road (CR 52) and Cold Springs Harbor Road will also be subject to the same restrictions.

Basically, there is no parking anywhere in the area of the golf course including both sides of Country Club Drive, Knollwood Drive, Underhill Drive, Overlook Drive, Terrace Drive, and Tuckahoe Road between the intersections of Sebonac Road and Terrace Drive.

Both sides of North Magee Street, Barkers Island Road, and Sebonac Inlet Road south of the intersections with Whites Lane will also be designated for no parking and violators will be towed away.

A complete list of roads effected by the tournament is available at town hall.

Gregor said passes would be given to neighborhood residents who have legitimate reasons to be on the restricted roads.

Even traffic that moves will move slowly.

From Monday, June 11, through Tuesday, June 19, the speed limit on County Road 31 (Old Riverhead Road), Westhampton, from the Westhampton Beach Village line north to Sunrise Highway will be 30 MPH between 6 AM and 10 PM. The speed limit on Route 27A will be 35 MPH from Tuckahoe Road west to Knoll Rd.

Planning on walking or biking to the event? Don’t.

Pedestrians and bicyclists are prohibited on or along CR 39 for the entire tournament week as well as Andrews Road West and St. Andrews Road. Town officials said the move was made, “in the interest of public safety” and to maintain “an orderly flow of traffic.” Pedestrians and bicyclists can access the U.S. Open through the Montauk Highway/SR27A side of the Stony Brook Southampton campus.

rmurphy@indyeastend.com