During peak commute every weekday morning, there are 2,000 automobiles that drive from Wilton into Saratoga on Route 9. Over 90 percent of those vehicles are occupied by no more than a single driver.
These thousands of vehicles that embark on the City of Saratoga Springs create everyday parking stress, demand and congestion. Not one thing is being done in the Town of Wilton to bring in public transportation or driving alternatives to the area.
To demonstrate how small of a priority it is for the town of Wilton to accommodate walking and biking, one just needs to visit Dorothy Nolan Elementary School, where not a single sidewalk, safe crossing or bike path will get you there.
Even Saratoga Springs is now keen on taking steps that will soon allow more residents the opportunity to safely bike around the city; and for a number of years has been working to improve public transportation.
It’s time that the town of Wilton started following that nearby lead and take steps to mitigate traffic in and out of this quickly growing area. With houses springing up left and right, there also should be a greater or equal effort to move residents within Wilton and to nearby communities without having to own a car or rely on someone who does.
There are abundant opportunities in Wilton to make the current streets and roads safer, create off-road connections and improve transportation in the area. Wilton has to recognize that biking and walking for exercise and transportation are vital components of healthy and livable communities, and they need to get with it and take the necessary steps to give residents biking, walking and public transportation options.
Ian Klepetar
Gansevoort