Drivers urged to consider alternate routes near Woodbury Common during holiday shopping season after hours-long traffic issues on Black Friday
Residents we spoke to say they know to avoid the area this time of year.
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Police are issuing a warning for motorists to consider alternate routes this holiday season in the area of the Woodbury Common Premium Outlet following what motorists said was a traffic "nightmare" on Black Friday.
The conditions spurred hours-long traffic delays, closed roads and exit ramps.
“It was crazy,” says Teresa Dezio, of Monroe. “You just have to avoid it. You can’t go out that day.”
State police say traffic was backed up as far as six miles down the northbound side of the New York State Thruway last week and was bad in both directions all day. The surge in holiday shoppers shut the exit to the common when parking lots were full.
Shoppers and residents couldn’t get to Route 32 and on Route 17 westbound folks were captured on video walking with suitcases while trying to get to the outlet.
Residents we spoke to say they know to avoid the area this time of year.
“I live in Highland Mills,” says Lorraine McCarron. “I totally avoid going on Route 32 Black Friday because it’s a nightmare.”
Even the new, multimillion-dollar I-87 interchange in Woodbury, that was built to alleviate traffic, couldn’t help last week.
Police are urging people who aren’t shopping to avoid the area this month during peak times like weekends and the day after Christmas.
“We know what happens so, we just can’t get places we normally need to get to,” says Dezio.
The Woodbury Common Premium Outlet is considered one of the most popular destination outlet centers in the state and welcomes 13 million shoppers each year.
