BY PAUL MITCHELL
North Country This Week

CANTON -- Motorists, especially tractor trailer drivers, can expect traffic delays and an alternate route when driving through the village of Canton beginning Nov. 14 as CSX crews work on the railroad crossing on Main Street.

The project is expected to last three to four days.

The issue at hand centers around the detour route. Several route options have been examined with St. Lawrence County recommending a more than 15-mile detour. That permitted route was introduced by Mayor Michael Dalton to members of both the town and village board at a special joint meeting held Wednesday night.

“It’s not going to be easy for a few days. The local folks will find their way around the village. It’s the truck we’re concerned about,” stated Dalton. “One way or another it’s going to be a mess.”

The county’s proposed route will force traffic headed into the village from Gouverneur Street to take a left turn onto West Main Street, travel past the SUNY Canton entrance on Rt. 68 to the intersection of County Route 14 (Woodbridge Corners), turn right, proceed to to Morley then to Bucks Bridge and eventually hook up with Rt. 310.

“They are not going to take it. It’s at least 15 miles or more,” said Town Councilman James Smith, who proposed a different detour route.

Smith said trucks could turn right off Gouverneur Street then left onto Riverside Drive then make the five-mile drive to Morley, cutting several miles off the route. The consensus of both boards was to request this route to county officials which the mayor agreed to do.

Another detour discussed would have traffic turn onto Park Street off Main Street then proceed to the Pike Road (County Route 25), then turn left to hook up with Rt. 68 on the east end of the village.

Concerns were expressed about increased traffic on Park Street as well as State Street which would move traffic past Canton Central School.

Trustee Anna Sorensen pointed out there is a plan to close the right hand turn on Main Street at the Park Street intersection (in front of the American Theater) and block off the three or four parking spaces at the post office on Park Street during the work period.

“We ask for everyone’s patience,” said Town Supervisor Mary Ann Ashley.

With CSX work crews active in the village in mid November, there’s hope CSX will complete repairs at the Harrison Street railroad crossing that has had that street split for several months.