This is a petition to have the turn restrictions at the Southern intersection of Thackeray Dr and New Scotland Rd removed. This would allow Terramere residents to turn Left onto Thackeray Dr from New Scotland after turning right at the traffic signal at Maher Rd, and would also allow residents to turn Left from Thackeray onto New Scotland towards Price Chopper.

Currently, drivers wishing to enter Terramere from Rt 85 must wait at the traffic signal on Maher Rd to turn left onto New Scotland towards Albany, then turn right onto Thackeray at the Northern intersection (between Maher Rd and Albany City Line). This right turn is a sharp downhill turn which is especially dangerous during the winter when it is icy. It would be much safer to make a currently prohibited left turn at the Southern intersection (between Maher Rd and Price Chopper) because the intersection is mostly flat.

About 10 years ago, the Terramere HOA requested the Town of Bethlehem to change the intersection to allow left turns. However, at that time, New Scotland Rd was owned by NY State, and the state would not allow changes to be made to the intersection. However, New Scotland Rd is now owned by the Town of Bethlehem, and it is now the town's decision on whether changes are made to the intersection.

The current turn restrictions were implemented before the Slingerlands Bypass and the roundabouts were built. At that time, there was significantly more traffic on New Scotland Rd and backups and delays during rush hour between Cherry Ave Ext and Maher Rd were very common. The turn restrictions at Thackeray were implemented when Terramere was being built to prevent people from using Thackeray Dr to cut through to McCormack Rd N to turn onto Cherry Ave Ext. However, since the construction of the Slingerlands Bypass, traffic on New Scotland has significantly decreased. There is no longer any benefit to drivers cutting through Terramere to turn out onto Cherry Ave Ext so there likely would not be a significant amount of thru traffic if left turns are allowed at Thackeray Dr.

Allowing Left turns at the Southern Thackeray intersection would increase the convivence, safety, and quality of life in the Terramere community.