Olean roundabout causing troubles for truck drivers

OLEAN, N.Y. (WIVB) -- In an effort to make Olean more pedestrian-friendly, leaders installed a number of roundabouts on a truck route that goes through the city -- and local truck drivers say they're paying the price.

The roundabouts are part of the city's Walkable Olean Project through its $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative.

"There's just no way to convince me that they're designed for trucks," said Edward Conklin, owner of C&K Trucking.

Conklin's route involves driving through Olean, where a recent roundabout was installed at East State and Barry Streets.

"I'm always hitting the curb," he said. "I can't even fit around them in my tractor trailer and all the axles I got. I'm ruining tires, getting gashes in them, hitting the curbs."

The roundabout was installed along a state highway and is the only way trucks can pass through the city. Conklin says the new feature is a constant struggle.

"There is no other option to go around Olean, not unless I want to go way out of my way and the price of fuel, I have no choice but to go through there," he said.

The Walkable Olean Project is made up of different phases.

"We've just recently finished East State Street, which is Walkable Olean III. We're working currently on Walkable Olean IV on South Union Street," said Ben Slotman, the director of public works for the city.

Slotman says the roundabouts are designed for tractor trailers to drive right over.

"The medians of the roundabouts are designed to handle the truck traffic," he said. "They are mountable. They are able to take the trailer load and let them pass through."

Conklin disagrees, saying the roundabout at East State Street is smaller than the other roundabouts in the city and has a higher curb, which is damaging vehicles.

"My tires on my trailers are going over everything," he said. "I'm worried about bending rims and I know I've had to change a couple tires already. Who's going to pay for all that? It comes out of my pocket."