A visit from the President of the United States is never an easy undertaking for those who plan the logistics, transportation, and security for the event.
That means it's been a long few days of planning and overtime for the New York State Department of Transportation, New York State Troopers, and for local and UAlbany Campus Police.
And drivers in the area of College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering had to roll with the punches where extra traffic, road blocks and street closures were concerned.
It's not often you see Fuller Road and the traffic circle near Tri-Centennial Drive in Albany with no traffic flowing on it.
And heavy city equipment, including dump trucks and huge electronic signs, were brought in to close Washington Avenue Extension in both directions.
But, the interruption was only for a few hours, from about 11:30 a.m. until around 2 p.m., and most drivers seemed to take it all in stride. Todd Friend of Albany said, "I didn't really mind. I had to go to Stuyvesant Plaza to get blood work for my son, and we had to take a detour out down the highway instead of Fuller Road. It didn't bother me too much. I was a little late, but no big deal."
Miguel Torres was shopping at Crossgates Mall near the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering at around noon.
He admitted to getting caught up in some traffic related to President Obama's visit, but said he expected it.
Torres said, "I went to two cities where the Vice President was coming into one, and the President was coming into another to pitch baseball games, so l've been delayed on flights for an hour each, so I'm used to this stuff, so it's no big deal for me."
Most of the drivers we spoke with said they believe a visit from the President of the United States is so good for the area, any inconveniences they experienced as a result were well worth it.
