Some call it the deadliest road in the state, but as local leaders call for infrastructure improvements, state Department of Transportation officials say it's the drivers behind the wheel who are causing the crashes on Route 66.
A series of accidents over the years have given a dangerous reputation to the stretch of the road from East Hampton to Portland, commonly called, "The Ledges."
"It's not really easy to see around the turns. It's steep and it banks. It can be kind of dangerous at times," said Baret Spencer, of Haddamneck.
East Hampton City Councilmember Phil Visintainer, a 50-year veteran of the town fire department, said improvements are long overdue.
"Over the years, I can't tell you how many countless times we've responded to accidents of various natures, and many of them very serious," he said.
Middletown resident Andrew Tatakis said he hasn't had too many concerns, but pointed out that "it's a curvy road, and people do kind of travel fast on this road."
The DOT plans to install rumble bars, but department spokesman Kevin Nursick said that won't solve all the problems.
According to Nursick, most crashes on that stretch of Route 66 are caused by speeding and drivers following too closely.
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He said it's driving habits, not infrastructure, that need to be changed.
According to DOT statistics, 27 million cars passed through the Ledges between 2010 and 2014, with 27 accidents occurring. Two of those crashes resulted in fatalities. A third deadly crash happened in January of this year.
Still, Visintainer said he'll continue to push for larger improvements, saying the route has been changed on either side, and now it's East Hampton and Portland's turn.
"Route 66 has been deemed one of the most dangerous roads in East Hampton for many years," he said.
