WHITE LAKE — Bethel Woods has a new plan for funneling cars exiting its most popular concerts.

Attendees of the biggest shows have sometimes found themselves sitting in their vehicles for hours, waiting to get out of the parking lots which line Hurd and West Shore roads.

This year, officials hope to speed their departure by adding a second eastbound lane to 17B in White Lake.

“They're going to try to get two lanes of traffic through the light and Route 55 ... to get people out quicker,” explained Bethel Supervisor Dan Sturm at Wednesday's town board meeting.

The White Lake traffic light at the intersection of 17B and 55 will be turned off between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. on the nights of concerts expected to have capacity attendance.

The stretch of 17B that runs through that light - from Mattison Road near the Presbyterian church to Schultz Road adjacent to Dunkin Donuts - will feature two eastbound lanes during that time: one for traffic seeking to turn left onto 55, one for traffic bound for Monticello.

For traffic turning left from 55 South onto 17B East (i.e., heading from Kauneonga Lake to Monticello), the second lane will allow drivers to merge into the 17B traffic coming from Bethel.

“The goal is to help alleviate the impact of traffic on our patrons and neighbors by keeping the traffic flowing on 17B during peak egress periods of our large events,” explained Bethel Woods Chief Financial Officer/General Manager Eric Frances in a statement to the Democrat.

Bethel Woods is in the process of hiring a company to actually implement the plan for each selected concert (i.e., the placement of signs, cones and barricades). Flaggers will direct traffic through the intersection.

The town board unanimously approved the plan Wednesday, which includes the usual conditions, as well (like the blinking yellow traffic light at the 17B/Pine Grove Road intersection between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.).

The board also stipulated that Sturm must be notified at least 14 days in advance of the implementation of this “peak traffic” plan - and must give his assent. The supervisor also is empowered “to amend any portion of this Order relating to the use of town highways or road closure locations or time periods as local traffic conditions require.”

Mysteryland preparations

Mysteryland returns to Bethel Woods for the third time this June 10-13, and the town board approved its traffic plan Wednesday.

“The operations will remain the same,” said Brian Tamke, Mysteryland's director of operations.

West Shore Road between Hurd Road and Happy Avenue will have limited access June 5-9 and be completely closed June 10-13.

Best Road, which runs through the “Holy Ground” camping area, will have limited access June 6-7 and 13-15, and be completely closed June 7-13.

“It's not meant as an imposition,” Tamke explained Wednesday night. “It really is a safety measure.”

The board also unanimously approved Mysteryland's fireworks permit. Responding to complaints, the festival will fire off its 10-minute pyrotechnics around 1 a.m. instead of 2 a.m. each of the three nights.

Mysteryland has also reduced the number of its stages by two and promises to have no amplified sound between 2 a.m. and 10 a.m., which was codified into a noise permit approved by the town board Wednesday.

“We love to see you succeed,” affirmed Sturm. “It brings lots of business here.”

Arts council forming

Sturm announced Wednesday that the Bethel Council of the Arts will soon put out a call for members.

How many members is yet to be determined, though it will be the town board who confirms each member. The council will promote and cultivate the performing, visual and fine arts and artists throughout the Town of Bethel.

“We want to be recognized as an arts and cultural destination,” Sturm explained.