Diane Valden is reporting for The Columbia Paper the state Department of Transportation has determined that no traffic light is needed at the four-way intersection of state Route 23 and County Route 7 and Craryville Road. The intersection is the site of a proposed new gas station and convenience store. Copake Planning Board Chairman Bob Haight said May 2, he received the DoT decision, which was based on a traffic study performed by Crieghton Manning Engineering for the gas station applicant, GRJH, Inc. The 88-page traffic assessment study was a part of the applicant’s required Highway Work Permit Application to the department and submitted nearly a year ago. Included in the report analysis were: sight distances, accidents, collision diagrams, capacity and queuing, types of vehicles by day and hour, turning movements, speed statistics, traffic patterns and volumes. The study concluded that intersection conditions do not “meet the minimum criteria for the installation of a traffic signal.” Opponents of the project have cited increased traffic concerns at an already dangerous intersection as an argument against the development. The planning board's public hearing on the project remains open. The board's next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m., Thu., June 6. Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.