Wilkins officials have closed two intersections on McMasters Avenue due to heavy traffic increases caused by another road closure.

Residents say that since Larimer Avenue was closed June 19 for repairs to a side wall, traffic has increased substantially on McMasters.

"Ever since then, we've been bombarded with unbelievable traffic on a one-lane road," said McMasters Avenue resident Guy Visco, who spoke out at a council meeting Monday.

At the same meeting, Paul Romanelli, chief of Volunteer Fire Department No. 1 in Wilkins, said his company could have problems getting to emergencies if the already-narrow street continued to see such heavy traffic.

"With my district, time is of the essence in getting a truck up there," he said. "When I take our engine up that way, the street is tight as it is."

Township Manager Rebecca Bradley said that since the Larimer Avenue shutdown, traffic on McMasters has increased from 14 or 15 vehicles per day to around 200. She also said motorists have ignored "road closed" signs posted by the township at the McMasters Avenue and Churchill Road intersections.

"Motorists have taken out mailboxes, 'Watch Children' signs," she said. "Houses are right along the roadway, there's no front yard, so [residents] do have a concern."

The township addressed those concerns the day after the council meeting by closing McMasters Avenue at the Larimer Avenue and Rebecca Avenue intersections. Ms. Bradley said the closures would prevent motorists from using McMasters as a shortcut back onto Larimer and would detour traffic to a safer route.

She said the changes, which went into effect Tuesday, have already made a difference.

"I've only had one complaint today. It has tremendously reduced traffic," she said.