LENOX — The conversion of a key downtown corridor to one-way traffic, creating 26 new parking spaces, went smoothly this week, according to several town leaders and business owners.

The two-year pilot program that began Tuesday on a portion of Church Street and on Franklin Street drew upbeat reactions as motorists adjusted to the new traffic flow.

But the true test will come during the summer tourism season, which begins this weekend, as many returning visitors encounter a new, unfamiliar traffic pattern in the heart of the busy downtown business district.

With ample signage, roadway arrows, traffic cones and temporary barriers, Main Street drivers are alerted that no longer can they turn onto Franklin Street to access Haven, Bagel & Brew, Yao Asian Fusion Cuisine, the laundromat and other businesses.

Nor can customers at Sam’s Gulf convenience store on Main Street exit onto Franklin Street.

A two-year pilot program began on Tuesday in downtown Lenox to shift the traffic pattern to one-way on a portion of Church and Franklin streets. Town leaders and several business owners reported smooth sailing as motorists adjusted to the new traffic flow this week.

“It seems like it will be a positive change, especially concerning the additional parking,” said Shelly Williams, owner of Haven Cafe and Bakery, which she opened in 2008.

She predicted that “it might help with summer congestion in front of Haven, such as people stopping in the middle of the road.”

“It will be interesting to watch how the Tanglewood traffic will be managed," she added. “But I'm all for change in service of betterment. And sometimes you have to make the change before you can predict the potential issues.”

This is the new pattern: A portion of Church Street from the Housatonic Street intersection is one-way northbound, feeding onto Franklin westbound to Main Street. Motorists can park on both sides of the one-way section.

Church Street businesses affected include Brava, Bistro Zinc, Firefly, Glad Rags, Gifted Child, the upcoming Bea’s House restaurant and MacKimmie Co., the home goods store, among other businesses and art galleries.

“I’m optimistic that it will bring people to the end of Church Street who might not know the shops and restaurants down here,” said Doris Barsauskas, proprietor of MacKimmie Co.

“I think it will be a big plus, and we’ll have to work with people,” she pointed out. “The town did a great job, there are arrows everywhere.”

Barsauskas also praised the additional parking spaces. “I’m hopeful and ready for the season to start.”

Last March, the Select Board endorsed the two-year test designed by DPW Superintendent William Gop.

“It seems to be going smoothly,” Gop said on Wednesday. “I was hoping it would go this way, but you never know. It’s gone as well as we had hoped for. I’ve been getting text messages about how people are loving it.”

He also pointed out that drivers have realized that parking is now available on both sides of the one-way streets. “Things seem much calmer now on those streets, less chaotic.”

Gop predicted that barrels set up at Main and Franklin streets to make sure motorists are aware of the new one-way pattern may remain up for at least several more weeks.

“I haven’t heard any negative feedback,” Town Manager Jay Green said. “We did our best to try to anticipate any issues, and I give all the credit to Superintendent Gop for thinking it through, and Police Chief Mark L. Smith for putting his eyes on it.”

“So far, so good, we want to hear the feedback and we’ll tweak it, but we think we’ve achieved the goal of increased parking in a very reasonable manner without the investment of town funds,” Green added.

Newly striped one-way arrows greeted motorists on a portion of Church Street in the heart of the downtown Lenox business district this week. The two-year pilot program to test the pattern, aimed at adding 26 parking spaces, got off to a smooth start, DPW Superintendent William Gop said.

He also pointed out that the 20-space gravel lot at the intersection of Church and Housatonic streets will continue to be available through the summer and fall, though it’s under private ownership by boutique retailer Tony Chojnowski.

A police officer was posted at the Main and Franklin intersection on Tuesday to help guide motorists, avoiding first-day confusion by explaining the new traffic pattern, Sgt. Mike Smith said. “I haven’t heard of any issues, problems or complaints.”