Senator Flanagan Joins With NYSDOT To Announce Changes To Route 25
January 27, 2010
(Smithtown,N.Y.)-Following requests from a number of elected officials,
led by Senator John Flanagan (2nd Senate District), Assemblyman Michael
Fitzpatrick (7th Assembly District) and Town of Smithtown Supervisor
Patrick Vecchio, the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT)
today proposed a number of changes to Route 25 in downtown Smithtown to
improve safety conditions on that stretch of roadway.
The changes were discussed at a meeting Senator Flanagan organized in
his office last week in response to numerous concerns raised by area
residents following two serious motor vehicle accidents that occurred on
Main Street in Smithtown in the past few months. On behalf of the
residents, Senator Flanagan, Assemblyman Fitzpatrick and Supervisor Vecchio
called upon the NYSDOT to examine the issue based on the two recent
incidents.
While the NYSDOT had already been studying the entire Main Street
area as part of a comprehensive improvement project, the calls of the
elected officials led the department to further examine the area where the
accidents occurred. Due to that additional investigation, the department
agreed to take additional steps aimed at addressing concerns associated
with the intersection of Lawrence Avenue and Main Street.
“The safety of all the residents of Smithtown and beyond who utilize
this stretch of road is of critical importance to everyone involved and, in
light of recent events, a comprehensive examination of all the contributing
factors is warranted. This meeting was very helpful and the NYSDOT, led by
Regional Director Subi Chakraborti, was extremely attentive to the
community’s concerns and I thank them for being so responsive,” stated
Senator Flanagan.
The improvements are aimed at both protecting those who utilize this
busy stretch of roadway while also enhancing traffic flow through the area.
According to the NYSDOT, the improvements are scheduled to include:
- Installation of pedestrian fencing on south side of Main Street between
Lawrence Avenue and Landing Avenue.
- Elimination of right turn on red for Northbound Lawrence Avenue and
Eastbound Main Street traffic to reduce conflicts between right turning
traffic and pedestrians.
- Review of signal timing to reduce the cycle length to reduce the time
that pedestrians have to wait to cross Main Street.
- Installation of signage to alert pedestrians to appropriate crossing
locations.
These changes will be augmented with additional measures that the
NYSDOT will announce in the coming month. These changes, which are part of
a broader safety package, are also aimed at improving safety even further
and make the roadway easier to navigate for both drivers and pedestrians.
Supervisor Vecchio said, “This meeting was extremely helpful and I am
pleased with the response of the NYSDOT. The initiatives they are
proposing will be beneficial for the residents of the town and all who
visit our area.”
“The changes that the NYSDOT is planning to implement will improve
all aspects of this stretch of roadway and that will allow everyone who
travels to this area to feel safer when they visit and shop here. I thank
everyone who contacted my office for their concerns and for their efforts
to enhance the safety of our community,” added Senator Flanagan. “But in
conjunction with any changes that may be implemented in the area after
their examination of the issue, it is imperative that people use caution
and common sense when traveling through the area.”
Posted by News LI Editor · Filed Under Politics
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