NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — Gov. Kathy Hochul is celebrating the completion of a multi-million dollar infrastructure project aimed at making roads on Long Island safer for pedestrians.
In a press release issued Thursday, Hochul said crosswalks, traffic signals, signs and other enhancements have been added along the 90-mile stretch of Route 25 from the New York City border to Orient Point, as well as three key roads in Nassau and Suffolk Counties.
The governor notes the $11.3 million project was finished on time and under budget.
The work along Route 25 included the following improvements:
• 131 new Americans with Disabilities Act compliant curb ramps
• 12 upgraded traffic signals and 2 new traffic signals with audible signals
• 49 new crosswalks and 59 upgraded crosswalks, each with highly reflective pavement markings
• 45 new reflective pedestrian crossing signs
"If we are serious about securing a greener future for all New Yorkers, making our streets safer and more walkable needs to be at the top of our agenda," Hochul said. "More and more people are taking to the roads again as our state continues coming back from the pandemic, and we must continue working to improve accessibility and make our streets and highways more accommodating to all modes of transportation."
In the Town of Brookhaven, there's about 1,000 feet of new sidewalk along Route 25 along the westbound lanes in Selden and Coram.
Two new traffic signals at Adirondack Drive in Selden and North Howell Avenue in Centereach will help "calm traffic and accommodate foot traffic coming to and from area shopping centers and residential developments," as well as provide improved roadway access to the Centereach Fire Department.
Several enhancements, including a new pedestrian crossing with colored traffic signal masts and fresh concrete, have also been made near the World War I memorial at Court Street in Riverhead.
"Infrastructure and public safety remain a top priority, and these critical enhancements will help ensure pedestrian safety on some of our busiest roads," stated Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. "I want to thank Governor Hochul for recognizing the continued need to invest in Long Island's infrastructure as we work to build a 21st century transportation network across Suffolk County."
Hempstead Turnpike in the Town of Hempstead, Main Street in the Town of Huntington, and State Route 27 in the Town of Southampton also received new ADA-compliant curb ramps, sidewalks, modernized crossing signals and new pedestrian crossing signs.
"Improving conditions on our roadways for motorists, while enhancing pedestrian safety, is an economic shot in the arm for many small businesses, stated Nassau County Executive Laura Curran. "I thank Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Department of Transportation for ensuring the on-time completion of this project."
