Rockville Centre residents warned not to cross Peninsula on foot

Nassau County has informed the Village of Rockville Centre that it will be refurbishing the three walk bridges across Peninsula Boulevard at Bulson Road, DeMott Avenue and Lakeside Drive during the coming months.

The work will include sandblasting, painting and concrete repairs. It was scheduled to start on Monday and is projected to be completed by Sept. 26. The bridge across Merrick Road to Lister Field is also scheduled to be refurbished as part of the Nassau County contract.

According to the contractor responsible for the work, only one bridge into Hempstead Lake State Park will be closed at a time, and signage will direct pedestrians to the next open bridge. The contractor also said the Merrick Road bridge will be open to accommodate crowds attending the annual July fireworks show that celebrates the village's incorporation anniversary.

During her remarks at the April 12 Village Board of Trustees meeting, Mayor Mary Bossart asked parents to inform their children of the repairs and to warn them of the hazards of crossing the highway on foot.

"It's extremely important that our young people — and their parents — are aware that these walk bridges will be closed," said Bossart, "and that it will be extremely hazardous to attempt to cross Peninsula Boulevard on foot."