By Esther McKenna
Construction completed on time, under budget
A summer of slowdowns around the Rockville Centre Long Island Rail Road station came to an end on Labor Day weekend as the major portions of the $1.25 million project were made ready for the hundreds of commuters and residents, as well as local businesses owners, affected by the renovations.
All of Front Street from Village to Park Avenues has been repaved and redesigned to improve drainage. Curbs and sidewalks were also replaced and decorative brick was added to the sidewalks and to define the crosswalks. The redesign work, done by Cameron Engineering, continues around the block on both Park and Clinton Avenues.
"It was a massive undertaking, but it went smoothly," Village Engineer Steve Kritsas said last week in reviewing the project.
Despite a few unexpected costs, such as the replacement of a worn-out, four-inch water main with a new six-inch one, Village Administrator Anthony Cancellieri confirmed the project was completed on time and under budget.
The St. Agnes parking field now has 94 new spaces for commuters on its south side with an entrance from Front Street, following a lease agreement with the Village. St. Agnes will retain exclusive use of 82 spaces on the north side with an entrance from Quealy Place.
Temporary trees have been planted between Park and Clinton Avenues to replace the root-bound ones in the old, above-ground planters. Permanent trees will be planted later in the year and the temporaries moved to other locations in the village, Mr. Kritsas said.
Still to come to the beautified block are new lighting fixtures that will match the Millennium Clock on the traffic island at Park Avenue. Installation is expected before the end of September.
Renovations to the Long Island Rail Road station ticket office and platform buildings are also proceeding, including new brick exteriors and fixtures that match the village work. A new electronic message board controlled from Village Hall will also be installed at platform level.
More than half the cost of the $1.25 million village project has come from the state and the Long Island Rail Road. State Senator Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) recently secured an additional $300,000 on top of $100,000 already committed through the Department of Transportation; the LIRR contributed $300,000. The renovation of the LIRR station and platform is also being partly funded by the state.
