By Scott Brinton
Camp Avenue between Camp Avenue Elementary and Mepham High Schools has for years meant a bumpy ride for motorists. With a road rehabilitation project under way there, that ride recently got significantly bumpier.
Town of Hempstead officials, however, are promising nothing but smooth pavement come Friday, September 29. That is when the roughly $1 million project is scheduled for completion.
Right now, the road is a torn-up, dirt path, which means slow going for vehicles traversing it. Workers are hurriedly installing new drains, curbs, driveway aprons, wheelchair access ramps and pavement along Camp Avenue, town officials say. Their desire is to complete the project before the school year is in full swing -- and busses begin needing Camp Avenue more and more.
Jeff Hayduck, the town's on-site inspector for the project, said the road revamp will help alleviate area flooding that residents have complained about for many years. "They've had a lot of flooding...." he said.
Mr. Hayduck also noted that the town has condemned not one property for this project. Often, a government agency must condemn at least part of a yard in order to make room for a wider road or sidewalk.
"We've tried to save trees and not condemn any property in consideration of the size of the lots," Mr. Hayduck said.
At least some local residents have complained about the dust generated by the project, as well as the inconvenience of driving several blocks to avoid the construction site.
However, North Merrick residents that the Herald spoke with at Camp and Stevens Avenues last Wednesday did not mind the construction much. During a morning stroll, Celine Beazley said, "It's going to be an improvement, so it's not troublesome...Some of the sidewalks really needed to be repaired."
Another resident standing outside her home said, "It doesn't bother me. It doesn't bother me at all. They do fine."
Before construction got under way on June 20, Town Supervisor Richard Guardino said, "I trust that the benefits and appearance of the completed project will more than offset any temporary inconvenience caused by the construction, and that the residents of the area will be very pleased with the results."
