By Jeff Lipton
Under the program, a total of 54 signals will be studied, from Cedarhurst Village to Hempstead Village. Signals at about 20 of the busiest intersections in the Five Towns will be upgraded, including eight in Hewlett, seven in Cedarhurst and five in Woodmere. About 80 percent of the project will be funded with federal dollars and 20 percent with county money. The cost of the project will be roughly $89,000, officials said.
This project will maximize the efficiency of traffic flow along Peninsula Boulevard by updating and enhancing the county's computerized signal system, said County Executive Thomas Suozzi, who announced details of the program on Tuesday, Sept. 9. These improvements will result in more efficient traffic flow, less congestion, a reduction of emissions and a reduction in accident rates.
The program includes 14 traffic lights in Lynbrook, 13 in Hempstead Village, five in Rockville Centre and two in Valley Stream.
In January 2002, the county accepted proposals for the Peninsula Boulevard signal-enhancement project and three firms submitted proposals. The Nassau County Department of Public Works evaluated the proposals and Wiley Engineering of Hauppauge won the contract to do the work. Wiley has worked on many projects throughout the county, with most being coordinated through public works.
Over the next several months, the company will collect data and modify and create new timing and coordinating data for traffic signals that currently run on the county's computerized signal system, along Peninsula Boulevard, from Oxford Road in Cedarhurst to Hempstead Commons.
For anyone who travels Peninsula Boulevard on a regular basis, they know that any project that improves traffic flow will be welcomed, said Legislator Jeff Toback (D-Oceanside).
Jacob Balter, a transportation analyst with the county planning department, said the project is designed to reduce idling by cars at intersections, which would lower the accident rate as well as auto emissions. This will improve the quality of life for residents, he said.
We want to re-calibrate the traffic lights and make them operate more efficiently, Balter said.
Legislator Joseph Scannell (D-Baldwin) added, This study will benefit thousands of drivers who use this road every day. Peninsula Boulevard is one of our most highly trafficked roads, and any safety improvements are a win-win for everybody.
Village of Cedarhurst Mayor Andrew Parise said Peninsula Boulevard certainly needs help, especially at Rockaway Turnpike, where traffic is often backed up.
It's a good thing and I'm happy to hear it, Parise said of the planned traffic improvements. I hope it does the job. There has always been a problem there. The closer you get to Rockaway Turnpike, the worse it is.
It backs up from one light to the next one, he added.
Parise said that two other roads that need help are Broadway and West Broadway, but agreed that synchronizing the lights on Peninsula Boulevard is a good first step. Peninsula Boulevard is the bigger problem, he said, because it gets the brunt of truck traffic, which is banned from other routes such as Broadway.
Parise said better coordination of the lights should reduce emissions and make it easier for drivers and residents living along Peninsula Boulevard to breathe.
David Chauvin, a county spokesman, said that when he drives down Peninsula Boulevard, the timing of the lights prevents him from traveling more than 500 feet at a time. We're not going to physically alter the intersections, he said. We're going to re-time all the lights and look at it terms of sections.
Instead of drivers stopping and going, we want them to be able to get further faster, he said.
Roger Corbin (D-Westbury), deputy presiding officer of the Nassau County Legislature, said, In these fiscally tight times, the county is doing its best to get the most out of federal funds that are available. With the reimbursement of 80 percent of these funds, we'll be doing more with less money.
County public works officials said the study of the traffic lights will be completed this winter, and the changes will be implemented next spring.
