By Jason Scheer
Allan Rosenthal has worked at Impervium Windows, located on Lincoln Place, for 15 years. He says the conditions on the street, nestled between Sunrise Highway and Atlantic Ave, have always been horrible.
"In 15 years they never did anything to fix it," he said.
He says that conditions are especially bad when it rains, as the cracks in the road create deep puddles of rain and mud.
"When it rains and customers come to pick up products, they have to go around these giant puddles," Rosenthal said.
Soon, Lynbrook locals such as Rosenthal will have some relief, as four Lynbrook streets, as well as two parking fields, will undergo extensive repair as part of the village's 2003 Road Repair Program.
In addition to Lincoln Place, the streets scheduled for repair include Madison Street, portions of Grace Avenue between Duncan Avenue and Grove Street and Earle Avenue from Shipherd Street to Brower Place. The parking fields chosen for repairs are fields 12 and 20, located near Forest Avenue and Sunrise Highway, respectively.
Anna Lenz is a resident on Earle Ave. She can't wait for the repairs to start. "It's wonderful," Lenz said of the project. "I'm thrilled."
When Lenz first moved to Lynbrook four years ago, she was very disappointed in the road conditions. "It's been too long," she said. "We wanted it paved since the day we moved in."
The program, which is sponsored by the Lynbrook Building Department and the Department of Public Works, was started more then a decade ago and has helped improve the conditions on some of Lynbrook's most degenerated streets.
"Our ultimate goal is to provide the safest, smoothest roadways," said Philip Healey, superintendent of Lynbrook's department of public works.
This years project will cost about $400,000. However, according to Healey, the value of safe roadways is immeasurable.
"I don't know how to put a value on it," Healey said. "Eliminating potholes and other safety hazards to drivers is extremely important."
When selecting streets for repair, the village takes into account several factors. "We look at everything," said Healey. "We look at the conditions of curbs, gutters, asphalt and draining issues."
Also, requests from residents play a large role in determining what streets are targeted for renovations. "We definitely try to take their concerns into account," said Healey.
Healey stresses the fact that resident's must be patient, as the program will eventually reach other streets in need of repair.
"We try to establish and follow through on a game plan," he said.
Also, he points out that even when repairs begin, the process of rebuilding a road will take time. "It may take years to fully complete a road," he said.
Renovations will begin in September.
