By:Angela Marshall
Annette Parish was more than delighted a few weeks ago when she stepped off the sidewalk to cross Lincoln Avenue and, for the first time ever, made it all the way to the other side before the light changed. Parish and other residents living near the corner of Lincoln and Park avenues have been calling for what they consider basic safety changes for years.
Until recently, seniors, many of them heading to the Sandel Senior Center, were unable to make it all the way across Lincoln Avenue before Park Avenue traffic was given the green light. The light adjustment, which made Parish's safe crossing possible, is just the first of many changes intended, according to Nassau County Legis. Joseph Scannell (D-Fifth District).
In the next few weeks, signs on Merrick Road directing traffic to use Lincoln Avenue as a shortcut to Long Beach will also be removed. The existence of the guide signs was one of the biggest complaints by residents during a meeting at Village Hall in April.
In another effort to ease congestion, the Department of Public Works is also planning to put up signs banning all trucks from driving on Lincoln. They will be placed within the next several weeks, Joseph Pecora, commissioner of public works for the county, wrote in a letter to Scannell.
Gridlock boxes will also be created at the corners and motorists will be fined if they are found to be within this boxed area when a light turns red.
"It was great," Parish said of her worry-free walk. "It's just what we have asked for."
Eileen Maier, a Cleveland Avenue resident, also expressed support for the changes. "The South Side residents are very enthusiastic about the signs coming down," she said.
However, she will not be completely satisfied until a traffic light is placed at the corner of Lincoln and Rockville avenues, which would also help to slow traffic.
Scannell said a survey is still being completed to test the feasibility of installing a light at this corner.
"I am very pleased with the response of the DPW and the timeliness of their actions," Scannell said. "Obviously, there is still more to do to alleviate the ongoing traffic problems in this area. But, this is a first step. Once the DPW review of some of the other issues is complete, I am certain additional action will be taken to accommodate the concerns of these residents."
