By Nick Buglione
"This corner is one of the most dangerous ones in the community and has been the site of numerous accidents," said Richard Cardozo, president of the Carman Community Association. He went on to note that it was even once the site of a fatality, though drinking was involved in that accident.
Located on the border of East Meadow and Levittown, the intersection is heavily trafficked, as it is not too far from Hempstead Turnpike and an entrance and exit to the Wantagh Parkway.
Cardozo and his organization have headed up the fight for safety measures to be implemented for some time, putting the call out to the Town of Hempstead and the New York State Department of Transportation.
"The accidents at that corner have been a problem for a number of years," said Councilman Gary Hudes (R-Levittown), noting that residents have complained of cars speeding down North Bellmore Road. "A good amount of work has been done there."
Over six months ago, Hudes said, the town had North Bellmore Road repaved and a few weeks ago implemented what he called "speed easing" measures. Those measures include increased signage and installation of pavement markings that visually narrow the road, thereby influencing cars to slow down.
"In the last few weeks that I've been driving down there, the speeds have slowed considerably," Hudes said.
Aside from the town's work, the New York State Department of Transportation recently installed a no stopping sign at the triangle located directly in the intersection of Newbridge and North Bellmore roads. It's a small measure which should figure to go a long way, Cardozo said.
"The presence of cars being parked there has decreased visibility and added to the danger," he said. "The prohibition of parking is another step in enhancing the safety at that corner.
"We express our thanks to Gary Hudes of the Hempstead Town Board and Frank Pearson of the New York State Department of Transportation for their assistance in this project."
According to Hudes, the absence of cars at that triangle allows drivers traveling across the intersection to look to their left and have an unobstructed view of oncoming traffic.
"Before that cars were parking at the triangle and at times you couldn't see past those cars," he added.
