Standing with Hempstead Village dignitaries near the intersection of North Franklin Street and Centre Street, Congresswoman Laura Gillen outlined two major federal traffic safety initiatives projected to have direct impact on Hempstead thoroughfares.
“Making our roads safer is a bipartisan issue,” said Gillen, “and I will continue to use my seat on the House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to push for policies that keep Long Island drivers, pedestrians and passengers safe.”
The first initiative Gillen detailed is the introduction of H.R. 3440, the Bipartisan Traffic Safety Enhancement Act.
She sponsored the bill in partnership with Republican Congressman Rob Bresnahan.
The legislation would provide federal surface transportation block grants specifically for reconstructing dangerous intersections to become roundabouts, which are circular intersections with yield signs at entry points.
“Roundabouts have been proven to reduce roadway collisions, to improve the flow of traffic, and in turn reduce emissions from idling,” said Gillen. “If constructed right, they can add to the beauty of these intersections.”
The second initiative, made public in March 2025, is a powerful grant program from the U.S. Department of Transportation called FY25 Safe Streets and Roads for All Planning and Demonstration Grant. The program allocates $980 million to fund local efforts to prevent roadway fatalities and injuries. Applications had to be submitted by June 26.
“My office reached out to towns and villages across the Fourth Congressional District to urge them to apply,” said Gillen. “Hempstead Village was the only one to seize the opportunity.”
Mayor Waylyn Hobbs Jr., Deputy Mayor Jeffery Daniels, and Community Development Association Commissioner Danielle Oglesby sent in an application or over a half million dollars. Supporting their efforts were the Nassau County Department of Public Works, the New York Coalition of Transportation Safety, and letters from Hempstead schools.
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has promised his cooperation. The New York Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee will administer the grant money.
“If Hempstead is awarded this critical planning and demonstration grant,” Gillen said, “it could help unlock millions of dollars in future funding to implement major road safety projects.”
Thanking Gillen for her support, Hobbs added, “I’m happy to announce that we’ve already initiated things in place with our Traffic Unit, and there has been a reduction in accidents in the Village of Hempstead by close to 30 percent.”
Under the leadership of Hempstead Police Chief Richard Holland, the Hempstead Police Traffic Unit has installed a No Left Turn sign at the intersection of North Franklin Street and Centre Street, as well as bolstering enforcement of traffic laws there.
That intersection was identified by a Newsday study as among Long Island’s deadliest, with 183 crashes, 12 serious injuries, and two fatalities since 2014.
Also attending the news conference was Pastor Robert Stewart, who leads Calvary Tabernacle Church. The church stands across North Franklin Street from the three buildings of the Academy Charter School.
“We have seen firsthand how our kids and our families have been impacted by the dangerous roads in the intersection that Congresswoman Gillen pointed out,” Roberts said. “We feel that it’s important for us to stand up to support and defend our residents and ensure that they have safe streets.”
Gillen said she should know within two months whether Hempstead would be awarded the grant.
She also commented that, when campaigning for Congress, she knocked on doors near Barack Obama School at William Street and Jerusalem Avenue. Residents told her that vehicles speeding along both streets were a major concern.
Hobbs said that recent heavier enforcement by the Traffic Unit has greatly reduced complaints.
“We are excited today,” said Hobbs. “It is so important that we get the assistance that we need, so that we can continue to provide safety for the residents of the Village of Hempstead.”
