The transportation plan, from June 15-21, for the 2009 U.S. Open Championship at Bethpage State Park’s Black Course is designed to provide a satellite parking system, while minimizing traffic congestion on the local roads surrounding Bethpage State Park. Traffic representatives from New York State, the Village of Farmingdale, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), Nassau County, Suffolk County and the local townships have been involved in the planning process with the USGA for the past two years.
Jones Beach Parking and Shuttles
All general spectators attending the 2009 U.S. Open at Bethpage should utilize free championship parking, located at Jones Beach State Park. Nearly 11,000 parking spaces have been secured at Jones Beach in Parking Fields 3, 4 and 5 to ensure that the anticipated 45,000 daily spectators enjoy trouble-free travel to and from the championship. From Jones Beach, the USGA will provide more than 125 complimentary shuttle buses that will run continuously from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, dropping spectators off within 100 yards of the championship’s main admission gate.
Long Island Rail Road Riders – Farmingdale Station
MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) will also provide spectators with a fast, convenient option to get to the U.S. Open. The LIRR will offer regular and extra service to accommodate those attending the U.S. Open. Spectators will travel to the LIRR Farmingdale train station, where they will board buses for a short ride to the championship. Train service will be provided in both directions on the Ronkonkoma Branch to accommodate spectators traveling from either New York City or eastern Long Island. Transfer from other branches is also available. Visit the LIRR U.S. Open webpage at www.mta.info for more information on the train service.
Drop-Off Locations
Local residents wishing to be dropped off at the championship should utilize the taxi/limo/passenger drop area, located at the Nassau County Fire Service Academy on Winding Road. Vehicles (15-passenger and smaller) should access this location via Interstate 495/Long Island Expressway, taking the Round Swamp Road exit. Vehicles will travel south on Round Swamp Road, turning left (east) onto Bethpage Sweet Hollow Road and then turning right onto Winding Road. ??Area residents are asked to be mindful of the following guidelines and road closings during the week of the championship to ensure a smooth traffic flow: Bethpage State Park will be closed for normal activities throughout the championship.
Road Closures
The following will be completely closed to motorists, 24 hours a day, for the duration of the U.S. Open:
• Round Swamp Road, inside Bethpage State Park between Quaker Meeting House Road and Winding Road
• Entrances to Bethpage State Park at Central Avenue, Quaker Meeting House Road, and east of the Bethpage State Parkway Traffic Circle
The following will be closed daily from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. for the duration of the championship:
• The entire Bethpage State Parkway (BSP) from Southern State Parkway (SSP) and Bethpage State Park (associated BSP entrance ramps will be closed at Boundary Avenue, New York State Route 24, Central Avenue, Powell Avenue/Plainview Road, SSP westbound to BSP northbound, SSP eastbound to BSP northbound, SSP eastbound to Linden Street, and Linden Street to SSP and BSP)
• Powell Avenue/Plainview Road east of Stymus Avenue
• Quaker Meeting House Road between Round Swamp Road and Merritt Road
• Round Swamp Road between Lois Lane and Winding Road
• Winding Road between Bethpage Sweet Hollow Road and Round Swamp Road (limited to local businesses and traffic accessing the taxi/limo/passenger drop)
Due to increased U.S. Open traffic, several roads will be closed at the following intersections. Local traffic should follow alternate routes. Those intersections include:
• Yoakum Street at the intersection of Bethpage Road
• Lenox Road at the intersection of Bethpage Road
• Anita Place at the intersection of Bethpage Road
• Hill Road at the intersection of Merritt Road
• Holly Avenue at the intersection of Merritt Road
Temporary No Parking restrictions will be in place on all major streets near Bethpage State Park. They include the following roads:
• Melville Road between NY State Route 110 and Main Street
• All of Powell Place
• All of Bethpage Road
• Secatogue Avenue between Melville Road to Eastern Parkway
• Winding Road between Bethpage Sweet Hollow Road and Round Swamp Road.
Alternate routes during the week are strongly recommended. For more information on the 2009 U.S. Open and for regular transportation updates, visit www.USOPEN.com.
No Public Parking at Farmingdale State College Campus
During the week of June 15-21, only cars displaying a USGA U.S. Open pass will be permitted to enter the Farmingdale State College campus. Only the Melville Road entrance adjacent to Nold Hall will be open. State police and the department of transportation staff anticipate increased traffic around the area. Community residents are advised to take this into consideration, when planning travel time.
Village of Farmingdale Parking Restrictions
Due to increased traffic volume, several local roads should be avoided during peak travel times. They include:
• NY State Route 110 between I-495 and the Southern State Parkway
• NY State Route 135 between I-495 and the Southern State Parkway
• Melville Road west of NY State Route 110
• Powell Place/Bethpage Road in the Village of Farmingdale
• Central Avenue east of NY State Route 135
• Merritt Road North of NY State Route 24
• Plainview Road/Powell Avenue in the vicinity of NY State Route 135
• Round Swamp Road south of I-495
• Bethpage Sweet Hollow Road between Round Swamp Road and Spagnoli Road
• Spagnoli Road west of NY State Route 110
The Farmingdale Village Board established No Parking rules on certain roads for the week of June 15-21. There will be No Parking by order of New York State on Melville Road from easterly village line to Main Street, Powell Place, Bethpage Road and Secatogue Avenue from Melville Road to Eastern Parkway. Residents were mailed letters of explanation and issued two parking passes per home. The No Parking rules are in effect from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Additionally the village will be temporarily modifying parking availability for railroad permit holders. Beginning Thursday, June 11 through Sunday, June 21, a majority of the south parking lot at the station will be closed. Beginning June 13 through Sunday, June 21, a small portion of the north parking lot will be closed. Arrangements have been made for parking in other lots within the village. Railroad permit holders were issued a notice and alternate parking map. The Village of Farmingdale’s Main Street is open for business as usual. Normal parking regulations on Main Street and in municipal lots will be strictly enforced in the Village of Farmingdale. For more information call Village Hall at 249-0093 or visit www.farmingdalevillage.com.
Jaime L. Tomeo contributed to this article.
