Jericho Turnpike repaving project to be done in June
New Hyde Park officials recently met with New York State reps to discuss the Jericho Turnpike repaving project, Trustee Donald Barbieri revealed last week. He said that after state Department of Transportation (DOT) work in Mineola, which is slated to restart April 8, is finished, workers will return to the New York City line and continue work through New Hyde Park.
Officials estimated a June completion date. New traffic light intervals will be instituted at Jericho Turnpike and New Hyde Park Road and the turnpike and Lakeville Road, Covert Avenue and Jericho as well as the intersection of Jericho and Hillside Boulevard.
New handicap ramps will be built once the new lighting is installed, village officials said. The entire repaving project runs the length of Jericho Turnpike from the city line in Floral Park to Glen Cove Road.
“That should be happening shortly,” he said. “They didn’t have an exact date for us, but they would probably get back here in June. Most of the roadwork would be done in the evening.”
Barbieri explained utilities companies may need to remove some of their apparatus and piping for gas out of the way for work to proceed. A utility agreement is in the process of being sent to the DOT, he said. The plan covers beautification of streetscapes, repaving as well as traffic and pedestrian amenities. A water pipe was moved on Tuesday, April 2, according to Barbieri.
Bids on the project will be awarded in early May, according to village officials. New Hyde Park is awaiting confirmation from the DOT to bid submission dates.
“We believe we’ll be able to go out to bid [soon], Barbieri said. ‘It’s been a long fight, but I think we’re reaching the finish line.”
State Sen. Jack Martins said the village and the DOT are working together in an “effort to get their project done as soon as possible.”
“I know they’re coordinating,” Martins stated. “They’re working on both projects. They complement each other. The hope is that they’re not done sequentially, but simultaneously so there’s no delays and by the time the project reaches New Hyde Park, that they’d be able to continue to pave, that the curbs and ramps are in.”
He called New Hyde Park “proactive” when it comes to staying on top of the project, as is Floral Park and Mineola. DOT reps did not return calls for comment, but Martins confirmed they presented an itinerary of work schedules and completion dates.
“The project is long overdue…glad to see it’s happening,” said Martins. “Glad to see the DOT is taking every effort to minimize the impact of local communities.”
