The Village of Flower Hill Board of Trustees have long sought the need for addressing traffic and safety issues on Port Washington Boulevard. Since the boulevard is owned by New York State, village officials have long worked with New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) officials on this issue. Village officials have also released a statement updating the situation on Port Washington Boulevard.
“The congestion on the southbound lanes that back up as far as St. Francis Hospital, the excessive speeding and the insufficient storage in the left hand turn lane for Middle Neck Road, combine to make the road extremely dangerous,” the statement began. “An initial traffic study requested by the Village of Flower Hill in conjunction with concerned residents resulted in the NYSDOT checking all the crosswalk signs, installing new signage and reducing the speed limit to 40 mph. The NYSDOT also acknowledged that the Port Boulevard/Middle Neck Road intersection needed further studying and possibly a re-design. This intersection has averaged 2 to 4 accidents a month since the beginning of 2013.
“After a patient and persistent effort, we now have a commitment from the NYSDOT to do a complete study of this intersection. This commitment is the result of coordinated efforts by Senator Jack Martins, our mayor, Elaine Phillips, and the administration of St. Francis Hospital who are directly affected by any proposed changes and have a strong interest in solving the traffic and safety problems. Notwithstanding the NYSDOT’s commitment, it is estimated that any changes will take at least five years. Understanding the need for a more timely solution that specifically addresses the safety issues, Mayor Elaine Phillips has requested that the village be allowed to erect traffic control devices in the interim.
“The village has proposed erecting overhead speed display signs on both sides of Port Washington Boulevard. Speed display signs are an effective and affordable tool to slow drivers. Studies have shown that these signs produce 10-20 percent reductions in average speeds along with an increase in compliance with the posted speed limit. “The proposed locations of the cantilevered poles that will hold the signs are as follows: northbound—between Farmview Road and East High Road; southbound—north of Oaktree Lane. Senator Jack Martins has provided the village with state grant funding for the entire cost of the equipment and its installation,” the statement concluded. “The village is now waiting for approval from the NYSDOT and feedback from the community. Flower Hill strongly believes that by slowing traffic, there will be a reduction in the number of accidents at the Middle Neck Road intersection and provide for a safer Port Washington Boulevard, contact the village with any questions or concerns at 627-5000.”
