The Nassau County Department of Public Works recently took the next step needed to move ahead with the infrastructure plans for Shore Road, submitting plans to the state Department of Environmental Conservation for its review and approval.
Once Nassau County’s plans receive DEC approval, the Department of Public Works can fix the undermined section of Shore Road and reopen the southbound lane.
“The project we’re talking about now is about fixing the road,” Nassau County Legislature Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whitton (D-Glen Cove) said.
After discovering a damaged seawall section, sidewalk and road undermining, the southbound lane of Shore Road was closed. On July 30, emergency work was completed to install a temporary barrier adjacent to the eroded section of Shore Road.
The road repairs are a priority for Nassau County to reopen the lane and provide full access for the estimated 8,000 vehicles that travel Shore Road weekly.
“We have to find out exactly what the extent of damage is like underneath the road, of the undermining,” DeRiggi-Whitton said. “So that’s what they’re doing now so we can reopen it.”
While plans for Shore Road restoration include fixing the seawall, repairing the sidewalk, adding lighting and making the section of road a continuation of Port Washington North’s Bay Walk, the immediate need calls for supporting the road.
“We have to do this now because Shore Road is such a major road,” DeRiggi-Whitton said. “So this project is to support the road, which can be done before the seawall is fixed. But the seawall needs to be fixed, or else the undermining of the road will just happen again.”
Nassau County Department of Works officials told DeRiggi-Whitton and her colleagues that they are following up with the DEC daily for updates and are working to advance the project as swiftly as possible.
“The DEC does respect the fact that this is like a major thoroughfare in and out of Port,” DeRiggi-Whitton said. “They know it’s an emergency, so they’re trying to do it as quickly as possible.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul recently awarded the Village of Baxter Estates $7.7 million in state funding to apply toward infrastructure upgrades that secure the seawall, mitigate flooding, reduce coastal erosion and more.
“I am glad to see that a repair plan is under review and the emergency repair work for this critical thoroughfare in our community is moving in the right direction,” DeRiggi-Whitton said. “I appreciate DPW’s close attention to this vital project, and we thank everyone for their patience and understanding as we work together to navigate this challenging situation.”
