Tracking traffic to build better roads

State DOT analysis of local streets could improve projects’ planning, funding

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Streets in 16 areas of Cedarhurst, Lawrence, Hewlett Bay Park, Hewlett Harbor and Hewlett Neck have been randomly selected for analysis as part of a statewide traffic study that may ultimately lead to possible infrastructure grants to local municipalities.
The study, which involves counting moving cars at certain points on local side streets, is being undertaken by the state Department of Transportation, and is expected to be completed this summer.
DOT spokesman Beau Duffy said the study is part of a federal project known as Local Roads-Vehicle Miles of Travel, and that the collected data would be used for local government planning and the allocation of state and federal funding for road-improvement projects. “This is a one-time traffic study,” Duffy said, “and hasn’t been done before.”
Based on DOT figures, the state has approximately 115,000 miles of public roads, with about 88,000 miles categorized as local roads and streets. The project will estimate the amount of travel on local roads, with an objective to collect data “on at least 10 percent of such mileage in each municipality (city, town, or village),” DOT officials said in a prepared release. “By collecting enough counts at randomly distributed locations statewide NYSDOT will be able to develop a reasonably accurate estimate of how much travel actually occurs on these types of roadways.”
The random sampling encompasses a variety of local roads, including cul-de-sacs, dead-ends and alleys.

Three areas in the Village of Cedarhurst are being studied. Mayor Benjamin Weinstock said he was interested in learning from the collected data once the study is completed. “If it’s really true that the study will result in state grants, I’ll be the first person standing on line to get money for our village to help improve and maintain our roads,” he said. “My guess is that it will take a lot of time to get from traffic study to grant money, but we will definitely track the process for the benefit of the village.”
Weinstock said that a number of Cedarhurst streets require replacement and resurfacing. “Costs are higher to do this kind of work,” he said. “We’re still going through the village to assess which streets need the most.”
With federal, state or local funding, Weinstock said, his No. 1 focus would be Pearsall Avenue. “It’s a busy street, with a lot of through traffic and heavy traffic passing through there,” he said. “It runs adjacent to the train station and train tracks, so it sees a lot of traffic.” His second priority would be Locust Avenue, he said.
In the Village of Lawrence, eight streets are being studied. Mayor Martin Oliner said that while many of the streets in the village are in good shape, there are some that need to be repaired. He said that state Route 878, also known as the Nassau Expressway, was a priority, with streetlights in need of repair, but certain local streets also need attention. “Our streets that require fixing are the result of [Hurricane Sandy],” Oliner said. “Central Avenue and some streets in the back of Lawrence are in need of repair. If this study helps us acquire funding, it would be greatly appreciated.” Also included in the study are two streets in Hewlett Bay Park, one in Hewlett Harbor and two in Hewlett Neck.

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