Traffic advocates conduct road audits in Freeport

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Additionally he suggested that North Main Street have one lane in each direction, instead of two lanes. “There are under 15,000 cars that use this roadway, so it is possible to do other things with the road - a bike lane, a colorized turning lane in places, even a landscaped median,” said Burden.

Burden presented other solutions including roundabouts, nine foot travel lanes, wider sidewalks, post-mounted traffic signals and plantings along the road’s edges.

“This community has wonderful assets - it has a great transportation hub and is close to the city; it has a variety of housing and rich ethnic diversity,” said Burden.

“We hope drawing attention to the needs of downtown helps improve safety along the corridor and benefits local businesses,” said Vision Long Island Director Eric Alexander. “It’s clear that much more is needed to address the ongoing safety issues facing communities, like Freeport along the Sunrise Highway corridor,”

Will Stoner, representing AARP, said the street audit, which also included the communities of Baldwin and Valley Stream, was an opportunity to make residents aware of a $2.7 million road plan for Sunrise Highway that is being planned by the New York State Department of Transportation without any input from the community. The DOT issued an RFP for proposals which is due back in the fall.

“This is taxpayer money and we would like the opportunity to comment. This is our money,” said Stoner.

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