Summer road work drawing to a close

Construction is nearing completion on the 2010-11 road program in Valley Stream, and when work is done, about two miles worth of village roads will have been repaved.

Last week, construction was in full force on Gibson Boulevard between Page Road and Brook Drive. “It was full of potholes,” said village Highway Superintendent Tim Leahy about the need to replace the road.

Also under construction is East Hawthorne Avenue between Satterie Avenue and South Cottage Street. Full of commercial businesses, Leahy said that road had taken a beating because of heavy truck traffic.

Ken Cuomo, of Lucchesi Engineering which supervises the road program, said that the constant truck traffic has made the road repair a challenge. The businesses still need to operate, he said, so it is possible that the final paving of the 850-foot stretch of East Hawthorne Avenue will have to be done at night.

In the meantime, construction workers are replacing curbs, shoulders and driveway aprons during the day. All work through the road program is being done by Reet Construction.

Another ongoing road project is Payan Avenue between Merrick Road and West Valley Stream Boulevard. When those three road projects are complete, the village will then begin planning for its 2011-12 road program, which will total about $1.9 million in repairs.

Michael Fox, the deputy village treasurer, said the village is borrowing $2 million for 2010-11 road program. The cost for construction is about $1.75 million plus $260,000 for engineering fees.

There are also some road repairs being completed by village crews. Last week, workers replaced a concrete section of South Grove Street between Merrick and Lincoln avenues. Next up, Leahy said, will be replacing a broken-up section of road on East Jamaica Avenue in front of Holy Name of Mary Church. A stretch of Fenwood Drive in the north end of the village, where a part of the road is sinking and breaking up, is also slated for repairs soon.

The village also recently finished paving the parking lot at the Clear Stream Avenue Firehouse. Leahy said it had become a tripping hazard, according to the village’s insurance provider. “Because it’s right across the street from the school,” he said, “we made it a priority.”

2010-11 road program

Roads that have been completed or are currently under construction:

Charles Court — Buscher Avenue to dead end

Cedar Street — Broadway to Green Street

Gibson Boulevard — Page Road to Brook Drive

Union Street — Buscher Avenue to dead end

Wavecrest Street — Horton Avenue to Oceanview Avenue

East Hawthorne Avenue — Satterie Avenue to South Cottage Street

Fairfax Street — Arlington Avenue to Roeckel Avenue

East Fairview Avenue — South Cottage Street to dead end

Gates Avenue — Rose Avenue to Raisig Avenue

Mary Street — Rose Avenue to Mehrman Avenue

Buscher Avenue — Clear Stream Avenue to Terrace Place

Camdike Street — West Valley Stream Boulevard to Buscher Avenue

Payan Avenue — Merrick Road to West Valley Stream Boulevard

Ivy Place — Mill Road to Fairfield Avenue

Mehrman Avenue — Gates Avenue to Mary Street